A Quick Look at the Brazilian Press

Summary: Brazilian news media this weekend wrote extensively about President Lula’s visit to Iran. Commentators expressed skepticism that Lula would be able to secure a workable deal, but most stressed the importance of Brazil’s role on the international stage. Media also covered Lula’s optimistic responses to criticism of his trip by the U.S. and European nations, along with reports of Iran’s human rights abuses. Papers reported on GoB statements that the cotton dispute negotiations could fail, blaming a lack of U.S. commitment to reevaluating the Farm Bill. Reports included coverage of the arrest of a FARC guerilla in Manaus, which Brazilian Federal Police claims indicates the presence of a larger FARC narco-trafficking operation in Brazil. Weekly magazines featured stories about reconstruction in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and a special report on women’s rights in Afghanistan.

U.S.-Brazil cotton negotiation stalls, Brazil threatens to adopt retaliations – Folha de S. Paulo B10:

According to the Brazilian Ambassador to the WTO, Roberto Azevedo, there is a “non-negligible” chance that the negotiations with the United States to prevent Brazilian retaliation against U.S. cotton subsidies could fail. According to the story, Brazilian officials consider the main sticking point to be the lack of firm U.S. commitment to amend the U.S. Farm Bill, and claim that what the USG has offered until now to prevent the retaliations have been “palliative measures.” http://migre.me/Fxf9

Lula sees 99% chance of an agreement with Iran – O Globo 33-34 /Jornal do Brasil A17: Both papers have lengthy spreads on President Lula's talks with President Medvedev on Friday. While Lula says he thinks he has a 9.9 out of 10 chance of coming to an agreement w Iran that is acceptable to the international community, Medvedev showed he was more pessimistic with a 30% estimate. Lula is quoted as saying that he believes the Iranian people want peace and that he will use everything he learned in politics in the last 30 years to convince "his friend" to accept the agreement that the IAEA has proposed. He further states "if we don't reach an agreement, I will return home happy for not having been neglectful" [i.e. knowing that he at least tried] "for trying to do what I thought was necessary. But I am optimistic..." O Globo further notes that, according to sources, Lula will also let it be known to Iranian authorities that if there is no opening in the dialogue, Iran will lose Brazil's support. The article also notes that Minister Amorim traveled to Iran at the last minute to try to work out a written agreement to be signed by the Iranian president, addressed to the IAEA.

Iran: the biggest prison for journalists – O Globo 34: The daily writes that according to French NGO Reporters without Borders, Iran is one of the most repressive countries towards journalists and is today the biggest “prison” for journalists in the Middle East. 47 of the 100 journalists and bloggers arrested in Iran last year were sentenced to three to six years in prison for writing articles on the protests that took place in Iran after the reelection of President Ahmadinejad in June 2009.

Bahai ask for Lula’s help against persecution – O Globo 34: The daily writes that President Lula arrives in Tehran pressured to intervene on behalf of victims of Human Rights violations in the country. The Bahai community, a religious group with 350,000 members in Iran, wants the GoB to send observers to follow the trial of their leaders, detained for three years and at risk of being condemned to death. In a letter sent two weeks ago to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, the Bahai community in Brazil asked President Lula to take this proposal to President Ahmadinejad and ask that their leaders be released to respond to the charges outside of prison. The GoB has not made a pronouncement on this issue.

Editorial on diplomacy: A historic moment – Jornal do Brasil A10: The daily prints an op-ed praising Lula’s mediation in the Iranian nuclear issue, “only a few times in History [sic] has a Brazilian ruler had the chance to play a leading role in an event of this magnitude,” writes the daily.

Capture of FARC guerilla in Manaus by Federal Police reveals operational base in Brazil – O Estado de S. Paulo A12-A13: Secret Federal Police report discusses evidence of FARC operations in Brazilian territory, including drug trafficking, culminating with arrest of guerilla Jose Samuel Sanchez (a.k.a."Tatareto"), in Manaus on May 6th. According to the story, the Federal Police discovered a rural property near Manaus that served as an operational base for the FARC, with a high-powered radio and antenna hidden in the jungle. The Federal Police report discusses evidence that the FARC have set up a covert drug trafficking network moving large amounts of drugs for sale in Brazil. Paper reports the profits are sent back to FARC bases in Colombia, either as hard currency or in the form of supplies and precursor chemicals for cocaine refining. http://migre.me/FweC

Lula criticizes Hillary Clinton's disbelief in Iran – O Globo 39: The daily’s special envoy to Iran, Chico de Gois, writes that President Lula criticized Secretary of State Clinton’s comments that Brazil would have a mountain to climb in mediating the impasse regarding the Iranian nuclear program. Asked about Clinton’s skepticism regarding Brazil’s ability to convince the Iranian government to engage in dialogue, Lula stated the he doesn’t know “on what grounds people would say that.” http://migre.me/Fxiv

Lula tries to reduce expectations about his visit to Iran – O Estado de S. Paulo A14 /Lula reduces optimism, but attacks U.S. disdain - Folha de S. Paulo A20: Papers quote President Lula as saying people have “exagerated expectations” about the nuclear negotiations. Papers also report Lula minimized Secretary Clinton’s lack of faith in the possibility of a deal. Estado says Lula made an indirect critique to the way the U.S. has been negotiating the issue so far.

