Brasília, 3/31/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Minister of Agrarian Development, Miguel Rossetto, says that he does not see a threat in the promise by Landless Rural Worker Movement (MST) leader, João Pedro Stedile, to turn the country into an inferno with property invasions. According to the minister, the situation is under control. He adds that the month of April is traditionally the high season of land conflicts as landless rural workers mark the anniversary of the deaths of nineteen colleagues at the hands of military police, who were assisted by local landowners, in the Eldorado dos Carajás conflict, which took place in the southern region of the state of Pará in April 1996.

"April is the Brazilian land reform movement's May Day. It is a period of intense debate. We have to respect these debates with these organizations," declared Rossetto.

With regard to the remark by Stedile, Rossetto refused to comment saying, "Our obligation is keep communications channels open and engage in a permanent dialogue with social movements. It is not for the government to comment on opinions emitted by leaders of these movements."

Rossetto revealed that there were no plans to increase police forces in the countryside following the MST threat to increase property invasions. The minister said existing legislation and laws, along with security institutions, would be capable of handling the situation.

The minister added that there was really no reason for the MST to make demands because the government is on track and on time with its National Land Reform Program which was drawn up last year as a result of consultations with rural social movement leaders.

Land reform is one of the showcase projects of the Lula government, explained the minister, adding that, "There is a lot of pressure for us to meet our land reform targets. We intend to make land reform a great conquest of Brazilian democracy." (Translator: Allen Bennett)