Ecuador Seeking Billions for Not Drilling in National Park. AFP, May 30, 2009. "President Rafael Correa on Saturday said that he wants the world to pay Ecuador some 5.2 billion dollars in exchange for not drilling for oil in the Yasuni National Park, a UNESCO world biosphere reserve. Until now, the government had asked for 350 million dollars a year for not drilling in Yasuni, where there are some 920,000 barrels of untapped crude. The figure is half of the profits expected from extracting the oil. However, Correa on Saturday changed gears, saying that he wants Ecuador to receive 5.2 billion dollars instead -- taking into consideration the pollution that would be avoided. According to Correa, the international community should compensate Ecuador for 'prevented contamination,' maintaining biodiversity and fighting poverty in the area."
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