The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) has leveled severe criticism at the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dirk Niebel. "Through Niebel's abrupt refusal to help preserve the unique Yasuni National Park in Ecuador, the secluded indigenous peoples living in the area are placed in grave danger," criticized Yvonne Bangert, head of the Indigenous Peoples section at the STP. In particular for the Tagaeri and Taromenane, who have only small communities remaining, the minister's sudden retraction of support for the Ecuadorian government's rain forest and climate protection project could mean extinction.

In 2007 Ecuador offered to leave the oil reserves below the Yasuni National Park untouched and to preserve the forests of the Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini (ITT) area, if the industrialized countries would pay financial compensation. This initiative was approved in 2008 by all parties in the German Parliament. The Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development at the time, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, pledged Germany's support with 50 million euros annually. Environmental protection activists and conservations welcomed this decision, as did the STP. Now, however, Niebel has unexpectedly announced that Ecuador will not receive any compensation from Germany at all.

For more information, contact Yvonne Bangert at +49 (0)551/ 499 06-14.

Translated by Elizabeth Crawford