Deal Struck in Ecuador

Protesters who had shut down Ecuador´s oil exports struck a deal with energy companies under which they will end their attacks in exchange for the firms’ boosting investment in the poor communities where they operate. Oil companies such as Occidental Petroleum, Petrobras and EnCana are to pave 160 miles of new roads in the Amazon provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana. About two-thirds of the 25 percent income tax paid by the companies is to be steered toward local health, environment and development projects.