The chief of the Shuar Tribe of Ecuador spoke at a Burlington Resources shareholder meeting on Wednesday to oppose the company's plans to drill for oil in the Amazon rain forest.

Chief Pablo Tsere said members of three tribes live on two pieces of land where the company plans to drill. He wants the company to pull out before any development occurs.

The company says it will not move forward without local support. A spokesperson said the majority of the leaders have agreed to development. Some believe the area where drilling would occur contains 26 billion barrels of oil.

Get the Story:
Tribe delivers message at shareholder meeting (The Houston Chronicle 4/22)
Tribe protests Burlington project in Amazon rainforest (AP 4/22)
Burlington Resources' Plans for Ecuador Run Into Opposition (The New York Times 4/22)
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Burlington Ecuador oil project seen facing showdown (Reuters 4/20)