Revolutionary "Summit" in Brazil?

["Jay Moore" <research@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Brazilian comrades -- What's this story about?  I suspect it may be one of
the Zapatista-inspired "encuentros".  But look at the red-baiting,
scare-mongering in this article.  Is this what's to come in the aftermath of
Seattle?

Best,
Jay
http://www.neravt.com/left/

**********
World revolutionaries gather for their summit
By Nicole Veash in Sao Paulo
The Independent
6 December 1999

Guerrilla groups from across the Americas will today descend on an Amazonian
jungle town to swap tips on winning the revolutionary struggle. Left-wing
terrorist groups are to join with street demonstrators fresh from battle in
Seattle, in a corporate-style convention to discuss the path to power.

More than 2,500 delegates, including the notorious Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia, the Mexican Zapatistas, the guerrilla group championing
Indian rights, and the Black Panthers are gathering in Brazil for the
five-day conference of revolutionaries, called the "Humanities against
Neo-Liberalism" summit.

Manoel Lima Amarel, event co-ordinator, said: "We are very pleased that so
many minority groups are joining together in Brazil to discuss their causes.
It is important for all oppressed Americans to support each other and to
work as one."

Conference organisers chose the city of Belem - situated on the banks of the
Amazon - because of its historical significance. In 1835, it was the site of
a failed uprising by native Indians who were protesting against the slave
trade."Having this conference in Belem reminds us how little has changed in
the past 160 years," said Mr Amarel.

Despite the presence of known paramilitary groups, the Belem civil police
have not objected to the gathering, although they will be listening out for
"inflammatory talk".

Conference organisers have banned delegates from exchanging techniques on
guerrilla warfare. Mr Amarel said: "This summit is not about violence It's
about ideology. There are other ways to destroy the chains of capitalism
without resorting to aggression."