[NYTr] Chavez Hands 1.65 million Acres to Indigenous
 
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:13:50 -0500 (CDT)


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Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

President Chavez Returns Lands to Indigenous Peoples

Caracas, Oct 12 (Prensa Latina) In recognition of Indigenous Resistance
Day, October 12, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez officially handed
over 1.65 million acres to 15 indigenous communities in a second
collective title transfer; the first 313,824 acres were delivered to
communities in Monagas and Anzoategui states in August.

This time the titles are for lands in the states of Apure,
Anzoategui, Delta Amacuro and Sucre, and include Venezuelan government
resources for development of the 34 ethnic groups in the national
territory, estimated to be many more than the 500,000 people listed in
the census.

At the ceremony, Chavez recalled this is the third celebration of
the Day of Resistance, begun during his term of office, replacing Race
Day that recorded the arrival of Christopher Columbus to America.

The president pointed out that the transfer of lands, education and
support for its development is part of the ideal of Liberator Simon
Bolivar that has been forgotten for many years, and he called for
reviving the real continental history, falsified by the elite.

He also stressed that it is necessary for America to acknowledge
the race and soul of the indigenous peoples as part of itself.

During the Chavez administration, a new Constitution was approved
recognizing the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character of the
country, as well as the rights of the descendents of the original
inhabitants to their land and culture.

To put these words into action, the Venezuelan government instituted
Mission Guicaipuro which, as with other official social programs, is
paid for with income from sale of national petroleum, and began a
literacy campaign that includes education in indigenous languages.

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