Brasília, April 20, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The president of the National Indian Foundation (Funai), Mércio Pereira Gomes, said that the institution will defend the Indians involved in the clash with prospectors on the Roosevelt reserve, in the south of the state of Rondônia. According to Gomes, what led to the conflicts was that the Indians were merely defending their lands, their rights.

"We must understand that Indian territory is not like private property. The lands of the native peoples are an extension of their life, their culture. They have to fight for them," Gomes affirmed during a ceremony yesterday (19) to commemorate Indian Day. The Funai president emphasized, however, that he opposes violent attacks and killing. "No war should ever occur," he said. So far the clashes in that state have caused the death of 29 prospectors. The Indians have been trying to expel them for around 15 days.

Translator: David Silberstein