Brazil's Archbishop Krieger mediates police strike in Bahia state

SALVADOR, Brazil - Archbishop Murilo Krieger of Salvador is mediating an eight-day military police officer strike that has caused havoc and left at least 95 people dead.

Archbishop Krieger, 69, was called in as a mediator Feb. 6 to a meeting of government officials and representatives from the striking police officers that lasted until the early hours of Feb. 7. An archdiocesan spokesman said the archbishop resumed negotiations later that morning at his residence.

Bahia Gov. Jaques Wagner called in the armed forces Feb. 6 after strikers refused to leave the state's legislative building. Dozens of women and children were also in the building. The legislature was surrounded by troops, and water and electricity were turned off to try to force out the strikers.

During the strike, more than a dozen stores have been looted, shows and events have been canceled, and schools closed. Salvador is known for its violent streets, but homicides have doubled since the strike began.