Rio - The Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, said today that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's efforts to mobilize the world in a war against hunger has nothing to do with Brazilian's campaign to obtain a permanent seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

According to the Minister, it is up to the leaders of the Security Council member countries to judge whether Lula's proposal contributes favorably or not to acceptance of the Brazilian government's claim. Amorim said, nevertheless, that "President Lula has contributed significantly to the enhancement of Brazil's international image."

He underscored the country's participation in the peace operation in Haiti, the independent attitude adopted by Brazil during the War in Iraq, and the victories obtained in the World Trade Organization (WTO) to eliminate subsidies for agricultural products. "We demonstrated clearly that we are a country that acts in accordance with principles but, at the same time, with pragmatism, avoiding confrontations with others."

For the Minister, President Lula's foreign policy and the way he has dealt with the challenges that leadership has posed have given the country increasing projection on the international stage. "This evidently favors the Brazilian government's interests in the UN," he explained.

Regarding the consequences of President George W. Bush's possible reelection for Brazilian aspirations, Amorim said that this is the United States' problem. "This are decisions of State, much more than of one or another Administration." He pointed out that the relationship between Brazil and the Bush Administration, in both the political and the economic and trade spheres, has been "very correct and cordial."

The Minister took part in a ceremony to honor San Tiago Dantas, one of the forerunners of Brazil's independent foreign policy. Francisco Clementino San Tiago Dantas, who died in 1964, was a journalist, lawyer, Minister of Foreign Relations and Finance in the 1960's, and Federal Deputy. The gathering, which was attended by ex-Ministers, Ambassadors, jurists, and political scientists, was sponsored by the Rio de Janeiro Commercial Association.

Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein
09/24/2004