Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12532 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/06 1992/12
1993/10
1996/11
1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ASEC AF AR ARF AG AORC APER AS AU AJ AM ABLD APCS AID APECO AMGT AFFAIRS AMED AFIN ADANA AEMR AE ADCO AA AECL AADP ACAO ANET AY APEC AORG ASEAN ABUD AINF AFSI AFSN AGR AROC AO AODE AL ACABQ AGMT AORL AX AMEX ATRN ADM AFGHANISTAN AZ ASUP AND ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ACBAQ ADPM AC ASIG ASCH AGAO ACOA AUC ASEX AIT AMCHAMS AER AVERY AGRICULTURE AMG AFU AN ALOW ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG ACS
BA BR BU BK BEXP BO BL BM BC BT BRUSSELS BX BIDEN BTIO BG BE BD BY BBSR BB BP BN BILAT BF BH BTIU BWC BMGT
CO CH CA CS CE CASC CU CI CDG CVIS CG CWC CIDA CM CICTE CMGT COUNTER CPAS COUNTRY CJAN CBW CBSA CEUDA CD CAC CODEL CW CBE CHR CT CDC CFED COM CIS CR CKGR CVR CIA CLINTON CY COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CLEARANCE COE CN CARICOM CB CONDOLEEZZA CACS CSW CIC CITT CONS COPUOS CL CARSON CACM CDB CROS CLMT CTR CJUS CF CTM CAN CAPC CV CBC CNARC
DR DA DK DJ DHS DPRK DEPT DEA DISENGAGEMENT DE DOMESTIC DOD DOE DS DTRA DEFENSE DO DAO DCM DEAX
ETTC EFIN ECON EAIR EG EINV ETRD ENRG EC EFIS EAGR EUN EAID ELAB ER EPET EMIN EU ECPS EN EWWT ELN EIND ELTN EINT ECA EPA ENGR ETRC EXTERNAL ELECTIONS EZ ECIN EI ENVI ETRO ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ETRN ET EK ES EINVEFIN ERD EUR ETC ENVR EAP ENIV ECONOMY EINN EFTA ECONOMIC EXBS ECUN ENGY ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD EREL EUC ESENV ECONEFIN EURN EDU ETRDEINVTINTCS ECIP ENERG EFIM EAIDS EAIG ECONCS EEPET ESA EXIM ENNP ECINECONCS EFINECONCS EUREM ETRDECONWTOCS EUNCH EINVETC EINVECONSENVCSJA EUMEM ETRA ERNG
FI FR FTA FARC FJ FTAA FAC FOREIGN FBI FAO FAS FM FINR FREEDOM FOR FINANCE FOI FMLN FDA FO FISO
GV GG GM GH GOV GOI GL GT GY GAERC GA GF GR GE GZ GAZA GANGS GCC GTIP GERARD GLOBAL GTMO
HR HA HO HU HUMAN HK HILLARY HI HURI HSTC HYMPSK HUMOR HEBRON
IR IC IN IAEA IT IBRD IS ITU ILO IZ ID ICRC IPR ISRAELI IIP ICAO IMO INMARSAT IWC INTERNAL IV INDO ITPHUM ITPGOV ITALIAN IO IBET INR ICJ ICTY IRS IA INTERPOL IRAQI IEA INRB IL IMF ITRA ISLAMISTS ITALY IQ IAHRC IZPREL IRAJ IDP ILC IRC IACI IDA ITF IF ISRAEL ICTR IGAD INRA INRO IEFIN INTELSAT
JA JUS JO JM JP JOSEPH JAMES JOHNNIE JOHN
