São Paulo, July 25, 2003 (Agência Brazil - ABr) - The national president of the PT, José Genoíno, affirmed that the party does not approve of invasions that affect the country's democratic and legal order, and he criticized the wave of invasions that are sweeping the country. He emphasized that the fight for a place to live is a noble cause, and he called for a negotiated solution. He also criticized declarations made by the leader of the MST (Landless Rural Workers Movement), João Pedro Stédile, who urged the landless and small farmers to confront owners of properties with over 2 thousand hectares. "We of the PT disagree with the declarations made by the leader of the MST, Stédile, with respect to this process. We think that negotiations can be held and that solutions should be sought without attacking the country's legal and juridical regime," Genoíno said, calling for negotiations as well to deal with the invasions of buildings in the central zone of the capital of São Paulo.

Genoíno said that he had conversed with Governor Geraldo Alckmin, to whom he conveyed the PT's appeal that a solution be sought assuring negotiations with the leaders of the movements, which, in his view, also need to be more conciliatory. "The fight for a place to live is legitimate; the fight for agrarian reform is a priority. Respect for social movements is a matter of principle and democracy for the PT, but we cannot be accomplices to an atmosphere that generates fear and insecurity," he affirmed.

In the central zone of the city of São Paulo, three buildings were invaded by homeless families. Genoíno is participating in a seminar on Social Security reform, organized by the São Paulo State PT Committee. (DAS)