Brazzil

In early April, Brazil broke off relations with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) as part of its angry response to criticism of the country's mammoth Belo Monte dam. The IACHR, the highly respected judicial body of the Organization of American States, is charged with ensuring the maintenance of human rights standards throughout the hemisphere.

Upon receiving complaints concerning the dam's construction, the IACHR requested that Brazil halt construction until Brasília meets existing environmental standards and implements measures to protect the local indigenous population.

The Brazilian government responded sharply to the IACHR's request, acting as if it was eager to acknowledge itself as the world's most perfected banana republic. President Dilma Rousseff immediately broke off formal relations with the body by recalling Ruy Casaes, Brazil's ambassador to the Organization of American States, and halting its annual US$ 800,000 contribution to the IACHR.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the criticism "unjustifiable," and Senator Flexa Ribeiro, the president of the Senate Subcommittee overseeing the dam, argued that "The request is absurd. It even threatens Brazilian sovereignty." (1)

The Brazilian government defended its construction project in a 52-page statement, and work on the facilities continues despite the IACHR's motion to temporarily freeze the project.
 
The repercussions are enormous and could extend far beyond the issues ostensibly at play. Brazil is an ascending world power with enormous economic prospects due to recent fossil fuel discoveries, agricultural production, and bounteous mineral extraction sites.  However, the recent decision may affect Brazil's ability to play the "prestige" card in its campaign to acquire a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. 

Additionally, after the country's decision to rebuke the IACHR, we must now reconsider the extent of the gravities Brazil may bring to its flag. We must also reassess its overall capacity to resolve disputes, contribute to peacekeeping missions, allocate resources, aspire for regional leadership, and plead the case for Latin American participation in a number of international financial organizations.

A Legacy of Controversy

The gargantuan US$ 17 billion Belo Monte hydroelectric facility has been a source of controversy ever since construction was initially proposed in 1975. Indigenous and environmental groups have rallied repeatedly against the expected destructive impact of the dam. The project will flood nearly 200 square miles along the Xingu River in the Amazon, while displacing an estimated 50,000 people.

In addition to the anticipated disastrous consequences that will befall the 24 indigenous tribes and thousands of other Brazilian citizens located along the river, the dam will pose a menacing danger to the biodiversity of the area.

The region surrounding the dam houses at least four times the biodiversity as the entire continent of Europe, with many plants and animals being unique to the region. However, the hydroelectric project is predicted to bring about the devastating disappearance of approximately 1,000 species. (2)

Due to the enormity of the likely damage to the immediate area, several environmental and indigenous groups have rallied against the dam. FUNAI, the National Indian Foundation of Brazil, and Amazon Watch, which works to protect the Amazon as well as indigenous rights, have been fighting the proposed construction site for years.

The involvement of celebrities, including the vocalist Sting and director James Cameron, has proven beneficial by attracting a good deal of publicity to the movement. Various opposition groups have joined forces and formed the Xingu Alive Forever Movement, a coalition of international and Brazilian human rights, indigenous, and environmental organizations.

Several legal initiatives preceded the IACHR's request to Brasília, which is only the latest attempt to stave off the expected wave of destruction likely to be caused by the dam. For instance, the Brazilian Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in Pará had several lawsuits against the dam, with environmental and indigenous groups arguing that the dam fails to meet certain mandated requirements governing health, safety, environmental, and human rights standards.

One of these lawsuits met with success this past February, when Federal Judge Desterro blocked construction of the dam based on findings that 29 environmental conditions had not been met. (3) However, the success of the opposition movement proved to be short-lived, as a regional court overturned Judge Desterro's decision to suspend the project.

Involvement of the IACHR

In light of the Brazilian government's continued disregard for the petitioners' complaints, the Xingu Alive Forever Movement filed a motion to seek relief from the IACHR in November 2010. Upon receiving this initiative, which alleged that the dam's ongoing construction is resulting in tangible human rights violations, the IACHR investigated the details concerning the project. The Commission concluded that the dam indeed fringed upon international human rights standards.

