Journalicious Dots from Switzerland

¶1. Summary: Minister of Environment Anita Alban took to the forest on October 1st to investigate illegal logging. The inspection, which revealed criminal activities, has yet to generate any concrete judicial response. Alban’s decision to confront loggers takes place amid rumors that she will be removed from office. MOE workers on strike over forestry management in the Ministry have further complicated the political landscape for Alban. End Summary.

UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY ——————–

¶2. Responding to complaints of illegal logging from the Indigenous Awa Federation (FCAE), Minister Alban traveled to Awa territory in northern Ecuador on October 1 to conduct an inspection. Alban was accompanied by a USAID specialist, ministry personnel, and a journalist. Consistent with FCAE claims, Alban’s team discovered what appeared to be several illegal logging operations. While some of the operations were run by independent groups, others were associated with known timber companies. Although no one was arrested at that time, National Forestry Director German Espinoza ordered the loggers to stop operations. Although they claim to have no affiliation with the logging operations discovered by the Minister’s group, the timber company SETRAFOR has agreed to conduct follow-up meetings with FCAE on October 11 to establish more concrete agreements between the two and to clarify land title disputes.

¶3. Alban’s inspection took many by surprise. Although Alban said deforestation was one of her main concerns when she became Minister in April 2005, she had heretofore done nothing to address what is the second highest rate of deforestation among South American countries. Alban’s inaction is not restricted to forestry issues. She has been absent and weak on a number of high-profile environmental issues, most notably with respect to the Galapagos (reftel).

¶4. Inattention to deforestation preceded Alban. Indeed, this type of active engagement against illegal logging has not been seen in the Ministry since 2003. Prior to 2003, the SWISS company SGS provided independent and effective monitoring of logging activities under a contract with the Ministry of Environment. Logging interests managed to have SGS’s contract ruled unconstitutional by courts in 2003. Without SGS monitoring, illegal logging is rampant and the Ministry of Environment has been unable (and apparently unwilling) to stop it. That Alban’s team did not follow up the October 1st investigation with any immediate legal action may suggest more of the same.

MOE STRIKE CONTINUES ——————–

¶5. An ongoing strike at the Ministry of Environment no doubt has motivated Minister Alban. Ministry staff, who initiated the strike on September 22nd, have been voicing their displeasure over the Ministry’s forest management. Publicly, they claim that they want greater control over forestry programs. However, Ministry staff acknowledged to Econoff that a segment of striking employees also are interested in keeping tax money and jobs. As the strike has progressed, calls for Alban to resign have grown. Not all MOE staff are on board with the strikers’ demands, and many continue to do their work. Nonetheless, the employees association has been successful in garnering press and pressuring Minister Alban to act.

¶6. To address the strikers’ concerns, Minister Alban also has developed a proposal on forestry management that striking employees are reviewing. The proposal, known as the National System of Forestry Control and Wildlife Trafficking, allocates $350,000 to be utilized by both existing staff and contractors. Unfortunately, program funds will last only 6 months. Together with the illegal logging inspection, the new forest management proposal represents Alban’s effort to satisfy the demands of striking staff and portray herself as an active and effective Minister.

ALBAN’S DAYS NUMBERED? ———————-

¶7. Minister Alban’s recent actions suggest she is worried about keeping her job. Indeed, the calls for her to resign are resonating outside of the MOE and continue to grow. More worrisome for Alban, politicians within the PSC also have an eye on her Ministry. Congressman Alfredo Serrano, who represents the Galapagos and has business interests there, reportedly wants Alban replaced with someone more to his liking. MOE Sub-minister Alfredo Carrasco’s name has been mentioned as a possible replacement. Carrasco’s evasive responses to questions surrounding the strike and calls for Alban’s removal suggest he is mulling over his options. Nothing specific appears in the works as of yet.

COMMENT ——-

¶8. The arrival of a new Minister could lead to changes in the Governorship of the Galapagos and the Directorship of the Galapagos National Park (GNP). Politicization of the GNP during the last 2-plus years triggered violent demonstrations in the islands and had damaging effects on the GNP’s monitoring and enforcement abilities. Whether driven by striking MOE staff or Ecuadorian political interests, the removal of Minister Alban may well cause more institutional and social instability.

JEWELL

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