Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SAOPAULO766
2006-07-14 13:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Sao Paulo
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: WESTERN HEMISPHERE: VENEZUELA, CHAVEZ; SAO

Tags:  KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD BR 
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VZCZCXYZ0024
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSO #0766 1951309
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141309Z JUL 06
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5398
INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 6484
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 7259
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 2515
UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000766

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: VENEZUELA, CHAVEZ; SAO
PAULO


"Red Light"

Former Brazilian President Jose Sarney wrote in liberal, largest
national circulation daily Folha de S. Paulo (7/14): "South America
is the most peaceful continent. We have not had a war for over one
hundred years. Democracy is consolidated throughout the region. We
have never permitted an arms race.... [But] now [Venezuelan
President Hugo] Chavez's plan to spend USD 60 billion in arms,
thereby transforming Venezuela into a military power is a threat
against the continent. He has said he will remain in power until
2031 and that he is an 'integrationist.' But who knows whether the
president of Venezuela thinks that he should occupy the Amazon to
avoid its internationalization? With the new military equipment -
14 SU-25 fighters, 600,000 GPS-guided bombs, China-made JYL highly
sophisticated 3-D radar stations, 10 to 15 submarines, 138 warships
and 150 supersonic jets - our sovereignty can turn to dust. No one
ever imagined that such a situation could occur in the South
American continent. What's the reason for all this? To face the
United States? This does not mean anything for the superpower, but
for us it is a frightening force. Either Brazil enters the arms race
to ensure its defense, by removing resources from social programs,
or it will have to look for protection under the NATO's umbrella."

McMullen