On April 1st, the IACHR requested that Brazil "immediately suspend the licensing process for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant project and stop any construction work from moving forward until certain minimum conditions are met." (4)

These "minimum conditions" include measures to protect the affected indigenous populations, provide vital information in indigenous languages, and consult with affected groups about the dam's predicted negative impact. If Brazil fails to adopt these recommended measures, the country could stand trial in the Inter-American Court.

Economic Goals Take Precedence

The Brazilian government argues that construction of the dam is necessary for national development. As one of the most extreme nations in the world in terms of its skewed distribution of wealth, rapid economic growth was one of the most important issues for former President Lula and his successor, President Rousseff, to tackle.

Once completed, the dam will be the third largest in the world, after the Three Gorges hydropower plant in China and the Brazil-Paraguay Itaipu dam. Incontestably, the dam would be economically beneficial to this distant frontier region, an area that has yet to feel the impact of Brazil's recent economic success.

The dam is projected to provide thousands of construction jobs and eventually supply electricity to 23 million homes. Furthermore, the dam should be able to satisfy demands for clean and renewable energy sources. (5) The huge hydroelectric plant is therefore one of the most important components making up President Rousseff's economic growth program.

Yet while Belo Monte is designed to meet these goals regarding economic growth, it is in fact detrimental to tens of thousands of people. Economic growth does not justify the damage this dam will bring in its wake. The Belo Monte dam would destroy an area the size of Chicago, washing away the livelihoods of thousands of Amazonian peoples.

Even more disconcerting, this project is only the first of as many as seventy dams scheduled for construction in the region. (6) No amount of economic "progress" can excuse the staggering degree of transformation that these hydroelectric power facilities could bring about in their destructive aftermath.  As Antonio Melo, the Coordinator of the Xingu Alive Forever Movement, argues:

"Our leaders no longer can use economic ‘development' as an excuse to ignore human rights and to push for projects of destruction and death to our natural heritage and to the peoples of Amazon, as is the case of Belo Monte." (7)

Brazil's recent actions may represent a huge disappointment to many of those who have tenacious faith in the country's future. It is a nation that shows the promise of a great power fully capable of beginning on a path where it can confront and eventually challenge the influence of the United States.

The recent decision to ignore the request of the IACHR, however, casts Brazil as a candidate to be Latin America's chump nation of the year. In its blatant flouting of the Inter-American Commission, Brazilian authorities are expressing almost no angst over inflicting crippling damage to the system of human rights protection in the Americas.

The hemisphere's well-developed tradition of human rights protection began with the 1948 American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. This document is the oldest international human rights proclamation in the world, even predating the U.N.'s Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court are the two venerable judicial bodies charged with ensuring that these rights remain protected throughout the hemisphere. The history of these two bodies dates back to the 1969 American Convention on Human Rights, which specified their powers and duties while simultaneously redefining the human rights that American nations collectively agreed to safeguard. (8)

Brazil's dismissive rejection of the IACHR request is therefore a rebuke not only to the judicial body of the IACHR but also represents a lethal blow to the hemisphere's entire international human rights system.

By ratifying the American Convention on Human Rights, Brazil agreed to respect the rights outlined in the Convention. Brazil needs to comply not only with the commitment it has made to protect its own citizens' rights but also with the obligation it has undertaken to the international community.

It should honor its pledges to its neighbors and the region in general. The national government cannot simply overlook the rights of the Brazilian people or capriciously refuse to comply with international human rights standards simply because they interfere with projects for economic growth.

It is alarming to think that Brazil, now a formidable regional leader, is prepared to disregard its commitment to the hemisphere's human rights code merely because it is convenient for the government to do so.

Furthermore, not only is Brazil undermining the stability of this hemispheric body, it is also threatening the nation's extraordinary opportunity to make a qualitative leap into a new era of growth and leadership.

