Brazil’s President Elbows U.S. on the Diplomatic Stage

[Judi Lynn]

Source: New York Times

Brazil’s President Elbows U.S. on the Diplomatic Stage
By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO
Published: November 22, 2009

BRASÍLIA — Brazil’s ambitions to be a more important player on the global diplomatic stage are crashing headlong into the efforts of the United States and other Western powers to rein in Iran’s nuclear arms program.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s president, is set to receive Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, here on Monday in his first state visit to Brazil. The visit is part of a larger push by Mr. da Silva to wade into the seemingly intractable world of Middle East politics, and follows visits in the last two weeks by Israel’s president, Shimon Peres, and Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority.

But the visit is drawing criticism from lawmakers and former diplomats here and in the United States, who say it could undercut Western efforts to press Iran on its nuclear program, and consequently chill Brazil’s relations with the United States and damage its growing reputation as a global power.

Brazilian officials say the goal of the visit is to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries and help bring peace to the Middle East.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/world/americas/23brazil.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

[bertman]

1. That's FIVE recs. The U.S. doesn't want a non-U.S. corporate-controlled state to be

fucking up the Imperial Grand Plan.

Keep 'um honest, Lula.

[Peace Patriot]

2. This is one of the oddest New York Slimes articles I've ever read.

They really don't know what to make of Lulu, and seem terrified, on the one hand, that they can't control this "new player" on the "diplomatic stage," with their usual haughty slimebag techniques (fearful that he doesn't give a fuck what they think), and anxious, to the point of neurosis, to find some handle--any handle--by which to punish him if he doesn't do the bidding of "western nations" as defined by the Slimes. To this end, they employ an army of named and unnamed "experts" to variously issue threats and directives, and to confine Lulu in some way that serves the power and the agenda of the almighty Slimes.

Consider this "drummer" business, for instance:

"Some political analysts and American officials say that in his effort to burnish his credentials as a statesman, Mr. da Silva is marching to his own drummer rather than cooperating with allies to achieve larger geopolitical goals."

Then there is this also vaguely threatening but otherwise blitheringly incoherent observation:

“'As Brazil becomes more relevant on climate change and in world economic forums it is not going to be able to so openly criticize or be antagonistic with other major powers without paying a political price for it,' said Christopher Garman, an analyst with Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy in New York. 'Brazilian policy makers will no longer be able to have their cake and eat it too.'”

This marcher to his own drummer can't have his cake and eat it, too. My, my.

The Slimes do not have a clue what Lulu is all about. Their ignorance of Lulu's driving passions--political/economic integration and cooperation in Latin America--is astounding:

"Since his election in 2002, Mr. da Silva has sought to cement Brazil’s dominance as Latin America’s economic and diplomatic leader, using its economic might to raise Brazil’s foreign-policy profile."

That they can understand--dominance. Cooperation doesn't compute. They don't even SEE it. Or are pretending not to. Because, if they can define Lulu as seeking "dominance," then they have something they can flog him with, if and when they need to.**

Brazil's foreign minister, Celso Amorim, even gets a bit testy with the Slimes' hunger for power over Lulu's dealings in the Middle East:

"...Mr. Amorim made clear that Brazil did not see its role as carrying water for the proposed agreement for Iran to export most of its enriched uranium for processing into nuclear fuel.// 'We are not here to convince Iran to accept some proposal,' he said. 'Brazil is interested in peace.”

Ouch!

In one nasty slap upside the head, Amorim makes clear what Lulu thinks of the bullying, self-important, warmongering Slimes--which, for instance, ran false 'news' stories, week after week, about non-existent WMDs in Iraq, resulting in the slaughter of one million innocent people--and declared Brazil's "different drummer" agenda that so worries US and Israeli war profiteers: PEACE.

