I was very impressed with the accuracy of your coverage of the Columbia situation in your Commentary entitled "Occidental Suicide". The "three U.S. activists" you mentioned are named Lahe`ena`e Gay, Ingrid Washinawatok and Terence Freitas. I am the mother of Terence Freitas.

I would like to clarify a few points. Occidental Oil can not be a bystander to a conflict in which they will profit along with the Colombian Government. If Oxy did not wish to extract oil from land that belongs to the U`wa people the conflict would not exist. Oxy is directly involved in determining the destiny of the U`wa people. Without a buyer the Colombian Government can`t sell the oil. I question the statement "the greater good will be served if Oxy operates it`s Colombian license to the best of it`s abilities."

The threatened suicide is by no means a publicity stunt. The oral history and the mission records of the U`wa tell of thousands of the tribe jumping to their death from a sacred cliff when fleeing Spanish Conquistadors and enforced slavery more than 500 years ago. There is also anthropological evidence that this happened.

What is practical about 5,000 people committing suicide rather than lose their traditional culture for the profit of Occidental Oil and the Colombian Government? Over the past 50 years 90 percent of the U`wa territory has been taken away. They need their traditional agriculture on this land in order to survive. Changing the U`wa culture and exploiting the land on which they live will cause them to lose their dignity. If the U`wa say they would rather die with dignity than let the blood of the mother earth be exploited, they mean it.

Instead of trying to help an unwilling U`wa tribe exploit its resources, Oxy could contribute to preserving life-saving, unique plant and animal species that co-exist with a non-violent traditional culture. By not proceeding with the planned drilling Occidental Oil would be highly regarded as a leader in environmental conservation.

Corporations must show responsibility to future generations. It is the lack of this foresight that puts us and the children of our grandchildren in peril. The time has come to protect the world`s few indigenous peoples, to preserve our natural resources rather than exploit them into extinction and to find alternative energy resources. The survival of the earth depends on it.

Sincerely,

Julie Freitas

North Hollywood, CA

Editor`s Note: When I wrote "the greater good will be served if Oxy operates its Colombian license to the best of its abilities," I was intentionally vague. I personally hope the company`s best abilities include compassion and the insight to see beyond a few barrels of oil.

The murder of Mr. Freitas and his colleagues was a tragic waste of life and human potential. To learn more about them and the U`Wa struggle, see activist websites at "www.arcweb.com" and "www.ran.org".

- MTB