It is not too much to ask that Brazil, while still "thinking big," adhere to accepted international standards that will set an example for the region.
 
Notes:

(1) Mari Hayman. "Brazil Breaks Relations With Human Rights Commission Over Belo Monte Dam." Latin American News Dispatch. 3 May 2011. http://latindispatch.com/2011/05/03/brazil-breaks-relations-with-human-rights-commission-over-belo-monte-dam/

(2) "New rights challenge to Belo Monte dam in Brazil." The Guardian. 12 April 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/12/belo-monte-dam-work-suspended

(3) "Brazil furious with Human Rights Commission decision cuts all relations." Merco Press. 30 April 2011. http://en.mercopress.com/2011/04/30/brazil-furious-with-human-rights-commission-decision-cuts-all-relations

(4) "Precautionary Measures Granted by the Commission during 2011." PM 382/10 - Indigenous Communities of the Xingu River Basin, Pará, Brazil. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. http://www.cidh.oas.org/medidas/2011.eng.htm

(5) Hayman. "Brazil Breaks Relations With Human Rights Commission Over Belo Monte Dam."

(6) Margaret Swink. "Brazil Rebukes Human Rights Court, Continues Work on Mega-Dam." 8 April 2011. http://news.change.org/stories/brazil-rebukes-human-rights-court-continues-work-on-mega-dam

(7) "Organization of American States Requests Immediate Suspension of Belo Monte Dam in the Brazilian Amazon." Amazon Watch. 5 April 2011. http://amazonwatch.org/news/2011/0405-oas-requests-immediate-suspension-of-belo-monte-dam

(8) Organization of American States, American Convention on Human Rights, "Pact of San Jose", Costa Rica, 22 November 1969, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6b36510.html

Larry Birns is the director and Katie Soltis is a research associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) - www.coha.org. The organization is a think tank established in 1975 to discuss and promote inter-American relationship. Email: coha@coha.org.

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Quilombo
written by Brazuca, June 09, 2011

The question is, does Brazil have what it takes to break out of the plantation?

The slave-masters are bringing out the whips. Will it be enough to bring Brazil back in line?

We'll see.

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BELO MONTE
written by Raísa, June 09, 2011

i live here in Brazil and it is so hard to deal with this situation, i am so sad, i cant stop crying. I try to talk with everybody to do something, we will mobilize on sunday against this crime. i hope all you participate sending depoiments through youtube, watching our movements and supporting us, our government is led by people who forget they're people, are bank notes with legs and villainy. I am sorry, i needed to vent. the link of the event we are organizing in RECIFE - PERNAMBUCO on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event....4265833171 - thanks for worrying about brazil

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...
written by .., June 09, 2011

The question is, does Brazil have what it takes to break out of the plantation?

A hypothetical question whose answer is well known to everyone, including you.

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Ignorância Saxã
written by Nosso Brasil, June 09, 2011

O Brasil não quer dominar ninguém. O Brasil não quer fazer parte de nada. O Brasil é auto-suficiente em tudo. O Brasil é soberano e, portanto, nunca irá se submeter às ordens e caprichos de quem quer que seja.
Queremos o isolacionismo e que nos deixem em paz.
Preocupem-se com as suas vidas, deixem que das nossas cuidamos nós!!!

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Their struggle is our struggle
written by Lou Gold, June 10, 2011

Thank you for this excellent in-depth analysis.

I would like to add that Belo Monte, as an emblematic struggle of Amazonian choices that have global climate consequences, flags our collective global future. Truly, the struggle of the peoples of the Xingu is also our struggle. I have posted an analysis of why and I invite you to have a look at:

http://lougold.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-belo-monte-matters-in-big-picture.html

The fight against the ruthless and dysfunctional decision-making of Brasilia continues.