KCRM KJUS KWMN KISL KIRF KDEM KTFN KTIP KFRD KPRV KCOR KNNP KAWC KUNR KGHG KV KIPR KFLU KSTH KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KSUM KTIA KTDB KPAO KMPI KZ KMIG KBCT KSCA KN KPKO KPAL KIDE KOMC KS KOLY KU KWBG KPAONZ KNUC KHLS KMDR KE KNNPMNUC KSTC KWAC KERG KACT KSCI KHDP KDRG KVPR KICC KPRP KBIO KFLO KCFE KCIP KTLA KTEX KSEP KHIV KCSY KTRD KID KGIC KRVC KNAR KSPR KMRS KNPP KJUST KMCA KPWR KG KTER KRCM KIRC KR KSEO KNEI KTBT KCFC KSAF KSAC KCHG KAWK KGCC KPLS KREL KMFO KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KFTFN KVRP KBTR KCOM KO KLIG KDEMAF KRAD KOCI KAID KNSD KGIT KFSC KWMM KPAI KICA KHUM KREC KRIM KSEC KCMR KPIN KESS KDEV KCGC KOM KRGY KPOA KBTS KHSA KMOC KCRS KVIR KX KWWMN KPAK KWNM KWMNCS KRFD KDDG KIFR KFIN KOMS KCRCM KNUP
LE LY LI LG LH LTTE LU LO LAB LOG LA LT LABOR
MARR MU MOPS MNUC MO MASS MCAP MX MY MZ MUCN MTCRE MIL ML MEDIA MPOS MA MP MERCOSUR MG MR MI MD MK MOPPS MASC MTS MLS MILI MAR MEPN MAPP MTCR MEPI MEETINGS MW MAS MRCRE MT MCC MIK MAPS MARAD MDC MQADHAFI MTRE MV MEPP MILITARY MASSMNUC MC
NZ NL NATO NO NI NU NS NASA NAFTA NP NDP NIPP NPT NG NEW NE NSF NZUS NR NH NA NSG NC NRR NATIONAL NT NGO NSC NPA NV NK NAR NORAD NSSP NATOPREL NW NPG NSFO
OVIP OPDC OTRA OREP OAS OPRC OPIC OECD OPCW OFDP OIIP OEXC ODIP OSCE OBSP OSCI OIE OTR OMIG OSAC OFFICIALS ON OFDA OES OVP OCII OHUM OPAD OIC OCS
PREL PGOV PHUM PINR PTER PARM PREF PK PINS PMIL PA PE PHSA PM PROP PALESTINIAN PBTS PARMS POL PO PROG PL PAK POLITICS PBIO PTBS POLICY PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PTERE PRGOV PORG PP PS PGOF PKFK PSOE PEPR PPA PINT PMAR PRELP PREFA PINF PNG PFOR PUNE PDOV PGOVLO PAO PHUMBA PSEPC PCUL PNAT PREO PLN PNR POLINT PRL PGOC POGOV PU PF PY PGOVE PG PCI PINL POV PAHO PGGV PHALANAGE PARTY PHUS PDEM PECON PROV PAS PHUMPREL PGIV PRAM PHUH PSA PHUMPGOV PEL PSI PAIGH POLITICAL PARTIES POSTS
QA
RU RS RP REACTION REPORT RIGHTS RO RCMP RW RM REGION RSP RF RICE RFE RUPREL ROOD RIGHTSPOLMIL ROBERT RELATIONS RSO
SNAR SOCI SZ SENV SU SA SCUL SP SMIG SW SO SY SL SENVKGHG SR SF SYRIA SI SWE SARS SC SAN SN STEINBERG SG ST SPCE SIPDIS SYR SNARIZ SNARN SSA SHI SK SPCVIS SOFA SEVN SIPRS SNARCS SAARC SHUM SANC SEN SH SCRS
TRGY TBIO TU TS TSPA TSPL TT TPHY TK TI TERRORISM TH TIP TC TZ TNGD TW THPY TL TV TX TO TRSY TINT TN TURKEY TBID TD TF TFIN TP TAGS TR
UV UK UNGA US UY USTR UNSC UN UNHRC UP UG USUN UNEP UNESCO USPS UZ USEU UNCHR USAID UNMIK UNHCR UE UNVIE UAE UNO USOAS UNODC UNCHS UNFICYP UNIDROIT UNDESCO UNCHC UNDP UNAUS UNPUOS UNC UNCND UNICEF UNCSD UNDC USNC
VT VE VZ VTPREL VI VM VN VTIZ VAT VC VTEG
WTO WTRO WS WTRQ WI WZ WHO WWARD WBG WB WHA WITH WMD WIPO WMO WFP WHTI WEU WA
XG XT XZ XM XR XA XY XX XF XL XW XV XB XU XS XH XK XD XI XC XE XQ XTAG
YM YI YE YMCS
ZR ZB ZI ZU ZJ ZEALAND ZK ZF ZP ZN ZL ZA ZANU ZO ZOELLICK

