LULA'S INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2005

UNCLAS BRASILIA 003175

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV BR
SUBJECT: LULA'S INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2005



1. According to the Ministry of External Relations,
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will make at
least thirteen international trips during 2005, continuing
the feverish pace of his first two years in office. Lula's
principal foreign policy objectives during his travels will
continue to be to obtain international support for a
permanent Brazilian seat at the United National Security
Council and to enhance South-South strategic cooperation.
Throughout his travels, the President will also emphasize
investment opportunities in Brazil.


2. Following is Lula's planned international itinerary:

a.January: Davos, Switzerland, to attend the
World Economic Forum;
b.February: Guiana (courtesy visit) and Suriname
(Caricom meeting) -- the last two South
American countries unvisited by Lula;
c.March: Montevideo for Uruguayan President
Vasquez's inauguration;
d.April: Africa (most likely Nigeria, Senegal,
and Tunisia) - this would be Lula's third
African trip;
e.May: Japan and South Korea for "reciprocal"
visits (Presidents Junichiro Koizume and Roh
Moo-Hyun visited Brazil in 2004);
f.June: Asuncion for a Mercosul meeting, and,
and,
if invited, Scotland for G-8 Summit;
g.July: Paris for the celebration of French
National Day, Lisbon for a summit meeting of
the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries
(CLDP;
h.September: New York for the opening of UNGA;
i.October: Moscow (President Putin visited
Brazil in late 2004);
j.December: Montevideo to attend a Mercosul
meeting.


3. In addition, on May 10-11, Brazil will host the Arab-
Latin American Summit. Following past practice, it is also
very likely that Lula will travel extensively to other
regional capitals for various events not yet scheduled.


4. Comment: While complaints may continue to arise about
Lula's frequent absences from Brazil, on the whole the
President's travels generally generate positive publicity
and garner public support for Brazil's, and Lula's,
emerging image as a world leader. But one aspect of his
travels may gain heightened press coverage in 2005. The
new Presidential aircraft, an Airbus A-391, will likely
ely
enter service in February. Over the next few months,
Brazilian pundits may enjoy citing the number
56,713,976.00, the cost in dollars of the new aircraft.

DANILOVICH