The avaaz.org petition, that has already gathered more than 500,000 signatures, is online at: http://www.avaaz.org/po/pare_belo_monte/

And Amazon Watch has organized a Facebook "causes" page at: http://www.causes.com/campaign...110603&utm

Please take a few moments to take action in a struggle that truly belongs to all of us.

Lou Gold

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Haha, classic
written by ...., June 10, 2011

The Brazilian doesn't like building dams, nor flooding florests the size of Chigago, nor displacing 50000 Brazilian citizens, nor causing the extinction of 1000 species, for starters, it is damned expansive to do those things, and time consuming, all that is required to appease the gods in this case, is the production of some 10 GW in one of the most remote parts of the globe without dumping 15 GW of waste heat into the basin(I do wonder how many species would become extinct). Who are these people, "the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR", headquartered in Washington, D.C. of all places? Are there no international alternatives even fractionally less likely to be in Washington's pocket?

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Haha, classic
written by ...., June 10, 2011

The Brazilian government doesn't like building dams, nor flooding florests the size of Chigago, nor displacing 50000 Brazilian citizens, nor causing the extinction of 1000 species, for starters, it is damned expansive to do those things, and time consuming(which is something that matters in all countries, languages, and creeds), all that is required to appease the gods in this case, is the production of some 10 GW in one of the most remote parts of the globe without dumping 15 GW of waste heat into the basin(I do wonder how many species would become extinct). Who are these people, "the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR", headquartered in Washington, D.C. of all places? Are there no international alternatives even fractionally less likely to be in Washington's pocket?

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The Palocci of all Dams
written by DU 48, June 10, 2011

Apart from the xenophobic 'nosso Br', an excellent article.

Brazilian politics is in a mess over this issue.

I suggest 'nosso BR'-climb out of his hole and read Washington Novaes' column in the Estadao.

Swallow(engolir)hard,amigo.

http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20110610/not_imp730350,0.php

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...
written by ...., June 10, 2011

What should be done is build the most environmentally friendly dam possible, they should clear the forest floor, select it, threat it and sell the wood to the highest bidder(anything so long it doesn't become carbon monoxide by fire, or methane underwater), make sure these 50000 refugees aren't getting the short end of the stick by the middle-man, catalog the species about to be lost and setup methane extraction from the resulting lake. The alternatives are natural gas fired power plants, which Brazil is desperately lacking, using diesel/coal/ethanol would be truly criminal, or huge transmission lines with up to 20% power loss, from where exactly? The future nuclear power plants planned to be built in the southeast? I could be wrong, but keeping the region underdeveloped is a surer way of destroying the rain forest, and not only that, that it is destroyed for NOTHING(coal, untreated soft wood), or for the profit of higher ups, where locals get pennies per 1000 dollars market value.

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Saxões Invasores
written by Nosso Brasil, June 10, 2011

Vocês invadiram o México, destroçam Cuba, espizinham a Argentina, patrocinam a derrubada do Chavez.
Vocês não são americanos, são saxões, e querem dar uma de "Bonzinhos".
Quanto mais o Brasil se afasta de USA e Canadá, melhor.
Vocês não são exemplos prá ninguém. Mataram seus índios e derrubaram suas florestas. Até hoje suas casas são frágeis, qualquer ventania destroe o seu mundo. Utilizam madeira. Poluem o ar. Kyoto continua esquecida.

Olha, cuida do seu quintal primeiro. Depois podemos conversar.

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...
written by Nicholas (us_male), June 11, 2011

Good job Brazil, build that dam what is good to make progress and I AM GLAD you don't listen to those Green Fascists. You get sick and tired of those bogus "bots" here continue with their fake comments as if they truly care about "the rain forrest". Get this, it's Brazil's territory and their business. not ours who are outside.

