O Liberal
August 7, 2000

Approximately 250 farmers and loggers from the town of Novo Progresso, in the southeast of Pará, decided the day before yesterday to organise themselves and arm themselves in order to impede the demarcation of the Kayapo Indians' Baú reservation. The Indians were granted a signed letter from Minister of Justice José Gregori confirming the immediate demarcation of their 1.85 million hectare territory in exchange for the release of the 16 hostages they were holding since last week. The hostages were released on Friday. The problem is that a significant part of the land to be demarcated falls within the area of Novo Progresso, and many of the farmers and landowners from the town own land that will be integrated into the reservation. However, they are not ready to give up their land, even if FUNAI compensates them fully, and have decided to campaign for a 600 thousand hectare reduction in the Indians' allotted reservation - stopping at the river Curu á, instead of 30km inland, as the Indians want. Error: Unable to read footer file.