O Liberal
August 4, 2000

Minister of Justice José Gregori determined yesterday that FUNAI should proceed immediately to demarcate the 1.85 million hectare Baú Indian reservation, according to the demands of the Kayapo Indian warriors holding 16 sport fishermen hostage. In reality, the determination to demarcate the land is only carrying out the declarations of a 1991 decree that had simply not been enacted until now. Officials hope the declaration to demarcate the reservation will placate the 30 or so Kayapo Indian warriors and persuade them to release their hostages. However, the decision will not go uncontested, as the mayor and citizens of nearby Novo Progresso believe the reservation should not be so extensive as it will encroach heavily on land currently belonging to them. The area has been contested since it was decreed as traditional Indian lands in 1991 - several years ago, the mayor of Novo Progresso succeeded in legally halting, at least temporarily, the demarcation process, and this lead the frustrated Kayapo to take drastic action. Error: Unable to read footer file.