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...
written by ...., June 11, 2011

I believe the Brazilian government SHOULD listen to the green fascists, as long they can say something other than NO and DON'T, as long the country isn't left with a gaping 10GW electrical deficit in a truly remote region. It's only 10GW after all, the alternative is dotting the Amazon rain forest with 10 major nuclear power plants, and if they insist that they shouldn't be built in the amazon rain forest, then the government will have to build 12 plants elsewhere. If anything, the green fascists are losing a great opportunity of having a big say in the deployment of technology, and outlining the responsibilities of the stewardship of the future power plant, for the pleasure of committing the lunacy of standing between the white man and his electrical power.

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Everyone can win...
written by Rocky, June 11, 2011

The essential issue is not the dam(Belo Monte). The problem is the perverse inhumanity of the project, and its impact on a 'distinct' culture, resulting in a blatant genocide. Whether this is by error, ignorance, or intent, is irrelevant; the 'known' results are clear.

Is it really in Brazil's interest to create another populace of favelas for these 50,000+...who would wind up on the Bolsa? More crime, more drugs, more despair...for those who can no longer feed themselves? How many food baskets will correct this insane social engineering?

But I simply amuse myself, because we all know that these people have no 'pedigree' in Brazil, so it is inconceivable that they could have rights or actually own anything. The colonials have taught their children well the dehumanization of people.

Yet, it is beyond question that Brazil needs the energy, the jobs, and the growth. The real issue is whether that can be compatible with preserving the rights of the people. It is beyond question that the Indigenous rights and the dam "can" co-exist.

The areas affected by the dam construction should 'remain' an Indigenous Zone, and the populations 'temporarily' relocated to the areas set aside until the dam is complete. How is this accomplished, and more importantly, WHO WILL PAY?

Understand that this is a 'for profit' venture, and there is no good reason that the inhabitants of this land should not 'share' in those profits. 1%, that's right! 1% of the contract($170M) for the relocation and 1% of 'all' transactions in the Indigenous Zone. This is generous on both sides and will give these people a lasting economic future...and the 'dignity' of their God-given inheritance. A first for the world, and a win for Brazil that is worth more than 10 Belo Montes.

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Everyone can win...
written by Rocky, June 11, 2011

...and yes! That means 1% of the energy produced, or the profits thereof.

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...
written by ...., June 11, 2011

But that's a given, whoever is directly affected by the dam will be paid a premium for their properties and whatever can not be moved, they will be settled in new homes nearby, if necessary, a new town will be built, and even those who own nothing will have enough assistance to lead similar or better lives than before the dam, not to mention the municipalities where dam is located will be awash in royalties, I'm impressed you actually thought it could possibly be otherwise. One of the main issues here is the recalcitrance of Indian chiefs advised by international interests.

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...
written by Rocky, June 11, 2011

// But that's a given, whoever is directly affected by the dam will be paid a premium for their properties //

That is such a nonsense that it lacks 'all' honesty or credibility. What 'deed' does an Indigenous farmer show that he plants from one tree to another. Are 'his/her' fishing and farming rights respected even under todays corrupt land policies and lack of justice? What is being offered is a candy that can never replace a lifetime of food.

1%....or is that too greedy for the 'pretend to be' first class state that is Brazil?

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...
written by ...., June 11, 2011

We're talking about one of the lowest population densities in the world, you make it sounds like this area about to flooded and downstream is unique(other than for building the dam), some unsung piece of paradise, is it? So you're saying the locals should be made into some sort of oil princes in perpetuity? Is that what first class states do when building hydroelectric dams, nuclear power plants, and the like?

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...
written by Nosso Brasil, June 11, 2011

Falam de Washington, querem resolver nosos problemas em Washington?
Por favor, Brasil é mais ao Sul. Concordo que devemos preservar o que é nosso, não concordo com termoelétricas ou usinas atômicas. Nosso Norte precisa se desenvolver, e que isso aconteça sob os auspícios de nosso Estado Soberano...não de algum lugar do Norte!

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What Brazilian Indians really want:
written by Valeri Damiroxa, June 12, 2011

When the casting call went into the Amazon for a new "Taina" for the sequel to the previous films, 2,700 Brazilian Indian mothers in the Amazon brought their infant daughters to the castin interview. Brazilian Indians want what everybody else has, including electricity. That is why the Belo Monte Hydrodam is necessary for all Brazilians. See youtube video "Selecao Taina 3".

