Government halts negotiations with MST after invasion

08/05/2002 - 22h24

Brasília, 9 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Following a tumultuous invasion on Tuesday (May 7) of the regional headquarters of the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) in Recife, Pernambuco, which resulted in destruction of government property, the minister of Agrarian Development, José Abrão, has ordered a complete halt to all negotiations with the Landless Rural Worker Movement (MST), which sponsored the invasion. In April, Abrão had set up a committee to resolve land conflicts, which was working together with the Agrarian ombudsman.

Abrão has also ordered an administrative and police investigation of the invasion and destruction, and says that those responsible will be punished. (AB)