MEDIA REACTION - WESTERN HEMISPHERE: COLOMBIA, FARC,

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000474 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 - WESTERN HEMISPHERE: COLOMBIA, FARC, VENEZUELA, CHAVEZ'S POLICIES; SCO PAULO August 6, 2009 Title- It was a big mistake Op-ed in liberal Folha de S.Paulo (8-6) by Eliane Catanhede says: "....Brazil wanted to understand what Colombia is ceding to the U.S. [in the meeting with U.S. National Security Advisor General Jim Jones]. But the U.S. was interested in a more practical issue: the FX-2 project to renew Brazil's Air Force fighter planes....Brazil never accepted [the U.S. veto on Embraer jet's sale to Venezuela in 2006] and yesterday [Brazil's Foreign] Minister stated: "It was a big mistake!" Venezuelans turned to the left and bought Sukhoi's [airplanes] from Russia. Brazil lost a lot, the U.S. lost a little and Moscow won. In defense, Jones said it was all the Bush's administration fault and that from now on, everything would be different. There are controversies. The fear is that, with or without the letter [sent by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to reinforce there will be technology transfer], the U.S. sells but does not deliver all the order...." WHITE