MEDIA REACTION: BRAZIL-U.S. RELATIONS

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000696 SIPDIS STATE INR/R/MR IIP/R/MR WHA/PD DEPT PASS USTR 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC OIIP BR XM XR KMDR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: BRAZIL-U.S. RELATIONS Brazil, U.S. and Perceptions Op-ed in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (11-26) by columnist Clovis Rossi: "Marco Aurelio Garcia's interview, in which he talks about the disappointment with Barack Obama's administration is strong, but is far from representing a conflict, contrary to what parts of the media have indicated. It seems much more like a call for attention....with a [legitimate] argument, [of] Obama's negligence with Latin America....The request worked: Obama's National Security Advisor General James Jones called Marco Aurelio Garcia and everything became clear.....There are only differing perceptions on some issues.....Latin America is not a priority [for Obama] because it is not a problem..... But if the issue is not well managed, it may create a disturbance with Brazil and with a large part of Latin America." "Not Doing Well" Op-ed in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (11-26) by columnist Eliane Catanhede notes: "Brazil's relations with Iran are doing pretty well, but we cannot say the same about Brazil's relations with the U.S.....The letter Obama sent to Lula seems like an inventory of the points of disagreement.....and things are going bad early. Obama has just taken over, has major domestic difficulties, has not obtained approval of all his nominees in Congress - not even ambassador to Brazil - and cannot make advances in the Middle East, in Afghanistan, and in the rapprochement with Latin America. And the most curious thing is the imbalance of bilateral trade: US$4 billion surplus on the part of the U.S., a 284% increase....wouldn't it be better if Brazilian exporters were the ones doing well? The next round will be Copenhagen, with U.S. and China on one side; and Brazil and France on the other." A Desirable Peace Op-ed in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (11-26) by President Lula's international affairs advisor Marco Aurelio Garcia states: "Over recent weeks the GOB has welcomed the leaders of Israel, the Palestinian National Authority and Iran.....the three leaders saw....in Brazilian diplomacy, especially in Lula, a possibility to, through dialogue, advance towards a negotiated solution for a conflict that transcends a regional dimension. [The conflict] threatens world peace....Foreign policy themes...cannot be the target of electoral opportunism...the dialogue that the GOB held with Arab and Israeli communities in our country and in Latin America is transparent and does not leave room for doubt about our stance....this crystalline transparency differs from the murky waters in which fishermen launch their bait, more to attract incautious voters than to offer alternatives." White