----------------------------------


**(If the Slimes can successfully tag Lulu with ambitions to "dominate" Latin America and turn Brazil into a "world player," then they can compose his downfall, whenever it is needed, in a future article that might read like this: "Brazil's pretensions as a major power on the world scene suffered a blow at the Big Dicks' meeting yesterday, when Lula da Silva's 'let them eat cake' proposal for the world's poor fell on deaf ears. Some political analysts attribute da Silva's declining influence to his overly cozy relationship with rogue leaders such as Holocaust-denier Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of Iran, and Venezuela's president, Hugo-Chavez, friend of Fidel Castro."

[EFerrari]

3. That's the Uppity narrative.

How disgusting of the old gray hag to try this on Lula of all people.

[Prometheus Bound]

15. Excellent analysis.

Thanks.

[historian]

17. Lula

Did you know that Lula had never had a piece of bread or milk till he was 8 because his family were too poor to afford such " luxuries." Although he now wears Gucci (who wouldnt succumb to such tiny temptations) but he has not forgotten his past. He helped to create a steel union and was a pain in the ass of the steel industry till they finally succumbed. He has been trod on enough - there is enough america can do or say which will scare him.
By the way, Brazil has already taken the small jet market away from Boeng, offering a better and cheaper jet. They export car parts to (ready for this?) CHINA AND JAPAN!! So if America says no more imports he could care less. China is pouring billions into Brazil without conditions as the IMF and the yanks do.
If we dont wake up soon and realize we are no longer the rooster among the hens we are doomed to a quick demise, if we arent already.

[amandabeech]

4. If Lula wants to get Brazil tangled up in the Middle East,

then more power to him.

If I were advising him, I'd tell him to find other ways of making a name for Brazil.

No one ever seems to win in the Middle East.

What makes him think that he is different?

[EFerrari]

5. Lobbyists have been winning big for a long time.

[amandabeech]

7. I'm afraid that I don't understand your post. n/t

[Peace Patriot]

8. I think she means war profiteer lobbyists. They always win. nt

[EFerrari]

12. Thank you, yes. There's a lot of money in keeping a conflict going.

[historian]

16. several reasons

first of all Lula doesn't need middle east oil - he has his own and plenty more to come. In a couple of years, with the find off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, he can be an unwelcome influence on OPEC. If they go too high he'll probably sell it for less.
Second there is a huge Arab population in Brazil many of them extremely wealthy and that carries some weight.
third he has already told foreign oil companies to f... off. If they want to deal with Brazil for oil, then they will have to do it on his terms. No more using cheap labor to extract the oil then shipping it off somewhere else, while paying a minimum to Brazil, then selling it at world prices or to the american consumer moron.

[earcandle]

6. "Wouldn't it be trippy if Brazil was to bring the peace to the middle east? "

says J.Neo Marvin.  

I say "that would show off our incompetence, or
ignorance, whichever it really is....." 

[historian]

9. alcohol

Brazil has cut its dependence on foreign oil many years ago by building alcohol run cars. It is now exporting petroleum mostly to argentina but has recently discovered a huge oil field off the coast of rio de janeiro (i hope they dont ruin that place as well it is so beautiful if dangerous). Lula has told the american oil companies to take a hike; the oil is theirs and they will do as they please with it mostly to sell it to other south americans at below market price if necessary.
Everywhere around the world we are being told to f... off thanks to num nuts bush.There is one point id like to mention which shows how things have changed. I remember in the 60's when american high ups in business would visit brazilian ceos. they would put their feet on the table, in the brazilian's face and behave obnoxiusly and with an obviously "I am superior to your little brown people" attitude. No more. Now they wait in line like everybody else and there is nothing anyone can do about it. We certainly dont have their respect.
Another telling point. Brazilian cities (sao paulo) used to be crammed with English teaching schools on every corner - they are now being replaced by chinese language schools!!!

[EFerrari]

13. There has been very bad feeling for a long time. I went to El Salvador

in 1967 and one cousin, who was 16 then, expressed derision and even com tempt for the Alliance for Progress.

The State Department's horrible handling of the crisis in Honduras is wiping out the small hope that many people had of an Obama administration. It's still early days, maybe this can be turned around, but it doesn't look very good right now.

[ieoeja]

24. For the first time ... EVER ... an American administration did *not* side with a Rightist

coup in Latin America, and this is wiping out the small hope that many people had of an Obama administration?