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 09SAOPAULO200, BRAZIL'S MST LANDLESS MOVEMENT: MARGINALIZED OR RADICALIZED POLITICAL FORCE?

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09SAOPAULO200.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09SAOPAULO200 | 2009-04-01 19:02 | 2010-12-19 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Consulate Sao Paulo

`

    VZCZCXRO6774
    RR RUEHRG
    DE RUEHSO #0200/01 0911902
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    R 011902Z APR 09
    FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9083
    INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0228
    RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 4335
    RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 9092
    RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 3461
    RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 3708
    RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 2882
    RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 2708
    RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 4086

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 SAO PAULO 000200

    SIPDIS
    SENSITIVE

    STATE FOR DRL

    E.O. 12958: N/A

    TAGS: PGOV PINR PHUM KPAO BR
    SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S MST LANDLESS MOVEMENT: MARGINALIZED OR RADICALIZED POLITICAL FORCE?

    REF: 08 Sao Paulo 248

    SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY

    ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Landless People's Movement (MST) increased activity in recent months in the run up to "Red April," the traditional high season for MST land invasions. The main reason for the uptick in activity, according to observers, is the MST's weakness. Increasingly ignored by its former supporter, President Lula and his PT Worker's Party, and undercut by both economic growth and the positive effects of Lula's Bolsa Familia (BF) program, the MST finds itself on the defensive. It remains to be seen whether a weakened MST would lose influence in Brazil, however. The organization is responding to challenges by radicalizing its actions, distancing itself from the President, and broadening its message. In a period of global economic turbulence, a leaner MST could still present problems for the GOB. End Summary.

    The MST -------

    ¶2. (U) The Landless People's Movement (MST) is a twenty-five year old social movement whose members take over privately held lands, alleging that the lands are either not legally titled and/or not being used productively, in accordance with the Brazilian constitution. MST supporters argue that the movement is an understandable activist response to Brazil's unequal land distribution. MST critics argue that the movement is a violent, illegal shake-down operation that uses land invasions to capture resources, disrupt agriculture, and promote violence. (For more background, see Reftel.)

    More Active, More Visible -------------------------

    ¶3. (SBU) There has been a predictable and noticeable uptick in the activities of the Landless People's Movement (MST) over the last three months as April approached. April is traditionally the most active MST month and coordinated land invasions take place to bring greater national exposure to the MST. (Note: According to the MST, the group focuses activity in April as a commemoration for the confrontation with military police at ElDorado de Carajas, Para State in 1996 in which 19 MST members were killed. End Note.) Among the recent actions are the following: -On February 21, MST members reportedly shot four security guards who were working on a farm in San Joaquim dos Montes in Pernambuco State in northeast Brazil after MST members tried to invade and take over the property. -On February 24, a faction of the MST invaded eleven farms in the Pontal do Paranapanema in western Sao Paulo State. MST leaders dubbed this action "Red Carnival" because it took place at the same time as the popular Brazilian holiday. Sao Paulo State representatives broke off talks with the MST after the takeover and two days later, MST members abandoned the farm in what they described as a conciliatory gesture. -On February 28, MST members invaded properties in Para State owned by Daniel Dantas, a Brazilian banker under investigation on charges of corruption. Three weeks later, the police officer who led the investigation against Dantas, Protogenes Queiroz, defended the MST's takeover of lands owned by "the bandit banker" at a pro-MST gathering in Sao Paulo. (Note and Comment: Queiroz was removed from the Dantas case for allegedly misusing wiretaps in his investigation. By targeting Dantas' lands, the MST guaranteed that it would get visibility. End Note and Comment.)

