CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE TRATADOS INDIOS

 January 17, 2005

GUATEMALA: MINING, REPRESSION & LOCAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

"We have to protect the investors". (Guatemalan President Oscar Berger)

BELOW:
- Rights Action Commentary
- CNN news report
- statement by Glamis Gold company, responding to violence
- letter from Canadian ambassador to Guatemala
- article by Madre Selva

SPEAKING TOUR: Rights Action is organizing an educational speaking tour
concerning community development and global mining countries, for March
2005 in Canada and the U.S.. Contact Grahame for more information:
416-654-2074, info@rightsaction.org.

If you want on-off this elist: info@rightsaction.org

===

RIGHTS ACTION Commentary:

- the "unconfirmed" loss of life, that Glamis Gold refers to below, is
confirmed.

- the Indigenous communities, NGOs and individuals opposing the mining
operation are not "anti-development activists", as Glamis argues below.
At
the heart of this dispute is a fundamental debate about what is
"development". The "development" vision of the World Bank, governments
of
Canada, U.S. and Guatemala, and the Glamis Gold company is that
"development" is linked to, in this case, the expansion and promotion of
the
interests of a private, global mining company. The beneficiaries of
this
"development" are company owners, investors and northern-based
purchasers
and consumers of the Glamis Gold product. The "development" vision of
Indigenous communities, NGOs and anti-poverty activists is different in
many
ways from the dominant vision. In protesting against the interests of a
Canadian/US mining company, the local communities and organizations are
fighting for community-controlled and defined development.

- Glamis Gold accuses people in opposition to the transportation of
mining
equipment as having engaged in criminal activity. This is not only
wrong,
but it is threatening to people and organizations that engage in legal
protest activities.

- Glamis Gold ends its statement, claiming it is "a premier intermediate
gold producer with low-cost gold mines and development projects in
Nevada,
Mexico and Central America." This is an admission of some of the very
problems that were destined to happen. Glamis prides itself on the
"low-costs"! It is in part the exploitative and abusive nature of
Glamis'
investment that communities and organizations are protesting!

- the Canadian ambassador repeats the argument that enabling Canadian
mining
exploitation in Guatemala is good for the needs of Guatemala's poor.
This
argument has been fallacious since generations ago. We recommend
reading
the book "Open Veins of Latin America" by Eduardo Galeano. It is
possible
that mining could be good for development in Guatemala, but not a mining
operation that is owned, invested in and beneficial to the Glamis Gold
company and its investors, the World Bank, the Canadian government, etc.

===

ONE DEAD IN GUATEMALA CLASH
(www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/01/11/guatemala.violence.ap/) 05-01-11

"We have to protect the investors"
-- Guatemalan President Oscar Berger

LOS ENCUENTROS, Guatemala (AP) -- At least one person was killed and 12
other peasants and police officers were injured Tuesday when protesters
fired handguns, threw stones and erected barriers of burning tires to
block
a truck carrying equipment headed to a gold mine in northern Guatemala.

More than 750 police officers and soldiers, many wearing riot gear and
flanked by an armored vehicle fitted with a massive metal scoop to clear
the
highway, were escorting the truck after residents of the provincial
capital
of Solola vowed to refuse to let it pass through their city.

Local officials initially granted permission for the mining equipment to
move through the community, but changed their minds when they learned a
Solola pedestrian bridge that leads over the highway would have to be
taken
apart, then later reassembled in order to allow the truck and its cargo
of a
towering metal cylinder, to pass.

The pedestrian bridge, built by residents who donated their time, has
become
a source of civic pride for many in Solola city, as well as the
surrounding
province of the same name. Locals have also objected to a gold mine
located
60 miles (100 kilometers) to the north where the equipment is headed,
saying
activities there may be damaging the environment.

The truck originally began its journey from Guatemala City to the mine
185
miles (300 kilometers) to the north on December 6, but was forced to
pull
off the two-lane transnational highway and wait for weeks while
authorities
negotiated its trip through Solola.

Shortly before dawn Tuesday, the truck began its northward push again.
Facing threats of violence, police and soldiers were ordered by
Guatemala's
government to help it complete the journey. As the truck reached the
town of
Los Encuentros, located along an important interchange of highways 10
miles
(15 kilometers) from Solola's outskirts, hundreds of protesters on
either
side of the highway pelted it with rocks and sticks and at least a few
opened fire with guns, said Oscar Sanchez, a spokesman for the area's
volunteer fire department.

Police ignited tear gas canisters and fired in the air to try and
disperse
the protesters. A 37-year-old farmer, Raul Castro, was killed and at
least
five other locals were injured, according to witnesses. Sanchez said
seven
police officers had been transported to a hospital in the city of
Chimaltenango to be treated for injuries.

The caravan was making a slow trek up the mountain highway late Tuesday,
but
its path continued to be impeded by a number of makeshift, burning
roadblocks, he said. Carlos Calju, a spokesman for the national police
force, said authorities would continue to battle protesters until the
mining
equipment reached its destination.

"The order from the Interior Secretary is that the cylinder must move
on,"
he said. Speaking to reporters in Guatemala City before the protest
turned
deadly, President Oscar Berger said his government "had to establish the
rule of law." "We have to protect the investors," the president said.
[From
the Associated Press]

===

GLAMIS GOLD COMMENTS ON TRANSPORT INCIDENT

January 13, 2005 - Reno, Nevada - Glamis Gold Ltd. (NYSE: GLG; TSX: GLG)
today responded to reports of a protest related to the transportation of
equipment for its Marlin project in Guatemala. Unconfirmed press
reports
cite the possibility of loss of life in connection with the protest.

