Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SAOPAULO449
2008-08-20 10:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Sao Paulo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: MUSHARRAF IMPEACHMENT; MERCOSUL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0017 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSO #0449 2331044 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 201044Z AUG 08 ZDK FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8470 INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 9606 RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 8818 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 3152
UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000449
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: MUSHARRAF IMPEACHMENT; MERCOSUL
After Musharraf
Editorial in center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (08/20) says: "...In
the short term, it is expected that the165 million Pakistanis will
realize that the country won with the end of the [Musharraf]
government of almost a decade and, lately, devoid of legitimacy...
While the Americans supplied the Pakistani military budget with
declared resources in the amount of US$10 billion, part of which was
transferred to support weakened public finances and, certainly,
private banking accounts, Musharraf advanced seeking dictatorial
power... Political stability in Pakistan is crucial in combating
terrorism, among other reasons, because it is the only country with
a Muslim majority that has nuclear arms. Let's see how the
architects of Musharraf's fall will behave - the former Premier
Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardani, the widow of Benazir Bhutto who now
leads the major national party."
The Mercosul Agenda
Lead editorial in center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (08/20)
comments: "To resume the negotiations for a trade agreement with
European Union, held for four years, is the most ambitious item on
the Brazilian [trade] agenda during its temporary presidency of
Mercosul this term.... These negotiations will be the first
important step of Mercosul since the failure of the Doha
negotiations. The first challenge will be to define the level of
ambition for a trade agreement. The Europeans will hardly offer
more than they have offered in the multilateral round. On the other
side of the table, Mercosul members will, once again, face
difficulties forming a consensus on concessions in the trade sector.
...Everything will be much more difficult with the inclusion of
Venezuela. ... It makes no sense to have a partner that imposes
conditions and demands changes in the bloc. Mercosul will be an
extra instrument for President Hugo Chavez to promote himself,
thanks to another mistake in diplomacy by the Worker's Party."
White