MEDIA REACTION: WESTERN HEMISPHERE: DOHA ROUND

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000339 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: DOHA ROUND Crucial Moment for Doha Round Lead editorial in center-right O Estado de S.Paulo (6/30) says: " the most ambitious trade negotiations of all times, the Doha Round, may fail, in a few weeks, if the new plan of Director General of World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, does not work. ...The goal is to have a basic agreement on the two most difficult topics: the reform of trade of agricultural products and the opening of markets for industrial goods. ... The objective is to finish the work during George Bush's administration. ... If the Round is not concluded before the new U.S. president takes office, seven years of effort will be lost. If Obama is elected, the difficulties to advance the discussions will be bigger because he (Obama) has assumed several clearly protectionist commitments. Brazilian negotiators have shown optimism and consider now a good opportunity for an agreement. They will have to put an effort not only to reach a final agreement with American and European negotiators, but they also will have to reach an agreement with the Argentine government. According to Argentine diplomats, the conditions of industrial protection negotiated until now continue to be unacceptable for Mercosul. The Brazilian diplomats should take this evaluation into consideration. Objectively, the conclusion of a reasonable agreement at the Doha Round is very important for Brazil. The country has bilateral agreements with important partners, contrary to other emerging countries, and laid its bet on this agreement. White