www.elmangodelhacha.com.ar Written by Daniela Pierotti 
Argentina In Añelo, 70 km from Neuquén Capital, the population suffers from severe heavy metal poisoning by consumption of contaminated water. The tap water comes to homes with oil residues. Tell the story of chronic poisoning deaths in children involves sharp pictures
also tell about the deaths and persecution of those who dare speak out and investigate. Añelo it can be painted as "a place in the world" a town in southern Argentine province of Neuquén who like many others have been erected from the oil industry in less than a decade has left
see the consequences of this constant activity: a population affected in their health environmental pollution, mainly remaining in the drinking water sources, an impoverished native population, particularly isolated, an island where the problems seem to depend on the resolution of internal local parties and the mayor in office, conditioned and subservient to corporate power.
few months ago we published in this means a report on femicide Cipoletti City, also in the province of Neuquén. And we mentioned an unsolved triple murder occurred in 2002, whose victims were a biochemist, a psychologist and a patient. At that time the note was part of
see the consequences of this constant activity: a population affected in their health environmental pollution, mainly remaining in the drinking water sources, an impoverished native population, particularly isolated, an island where the problems seem to depend on the resolution of internal local parties and the mayor in office, conditioned and subservient to corporate power.
few months ago we published in this means a report on femicide Cipoletti City, also in the province of Neuquén. And we mentioned an unsolved triple murder occurred in 2002, whose victims were a biochemist, a psychologist and a patient. At that time the note was part of
the problem of impunity for crimes against women so prevalent in that city. Digging deeper into the issue and talking with residents of the place the real motive of these crimes seem to lead or yes to the question of the business of water, a little more off-site in Añelo as
This story has many principles, but we can start with the statements of Paul Mendoza, participant Neighbors Assembly began meeting in that city in late 2006 to find a collective solution to the lack of hospital care due to the death of children under one year with acute without a clear diagnosis. Then this alarming situation but not isolated for Añelo settlers converged on the proposition of a pending issue and silenced: the pollution of drinking water.
MDH: How do you start this story?
Paul: On November 25 last year were the inmates of the Movement (Neuquén Popular Movement) and the same day at evening death of a baby, a kid who did not reach the year ... I was about 8 months. A day falls in the same health center another baby with the same symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, high fever. The issue that the Health Center give you something to take and send it to the house and advise them to see how it would evolve. I have to carry Neuquén Centennial and then and there is hospitalized for 15 days. The father again Añelo and start calling the community and insist that we had to move because they had been several cases. There was one death, her baby was very ill and we had to do something. That the claim was settled in a hospital claim in the village because there was no doctor, no specialists. Well, it emphasized the hospital and lack of inputs, both material and human resources. That began and reached to 13 December. It was a meeting in the square and formed a committee of neighbors. It also prepared a request at the hospital.
MDH: In this whole water issue was silent ...
Paul: The water was in third place. About 8 points the past were drinking water and sewage ... The above were on the hospital. And the request is made, it is presented to the mayor but no concrete answers. On December 22 and another assembly is called to participate in the committee Dr. Michael Vaira. Vaira had been in 2004 and 2005 by the Center for Health, as chief. He starts to pull the tip of the water issue, because I had done and had bacteriological
said was contaminated with coliform. They were sent to the mayor and this makes deaf ear. By January 2005 it is a party in a school and fall with an outbreak of gastroenteritis. Then the doctor begins to make associations and start making tank studies, network, houses, everything was contaminated. The question is accused of being a political move to lower the mayor removed him from office, the community center. All of this falls on the EPAS (Ente Provincial Water and Sanitation), makes the analysis and reports that all was well, that water was not contaminated. That was in 2005. We
2006 with the death of this baby ... Then Michael starts to say there may be a high-tech hospital and everything you want, but if the water is contaminated will continue all the same .. . there is no sewer planning, ground was contaminated ...
MDH: And so were the neighbors?
Paul: You talk to any good neighbor and know that the water ... that is, a water consumed with doubts, now with any questions. But it is getting water and is screwed ... Then with the participation of Miguel shifted the axis of the claim, hospital but still it went deeper than into the sewer and water.
December 22, another request is made and the next day becomes the first analysis after do not know how long into the health center. The first days of January returns the result to the population and the head, Dr Graciela Chamorro, confirmed by radio that the water is contaminated with coliform bacteria ...
MDH: But it says nothing about oil pollution ...
Paul: No, no dice. Radio comes on Friday confirming this. Is another neighborhood meeting and take the measure to cut the route. For all the claims without response from the mayor and the provincial government. The decision is a Sunday and early Monday to cut the route and it takes about four days
. Cut the road going to Rincon de los Sauces and going for Cutral-Co. At all times make assemblies. The second day, the mayor is present, Mr. Oscar Norberto Izaza, but gives a response with which non-conformity. At a second meeting and sent an emissary there more people got mad. The conflict ended on Thursday. Simultaneously cut the Mega, a pipeline of Loma de la Lata, near the roadblock. Cut one of the inputs the Loma de La Lata, one of the largest deposits in Latin America gacíferos. There is about 6 hours and decided to lift the court.
