Tripoli - According to minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, "Brazil is not in the business of trading products for principles." The minister explained that he was referring to Brazil's independent position with regard to controversial issues such as the occupation of Iraq and the Palestinian territories, as well as the visit to Libya, which is ruled by colonel Muamar Khadafi.

Amorim said Brazil is not in confrontation with the United States. "The ones who are not called on to discuss things are the ones who do not have a position," he said, adding that some Brazilians had a "colonial view that made them shy away from controversy. If we do that, we will always be in the international minor leagues. I think it is a good idea to think about making the big league."

The minister affirmed that yesterday during a speech to the Arab League in Cairo, president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized the United States for attacking Iraq and said they refused to recognize the error because of election politics.

As for the presence of the former leader of Argelia, Bem Bella, and of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, at the dinner Khadafi hosted for Lula, Amorim explained that it was a decision by the government of Libya. With regard to the lack of comments by Lula on the 34-year dictatorship of Khadafi, Amorim said Lula did not go abroad to teach lessons to anyone. As a worker who rose to be the democratically elected president of his country, Lula was a positive example, said the minister.

The Reason for Visiting Libya

Amorim said the trip to Libya was not ideological, but for business. He pointed out that there were numerous business opportunities there - in farm machinery, building and aviation. He also mentioned the fact that economic sanctions against Libya were lifted this year and Brazil wants in on the ground floor.

Amorim concluded by saying that Iraq should decide by itself who participates in the reconstruction there. (AB)