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DISQUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Excerpts from Louise McGrath’s December 20, 1996, fax to National Geographic Online:

“For some months now the team has been receiving death threats. They have been informed of these threats, either directly, or by other sources, including the commander of the local army regiment, who had come to hear of the threats. However, over the last few weeks the number of threats has increased.

“Over the last few days another worrying development has arisen. The area within which the Korubo lands are located has been interdicted since April 8, 1985. This means that the area is recognized as indigenous land. [Non-Indians must have FUNAI’s “express authorisation” to enter the region.]

“Since the Frente de Contato/Vale do Javari has been in operation, it has been stopping all people who want to pass the confluence of the Rivers Ituí and Itacuaí with the purpose of preventing the entrance of anyone who doesn’t genuinely live in the area. Local inhabitants of the area have been allowed free access to and from their homes.

“A legal decision passed on December 6, 1996, has now made the right of entry to the area much more ambiguous—making it possible, Sydney believes, to understand that anyone who relies on the region for his or her livelihood now has the right to enter and the FUNAI team has no right to prevent them.

“This of course makes the control of people through the region much more difficult and therefore could put the security of the FUNAI team and the Korubo (along with the other indigenous groups who inhabit the region) at greater risk.”
 

©1996 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.