Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIODEJANEIRO414
2009-12-04 22:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Cable title:  

Media Reaction Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian Diplomacy--A

Tags:  OPRC KMDR OIIP ETRD XM XR BR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8381
OO RUEHRG
DE RUEHRI #0414 3382208
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 042207Z DEC 09
FM AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0050
INFO RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 0019
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
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