GROUNDBREAKING MEDIA FOR THE U'WA IN THIS UPDATE!

The Oil and Gas Journal, a petroleum industry mouthpiece, recently reprinted an article on the U'wa campaign. This uncensored article is taken largely from a press release U'wa Defense Working Group members sent out. The petroleum industry is taking increasing notice of our sustained activism in support of the U'wa.

Congratulations to everyone who organized against Fidelity and Sanford Bernstein!

Keep up the Great Work!

For more ideas on how to continue pressuring Sanford Bernstein and support the U'wa struggle see #2 and #3 below-

In this Post :
1. Oil and Gas Journal article Dec 27, 2000
2 Keep the pressure on Sanford Bernstein
3. 10 things you can do for the U'wa

#1 OIL AND GAS JOURNAL December 27, 2000

Environment-Finance: Activists Target Investors of US Company Drilling in Colombia

WASHINGTON, Dec 27 (IPS) - Having had no luck convincing a US oil company to halt drilling on land in Colombia claimed by an indigenous tribe, opponents to the project are now declaring some success in targeting investors of the corporation. Since 1992, when Occidental Petroleum was granted drilling rights in northeast Colombia by the government, the 5,000-strong U'wa tribe - which is against the project and claims the land as their sacred territory - has received international support in opposing the project. But when condemnation from environmental and human rights groups worldwide did not change Occidental's plans, activists began targeting the largest shareholder in the corporation, Fidelity Investments.

After a 10-month campaign by the Rainforest Action Network, Amazon Watch, and other environmental groups, the Boston-based firm sold more than 60 percent of its holdings in Occidental totalling 400 million dollars. Even though Fidelity says that there was no connection between its divestment and the campaign, activists are claiming that it was a result of the impact their numerous protests in the United States and Europe had on the investor's reputation.

''Fidelity learned the hard way that being Oxy's business partner is hazardous to their company's image,'' says Atossa Soltani, director of Amazon Watch, a California- based group. While activists are still trying to get Fidelity to divest its remaining shares in the corporation, pressure groups are now taking aim at another Occidental shareholder, the investment firm Sanford C. Bernstein and Co. and its parent company Alliance Capital Management.

''We are urging Sanford Bernstein and other major Occidental Petroleum shareholders to follow Fidelity's example and divest from this morally bankrupt company and unethical oil project,'' says Soltani. The firm has 53 million shares, valued at 1.19 billion dollars, in Occidental. Earlier this month Roberto Perez, chief of the U'wa nation, delivered a letter to the firm demanding that it sell its stock in the oil company.

ORGANIZE LOCALLY!
Visit your nearest SB/Alliance Capital office and tell them to divest from Oxy. Organize a demonstration, vigil, informational picket or non- violent direct action. We've got to show SB that we will not tolerate them profiting off the destruction of U'wa lands and culture.

Amazonwatch has just finished a new updated version of their excellent 10 minute video "Kajka Ika : Defending the Heart of the World". Get a copy from them and show it in your community. It's a great way to educate people and raise funds for the U'wa. To get a copy contact Amazonwatch at amazon@amzonwatch.org or call 310-455-0617.
You can also see it on Amazonwatch's website www.amazonwatch.org

Distribute the attached Sanford Bernstein factsheet - modify it to reflect your groups focus and add your local contact. Other materials are available in downloadable formats at www.ran.org and www.amazonwatch.org

For more information on this issue, or to let us know about a demonstration planned in your area call Patrick at 415-398-4404/1-800-989-RAIN or e-mail him at organize@ran.org .

For background info on the U'wa struggle and the international solidarity campaign check out :
www.ran.org     www.amazonwatch.org     www.moles.org

#3 10 Things You Can Do For the U'wa

Over the last year, the U'wa have repeatedly raised blockades at Oxy's proposed Gibraltar 1 drillsite. They have been joined in non-violent resistance by thousands of local campesinos, students, other indigenous peoples, and striking workers. The Colombian government has pushed Oxy's project ahead by militarizing the region and attacking the blockades, leaving three children dead, 11 people missing and dozens of peaceful protesters injured. Oxy began test drilling on November 3, protected by the military. Despite the continuation of this devastating project the U?wa and their supporters have vowed to continue their non-violent campaign to stop Occidental?Petroleum from destroying U?wa land and culture. There has never been a more crucial moment to show your support for the U?wa! Here?s what you can do:

