Tal"is*man\, n.; pl. Talismans.
1. A magical figure cut or engraved under certain superstitious observances of the
configuration of the heavens, to which wonderful effects are ascribed; the seal, figure,
haracter, or image, of a heavenly sign, constellation, or planet, engraved on a sympathetic
stone, or on a metal corresponding to the star, in order to receive its influence.
2. Hence, something that produces extraordinary effects, esp. in
averting or repelling evil; an amulet; a charm; as, a talisman to avert diseases.
1. A magical figure cut or engraved under certain superstitious observances of the
configuration of the heavens, to which wonderful effects are ascribed; the seal, figure,
haracter, or image, of a heavenly sign, constellation, or planet, engraved on a sympathetic
stone, or on a metal corresponding to the star, in order to receive its influence.
2. Hence, something that produces extraordinary effects, esp. in
averting or repelling evil; an amulet; a charm; as, a talisman to avert diseases.
Today, communities in the Peruvian jungle region of Loreto issued a straightforward warning to Talisman Energy (TLM) (TLM.to) ; you either leave voluntarily before November 15th or we will force you to leave. As noted in this report, the people who live in and around TLM's block 64 and 101 concessions do not want any development that might interfere with the environment in which they live. To quote the local leader Cesar Zúñiga Butuna, president of the Federación de Nacionalidad Achuar del Perú (FENAP):
"We do not want our forests, rivers and earth polluted, because this is our natural market."
"We as the indigenous people reject the Canadian company Talisman. We do not want them working in our territory, we want the Peruvian state to respect us, and the armed forces must stop supporting the company."
"If they do not want to leave we will force them out; this is the agreement that has been coordinated with theAwajún brother (people) and the Huambisas of the Amazon. It is time that the government listens to us and we will make them respect us."
"We have proof that pollution already exists, damage to nature and to indigenous people in the communities where petroleum activities are developed. For 37 years in the Achuar brother communities of the Corrientes River, petroleum has not brought any development to them; on the contrary they are sick and poverty stricken."
The locals also noted that Talisman was being rather underhand in its public relations exercises, as it had received the approval of two sets of social groups and was doing the rounds with these people promoting the company. The on-the-spot locals (of Nuevo Alegría in the Morona disctrict, part of the Datem del Marañón province of Loreto) accuse Talisman of bribing these people, and also point out they are from areas not affected by the development. They also say that the locals supporting Talisman in the area are two social groups, while there are 34 groups that reject Talisman's presence that are not getting their voice heard.
Now TLM is a big oil company with most of its developments either in North America or the North Sea. If it does eventually walk away from Peru it will hardly be a company killer. So now that the locals, the real locals, have made their voice heard and have given Talisman three weeks to leave the area, will they do so? Watch this space.
Related Post
Reuters runs the Talisman Energy story
"We do not want our forests, rivers and earth polluted, because this is our natural market."
"We as the indigenous people reject the Canadian company Talisman. We do not want them working in our territory, we want the Peruvian state to respect us, and the armed forces must stop supporting the company."
"If they do not want to leave we will force them out; this is the agreement that has been coordinated with theAwajún brother (people) and the Huambisas of the Amazon. It is time that the government listens to us and we will make them respect us."
"We have proof that pollution already exists, damage to nature and to indigenous people in the communities where petroleum activities are developed. For 37 years in the Achuar brother communities of the Corrientes River, petroleum has not brought any development to them; on the contrary they are sick and poverty stricken."
The locals also noted that Talisman was being rather underhand in its public relations exercises, as it had received the approval of two sets of social groups and was doing the rounds with these people promoting the company. The on-the-spot locals (of Nuevo Alegría in the Morona disctrict, part of the Datem del Marañón province of Loreto) accuse Talisman of bribing these people, and also point out they are from areas not affected by the development. They also say that the locals supporting Talisman in the area are two social groups, while there are 34 groups that reject Talisman's presence that are not getting their voice heard.
Now TLM is a big oil company with most of its developments either in North America or the North Sea. If it does eventually walk away from Peru it will hardly be a company killer. So now that the locals, the real locals, have made their voice heard and have given Talisman three weeks to leave the area, will they do so? Watch this space.
Related Post
Reuters runs the Talisman Energy story