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January 2006
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Members : 17360
Content : 3757
Content View Hits : 29521348
Content : 3757
Content View Hits : 29521348
In 2002 the Bush administration made public that it would not get into regional specific politics nor it would relate to other countries through mediation of regional leaders. When Condoleezza Rice visited Brazil last year, it was clear there were changes about to happen. From not paying much attention to Latin American countries, too busy with the war, to sending Rice to Brazil, President Bush most certainly had ideas in his mind.
In January 2003, when I was Brazil's Minister of Education, I suggested to President Lula and Communications Minister, Luiz Gushiken, that the first presidential speech carried nationwide over television and radio should commemorate the beginning of the school year. This would offer an opportunity to speak of the importance of that day. 
The World Social Forum (WSF) in Caracas ended its first day with a protest demonstration resounding to chanted slogans against empire and war. Many activists in the huge Venezuelan gathering can be forgiven for feeling that the tide of history is with them. 
Milton Nascimento had a big smile on and the majestic posture when we entered the room for the interview. His big eyes smiled and we felt welcome. Milton likes to talk, and he is a good storyteller. It is evident that at this point in his life - he just turned 63 - the man who was once chosen as the best male voice in the planet, is in the mood to reveal a lot of things about his life. 
Controversy over statistics isn't anything new when it comes to Brazilian agrarian reform. Anyone who has followed agrarian politics in Brazil will remember numerous occasions where this has occurred. Now it is the turn of Lula's government.