Demonstrators Burn 50 Hectares Of Forest Belonging To Aracruz
September 14, 2006 - Yesterday afternoon, for the fourth time in just one week, about 100 Indians and demonstrators, supported by the MST (Movement of Landless Rural Workers), invaded areas belonging to Aracruz Celulose, in the north of the state of Espírito Santo, and set fire to some 50 hectares of eucalyptus plantations. Since last Thursday, the company has seen more than 100 hectares of its forests destroyed.
According to Aracruz's regional forest manager, Marcelo Ambrogi, 120 firefighters are battling to put out the fire, which is endangering traffic on the BR 101 highway, due to the dense quantity of smoke. "We are bewildered by yet another aggressive act, which cannot be considered a demonstration, since it is a criminal act that puts lives and the regional environment at risk."
Intimidation - Last week, thousands of trees belonging to Aracruz were felled and on Monday, September 11th, some 40 collaborators from the company DP were confronted by a group of 100 demonstrators, as they were working to unblock a road by removing the eucalyptus that had been cut down by demonstrators. During the incident, which was reported at the police headquarters in the municipality of Aracruz, the workers had four chainsaws stolen.
Aracruz Celulose takes the position that any claims must be conducted within the bounds of the law, in order for them to gain legitimacy and the approval of society. What has been taking place, on the other hand, represents a blatant disrespect for the country's institutions. These incursions raise doubts with regard to investments, jobs and the future development of not just an entire productive sector, but of the country as a whole.
The alleged aim of these acts is to put pressure on the Ministry of Justice to favor the demand for an 11 thousand hectare expansion of the native Indian reserve in the mid-north of the state of Espírito Santo. Aracruz is confident of obtaining a favorable decision from the Justice Minister, since its challenge to the FUNAI (Brazilian Indian Foundation) report contains sufficient evidence to prove that the company does not, and has never occupied native Indian lands, has never expelled Indians from their lands, and acquired its lands in a perfectly legitimate manner. A total of 15 thousand pages of documents were presented to the public body, in 14 volumes, laying out the arguments of the company.
More information about Aracruz and Indian issues in ES can be obtained by accessing http://www.aracruz.com.br/indianissueinES/
