Chevron: Ecuador Court Ordered Inspections To Resume Tuesday

More at CNN Moneyy: “QUITO -(Dow Jones)- After a nearly 10-month pause, judicial inspections will resume Tuesday in a lawsuit in Ecuador against Chevron Corp (CVX), the oil company said Monday.

Chevron said in a press release that presiding justice Juan Nunez of the Superior Court in Nueva Loja has ordered four of eight remaining judicial inspections to be carried out this week.

They are on oil well Auca-17, oil well Auca-19, Auca Central Station and Auca Sur Station.

Four remaining inspections are scheduled to be carried out by March 26.

"Judge Nunez ruled in response to a request by the plaintiffs' lawyers that he move quickly to issue a ruling in this case," Chevron said.”

-- I have to say I think this court's a total joke. It's in Ecuador, and the judge is under the influence of the President in a society not known for fair due process. While Chevron reportedly asked for the venue to be Ecuador, it would have been better here in America. We'll see, but I would be surprised if a fair ruling came out of this judicial system.

Ecuador: President Correa Faces Pressure From Indigenous Groups

More at Global Voices Online: “Despite protests and road blockades in southen Ecuador, a new mining law [es] (pdf format) was passed in Congress. Now the new bill will head to the executive branch for final approval from President Rafael Correa. Opposition to the bill is coming from indigenous groups, who have called for a national march to be held on January 20 to protest the government's support for the new law.

The mobilization is being led by the country's largest indigenous organization, the National Confederation of Indigenous Nations (CONAIE), which is stating that there was very little discussion regarding the new law and that it will be harmful to the environment and is going against the sovereignty of indigenous communities. ”

-- And this from the President who claims to be protecting indigeneous groups, as in the Chevron case, while letting Ecuadorian companies take advantage of them. The key need is for that country to improve its economic development practices.

Multinational Monitor Erroneously Lists Ford Foundation's Community Friend Chevron as One Of 2008 Worst Corporations

It seems the Multinational Monitor has a habit of writing incorrect and critical news about American Corporations that support it. Support it? With a budget of over $1 million, it doesn't come from people on the street. But it takes that money from corporations and uses it to incorrectly shame them.

This is certainly true with Chevron, the company the "non-profit" organization publication owned by Essential Information, a firm founded by Ralph Nader, who's not involved with it as of this writing. It is Essential Information that receives a grant from The Ford Foundation, which in turn has recognized Chevron as a good company in the matter of community investment in America.

So what does the Multinational Monitor accuse Chervon of that makes it "so bad"? It's attempt to throw out a baseless lawsuit against it by Ecuador regarding oil wells that the country itself is responsible for taking care of and has been for almost 20 years.

Multinational Monitor and Robert Weissman, who made the list, should take Chevron off of it.

Chevron Accuses Court Expert Of Violating Law In Ecuador Case

Chevron Accuses Court Expert Of Violating Law In Ecuador Case And here's more on Richard Cabrera: Chevron accuses Cabrera of filing false report.