14 Apr 2011

Rapa Nui clan claims developers ignore February deal

5:51 pm on 14 April 2011

The Rapa Nui clan at the centre of a protracted land dispute on Easter Island says a deal struck with Chilean developers two months ago is being violated.

Media in Santiago report that a representative of the Hito clan has met senators to denounce the resumption of work at the Hanga Roa hotel which the clan had occupied.

The clan says pending clarification of the ownership question, no work on the hotel site was to proceed.

The land dispute led to violent clashes last year and was settled amid plans for the government to create a foundation for ancestral land to be returned.

The opposition senators say the government has met the developers from the main island but not received the Hito clans to discuss the matter.