Media Reaction Sao Paulo; March 16- 2009

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000145 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 XM XR XF BR SUBJECT: Media Reaction Sao Paulo; March 16- 2009 Media Reaction: Global Economy: Financial market crisis; Western Hemisphere: Cuba, easing of U.S. restrictions, Sao Paulo; March 16, 2009 Title- "Waiting for the U.S." Main editorial in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (3-16) states: "....the perception is consolidating itself that a bounce back in the U.S. economy, which is passing through a financial system restructuring, is crucial to restart global dynamism. The many fiscal and monetary packages implemented by U.S. authorities have not been able yet to invert the pessimism around investors, companies and consumers. Due to the huge weight of its economy and its currency dominance, the U.S. still is the one that can lead to a rebound in world growth." Title- "Isolated Dictatorship" Editorial in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (3-16) says: "....The U.S. has each day less reasons to keep its restrictions against Havana, including the trade embargo, the most important in the dispute....On the other hand, Cuba's inclination to establish a dialogue with the White House is still uncertain....Whatever it is, the new direction of the White House, Fidel Castro's definite withdrawal and its uncertainty....as regards to the continuity of the financial support sponsored by Hugo Chavez these will probably lead to changes in the 50-year-old Caribbean dictatorship." Title- "Crisis and Opportunity" Op-ed in center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (3-16) by Professor Jose Goldemberg, states: "There is not an easy solution for the crisis and there are doubts whether the medicines adopted so far by governments from all over the world will produce results....The economic crisis will demand important reforms in the world economy and opens, therefore, opportunities to rebuild an economy with a more solid basis than the 'oil economy' or fossil fuel economy.....While the financial crisis is artificial, in the sense that it has been generated by speculators and irresponsible bankers, the energy crisis that the world is going through is real and will only be solved with new technologies...." WHITE