El Universal
November 8, 2001
By Genaro Altamirano

Oaxaca, Oax. The representative for the Development of Indigenous Communities, Xóchitl Gálvex Ruiz, vowed to firmly oppose the Plan Puebla Panamá (PPP) if the project, in order to promote the south east region of Mexico, results in persecution of the Indigenous communities of Oaxaca.

The functionary considered it to be necessary that first the inhabitants of each micro region are familiar with the PPP and analyze the benefits and biases that the plan could bring to the communities. Subsequently, it will be those same inhabitants who will decide to accept or reject the project, he proposed.

Gálvez also explained that foreign interests claim to take possession of the natural resources of the Oaxacan people, 'The Indigenous communities are the legitimate owners of their lands and they will decide what should be done with them.' To which he pledged himself to preventing any plan that would commit outrages against the Indigenous communities.

Gálvez clarified that the PPP tries to favour development in the south east region, but without violating the rights of Indigenous communities. He rejected the idea that the Indigenous will end up as workers in the large corporations. 'But ultimately, the Plan Puebla Panamá will be what the Indigenous want it to be.'

He did not reject the posibility that the project might result in benefits for the communities of the region. It would, for example, provide resources for the creation of road infrastructure, one of the central demands of the Indigenous communities.

Gálvez attested that a convention of colaboration between the Autonomous University Benito Juárez and the Department of Indignous Matters had been signed. The representative for the Development of Indigenous Communities signed the convention that agrees that the students of the Faculty of Ontology at the Benito Juárez University of Oaxaca will provide social services in communities of the seven regions of the state of Oaxaca.

Translated from Spanish on January 16, 2002.