Vol. 436 No. 4
70 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of Dr. Aldo Mangiano's plea to the Irish people to help native Indians in his diocese in northern Brazil, he will bring pressure to bear on the Brazilian Government to ensure that all proposed amendments to the Brazilian constitution that would undermine present guarantees on Indian land rights be rejected.
I am aware of Dr. Aldo Mangiano's plea on behalf of the Indians in his diocese in Roraima in Northern Brazil, an area where many of the Yanomami Indians live. I am conscious of the growing conflict between landowners, miners and the Indians.
Dr. Mangiano raised his concerns with my Department during his visit to Ireland and these concerns have been brought to the attention of our partners in the European Union.
Together with our partners in the European Union we are monitoring closely developments relating to the indigenous peoples of Brazil and I will be concerned to ensure that every effort is made to promote the rights of the native Indian people.
