AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT LULA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 002263

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2014
TAGS: PREL BR US
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT LULA
DA SILVA, 2 SEPTEMBER 2004


Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN J. DANILOVICH. REASONS: 1.4
(B)(D).


1. (U) Ambassador formally presented his credentials to
President Lula da Silva in a ceremony at the Planalto Palace
in the afternoon of 2 September 2004. As per Brazilian
protocol custom, Ambassador was one of three chiefs of
mission presenting credentials to the president (the
Venezuelan ambassador proceeded and the Hungarian came
after),with each ambassador meeting with the president
separately and then, in turn, inspecting troops and hearing
national anthems on the ramp of the palace's main entrance.


2. (SBU) On receiving Ambassador Danilovich and a delegation
of senior mission officers, Lula welcomed the Ambassador to
Brazil and launched immediately into a friendly question and
answer session on the status of the U.S. presidential
campaign. Ambassador explained the historical function of
the conventions, noting that in modern times they have become
pro forma "coronations," but in the past they were actual
venues for candidate selection. Lula mused that Brazil's
party conventions are also pro forma, but last a maximum of a
single day. Lula then asked which states would be decisive
in terms of votes. Ambassador discussed the battlefield
states and also the general importance of his home state of
California. He invited the president to visit California,
meet with the governor and California companies with
technological, agricultural and commercial interests in
Brazil, and address Stanford University.


3. (U) Turning to the upcoming UNGA and the 20 September
conference in New York on international hunger initiatives
hosted by Brazil, Lula said Brazil is expecting over fifty
heads of state to participate. He asked about U.S.
representation, and whether Secretary Powell would attend the
UNGA. Ambassador Danilovich explained that President Bush
would be formally represented by a presidential envoy,
Agriculture Secretary Veneman, who would be prepared to read
a message from the President.


4. (U) Lula turned to the subject of Brazil's economy,
voicing his satisfaction at the positive indicators on growth
coming in over recent weeks. Lula outlined the history of
boom-bust economic recovery plans in Brazil over the past
twenty years, and said his mission is to establish a
sustained and rational growth dynamic that will be the basis
for a realistic and healthy economic model for Brazil over
the long term.


5. (C) In a pull aside with Ambassador Danilovich at the
meeting's conclusion, Lula noted that he had always been
treated with respect and kindness by President Bush, for
which Lula warmly expressed his gratitude.


6. (C) Comment: President Lula was friendly, animated and
relaxed, taking 15 minutes to converse with the Ambassador in
an event that often lasts only the time needed for
pleasantries and handshakes. He used the meeting to register
a message about his intention to stay the course in an
economic policy he feels is being vindicated, and to make
clear that he is seeking the highest possible level of USG
representation at the Brazil-sponsored hunger conference in
New York. It is evident that Lula feels strongly about the
subject of the conference and also has his personal and
international prestige linked to the event. In that sense he
may be concerned about a USG presence that may appear to him
as limited in the context of a heads of state meeting on
American soil.

DANILOVICH