A dispute began in December in the community of Los Encuentros,
approximately 150 kilometers from the Marlin project, on the Pan
American
highway between the mine site and Puerto Quetzal. Local residents
objected
to the temporary dismantling of a footbridge over the highway, necessary
for
the ball mill bound for the site to pass, despite all required permits
having been obtained in advance by the transportation contractor. At
that
time, Glamis instructed the contractor to move the equipment away from
the
community and await resolution of the dispute.

Following consultation with local representatives, government officials,
determined that the lawful flow of commerce in Guatemala must continue,
and
instructed police to escort the truck through the community.
Unfortunately,
anti-development activists had succeeded in arousing the local
population by
spreading misinformation as to the intended location and use of the
equipment. A confrontation between police and villagers resulted, with
unconfirmed reports of injuries. Glamis is saddened that this criminal
activity may have resulted in injury and loss of life.

Glamis noted that its Marlin project continues to be strongly supported
by
local residents as well as municipal and federal government officials.
At
this time, the truck and ball mill have proceeded more than 100
kilometers
from Los Encuentros without incident, and are expected to arrive at the
Marlin site today. The ball mill is the last large piece of equipment to
be
delivered for project construction. No delay or other impact is expected
at
the Marlin project, which remains on schedule for the commencement of
gold
production later this year. Glamis Gold Ltd. is a premier intermediate
gold
producer with low-cost gold mines and development projects in Nevada,
Mexico
and Central America. The Company remains 100 percent unhedged. Glamis'
plan
and budget reflects a near tripling of annual gold production to more
than
700,000 ounces by 2007 at a total cash cost below $150 per ounce.

===

LETTER FROM CANADIAN AMBASSADOR:

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Thank you for your electronic message of January 11 regarding the
roadblocks
imposed on traffic including machinery for a mining operation in San
Marcos,
Guatemala.

Canada has over many years worked strenuously in the promotion of human
rights, while at the same time assisting Guatemala to improve the living
conditions of its population whether through cooperation in health,
education and rural and economic development.

As a country which draws immense economic benefit from the development
of
its natural resources, Canada believes that responsible development
natural
resources is a viable option for improved economic development in
Guatemala.
Through responsible natural resources development, Canada's most remote,
rural and isolated communities experienced economic and social
development
where few other opportunities existed. With the Guatemalan government`s
decision to include development of its natural resources as development
options, Canada has sought to share its experience in this regard.

I would like to assure you that the Embassy of Canada has played an
active
role in ensuring that Canadian mining companies operating in this
country
are made fully aware of the political, economic, and cultural context in
which they operate and to ensure that they fully respect their social
and
environmental responsibilities as good corporate citizen beyond that
which
is the usual norm in the country. Also, the Embassy continues to work
with
the Guatemalan authorities in helping to build information and capacity
in
order that they may be in a position to meet their obligations for the
protection of the environment and equitable development for the benefit
of
their citizens.

In the case of the machinery held up in Los Encuentros, I understand
that
there have been repeated attempts to explain to the individuals
concerned
the use of the machinery and the fact that it is destined to an area
where
exploitation permits have been granted according to national and
international regulations. This said, we will continue to provide
information and promote dialogue as a means of helping Guatemalans make
informed decision about their development options.

Thank you for writing.

Yours sincerely,

James M. Lambert
Ambassador

===

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR METAL MINING, Prensa Libre, by Magalí Rey Rosa
(MadreSelva Collective)

What do the Guatemalan people have to do to convince the public servants
of
this country that we do not want metal mining on our lands? For the
last
year, we have been publicly expressing our concern about the serious
risks
and dangers of open pit metal mining and the social problems it can
cause.

We wish to open a dialogue with a large number of public servants, such
as
President Berger, as well as with other leaders, men and women of
Guatemala
who are interested in the well-being of our country, in particular, with
respect to problems of the environment and of water.

In MadreSelva, we believe that the real cost of metal mining
exploitation is
too high for Guatemala. We believe that it is the right of the people to
resist and we wish to avoid extreme situations such as the events that
occurred in Los Encuentros.

We have never supported, suggested or approved of the use of violence,
of
any kind, by anyone. Our struggle has been peaceful and pacifist. But we
are
concerned about the strong message the government authorities are
sending to
the population: the rights of the mining transnationals are more
important
than human life.

They give themselves the luxury of spending large amounts of money on
helicopters and mobilization of security forces while ignoring the
rights
and demands of the Guatemalan people.

Since last Thursday, Domina Vásquez, the indigenous mayor (through María
Eugenia Morales of the PDH), has been trying to send a request to open a
dialogue with the Ministry of Government and the Vice-President. What do
the
Guatemalan people have to do to convince the public servants of this
country
that we do not want metal mining on our lands? The law is only followed
when
it serves the interests of the most powerful.

It is difficult to believe in the promises made by the Government: the
official commitment to an information process and consultation with
communities before concessions are granted (one of the conclusions
stated at
the National Mining Forum) was violated when Eximbal was granted an
exploration concession.

Since last November, we have been hoping that President Berger will set
up a
high level commission to look into the issues raised by Monseñor Quezada
Toruño.

In the meantime, the mining is going full steam ahead, a gigantic engine
with full support from the Government. This is also happening with the
so-called "disinterested" help of Guatemalans who, like the person who
wrote
the editorial in El Periódico, demand that force be used to clear the
road
for the transnational mining companies.

===

RIGHTS ACTION, with its main office in Guatemala, is tax-charitable NGO
that
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Haiti, as well as Peru, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and engages in
north-south
education and work related to global development and human rights
issues.

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