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"Tiure" no longer opposes the dam.
written by jan z. volens, June 12, 2011

"Tiure" is the Caiapo Indian woman that in 1989 threatened and then cut the Belo Monte project engineer with her machete. The scene was on international TV. Since then, "Tiure" has moved to another region of the state (near Redencao) and her nephew said: "My aunt Tiure no longer opposes the dam!" (Probably likes now electricity and TV!) The nephew, Doto Takak-Ire, was 15 years old in 1989. He too has moved from the Caiapo village of Bau on the River Cuaru, and he is now 37, and the administrator for FUNAI (Federal Indian Protection Service) in the municipality of Novo Progresso. He does not oppose the Belo Monte Hydrodam, and asked what his son thinks about the project, her replied: "My son reads about it in the press!" - My advice to U.S. Americans: Take care of your millions of unemployed and millions of homeless, and withdraw your troop from the 700 U.S. bases in 135 foreign countries! Brazil does not need or want you meddling!

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...
written by ...., June 12, 2011

Frankly, I wouldn't mind international meddling so much if it didn't stink to high heaven of Washington heavy-handedness. If you were to ask me, "would US government be willing to spend 1 billion USD to give Brazilians a 1 trillion USD headache?", I would have to answer that as very likely. The inability to install the last few remaining major hydroelectric potential spots before the maturing of Brazilian nuclear energy industry would be catastrophic for our economic, if anyone know of any viable alternatives, I would love to hear about them.

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You asked . . .
written by capnamerca, June 12, 2011

if anyone know of any viable alternatives, I would love to hear about them.

This is from Brazilian entities and authorities.

WWF-Brazil released a report in 2007 stating that Brazil could cut its expected demand for electricity by 40% by 2020 by investing in energy efficiency. The power saved would be equivalent to 14 Belo Monte hydroelectric plants and would result in national electricity savings of up to R$33 billion (US$19 billion).[46]

Ex-director of ANEEL Afonso Henriques Moreira Santos stated that large dams such as Belo Monte were not necessary to meet the government's goal of 6% growth per year. Rather, he argued that Brasil could grow through increasing its installed capacity in wind power, currently only at 400 MW.[47]

The Belo Monte Dam, as we all know, is being built for one reason, and one reason only. The money that can be siphoned off illegally by contractors and politicians. Anyone who denies that is only lying to themselves.

The truth is, Brazil wants to become an internationally respected nation, with a permanent seat on the security council, without having abide by international treaties and conventions. It's probably not going to happen.

They should just be content with letting the communist Chines rape their country of all of it's natural resources, while flooding the Brazilian market with cheap manufactured goods. If anyone thinks the Chines are Brazil's friends, and they have the best interests of Brazilians at heart, they haven't paid much attention to history. But . . . like they keep saying, it's our country, we can destroy it if we want.

I could go on and on about the disproportionate distribution of Brazil's newly found wealth and prosperity. But . . . the fervor of nationalism promoted by the last administration, and the hatred for outside influence negates anything I might say.

The above quotes however, are from Brazilians who know ad understand the situation in Brazil. And they understand it much better than anyone on this forum who has commented on the matter.

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More . . .
written by capnamerca, June 12, 2011

Another commentary by an educated and informed Brazilian on the subjecct.
http://www.amazonia.org.br/opiniao/artigo_detail.cfm?id=14820.

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Breaking....
written by chchchchchchc, June 12, 2011

It's being reported that Mr. Larry Birns frequently visits gay bars. Is he or isn't he?

