Brasília, 4/13/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Minister of Justice, Márcio Thomaz Bastos, says that although the fighting between drug dealers and the police in Rio de Janeiro is now under control, the situation continues to cause concern. He added that the federal government is prepared to cooperate with the state to resolve the problem and could, if necessary, declare a "state of defense" in the city (which would be a form of martial law). Bastos reported that some 30 days ago the Federal Police were aware of a crisis brewing in the region and were able to take steps which prevented the situation from being much worse than it is.

The present round of violence in the huge slum areas known as Rocinha/Vidigal (actually they are two different slums) began over the weekend when one group of drug dealers moved in on the territory of another group. Since then, 16 drug dealers have been arrested and ten people have died, including two policemen. A large amount of arms and ammunition has also be captured and some 15 stolen cars recovered by the police who now number 1,237 in the conflict area.

With regard to the idea put forward by the state government to build a three-meter high wall around the slums, the minister of Justice said he was opposed, adding that the way to end the problem was to wipe out organized crime. Bastos also announced that R$9 million (US$3 million) was being released from the Public Security Fund to be used in Rio de Janeiro.

Translator: Allen Bennett