Bob McCarty Writes

Less than 24 hours after President Barack Obama extended Ecuador’s trade benefits for six months and, according to U.S. business groups cited in a Reuter’s report, “put Ecuador on notice that it could lose valuable U.S. trade benefits unless the Andean country improves its treatment of foreign investors,” word arrived from Ecuador that three key individuals representing the Amazon Defense Coalition in its $27 billion lawsuit against Chevron Corporation were meeting with Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa.

A reliable source, whose identity I cannot reveal for his own security, informed me today that at least three ADC principals — Steven R. Donziger, Pablo Fajardo and Luis Yanza, all attorneys — were in the South American nation’s capitol city of Quito Wednesday and met with tinpot dictator Correa at his presidential palace at 4 p.m. local time (same as U.S. Central time zone).

If true, I’d like to know what they discussed.  In an attempt to find out, I contacted two people who should know:  Donziger and his hired PR flak, Karen Hinton.

After reaching Donziger via his cell phone — which, by the way, I found on a copy of an Oct. 18, 2004, e-mail he sent to members of his “technical team” — I left a voice mail message telling him that, in lieu of reaching him, I would contact Hinton to find out details of the meeting.

When contacted by phone early this afternoon, Hinton said she knew nothing about a meeting and about whether or not the three attorneys were even in Ecuador.  She did, however, leave the door cracked open just a bit regarding whether or not such a meeting took place (i.e., she said she would get back to me with answers).

I’m not, however, going to hold my breath while waiting for it.  I would advise you against doing it as well.  Nearly two hours have passed since my phone call with Hinton.  Don’t really expect a reply anytime soon.

Developing…