Group refutes Chevron claims in Ecuador

WASHINGTON, April 7 (UPI) -- Recent statements by experts testifying in an Ecuadorian environmental suit against U.S. oil major Chevron contradict earlier testimony, advocates said.

Chevron is defending a $27 billion lawsuit filed in Ecuador over claims its affiliate Texaco failed to take appropriate action to mitigate environmental damage from oil production from 1968 to 1992. Chevron said state-run Petroecuador is responsible for the damage.

Chevron Vice President Hewitt Pate, the general counsel in the case, claimed Charles Calmbacher, a biologist and industrial hygienist testifying as an expert for the plaintiff, told the courts that inspection reports from two wells in Ecuador were submitted without his consent.

The Amazon Defense Coalition, a grassroots organization lobbying against Chevron in the case, said it was "bewildered" by the latest claims.

Karen Hinton, a spokesperson for the coalition, said she questioned the accuracy of Calmbacher's most recent testimony.

"Dr. Calmbacher clearly agreed to have his signature placed on materials, including reports, that were to be submitted to the court, and he acknowledged he was actively reviewing the reports with our local, technical team," she said.

Hinton added that Chevron's own reports from Ecuador show "illegal" levels of contamination to human health and the environment.

"Finally, it is clear scientific evidence from the four sites in question, including Chevron's own evidence, strongly suggests that the real fraud is Texaco's phony cleanup that was used to secure a release from Ecuador's government," she added.