Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian Diplomacy--A

UNCLAS RIO DE JANEIRO 000414 SIPDIS STATE INR/R/MR IIP/R/MR WHA/PD DEPT PASS USTR USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR OIIP ETRD XM XR BR SUBJECT: Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian Diplomacy--A Worrisome Road A Worrisome Road Center-right, Rio de Janeiro-based newspaper, O Globo writes: "By showing up...and electing Porfirio Lobo for President, the Honduran people...bought the idea of a fresh start..The crisis in Honduras highlighted the new central role of Brazil's foreign policy, but also showed how it has moved toward the left in recent months...Brazil ... insisted that the election was illegitimate without Zelaya's restoration...It is not a coincidence that this is the same position defended by Bolivarians...Hopefully Itamaraty [the Brazilian Foreign Ministry] has seriously considered the pros and cons of its decision to align with Ch????vez and oppose the U.S. The visit by Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is part of Brazil's attempt to open new diplomatic fronts, even with a high political cost. Lula lent prestige to the Iranian with the message, without caveats, that Tehran has the right to generate nuclear power for peaceful purposes...Lula commented on the issue yesterday in Germany, asking Chancellor Angela Merkel for more patience with Tehran and denying that U.S. and Russia have the moral authority to pressure the ayatollahs...The truth is that the performance of Brazil's diplomacy, whether for domestic electoral reasons or not, risks the reputation Lula has gained. Adding to this is...Special Advisor Marco Aurelio Garcia making perplexing criticisms of foreign leaders, such as Obama. These are hasty moves which damage the image of the President's country [Brazil], and could be harmful to the national interest" (Dec 4, 2009). HEARNE