MEDIA REACTION: NEW ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY;

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000063 SIPDIS STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP XM XR XF BR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: NEW ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY; CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT; WESTERN HEMISPHERE - BOLIVIA; GLOBAL ECONOMY/WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM; SAO PAULO Title- Obama and Lula Op-Ed in liberal in Folha de S.Paulo (1-29) by Eliane Catanhede says: "...Brazil is in the focus in all themes related to the environment. In [areas of] traditional energy, Brazil became self-sufficient in oil, already exports it and has just announced the pre-salt [oil discoveries]. In alternative energy it has natural resources, continental proportions, climate and state-of-the-art technology. Those circumstances, combined with Brazil's projection, facilitate the agenda and the closeness between Obama and Lula." Title- Problems in the Persian Gulf Op-Ed in liberal in Folha de S.Paulo (1-29) by Kenneth Maxwell states: "Today there are 146 thousand U.S. soldiers in the country [Iraq]. Ending this arrogant chapter of American History will not be easy.....The problem with Iraq is that its future is tied to U.S. policy with respect to Iran....But negotiating with Teheran has proven itself to be impossible since the Islamic Iranian revolution....the perspectives remain gloomy. It is unlikely that the new U.S. government will accomplish its promises to withdraw itself from Iraq in an orderly way and in accordance with a precise schedule. And it is unlikely that Iran reaches an agreement with the U.S. that involves the abandonment of the nuclear option. " Title- Bolivian Division Editorial in Folha de S.Paulo (1-29) says: "Up to now, contrary to [the goal of] pacifying forces in dispute and deepening democratic institutions, the referendum to approve the new Bolivian Constitution has had the consequence of newly radicalizing the country." Title- U.S. pursuit of a new trade policy Column in business oriented Valor Econtmico (1-29) by Ricardo Balthazar says: "The contrast between old American ambitions and the current reality is instructive. It shows that the economic crisis made the U.S. trade agenda obsolete and suggests that the U.S. needs to find another [trade agenda] to enable things in order to advance in this area again....many groups have presented suggestions to Obama's team in the last months. A point onwhich everyone agrees is that Obama will only gain support for a new trade policy if it strengthens its social programs to protect U.S. workers....Another point of divergence is....the necessity of combining trade discussions with world efforts to contain climate changes. U.S. specialists also agree about the necessity to change the manner in which trade talks are conducted." Title- Gloominess in Davos Editorial in center-right O Estado de S.Paulo (1-29) states: "Executives of major groups and internationally renowned economists seem to be in accordance: there will not be optimistic talks in the short run at the World Economic Forum, which began on Wednesday in Davos, Switzerland ... Growth in 2009 will certainly not happen, but the policies adopted this year will be crucial to [enable] a recovery. The review of policies and the definition of new paths will also be vital for the quality and sustainability of the new phase of economic expansion." White