The Manifesto to the Brazilian People was elaborated during the MST's IV National Congress. It is a synthesis of the debates and represents a message to all organised sectors of Brazilian society.

Dear companheiros and companheiras, throughout our immense and beloved Brazil,

We have been camped out in Brasília, with more than 11 thousand delegates from 23 states of the nation -- men, women, children, youth and adults, from the rural areas, sharing sacrifices, joy and hopes. We have been reunited for the 4th National Congress of the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra, MST (Landless Rural Workers' Movement).

Our country is experiencing a grave crisis. But this crisis does not affect everyone. The wealthiest continue to earn a lot of money through exploitation. The large multinational corporations continue to send billions of dollars abroad. The banks have never earned as much money as now. But for those who survive from their sweat, living conditions have become increasingly precarious; those who have work earn very little; young people lack quality schools; and universities are no longer public and free. Many people have been forced to leave the rural heartland to live on the periphery of the large cities. There, they find misery and violence.

What is the cause of this?

It is true that our society has always been unjust. Like any capitalist society, the poor have always been exploited and humiliated. And the rich class, earning more and more all the time, has always repressed the people and submitted it to the interests of international capital.

But since 1994, with the neoliberal policies of Fernando Henrique Cardoso's government, the problems have become even more acute. This economic policy represents only the interests of the banks and of multinational companies. For these, the government guarantees high interest rates and financial help. Suffice to say: last year the government spent 64% of the national budget servicing the interest on internal and external debt. Despite all the social problems, the government of the Brazilian elites has the nerve to send 50 billion dollars to the rich countries every year. That is why there is a lack of money for education health public transport popular housing and employment generation.

In agriculture the situation is more grave still. The Cardoso government wants to "modernize" the rural areas stimulating large export-orientated estates; handing control of the agricultural market over to the multinational corporations; and allowing agro-industries to control the storage of food products.

It has closed its centres of research and of technological development. Thus, scientific conquests, which ought to be the property of all humanity, are today monopolised by the multinationals that have their own research centres. Now, this same government is handing control of biotechnological research over to the multinationals. Caring only about increasing profit margins, they will be able to genetically modify plant life and foodstuffs, without any control, thereby endangering the environment and the health of farmers and consumers. Most serious of all, favouring speculation and exploitation of small farmers and consumers, the government has ended regulated stocks of foodstuffs. These have also become monopolised by multinational agro-industries. The population is now hostage to the profits of these groups.

In politics, every day sees the proliferation of news about corruption and embezzlement of the public funds and property. There is a sector, increasing in size all the time, of dominating classes that is enriching itself merely through the diversion of public money, through narco-trafficking or contraband. These sectors are so powerful and influential that they include high court judges, commanders of the Military Police, deputies, senators, newspapers owners, bankers, military personnel -- it has even reached the ex-secretary of the Planalto (presidential palace). The latter, considered the right arm of the government, is alleged to belong to the group responsible for the theft of 169 million reais, destined to the construction of the São Paulo's Industrial Tribunal.

Is our country a lost cause?

We don't believe so. However, the Brazilian people must rise up, organise itself, and take to the streets, in order to struggle for their historic rights. It is, indeed, possible to build another project for Brazil -- a Popular Project that tends to the needs of the people. Radical changes are needed, however. We must prevent the banks, the multinationals and the thieves of the people from enriching themselves.

The repayment of foreign debt must be suspended. The financial system and interest rates must be controlled. We must ensure that banks use capital to finance production, and not speculation. Foreign debt must be renegotiated and the public budget prioritised towards education, health and agriculture. We should retake the reigns of economic policy so that it be administrated by Brazilians in favour of our people -- thus, breaking the agreement with the IMF. Agrarian reform, associated with a new agricultural model, should be implemented. An agrarian reform that can guarantee income for farmers and a future for those that live in the rural areas.

With the resources that will no longer be sent to the banks and oversees, a national fund of social investments should be established, in order to create jobs and increase the purchasing power of the population.

Finally, there is no economic or social reason that impedes every Brazilian having access to land, work, dignified housing, quality public schools, and food. But we need to have the courage to change our government, rethink economic policy and challenge the profits of the powerful.

The following months and years will be decisive for the future of our country. Either we regain our national sovereignty or we will be condemned to be a new colony of the US government, which even has its eye on the Amazon region.

That's why, as a social movement of landless rural workers, we urge all Brazilian popular organisations to organise themselves and fight for these changes.

We need to demand the setting up of a CPI (an inquest commission) in order to investigate the cases of cases of corruption, which have engulfed the higher echelons of the government. We propose that everyone take part in the popular plebiscite against the payment of foreign debt, which is to be carried out during the 'Week of the Nation', from the 2nd to the 7th of September. We need to defeat this government and the rich in the next elections, and to elect progressive candidates, which are truly committed to a Popular Project. In every home, every workplace, every school, every trade union, and every parish, we need to discuss a Popular Project for Brazil.

And we must continue struggling, always.

Every social conquest has been the result of massive, popular struggles. Together with the Brazilian people, we hope to construct a Popular Project -- a project that will regain our national sovereignty, our dignity and the well being of all the population.

A strong embrace, in solidarity.

Delegates of the 4th National Congress of the MST.
Brasília - DF, August 11th, 2000.