If the "many people" in question are supporters of Rightist military coups, then that makes sense. If everyone else does not welcome this precedence breaking change from the past, then they must be part of their country's ignorant masses (I rather doubt the US has a monopoly on ignorant masses).

[Vidar]

10. Good for Lula. Recommended.

[Mudoria]

11. I'm sure Lulu will have the Iran situation straightened out in no time at all..

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

14. I don't know about Lulu but I sure hope Lula can help. nt

[rabs]

18. Hackles probably going up all over Washington about now

Lula reconhece direito do Irã em desenvolver programa nuclear

Lula recognizes Iran's right to develop a nuclear program for peaceful means and in accord with international treaties.

He also repudiated any act of intolerance and the development of nuclear weapons in his speech today in Brasilia with the Iranian leader.


Lula reconhece direito do Irã em desenvolver programa nuclear


Ahmadinejad e Lula em entrevista coletiva Foto: Agência Brasil
JB Online


BRASÍLIA - O presidente Luís Inácio Lula da Silva reconheceu, em discurso na tarde desta segunda-feira, dia 23, após reunião com o presidente do Irã Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, o direito do Irã de desenvolver um programa nuclear com fins pacíficos e repudiou qualquer ato de intolerância. Lula, que apoiou um programa nuclear "pacífico" e "com respeito aos acordos internacionais", também repudiou o desenvolvimento de armas nucleares em seu discurso:

O Brasil sonha com um Oriente Médio livre de armas nucleares, como ocorre na América Latina - afirmou o presidente.
(Brazil dreams of a Middle East free of nuclear arms, as occurs in Latin America, the president said.)


From Jornal do Brasil:

http://jbonline.terra.com.br/pextra/2009/11/23/e231126060.asp

[Judi Lynn]

21. Corporate media chose not to slander Lula overtly earlier to avoid looking too obvious,

for the fact they run constant attacks on Latin American strong leftists like Chavez, Correa, Morales, and didn't get around to attacking Zelaya until the coup. They've of course attacked STRONG leftist Presidential candidates like Peru's Ollanta Humala, and Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

They've let it slide on Lula, and have risked their "journalistic integrity" (OMG!) by failing to savage him earlier. They're going to have to be cautious about how they open fire on him now as he nears the end of his Presidency!

[Judi Lynn]

19. Good economic performance makes Brazilian president more popular

Good economic performance makes Brazilian president more popular
2009-11-24 11:18:05

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's good economic performance during the international financial crisis and its positive image abroad have boosted Brazilian President Lula's approval ratings at home.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's personal approval ratings jumped from 76.8 percent in September to 78.9 percent in November, while his disapproval ratings declined from 18.7 percent in September to 14.6 percent in November, according to a CNT/Sensus survey released on Monday.

The approval ratings of president's administration also rose, from 65.4 percent in September to 70 percent in November, despite the massive blackout of Nov. 10, which affected 18 Brazilian states for several hours.

These high approval ratings can also be attributed to Brazil's ongoing economic recovery and growth as well as to the positive economic outlook under Lula and his administration.

More:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/24/content_12530165.htm

[boppers]

20. Brazil with nukes could be a very good thing.

Keeping the rest of the planet in technical/information poverty has been a fundamentally immoral policy. Brazil's a breakout state in that regard, they've figured out that "the way out of the third world" is first-world technology. Iran's doing it too, but with more bluster and less democracy.

[Judi Lynn]

22. Brazil's President Lula, 'Father of the Poor' Has Triggered Economic Miracle

Brazil's President Lula
'Father of the Poor' Has Triggered Economic Miracle
By Jens Glüsing



Brazil's President Lula visit the São Francisco river
which he plans to tap in a giant irrigation project.

Brazil is seen as an economic success story and its people revere President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva like a star. He is on a mission to turn the country into one of the world's five biggest economies through reforms, giant infrastructure projects and by tapping vast oil reserves. But he faces hurdles.

