Protesting Indians release most workers at construction site of hydroelectric plant in Amazon
INTERNATIONALLY

SAO PAULO, Brazil-Protesters released rank-and-file workers early Monday from the construction site of an Amazon hydroelectric plant that Indians say is being built on an ancient burial ground.

Only about five senior employees remain blocked inside the Dardanelos plant in the city of Aripuana, national Indian bureau co-ordinator Antonio Carlos Ferreira Aquino said.

The Indians will meet with authorities for talks on ending the standoff, which has not turned violent although some of the protesters are armed.

Nearly 300 Indians from eight tribes blocked more than 100 workers from entering or leaving Sunday to demand compensation for what they consider an offence to their culture and traditions.

"This construction has caused a big impact on the lives of our people,'' Indian chief Aldeci Arara told Globo's G1 website. "This protest is helping us expedite a solution.''

Plant manager Paulo Rogerio Novaes, told the official Agencia Brasil news service that construction will not directly affect the Indians, whose nearest tribe is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) away. He said the plant's developers have contributed to the local community by funding social programs.

The plant, expected to be completed by the end of the year, is one of many being built in the Amazon.

Those include what would be the world's third-largest hydroelectric plant, Belo Monte, which is expected to be built despite protests from activist who say it would devastate wildlife as well as the livelihoods of Indians and some other 40,000 people.-CP-