Costa

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...
written by ...., June 12, 2011

Wind power depends on rare earth metals, meaning current turbine prices mean absolutely nothing, as soon as any country decide to take that route, prices will skyrocket, not to mention power storage, major overhaul of current distribution systems, and load balancing upgrades at power plants. Yes, that could be true, Brazil could for example, easily ban electric shower-heads and subsidize tank-less natural gas water heaters, or even better, subsidize the production of solar heaters, preferably made of plastic or aluminium, but hardly anyone would approve of such market interventions, and it would be an uproar if current administration even mentioned it.

Please be serious, they will give Brazil a security council seat when it is in their best interest do to so(which means we should it refuse at that later date), it matters not one iota how much we beg, or how just we're willing to be(if anything, it counts against us). I say we forgo such pretensions, seek friendship with all nations, new markets for our crops, protect our agricultural capacity as all costs, turn unproductive land into productive land as long it makes financial sense within some given period, seek biofuels that do not exhaust the land, such as biogas, invest in all matters of replacements for fossil fuel derivatives, protect the Amazon by making its maintenance profitable, invest in recycling, phytoremediation, ore extraction from sea water, nuclear energy, anything that hints at sustainability, let us have renewable energy sources, and not shy away from energy intensive projects, in other word, let us be the example to the world we can easily afford, and that is in our best interest to be.

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DEUS ME LIVRE DESSE PAÍS LATINOAMERICANO
written by LILLY MARLEN, June 12, 2011

Brasil = República bananera

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...
written by ...., June 12, 2011

I for one hope we will be a Republic able to grow bananas for the next 10000 years.

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...
written by capnamerca, June 12, 2011

Wind power depends on rare earth metals, meaning current turbine prices mean absolutely nothing, as soon as any country decide to take that route, prices will skyrocket, not to mention power storage, major overhaul of current distribution systems, and load balancing upgrades at power plants.

All modern generators depend on rare earth elements. There are wind farms under construction around the world up to 5GW capacity, and this skyrocketing of prices has yet to occur.

but hardly anyone would approve of such market interventions

Belo Monte itself is a huge market intervention. That's partly why it's being built.

they will give Brazil a security council seat when it is in their best interest do to so

It will be in their best interests to do so when Brazil falls more into line with UN policy, and stops trying to throw their weight around like a big bully. They haven't arrived at the level of influence and power it takes to be a bully.

Like I said, anyone who believes this project isn't being built solely for profit reasons, is living in a different world. It's their country, and they have a right to do that, but let's not pretend it will benefit anyone other than the already rich. There will be some construction jobs for a few years, and after that, it's benefit to the average Brazilian will be nil.

In fact, it will actually cost them billions in the long run.

Here's what Brazil is letting themselves in for while a few get even richer pandering to the Chinese.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/12/china-lead-poisoning-over_n_875605.html

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all, hail babanas
written by Chief Raven Feather Nixon, June 12, 2011

This by far has been the most entertaining article, especially in respect of the comments by our esteemed readers. God almighty, everything has been mentioned : Saxon invaders and civilized savages, shower-heads and the US military bases , nice green fascists and not so nice red Chinese commies, foreign interests, domestic corruption and even ... bananas.

Without a doubt Brazil should excercise its god given sovereign right to screw itself on its own terms whenever it damn wishes.We dont need anyone to tell us what to do !We know exactly what we are doing! or at least we think we do ! Progress needs electricity and Indians are better off without their jungle. After all, it is hard to believe that a high definition TV and newspapers would fail to bring happiness to any human being. And dont fret over the ´´green fascist´´ as long as the ´´money fascists´´ concur . And the ´´money fascists´´ say its good for business, and who we are to argue when it comes to business.

And while Im hard at work producing this hard-nose balderdash and continually wasting the energy powering my computer, I could be protesting for real instead of venting it out on my net buddies.I just tend to keep my month shut when it really matters and yell only at the weak and invisible.We have always been rich in natural resources except one - brains.But, pls,dont me what I think abt it. Better ask that kid who reads newspapers.