Elizete Piauí has been waiting patiently for hours in the shade of a mango tree. She is wearing plastic sandals and baggy shorts over her thin legs. At 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), the air is shimmering on this unusually hot day in Barra, a small city in the Sertão, the heart of northeastern Brazil. But Piauí isn't complaining, because today is her big day, the day she meets the president, who is working to provide her hut with running water.

The rattle of a helicopter signals his arrival. The white aircraft circles once over the crowd before landing. A motorcycle escort accompanies the Brazilian president to the ceremony.

Lula gets out of the limousine wearing a white linen shirt and a green military hat. Ignoring the local dignitaries in their dark suits, Lula heads straight for the crowd behind a security barrier. "Lula, Papai! (Papa Lula!)" Elizete calls out. He pulls her to his chest and shakes the hands of others in the crowd, allowing them to touch, stroke and embrace him. Beads of sweat are running down his flushed face, and people are tugging at his shirt, but Lula soaks in the attention. He feels at home here, in one of Brazil's poorest regions.

The president spends three days traveling through the Sertão. He knows the route. He came to the region 15 years ago for the first time on a campaign tour, traveling by bus and staying in inexpensive guesthouses. He made stops in every village square, seven or eight times a day, and usually held his speeches from the back of a truck. His voice was usually hoarse and weak by the evening, and he had to change his sweat-soaked shirt up to 10 times a day.

"He is Still One of us"

Now he travels in helicopters and armored cars, while police cars, their blue lights flashing, lead the way along country roads. Volunteers have set up air-conditioners and buffet meals at Lula's lodgings, and sometimes they even roll out a red carpet. The press criticizes the expense, but it doesn't trouble most Brazilians because they're proud of their president. He has made it to the top, they argue, so why shouldn't he enjoy his success? "He is still one of us," says Elizete, "because he is the father of the poor."

Lula is familiar with the fate of the Nordestinos, as the people in Brazil's poor Northeast Region are called. He was born in the Sertão, but his mother eventually put the children on the back of a truck and took them to São Paulo, 2,000 kilometers to the south. Lula's eventual rise to power began in São Paulo's industrial suburbs. His mother was one of the hundreds of thousands of have-nots who left the drought-plagued Sertão with its dried-up fields and livestock dying of thirst, and migrated to the wealthy south to work as doormen, waiters, construction workers or domestic servants.

More:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,662917,00.html

[Judi Lynn]

23. Speaking of Brazil you may want to see this:

Nazi Mystery: Blonde Twins from Brazil on National Geographic this week
Smallscreen News
By April MacIntyre Nov 24, 2009, 16:52 GMT

National Geographic exposes the real life Nazi mystery of Dr. Joseph Mengele in Exploer: Nazi Mystery: Twins from Brazil this Sunday, November 29.

Explorer airs this Sunday, November 29 at 9PM ET/PT

Joseph Mengele, the escaped Nazi war criminal and SS physician, known as the Angel of Death, spent years doing cruel, gruesome and inhuman medical experiments on twins at Auschwitz working to determine if twins held the key to building a blond-haired, blue-eyed master race for Adolf Hitler.

There is real evidence that Mengele's attempts may not have ended at Auschwitz, and that his obsession to engineer an Aryan master race continued, and that succeeded while he was on the run in South America.

Deep in the Brazilian outback in a tiny town among the 80 households in a one-square-mile area are reportedly some 38 pairs of twins.

Blond, blue-eyed twins. Bizarre and inexplicable, could they be the product of Mengele's machinations?

Now, with exclusive access, EXPLORER goes inside the investigation; From the secret agents who trailed him, to the scientists now uncovering the facts behind the fantastical phenomenon, no stone is left unturned.

Video “A Town Full of Twins” –

Seeing double is normal in Cândido Godói, Brazil, where the rate of twin births is nearly a thousand percent above the global average.

One theory is that the Nazi doctor, Josef Mengele, may be behind the phenomenon.

Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1515233.php/Nazi-Mystery-Blonde-Twins-from-Brazil-on-National-Geographic-this-week#ixzz0XnrQngNp