MDH: And what meets the assembly then?
Paul opens the possibility of bringing a lawyer to the meeting which is the Dr.Salgado and who gives legal advice. When people come to a meeting ASAP with neighbors of the committee, prepares a memorandum of agreement and points are agreed. The assembly accepts it and when you go to town to sign, accompanies the lawyer. So everything is rotten, the EPAS not want to sign, assistant secretary and was armed nor the tole tole. At the end of the minutes signed agreement and begin to carry out the work: bring water from the Rio Neuquén to Añelo through an underground river. That is already happening. From what news there is
medical tests which have to do the Health Center. To make the sewage is still no news of the bid. And making the Mirador, a resettlement of the other side of the road, had requested that no persecution of people for the claims and is taking place. Well, he had signed the
that was in charge of the works is the company SADC. SADC wins all the tenders of, SADC stands for "Company of Friends." It is a shell company that provided outsourced. And win all tenders and is in compliance with the provincial government. So we'll see.
MDH: And does it follow the assembly together to keep control of works and why?
Paul: It forms a water committee still works and the provision of jerry cans to families. Tracked. Community also participates Kaxipaim asked which was the physical and chemical analysis of water by the previous move in 95 communities that were in the same subject.
MDH: "At some point raised the issue beyond local issues?
Paul: Now we have to draw other conclusions. All this was in a genuine way, the theme of the kids I told you, the seed ... But as in every move or appear popular demand apparatus. And here there were also political manipulation from the point of view that the idea is to turn the mayor. You cross it and that's what is weighing heavy now. The MPN and internal, and also PJ UNE. Note that in January 2003 also was a move by the issue of water, prior to the elections as well. In 2003 Añelo neighbors moved by the lack of water. Was the same, meeting in the square, except that it was the roadblock. The same story ... for me it was handled, both times. This was true but then put the apparatus. Because now when you want to put the subject of analysis is silent. When one wants to mention that the problem is oil and heavy metal contamination ... slows down, because the enemy for these sectors opponents are not the multinationals. The All they want is power. And not going to go against the multinationals. So is distorted
whole struggle.
By mobilizing Añelo neighbors, old issues reappear outstanding voices speak again, allegations that had been in the freezer for a few years. Leandro figure reappears Max Araneda, a neighbor came to town Añelo about 18 years ago. For 97 years, due to malformations and musculoskeletal pain, he begins to determine the possible cause of health problems and those of his wife, with more severe features.
Walk several laboratories and Centenario, Neuquén a water sample. None wanted to do the analysis. Until a friend through contact pharmaceutical biochemistry Cipoletti City: Ana Zerda who performs the analysis. Ana Zerda Biochemistry reports that the sample was contaminated with heavy metals, cadmium, lead and mercury. Marriage is drawing blood, then more than 60 residents of Añelo is doing the same biochemical tests and all show chronic poisoning by these metals, to a greater or lesser extent. Aradena states that in a biochemistry when asked to not bring more people into his laboratory. A few days is found dead in her workplace. He was found dead by a blow to the head. The former is a partner and who is found guilty of the crime with his son. Both are in custody, but defense lawyers claim that they were scapegoats in a dark conflict that were indicted. The pharmacy "Don Bosco" belonging to whom Ana Zerda recommended for analysis appeared some time before burning. Araneda was holding the results of the analysis and continued its inquiries, suffering death threats he and his wife.
These recurring situations were duly reported in the newspapers and media of Neuquen and Rio Black. Over time, please contact Monica Garcia, the second found dead in the biochemistry laboratory of Cipoletti Lacyb kinesiologist with the Frari Diana, who was investigating the consequences of heavy metal poisoning in the bones. Also found dead a patient suffering from these conditions. This is the so-called second triple murder of Cipoletti, which survives Ketty Bilbao with a psychiatric diagnosis for which currently can not comment. In this case indict David Sandoval, who has a criminal record for rape and who remains the mayor of the city of General Roca.
This story continues and is repeated outside Añelo along and across the country. And the story it incurs mob over and over political power in the role it occupies in the middle of the business of multinationals: the exact role between business gear for their permanence and enrichment expense of people's lives. We're talking
deaths, crimes. A slow death at the hands of health and environmental consequences and faster but no less brutal in the hands of thugs who are responsible for cleaning up those who begin to report these facts. The neighbors of the assembly Añelo have dared to dust off old black boxes and have come to the media not to be unprotected in the midst of political corruption that is beyond the provincial boundaries.
remember that the south has allowed foreign owners to plunder the resources of the national government acts as if it were only Buenos Aires Argentina. Who lives Añelo and participates in the neighboring Assembly today runs the same risk that ran the assembly in 2001. This is just
start talking and I do not know where they can come home to roost, that is retaliation. Meanwhile the neighbors are determined and are engaged in a collective struggle surrounding towns began to imitate.
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