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Politics : World Affairs Discussion -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (2888)	12/3/2003 5:49:01 AM
From: Raymond Duray	Respond to of 3959

whose actual parameters always seem to remain fuzzy, and which skip over hard problems. And how does this differ materially from George Bush's unscripted and bloody quagmire, except that following Bookham's or Dean's or Kuncinich's precepts there would be 15,000 fewer murders in Iraq since March? And America wouldn't be an ostracized Gulliver bleeding from every pore of the treasury? It seems to me you have your usual blinders on. It is George Bush who has failed to address every hard problem and has childishly and petulantly struck out in the manner of a school yard bully who hasn't a clue or a care about the nightmare he is imposing on his victims.

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (2888)	12/8/2003 1:19:00 AM
From: ChinuSFO	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 3959

Nadine, an argument often made by the supporters of the Bush Administration is that since the UN failed to enforce several of its resolutions on Iraq, the US is justified in moving militarily to enforce them. In the following article, the Brazilian President claims that Israel has failed to live upto the UN resolutions and has violated them. Should not the US move into Israel militarily for the same reason as it did in Iraq? Roadmap will bring peace if Israel follows it - Lula By Barbara Bibbo', Staff Reporter 08/12/2003 The US-sponsored roadmap for peace between Israel and Palestine will eventually lead to two autonomous states co-existing in harmony, the Brazilian president believes. Condemning all forms of violence affecting Israel-Palestine peace process, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is on a two-day state visit to the UAE, said his country was in full support of the US-backed Mideast road map. Da Silva was, however, critical of Israel for not remaining committed to the roadmap and fostering violence. Speaking to Gulf News and a number of other Brazilian journalists accompanying him on his visit, Da Silva said Tel Aviv had failed to abide by the UN resolutions on the Mideast peace process. "We wish the United Nations plays a greater role in enforcing its resolutions. We recognise the right of Palestinians to a free and independent state as well as the need for Israeli security," he told Gulf News. Accompanied by a delegation of ministers and businessmen, the Brazilian president has already visited Syria and Lebanon and will proceed to Egypt and Libya from the UAE tomorrow. "This visit is not only aimed at enhancing our economic ties with the Arab world but has a strong political and cultural significance as well," Da Silva said. During his visit to Syria, Da Silva declared that any new United Nations resolution requiring an Israeli withdrawal from Golan Heights will have the support of Brazil. No resolution has been drafted at the UN on the issue of the Golan Heights currently, but Brazil is seeking the support of the Arabs for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, which they hope to gain next year. "The continuation of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the continued expansion of colonies are unacceptable," he said during his meeting with the Syrian President Bashar Al Assad. Asked whether he fears that these declarations would endanger Brazil's international policy vis a vis the United States, Da Silva replied that his country will not be ashamed of its stand and that only a transparent foreign policy will win them the respect of other countries. "In addition the international community is more concerned with the American foreign policy rather than the Brazilian," he said. A meeting is in preparation between Da Silva and the Palestinian Prime Minister. Da Silva expected the topics of his meetings with UAE authorities to include Brazil's vision on how to enhance economic ties with the Arab world and the foreign policy of Brazil with regard to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the occupation of Iraq. Da Silva also called for a broader UN role in Iraq. He said Brazil never supported that war in the country and wishes the UN to take charge of the reconstruction process there. "International legitimacy is the only means for solving the country's crisis and also to guarantee a quick return to normality and self-determination in Iraq." He said Brazil will consider taking part in the reconstruction process and taking up business opportunities in the country. The Brazilian trade commissioners are already visiting the country and considering opening an office in Baghdad and reviving activities of the Brazilian embassy there, which was never closed completely. Da Silva is being accompanied by a delegation of 100 Brazilian businessmen representing several fields, including the aviation, construction and fashion industries, during his eight-day trip to the region. The visit's main objective is to sign new trade agreements and open business opportunities with UAE counterparts and encourage investors from the region to invest in Brazil. "We want to revive cooperation agreements with Arab countries and clinch more trade deals for our economy," Da Silva said. The Brazil president's visit to the Gulf and Mideast represents a landmark not only in the relationship between the two countries, but between Latin America and the Arab World at large. Da Silva said the Arab nations he has visited so far have backed a proposal to host a summit of Middle East and Latin American leaders next year. The goal of the summit is to boost trade between the Arab world and Mercosur, the Latin American trade bloc. The two blocs should increase trade with other developing countries, forming a strong base capable of reducing their dependence on the US and the European economies. "We cannot afford to be spectators of the trading patterns established by the leading economies. Only together will we be strong enough to compete on equal terms and make rich countries more flexible in their trade policies." He said Brazil has re-engaged ties with the Arab world, to find new economic and political partners to balance the aggressiveness of the international trade policies, pursued by the World Trade Organisation. The country has already strengthened ties with India and South Africa, after many years of neglect. "The G3 aims at establishing scientific and technological cooperation, and acting as a unified voice of opposition inside the World Trade Organisation. With this in view, we now want to foster links with China - currently Brazil's second largest trading partner -and Russia." He said in a later meeting he will discuss investment opportunities with 12 top UAE investors there. As a sizeable Arab community lives in Brazil, the authorities are committed to pursue better ties with the Arab world. "Out of 170 million Brazilians, about 10 million are Arabs who are contributing in building up our country. "We have a political duty to strengthen cultural and economic relations with their countries of origin for the interests of both communities." gulf-news.com