Tehran receives Lula with indication of dialogue – O Estado de S. Paulo A15: Paper reports Iran received with optimism President Lula’s eforts to re-open the dialogue about the Iranian nuclear program. Paper quotes a spokesperson from Iran’s Foreign Ministry as saying “there are conditions set to reach a deal over the interchange.”

U.S. denies plan to invade Iran – Folha de S. Paulo A21: Eliane Catanhede says Washington made clear though diplomatic channels that, contrary to GoB opinion, the USG does not intend to invade Iran. She reports that Brazil is looking to test the limits of its international clout in its efforts to mediate a deal with Iran.

Analysis: Internal policies are the major hurdle to a deal - Folha de S. Paulo A21: Claudia Antunes says the terms of the proposal made by Brazil and Turkey to Iran are reasonable but notes a deal depends in great part on domestic policy issues in Washington and Tehran that have nothing to do with Brazil or Turkey.

Iran gives Brazil a controversial role in the international scenario – Folha de S. Paulo A20: Samy Adghirni says President Lula’s efforts to mediate a deal will likely be ineffective but has placed Brazil as an important and controversy player in today’s largest geopolitical crisis.

American newspapers criticize Lula’s trip to Iran – O Globo 39: In a small side story, the daily writes that U.S. newspapers Washington Post and The New York Times both criticized Lula’s trip to Tehran in their Saturday editions. The Post’s editorial states that Brazil is ignoring the repressive acts of the Iranian government and calls attention to the execution of five Kurdish dissidents by the Iranian regime. The daily adds that Brazil and Turkey are determined to mediate an agreement but that no one, besides the two countries, believe they will be successful. The daily attributes Brazil’s and Turkey’s stance to their ambitions for leadership on the international stage and also to show that they can defy the U.S.. The New York Times writes that U.S. diplomats are worried about the possibility that Brazil might disrupt the sanctions.

Interview with Fareed Zakaria on Iran – O Globo 39: The daily prints an interview with American journalist and political scientist, Fareed Zakaria. Zakaria is the director of magazine Newsweek and an anchorman for CNN. Zakaria praises President Lula, who he calls a “charismatic politician,” but states that Brazilian diplomatic efforts to mediate the Iranian nuclear issue are “almost arrogant.” The daily writes that Zakaria also stated that the U.S. should also pay attention to Pakistan, a bastion of terror, in addition to Iran.

A high-stakes bet for Brazilian foreign policy: specialists opine on Lula's trip to Iran – O Globo 38/Jornal do Brasil A6: Both dailies write about the expectations surrounding President Lula’s trip to Iran at a moment when the international community is applying pressure on Tehran due to its nuclear program. O Globo writes that successfully mediating the situation with Iran would put Brazil on the international stage but, according to specialists, there are more risks at stake than opportunities. The daily then prints a whole page of coverage of specialists’ opinions regarding President Lula’s visit to Iran. http://migre.me/Fxhj

Column (Merval Pereira): Eye to eye: Lula's seemingly impossible mission in Iran

O Globo 4: Columnist Merval Pereira writes that Lula arrives in Tehran with a mission considered impossible: obtain from Iranian President Ahmadinejad a formal commitment that the Iranian nuclear program has peaceful purposes. Pereira writes about the consequences of success or failure. Pereira adds that Lula was classified as “naïve” by several world leaders, including Secretary of State Clinton and French Foreign Minister Kouchner. However, he has already had his first diplomatic victory: his mission, as unusual as it may seem, ended up receiving the support of the governments of the U.S., France and Russia, all skeptical regarding its chances of success but obligated to give a vote of trust in the charismatic Brazilian leader. http://migre.me/Fxke

Editorial: Iran: opportunity or mirage? – O Globo 6: The daily prints an editorial wishing President Lula good luck in his diplomatic efforts in Iran but, at the same time, lists the risks implicit in Brazil’s current stance. http://migre.me/Fxo7

Rio, camera, action – O Globo 25: The daily writes that Rio has entered in the international filmmaking scenario: 50 international film projects are currently in negotiations to be filmed in the city. The daily adds that Rio’s promising future on the big screen is the result of the creation of the Rio Film Commission that aims to promote the state of Rio as a set for movies, TV shows, commercials and video clips.

Brief note: French team to determine if carrier bought from France will ever be operational again – Istoe 35: A note on Brazil's military purchases - Ricardo Boechat’s column reports, under the title “At least... it floats,” that a French technical team is coming to Brazil to determine whether the French-built aircraft carrier Sao Paulo (formerly the Foch), could be restored to operational status ever again. The ship, retired from service from the French Navy and sold to Brazil in 2000 for USD 25 million, has been docked since a steam leak from its catapult system killed three Brazilian sailors. Note calls this “the worst military deal in the world.”

Brief note: Lula on “silent campaign” to be the next UN secretary general – Veja 62: According to political gossip column Radar, by journalist Lauro Jardim, Lula has been on a “silent campaign” to become the next UN Secretary General, and “Discrete conversations on this issue have taken place even with higher-ups in the Obama administration.”