PEACE AND HEALTH!

Mr. President,

Peace and Health!

On October 6th, 2005, in Cabrobó (Pernambuco), we agreed to: suspend the São Francisco River diversion project and begin a comprehensive dialogue process between the government and Brazilian civil society, in order to seek alternatives for sustainable development for the whole semi-arid region. As a result of our agreement, in which I had faith, I interrupted my fasting.

Two years have gone by and during this period of time, the dialogue process only started and was suddenly interrupted.

There are concrete counterproposals on how the water supply for the whole population of the semi-arid region can be guaranteed. They are the projects specified in the Atlas of the Northeast, published by the National Water Agency (ANA), as well as the measures developped by the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) network of the semi-arid region (ASA).

On February 22nd, 2007, I submitted a document to the Palácio do Planalto (location of the Commander in Chief of the Brazilian Executive Government). The document requests the reopening and continuation of the dialogue process, and its truthfulness, transparency and with public participation. Your answer was to begin work of the river diversion project by the Brazilian army.

Mr. President, you did not keep your word. You did not abide by our agreement. You betrayed me and all of Brazilian society.

A nation can only be built with serious people beginning with its leaders. Dignity and honour are indispensable premises for citizenship.

Therefore, I restart my fasting and pray. And I only will stop it with the withdrawl of the army from the construction site of the diversion project at the north and the east canals and with the final suspension of the São Francisco River diversion project. There is no other alternative.

I believe that the forces which have interests in the project will use all means in order to demoralize the resistance and to confuse public opinion. But when Jesus decided to sacrifice his life he had no fear of the crucifix, he accepted to be crucified because this was the price to be paid.

The life of the river and its people, or the death of a Brazilian citizen.

“When reason becomes extinct, insanity is the way.“

God of live is to be the garantee of plenary life.

“Brazil is a land of greatness. Will it also have governors of equal grandeur?“ (Bourdoukan Georges in “Capitão Mouro”).

Barra, BA, October 4th, 2007 on Celebration of Saint Francis

Dom Frei Luiz Flávio Cappio, OFM
Bishop of the Diocese Barra