GLOBAL ECONOMY: CLIMATE CHANGE; WESTERN HEMISPHERE:

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000486 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: GLOBAL ECONOMY: CLIMATE CHANGE; WESTERN HEMISPHERE: VENEZUELA, CLOSING OF RCTV; SAO PAULO ¶1. "Bush's Move To Combat Global Warming" Business-oriented Valor Economico (6/5) editorialized: "The fight against global warming may have gained an important - although exceptional - ally: the U.S..... What remains to be seen is whether Bush entered the game with a diversionary maneuver with dilatory effects or if the U.S. has finally decided to engage in the world effort.... The new U.S. posture, however, maintains in its intent the unilateralist aspect of the Bush administration.... Bush's proposal opposes not only the spirit of the Kyoto Protocol, but also that of any global agreement. The U.S. has been sufficiently ambiguous to leave in limbo the possibility of any mandatory limit on emissions jointly established by other nations. By trying to look for a solution just among the world's 15 main polluters, Bush wants to discuss the matter outside the United Nations' range.... But the simple acceptance by the U.S. that the problem exists may set in motion a dynamic that will force Bush to take further positive steps." ¶2. "Chvez and Lula" Liberal, largest national circulation daily Folha de S. Paulo's Caracas correspondent Fabiano Maisonnave commented (6/5): "Chvez's unprecedented decision to refuse to renew RCTV's concession has made clear that a significant portion of the international community will make him pay a very high price. On the other hand, Chvez's immoderate reaction showed to the world that he is willing to pay for it. If it will become increasingly difficult to coexist with Chvez on the international stage, for the Venezuelan opposition it will be almost intolerable.... Meanwhile, according to President Lula's pragmatism, an interference in Venezuela's 'internal affairs' is only justifiable to help Chvez, as was the case with Lula's visit in November, a few days before the presidential elections in that nation.... There are strong motives for Lula to act like that. Brazilian contractors led by Odebrecht, which donated funds for his reelection campaign, are increasingly profiting from Chvez's petrodollars - Brazil is already Venezuela's second trade partner, after the U.S. These are the interests the GOB wants to preserve, no matter if to do so it is necessary to sacrifice dear topics such as freedom of expression." McMullen