Nielmar de Oliveira
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Rio - Petrobras denied charges by environmental organizations that, in its South American operations, it has caused damage to the environment in areas close to indigenous communities. The accusations were launched at the Pan-Amazon Coordination Encounter, in Quito, Ecuador, and in the book, "Petrobras: Integration or Exploitation?" published the Federation of Social and Educational Assistance Institutions' (FASE) Sustainable and Democratic Brazil project.

In a written response to the Agência Brasil, the Brazilian government-run enterprise refutes the criticisms of its actions in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Regarding its operations in Peruvian territory, the company claims that the charge it caused damage in an area near an Indian reservation is groundless. According to the Petrobras press office, the company has not yet begun to work the area, which was acquired only recently.

"We are currently getting ready for an initial meeting with the communities in the area, where Petroperu will present us as partners of the Peruvian State in this undertaking," the note affirms. Petrobras guarantees that only after this presentation will it initiate its environmental analysis and prepare its Environmental Impact Report.

Concerning its exploration and production activities in Bolivia, Petrobras assures that the exploratory activities planned for the Rio Hondo bloc have also not gotten underway yet, "for lack of a definition on the government's part." The company is awaiting a definition on socio-environmental monitoring. But it confirms that the area is located in a national park and on Indian lands.

In the case of this bloc, Petrobras says that the company's position is not to engage in any activity until the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and the Ministry of Environment have resolved internal problems "in harmony with the interests of the country."

In the San Alberto and San Antonio blocs, however, where natural gas is produced, Petrobras asserts that no Indian territory is involved. "The efforts to relate to the neighboring peasant and Indian communities have been carried out with positive results, and the operations are proceeding without social problems, without contamination, and with substantial social investments."

The company reports that it is implementing a Community Relationship Plan in the region, with consultations, publicity, job creation, and the construction of social infrastructure in the areas of health, education, and sanitation.

In blocs 18 and 31, in the regions where it operates in Ecuador, Petrobras insists that convenants have been signed with local communities for the implementation of community self-management programs and projects to meet the basic needs of these communities.

The company says that it has alliances covering work and institutional cooperation with indigenous organizations in Ecuador. "In the Huaorani Living Plan, Petrobras' Health Program was considered a landmark and a model to be adopted in other communities," the Petrobras note declares.

The note also vouches that the company's guiding principle of social and environmental responsibility "applies to all the countries where the company operates, reaffirming the company's commitment to the Global Pact, the Goals of the Millenium, and sustainable development."

Translation: David Silberstein