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...
written by ...., June 12, 2011

All heil Odebrecht. Seriously, is this the tautology club? Of course the rich will get richer, and the politicians will gorge themselves senseless, and of course it will be build for profit, and the poor/locals won't get controlling stock in the new company, hell, if all goes according to the script, costs will be publicly subsidized, and profits will be privatized. The very same would be true of installing wind turbines, big power plant contracts are Christmas' trees for politicians around the globe with virtually no exceptions.

You don't seem to like the Chinese very much, from whom would Brazil purchase these 50GW in wind turbines for the next 40 years anyways? They want to buy Brazilian crops, Brazilian beef, Brazilian orange juice, Brazilian iron ore, Brazilian ultra heavy and salty crude oil, why should we balk at that for a closer relationship with our direct commercial rival in an infinitude of products, who gave us 20 years of military dictatorship, uncountable years of penury, what then seemed like insurmountable debt, and lovely Trojan horses like the one that led to what now seems like the perpetual wrecking of our meager railroad systems? The Chinese exist, they aren't going anywhere, they have bigger fish to fry at home, and abroad, what litany would you have us echo?

Tell me, what would a wind farm able to deliver 11.5GW peak capacity(not wind peak) and 5.5GW mean output cost?

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written by ...., June 12, 2011

What's all this weight Brazil been throwing around? You mean joining forces with Turkey for bidding an entry into the Axis of Evil?

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Wind power and sun power is ideal but ask the Germans and the U.S. Americans who have it!
written by jan z. volens, June 16, 2011

The worry by some who have experience in USA: To get enough power enormous amount of land has to used for power from the sun. In North Africa, exists empty space - but the transmission to Europe requires gigantic transmission capacity. In Germany - small, high-tech Germany - they need another ten years and billions to transfer wind power energy from the North Coast, to where it is needed in the south. But there is the struggle for placing the transmission towers and security zones - across the Germany - cutting through forests and farmland - against bitter resistance from each owner, the community and the very "environmentalists" who call for wind power. The locating of wind turbines in the German landscape involves years of bitter political and legal struggle between the government, the energy industriy, individual landowners, rural communities: Nobody wants the noise (audible for miles) or cutting a swath through "our" forest. Even in Brazil, where 700,000 indigenous have reservations amounting to 14% of the landmass - some indigenous groups deny access for technicians to plan the path of power transmission - which involves thousands of towers between the north and SP. With dispersed sources of wind and sun energy, each producing moderate amount of energy - the problem of transmission means a century of hysterical struggle between everybody in Brasil - and may doom the dream of wind and sun energy as a major source for energy. Even during the "dry" season, Belo Monte would produce the equivalent of 3 or 4 nuclear power plants.

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written by Nosso Brasil, June 17, 2011

Ainda bem que nossa Federação é unida, obra da portugalidade que reside em nós. Não precisamos de nada de fora. O trabalho de preservação da nossa Amazônia tem vindo a bom termo.
Se essas ONG's continuarem a ver nossa participação como irrelevante, procurando de todas as formas "jogar" nossa brasilidade contra nós mesmos, DIGO: a expulsão desse tipo de gente DEVE ACONTECER!!!
Pelo meu Brasil eu dou minha vida, e sei que comigo estão 200 milhões de aliados!!

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Indíos
written by Nosso Brasil, June 17, 2011

Meu pai é índio como eu sou! Nossa sociedade miscigenada é índia, ou você acha que Portugal teria condições de colonizar nosso país com a dimensão que ele têm?
Portugal nos deu alma, nos deu sua língua como forma de união. Deu-nos sua história e compartilhou conosco sua cultura, bravura, e se transmigrou à nossa nação.
E quem são vocês?
A Banana da República ao menos nos alimenta, e vocês???

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answer this topic
written by BlairPat, October 11, 2011

Set your life easier take the loan and all you require.

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answer this topic
written by MAEWhitney23, November 05, 2011

All people deserve good life time and home loans or short term loan would make it much better. Because people's freedom bases on money.

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