U.S. Treasury Secretary, John Snow, spent time in Brazil in August, as part of the series of meetings between Brazil and the U.S., a decision made by the presidents of both countries when they first met, with the goal of finding a common path for economic growth.

First it was the powerful Condoleezza Rice, then there goes money man John Snow, and the next visit will be by President Bush himself in November.

Snow, a champion of politically targeted ego lifting remarks, said that Brazil sells 25% of its export to the U.S., and 500 of the biggest American companies are investing in Brazil nowadays; and last, but not least, that U.S. and Brazil have the same kind of multicultural society, therefore the situation calls for even more solid ties.

But life was not just work for the American secretary, according to the Brazilian press. After a long meeting with Federal Minister Antônio Palocci, he went for dinner in the gardens of Rio's famous restaurant Antiquarius. The table was composed of prominent Brazilian economists, all part of former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's party, the PSDB.

Tucanos (toucans), as they are popularly referred to, such as Gustavo Franco, Edmar Bacha, Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, and some others, shared a great menu with the American official representative.

The main course? Dried codfish and economy, of course. Soundtrack? Singing toucans. Food restrictions? Not even a trace of a single soul from President Lula's Worker's Party. Which does not necessarily mean that the Worker's Party crisis was a sweet & sour dessert...

Mittal Steel goes to Bahia

Mittal Steel Company, the world's largest steel producer, operating in 14 countries is closing a deal to open a branch in Bahia.

Lakshmi Mittal, the company's 55-year-old chairman and CEO, from India, is the third richest man in the world, losing only to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. His fortune is estimated in US$ 25 billion. Mittal, who bought the American International Steel in 2004, transformed his company in the biggest of its kind in the world.

Mittal Steel can produce up to 70 million tons per year, registering a production of 57 million tons today.

Mittal, whose family holds 88% of the group, is a close friend of England's Prime Minister Tony Blair. The rich Indian recently donated 2 million ponds to Blair's Labor Party and is now a serious candidate to the House of Lords.

This is said to be the biggest single donation by a person to the party. Before Mittal, the biggest giver was Lord Sainsbury, with a gift of 2.5 million dollars in 2003.

According to the British press, Mittal refuses allegations that his donation was because of Blair's help for him to take over a Romanian government-run steel company in 2002. Blair would have written his Romanian counterpart a letter supporting Mittal's bid.

At that particular time, Mittal had donated 125 thousand pounds to Prime Minister Tony Blair's Party. Only one year later, and coincidentally after the Romanian deal was closed, there came the new and most generous donation.

Emphatically, the entrepreneur says his donations are because he is highly impressed with Blair's plans to improve education, health, employment, skills and technology in Britain. Mittal strongly denies any rumors that link the lordship and business recommendation to the money giving.

By closing this deal, Bahia adds a big star on its economic growth, and opens new jobs opportunities. Mittal paid US$ 220 million to control the Mineração Brasileira de Ferro, in Caetité, Bahia, with a production estimated in 4 billion tons

As a result of the deal, Brazilian giant Vale faces competition from the world's biggest right at home.

What Thy Body Says...

Body language specialist Lillian Glass was in São Paulo in August and gave an interview to the column "Gente Boa" (Good People) on the body performance of the Brazilian politicians involved in the scandal, according to her theory of "I know what you're thinking..."

Adman and PT's money man Marcos Valério: "He keeps a half-smile while keeping his lips tight. Clear sign of ambiguity."

Whistleblower congressman Roberto Jefferson: "Moves all the time, as if his body was begging "I want to get out of here." Puts out a sense of false security."

Ruling PT's Treasurer Delúbio Soares: "Monochordic voice indicates it's all programmed. Quick blinking of eyes shows tension."

Former Chief of Staff and congressman José Dirceu: "He looks like a Hollywood actor and I have worked with many. A good example of his ability is when he uses the word "heart" and points to his own."

Clara Angelica Porto is a Brazilian bilingual journalist living in New York. She went to school in Brazil and at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Clara is presently working as the English writer for The Brasilians, a monthly newspaper in Manhattan. Comments welcome at clara.angelica@gmail.com.

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