MEDIA REACTION: WESTERN HEMISPHERE, FREE-TRADE, DOHA ROUND;

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000699 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD DEPT PASS USTR USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD BR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: WESTERN HEMISPHERE, FREE-TRADE, DOHA ROUND; SAO PAULO "If Doha Fails" Center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (6/24) editorialized: "It is necessary to think about alternative solutions in case the Doha Round trade negotiations fail.... The US has already made progress in doing this.... The Doha project is not yet buried, but time for its conclusion is dangerously short.... There are difficulties on all fronts.... If nothing works in Doha, it will be necessary to look for other means to facilitate trade.... For Brazil, a solution would be the normal continuation of the policy adopted by the Foreign Ministry since 2003. The intensification of relations with South Africa and India continues to be on top of Brazil's diplomatic agenda.... The GOB also continues to work for Latin American integration, a task that has been made difficult because of frictions created by Venezuela and Bolivia. The only bloc in which Brazil fully participates, Mercosul, is shaky and will hardly become strengthened with Venezuela's membership.... It is very likely that in view of new opportunities of bilateral agreements, Uruguay and Paraguay are tempted to leave Mercosul for a rapprochement with the US. Trade agreements with other developing nations can be very useful for Brazil.... But it will be a disastrous mistake to make the South-South diplomacy an alternative to trade agreements with the European Union, the US and other rich world partners. The best plan is to seriously reconsider the FTAA and think about good bilateral trade agreements." McMullen