The territories of the indigenous peoples of Amazonia and forest
reservations are the main target of the illegal timber trade promoted
by national and multinational corporations which operate not only in
Malaysia, but also in the United States and England. The shameful
omission and neglect of the Fernando Henrique administration allows
this sordid theft to continue, causing serious conflicts in indigenous
areas.
Yesterday, June 18, the Brazilian government showed that it
connives at these criminal activities, as it made clear its position
against the inclusion of mahogany in a list of endangered species
during the Convention on Endangered Species being held in Harare,
capital of Zimbabwe, which is being attended by representatives of 123
countries. Sixty-seven countries voted against the inclusion of that
hardwood in the list, while 47 voted in favor of it.
The president of Ibama (Brazilian Institute for Environment and
Renewable Natural Resources), Eduardo Martins, head of the Brazilian
delegation, was ridiculous to the point of abstaining from voting and
at the same time defending the exploitation of mahogany. In addition
to including representatives of the Association of Export Timber
Companies (Aimex), headquartered in the state of Para, in his
delegation, he pressured representatives of other countries to vote in
favor of the claims of multinational timber companies.
The Brazilian government paid no attention to a report issued by
the Secretariat for Strategic Affairs (SAE) denouncing the theft of
hardwood by Asian companies, according to reports in the national
press. The report shows that 80% of the timber they trade is being
illegally exploited.
CONFLICTS IN INDIGENOUS AREAS
According to Greenpeace, Brazil is the main exporter of mahogany
in the world. The forests where this hardwood can be found are
concentrated in the states of Acre, Para, Rondonia, Amazonas, Mato
Grosso and Maranhao, where indigenous areas and forest reserves are
located. Still according to that organization, at least three million
100 thousand cubic meters of mahogany were exported between 1971 and
1990, most of which left the country illegally.
According to data collected by the Indianist Missionary Council,
hardwood - particularly mahogany - was stolen from 33 indigenous areas
in 1996. In some cases, the Indians themselves are persuaded by
woodcutters take part in these activities, but most indigenous leaders
condemn this illegal trade, which has caused serious environmental
damages in their territories. The Tembe Indians of the state of Para
are an example of this, as they even seized four trucks loaded with
timber which were released by Ibama afterwards, outraging them. In
addition to these incidents, indigenous populations are repeatedly
threatened by woodcutters and some Indians have been murdered by them
in recent years.
Brasilia, 19 June 1997
Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi