For the many groups who work on campaigns around the issue of foreign military presence in their communities, we hope that the 26 January can serve as a rallying and unifying call to further grassroots organising, educational campaigns, and political mobilization.
The Brazilian government has announced a huge rise in the rate of Amazon deforestation, months after celebrating its success in achieving a reduction. In the last five months of 2007, 3,235 sq km (1,250 sq miles) were lost. Gilberto Camara, of INPE, an institute that provides satellite imaging of the area, said the rate of loss was unprecedented for the time of year. Officials say rising commodity prices are encouraging farmers to clear more land to plant crops such as soya.
