Carolina Gonçalves
Special report Agencia Brasil

Washington - Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, and US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, met once again yesterday to discuss political, military and financial aid to Haiti where Brazil leads a UN Stabilization Mission. Rice told Amorim that the US is committed to providing assistance to Haiti and that she herself will visit the country this week.

The two diplomats also discussed UN Security Council reform and the strengthening of democracy. Also on the agenda were talks concerning areas of mutual interest, such as education, environment and science and technology.

With regard to the UN Security Council, Amorim pointed out that both countries agree that changes are needed because the council as it is reflects a world that existed 60 years ago. Both are in favor of having nations on the council that can contribute actively to world peace.The US seems to favor the addition of only a few nations that would be permanent members, while Brazil favors a broader expansion of the council, with more permanent and non-permanent members.

Translator: Allen Bennett