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Promotion of the National Constituent Assembly

1. Precedents:

The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) has criticized Ecuador's constitutions for failing to include the participation and interests of Ecuador's indigenous nationalities and of the vast majority of Ecuador's social groups. In turn, since 1990 CONAIE has demanded the convocation of a National Constituent Assembly (Asamblea Nacional Constituyente), a demand which gained popular support in the protests of February 5 and 6 of this year. The Ecuadorian Congress and the interim government of President Fabi'an Alarc'on made a commitment to call this constituent assembly. This same demand, which was ratified by the Ecuadorian people on May 25 in a non-binding referendum, is being mocked and marginalized by the traditional political class.

2. Justification:

This situation, as well as the need to develop a proposal for change, has led CONAIE to plan a series of activities that lead to the formation and propagation of this proposal, a proposal for constitutional reform that promotes the following: the recognition of the political, economic, social, cultural and spiritual rights of indigenous nationalities; a fair and equal distribution of the country's resources and wealth; the economic and social well-being of all of the Ecuadorian people.

At this moment CONAIE is carrying out a massive information campaign about the importance of the National Constituent Assembly to ensure that it be democratic, participatory, and open to all of Ecuadorian society. As such, it is a historic event that is necessary in order to face the new millennium with a clear and balanced vision. This information campaign is taking place through various means (Communal and Neighborhood Constituent Assemblies, radio programs, commercials, posters, flyers, etc.) with the limited resources available to us.

3. Objectives:

The aim of this campaign is to make the entire society aware of the importance of the National Constituent Assembly, guarantee the presence of indigenous delegates in the Assembly, and coordinate various national mobilizations and marches that will lead up to the installation of the Assembly.

The National Constituent Assembly called by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and coordinated with other social groups will begin on October 12, 1997 in the Ecuadorian Congress. The Assembly will last for three weeks, resulting in the preparation of a new constitution that takes into account the proposals and needs of the diverse population of Ecuador. It will also guarantee the democratic participation of indigenous nationalities and other social groups of Ecuador. In the National Constituent Assembly, the indigenous nationalities will be represented by 100 assembly delegates who will be elected by consensus in local and regional assemblies.

In addition, actions will be carried out to motivate and inform the entire society for the Assembly, which will insure that the rights and interests of the Ecuadorian people are guaranteed by the National Constituent Assembly.

In order to realize this Assembly and its corresponding campaigns, we need your solidarity and support, especially by way of economic resources (estimate to follow). We hope for your personal or organizational commitment to help us in this historic moment, so that we can bring about the necessary changes for our peoples.

4. Estimated budget:

4.1 - Promotion/Information 120,500,000 Sucres
4.2 - National Constituent Assembly 60,000,000 Sucres
4.3 - Mobilizations and Marches 40,000,000 Sucres
TOTAL: 220,500,000 Sucres
= 55,125 US Dollars

I offer my sincerest thanks for your consideration and for any help you can offer for this event of historic importance.

Respectfully,

Antonio Vargas
PRESIDENT OF CONAIE

Information Center of the Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador
conaie@ecuanex.net.ec
September 1997


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