united nations, aug 27 (ips) -- un secretary-general boutros
boutros-ghali on friday expressed ''great sorrow'' over the
massacre of scores of yanomami indians in the brazilian amazon.
a un communique said that ''the secretary-general has learnt
with great sorrow about the massacre in brazil of more than 100
yanomami indians, including women and children.''
''this tragic event, which took place during the international
year of the world's indigenous people, puts in relief the plight
of indigenous people around the world,'' it added.
the killings were first reported on aug. 17, but may have
occurred weeks before. they are believed to have been perpetrated
by gold miners.
a yanomami delegation had requested a meeting with
boutros-ghali, but since he was not at un headquarters on friday
his secretariat issued the communique.
boutros-ghali said in the note that ''i am aware that this
event has been received with dismay by the brazilian people and
am confident that the brazilian authorities will not spare any
efforts to ensure that justice will be served.''
about 2,000 yanomamis have died, some violently and the others
from disease, since 1987, when large numbers of miners started
going to their area in search of gold and other precious metals.
only about 10,000 yanomamis are left in brazil, while a
similar number live in venezuela. (end/ips/trd/so/mg-im/kb/93)
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