AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH BRAZIL-US PARLIAMENTARY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRASILIA 002563

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV BR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH BRAZIL-US PARLIAMENTARY
GROUP



1. (SBU) Summary. Ambassador Sobel met with members of the
Brazil-U.S. Parliamentary Group (GPBE) on November 30 to
discuss bilateral relations and ways to increase contacts
between the GPBE and members of the House of Representatives.
Ambassador offered to arrange a forum at the Embassy early
next year to continue to the discussion. End summary.


2. (SBU) Ambassador, accompanied by poloffs, paid a courtesy
call on members of the Brazil-U.S. Parliamentary Group on
November 30 at the Chamber of Deputies. He opened by noting
that he hopes several senior U.S. officials will visit Brazil
in the near future. He said he would like to increase
contacts between the GPBE and members of the U.S. House of
Representatives and would be interested in hearing the
Group's views on ways this could be done. He also invited
them to share their thoughts on how U.S. CoDels can meet
their counterparts more regularly, and to talk about their
interest in Washington, whether collectively or individually.


3. (SBU) Federal Deputy Luiz Carlos Hauly (Brazilian Social
Democracy Party - Parana state),GPBE chairman, said he
warmly welcomed the Ambassador's visit to the group, which
includes 135 Federal Deputies and 19 Senators. He said that
just in the previous week he had assumed the presidency of
the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA),whose
mission is to bring parliaments closer together, and he would
like Brazil to be a key player in the FIPA.

Slave Labor Allegations
--------------


4. (SBU) Federal Deputy Fernando Gabeira (Green Party ) Rio
de Janeiro state) raised the issue of slave labor accusations
recently made by members of the U.S. Congress. He said he
did not agree with the "offended" manner in which the
Brazilian Foreign Ministry had reacted, and called it
"inappropriate." He said Brazil is doing well in its combat
against human slavery and is willing to cooperate with
queries from the U.S. Congress. Ambassador said this is an
issue on which everyone is united in opposition, and the
Embassy is prepared to help the U.S. Congress if asked, but
always acting in collaboration with the Brazilian
authorities. He also mentioned funds that have been made
available by President Bush for programs in this area.

Peace Corps
--------------


5. (SBU) Federal Deputy Feu Rosa (Progressive Party )
Espirito Santo) said his state would benefit from Peace Corps
volunteers, but the Foreign Ministry, possibly because of
"misunderstandings," would not look favorably on this, and
said the executive branch is simply not interested in the
subject. Ambassador said we would welcome a Brazilian
expression of interest in the Peace Corps. He added the USG
would consider using the Peace Corps in lusophone countries
in joint programs with Brazil.

Congressional Exchanges
--------------


6. (SBU) Several deputies were interested in discussing the
modalities of ensuring useful contacts between deputies and
representatives. Gabeira said he would propose to the next
president of the Chamber of Deputies that more trips to the
U.S. be arranged, but that it would be important to try to
match up members' interests by subject matter so as to
maximize the usefulness of the trips. Hauly added that when
the Group, accompanied by Chamber President Aldo Rebelo, had
been with Speaker Dennis Hastert they had proposed regular
exchanges, and Rebelo had given Hastert a letter elaborating
on that. These exchanges could be through the caucuses or
arranged through committees, and should also include staff.
(Note: the Brazilian deputies visited Washington in May 2006.
As far as Mission is aware, there has been no follow-up
action thus far from the U.S. side in response to Chamber
President Rebelo's letter urging more exchanges between our
congresses. End note.)

Visas
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7. (SBU) Deputies from northeastern states, where tourism is
important, said many Americans do not come to Brazil because
of its visa requirement for Americans. They said a bill has
been introduced in Congress to eliminate the requirement.
They also appealed for better treatment of Brazilian visa
applicants. Ambassador said we now have the ability to
separate out applications from students and business
travelers and expedite them. He encouraged the Brazilians to
press for more direct flights between U.S. and Brazilian
cities to increase Brazil's attractiveness to U.S. tourists.

FTAA
--------------


8. (SBU) The Ambassador was asked whether the U.S. was still
interested in the Free Trade Areas of the Americas.
Ambassador recounted the Bush Administration's early
determination to focus on Latin America. Other events had
diminished some of the focus, but the U.S. is still
interested in Latin America and very interested in Brazil, he
said. Ambassador mentioned the upcoming visit to the U.S. by
President Lula and said both sides are interested in
discussing a strategic partnership, bio-combustibles,
investment, and other topics.

Bilateral Investment Treaty
--------------


9. (SBU) The Ambassador turned the discussion to the
prospects for a bi-lateral investment treaty. Gabeira said
it was not a question of resistance to the idea in the
Congress but that Congress is unprepared to take it up. He
said next year the Chamber will establish a committee on
foreign trade. Hauly opined that China gets far more trade
attention from the U.S. than Brazil, while Brazil is a
democracy and offers guarantees for investment.


10. (SBU) Hauly reiterated the group's willingness to
continue discussion on this and other topics. He said they
would like to take advantage of U.S. leadership and move
Brazil forward. Ambassador offered to arrange a forum at the
Embassy with appropriate section chiefs to continue the
discussion.

CHICOLA