O GLOBO NEWSPAPER, THE OBAMA ERA

UNCLAS RIO DE JANEIRO 000015 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 XM XR BR SUBJECT: O GLOBO NEWSPAPER, THE OBAMA ERA Center-right O Globo commented on page 06 (01/21/2009): "The 44th President of the United States distinguishes himself from his predecessors in significant ways. For example, his Arab-sounding name and the fact that he is the first African American to occupy the White House. It is impossible not to associate him with the word "hope." The United States and the world wait for winds of change which can blow away the eight years of the George W. Bush Administration... 79% of the Americans say they are optimistic about the Obama Administration. The two terms of George W. Bush in the White House were struck by plagues like the fundamentalist terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Then came the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, stemming in part from the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. And furthermore, the [USG's] failure to provide proper assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Obama inherits the management of these two ruinous wars and yet another hurricane - one which began on Wall Street, shook the U.S. economy and blew furiously around the world... Fate has put this young politician in command of the last super power under dramatic circumstances. It is not reasonable to expect him to walk on water. But one must root for Obama's success in leading the United States to a safe place, minimizing losses and paving the way to new ethics in policymaking and international relations. For rescuing the hope and faith of the American people and hailing to traditional and sacred values, Obama is the best the United States and the world could have in face of the current crisis." MARTINEZ