ARAB-SOUTH AMERICAN SUMMIT: BUSTS AND GAFFES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 001231

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2014
TAGS: PREL ETRD XR XF
SUBJECT: ARAB-SOUTH AMERICAN SUMMIT: BUSTS AND GAFFES

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Philip Chicola, reasons 1.4 (b
& d)


1. (C) The Arab-South American Summit began with a bust,
and a gaffe. First the bust. At the opening of the
Arab-South America Investment Conference and Business Fair
occurring parallel to the Summit, Brazilian Minister of
Development, Industry and Trade Luiz Furlan spoke of doubling
within two years the level of trade between South America and
the Arab world. (The Minister's target is not far-fetched.
Commerce between the two regions grew from just USD 4 billion
in 2003 to USD 8.2 million in 2004.) Unfortunately, for the
Minister, almost no one was listening. The hall, with a
capacity of 3,500, held perhaps (we're being generous) 400
businessmen, the majority of whom were Brazilian. About
1,250 businessmen had registered for the event. The Ministry
of External Relations rationalized the embarrassing turnout
noting that many businessmen were still arriving in Brasilia.
Moreover, according to Ministry of Development, Industry and
Trade Executive Secretary Marcio Fontes, businessmen could
participate in other similarly organized meetings in Rio and
Sao Paulo -- more logical venues for commercially-oriented
events.


2. (C) And the gaffe. To add salt to the wounds of the
pitiful turnout, Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa,
seated at the head table, abruptly departed the hall without
explanation, shocking both the organizers and the (few) Arab
businessmen present. Press reports suggested the Arab League
leader was upset with the order of protocol which had him
speaking fourth, after other lower ranking officials.


3. (C) Worst of all, the final Summit headcount of
attending Arab heads of state is just five out of 22,
(Algeria, PNA, Iraq, Djibouti, Qatar.) Even the attendance
of some South American presidents may be half-hearted; for
example, a Chilean diplomat confirmed that President Lagos
will be in Brasilia only a few hours.


4. (C) Comment: While some diplomats in town described the
Summit -- so far -- as a "fiasco," we believe speculation on
the impact of a Summit bust on Brazilian foreign policy and
on Foreign Minister Amorim personally is premature. But it
is clear that Foreign Minister Amorim's reputation, already
damaged by the Seixto Correa fiasco in the WTO race, is
riding on both the outcome of the Summit and forward movement
on Brazil's UN Security Council aspirations.

Chicola