    MST Critics Strike Back -----------------------

    ¶4. (U) The MST's critics have been active in questioning the organization's methods and subjecting its activities to more rigid scrutiny. Among the charges recently leveled against the MST: -On March 29, Sao Paulo daily "Folha de Sao Paulo" ran a long story detailing how the GOB gave millions in grants to NGOs linked to the MST, in effect funding the movement's activities. Subsequent media reports indicate that this funding has decreased dramatically. (Note: According to the NGO Contas Abertas, direct federal transfers to NGOs linked to the MST reached a peak in 2004, when they received R$ 12.56 million. During the first six years of President Lula's mandate, the MST received a total of R$ 42.13 SAO PAULO 00000200 002 OF 003 million (approximately 18.72 million USD) in the first six years of Lula's mandate. However, the annual funding dropped to R$ 1.47 million in 2008. End Note.) -In February, Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) President Gilmar Mendes urged governors in states where the MST is active to enforce the law against violations of property. Mendes also questioned the MST's financing, stating that the MST cannot receive public funds. President Lula later stated that Mendes spoke as a private citizen and not as STF President, a characterization that Mendes later denied. -In its January 28 edition, news weekly "Veja" published a long article entitled "The Guerrilla Manual" that produced papers, seized from an MST encampment, detailing how MST members planned to break the law - including alleged plans to commit document fraud and other illegal activity. Twenty-Five Years: But Not a Happy Birthday ------------------------------------------- 5. (SBU) Behind the increase in takeovers and the media discussion lies the fundamental reality of the MST's decreasing strength. This year was the 25th anniversary of the movement, and the MST still finds itself challenged by a number of factors, the most prominent of which is, ironically, its erstwhile ally, President Lula. 6. (SBU) The flagship of Lula's poverty reduction strategy is the Bolsa Familia (BF) program. BF recipients have to stay in one place and keep their children in school to receive benefits. This directly cuts into the pool of rootless poor that constitute the best targets for MST recruitment for land takeovers. Brazil's strong economy, particularly the stunning growth in agricultural exports, created new jobs in rural areas and closely tied agricultural interests to Lula's government. The GOB is understandably reluctant to upset the prosperous applecart of agriculture-driven exports by pushing for a massive agrarian reform of the type envisioned by the MST, which would promote small and medium-sized landholdings. 7. (U) The MST's frustration with President Lula explains the movement's decision not to invite the Brazilian President to an "anti-imperialist" conclave its leaders organized at January's World Social Forum meeting in Belem. MST leaders met instead with the Presidents of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay, the last of which used the occasion to criticize the treaty that governs the Itaipu Dam, jointly owned by Brazil and Paraguay. (Note: Paraguay's President has repeatedly criticized the Itaipu Treaty, which determines the price Brazil pays for electricity generated by the dam. End Note.) 8. (U) The MST's problems, however, are not just personal, but structural. Brazil's booming agricultural development and the Lula government's successes reduced the space for land invasions. University of Sao Paulo (USP) Geographer and MST analyst Professor Ariovaldo Umbelino de Oliveira cited statistics kept by the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) to make this case. According to the CPT, the number of people living in MST encampments (land occupiers) plunged from almost 60,000 in 2003 to just over 6,000 today, a drop of almost 90 percent. But Don't Count the MST Out --------------------------- 9. (U) Despite the movement's problems, observers maintain that the MST remains an important force and might even become more problematic as its traditional role, as an organizer of land-occupations, shrinks. Oliveira cautions that the MST retains a strong base of 80,000 supporters who received land thanks to its efforts. The movement also institutionalized itself, creating schools throughout the country and enjoying a permanent presence at scores of Brazilian universities, where its followers pursue agrarian studies. Finally, Brazil's land tenancy problem remains severe, according to Oliveira. Land ownership remains highly unequal and poorly documented. In a major agricultural state like Mato Grosso, for example, Oliveira said that between 30-40 percent of the large land owners do not possess clear legal title to their holdings.

    ¶10. (SBU) The MST hasalso responded with some creativity to the challenges it faces. The movement amplified its message in recent years, going beyond advocacy for land reform and launching a fight against big agribusinesses, "transnationals," and genetically modified foods. The MST also supports Paraguay's cause in pushing for a re-negotiation of the Itaipu Treaty. For these reasons, political consultant Thiago de Aragao warns that a smaller MST could well become more radical and, perhaps, an even more difficult organization for the GOB.

    Comment: More Red Aprils ------------------------

    ¶11. (SBU) Several factors have contributed to marginalizing the MST as a political force: President Lula's election and seven years of rule, the recent success of the Brazilian economy, and Lula's Bolsa Familia program. That said, Brazil's land tenure system remains riddled with legal problems and the MST movement is adapting to the new Brazilian economic and political realities; branding itself in new ways. Though the MST's social base has narrowed, it has not disappeared, and the ongoing global economic crisis could add oxygen to the MST's cause. While the MST is weaker, there are likely still many more "Red Aprils" in Brazil's future.

    ¶12. (U) This cable was coordinated/cleared by Embassy Brasilia.

    WHITE

`