1. Support Organizing in Colombia.
The U'wa and their supporters are continually organizing and doing incredible outreach throughout Colombia. They are occupying the areas surrounding the well-site, and continue to work on legal strategies that call for a suspension and ultimate cancellation of Oxy's egregious project. The U'wa need financial support to help them continue their work. Please send donations to:
Amazon Watch
115 South Topanga
Topanga Canyon, CA 90290
Earmarked: U'wa Defense

2. Target Sanford Bernstein, a subsidary of Alliance Capital Management.
Activist pressure led Fidelity Investments to divest 60% of their Occidental stock this past year. Sanford Bernstein is now Occidental?s largest shareholder. Last April, Sanford Bernstein?s president, Roger Hertog, assured the U?wa that he would look into his company?s investments and come to a "just and fair" solution, but instead the company bought 10 million more Oxy shares! Call, visit, leaflet or organize a direct action at your local Sanford Bernstein office.

To find the Sanford Bernstein office nearest you go to: www.bernstein.com/locations.htm

3. Stop Military Aid to Colombia.
This past summer Congress approved a $1.3 billion dollar "aid" package to Colombia, most of which will go to the police and military. Occidental Petroleum Vice President Larry Meriage testified before Congress in support of Plan Colombia, stating that the Colombian military was, "vastly underarmed". Oxy currently spends 10% of it?s operating budget on security expenses. Further military aid to Colombia will make it easier for the petroleum industry to continue to exploit Colombia?s natural resources, while increasing human rights violations on the part of the military and paramilitary. Contact your Senators and Representatives at www.ciponline.org/ colombia/aid/senvotes.htm and urge them to vote no on military aid to Colombia.

4. Spread the News.
Write a letter to the editor or an opinion piece for your local newspaper about the U'wa's struggle against big oil and big politicians. Link your letter to campaign coverage or other current news stories to help its chance of getting published. This is a very effective way to reach a large number of people in your area!

5. Reduce Dependence on Fossil Fuels
The world cannot afford to burn the reserves of fossil fuels that have already been discovered without risking potentially devastating global climate change. However, the oil industry continues to search for the new oil reserves in the Earth's most fragile ecosystems, endangering the U'wa and indigenous cultures around the world. Work in your community to promote alternatives to fossil fuels. To learn more about the connection between the oil industry and global climate change, download the report Drilling to the Ends of the Earth at http://www.ran.org/ ran/oilreport. Hard copies are available from:

Project Underground
1847 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94703
510-705-8981

6. Educate Your Community
Organize a teach-in, demonstration, or direct action in your area in support of the U'wa. Be sure to invite the press! For ideas and support, contact Patrick Reinsborough, Grassroots Coordinator, Rainforest Action Network: 1-800-989-RAIN or organize@ran.org A new educational video is available from Amazon Watch, Kajka Ika: Defending the Heart of the World. To order contact Amazon Watch at amazon@amzonwatch.org or 310- 455-0617

7. Write to Colombian President Andres Pastrana.
The Colombian government has the authority to revoke approval for Occidental's deadly project, which was granted in violation of its constitutional obligation to consult with affected indigenous communities. It is also using soldier and riot police forces to intimidate and attack the U'wa people and their supporters. Demand that President Pastrana: 

1) Stop escalating the violence in U'wa territory by pulling armed forces out of the region. 
2) Respect the fundamental rights of the U'wapeople, and 
3) Stop the drilling on U'wa ancestral territory before it's too late.

President Andres Pastran
Presidente de la Republica de Colombia
Palacio de Narino
Bogota, Colombia

8. Join the U'wa in Their Prayers
U'wa spiritual leaders invite all concerned activists to join them in prayer and spiritual renewal to continue our struggle for Mother Earth.

9. Stay informed.
Subscribe to the U'wa urgent alert listserve, and distribute the alerts widely to your networks! The listserve is the best way to keep up-to- date on crucial developments. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail from your e-mail account to uwa_updates- subscribe@igc.topica.com

10. Support organizations like
Rainforest Action Network, Project Underground, Amazon Watch and the U'wa Defense Working Group in their campaigns to support the U?wa people.

For more info:
Rainforest Action Network- www.ran.org
Project Underground- www.moles.org
Amazon Watch- www.amazonwatch.org