What Brazil Wants from Obama: End to Farm Subsidies and to Cuba’s Embargo

US president elect Barack Obama Barack Obama's victory in the United States presidential election represents most of all the recognition of what democracy means, according to Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. For him, whoever doubted that a black could be elected president of the United States now knows that it can.

"It can only because this is happening in a democratic regime, which allows society to express itself."

The Brazilian leader called Obama's election, the first black in the US history to become president, "an extraordinary achievement." He stressed that the president elect is  "a person who has demonstrated political skill."

Lula said he hopes that Obama will have a stronger connection with Latin America and Africa and in special with South America and Brazil. "I hope that Obama has a policy more geared to the productive development in Latin America,"  Lula told journalists in Brasí­lia this Wednesday, November 5, 2008, after a ceremony to celebrate the 20 years of the Brazilian latest Constitution.

And the continued "I have no doubt  that on the part of Brazil we are going to continue building this productive partnership that we have with the USA. And I hope that it can improve with the Obama administration."

Lula asked for an end to the subsidies that Washington gives to American producers -  a core issue in the negotiations on global trade – as well as an end to the US embargo to Cuba, imposed to the island in the 60s. " There is no explanation in the history of mankind for the blockade to Cuba," argued Lula.

The Brazilian president also talked about the Israelis and their Arab neighbors: "I hope he is able to finally reach a peace agreement in the Middle East, because for decades this has been tried and it hasn't succeeded".

Later in the day, Lula came back to the US election subject and commented: "We, Brazilians, are after Nigeria the second largest black nation in the world and we need to be optimistic, hopeful and have much pride, because it is not small potatoes to elect a black president of the United States. As Brazilians we are happy with the election. And we will be even happier if the US relations get better with our subcontinent."

The president of Brazil's Supreme Court, Gilmar Mendes, called Obama's victory "a special moment." But he warned, however, that "campaign is something and management, administration is something else." "It is fundamental that there are definitions, especially at this time in the world economy", added Mendes.

The speaker of the House, Arlindo Chinaglia, said that, while expected, the victory of Barack Obama is surprising for its historical dimension, for the life trajectory of the president elect. "Leaders who fought for political rights in the US and that are still alive fulfilled a dream".

Chinaglia said he is hopeful that the new president will take measures to change the US relations with Latin America and especially with the Middle East. The House leader stated that the challenge is big since Obama is taking over during an international financial crisis.

Tags:

You May Also Like

Brazil’s Lula in Davos Urges End to Farm Subsidies

Before a multinational audience composed of entrepreneurs and heads of state attending the World ...

Quarup: Celebrating the Dear Dead

For Orlando Villas-Boas, Brazil’s most renowned indianist alive, it was a time of high ...

Guarani Indians children from Brazil

Brazilian Indians Don’t Want Handouts But Their Land Back to Grow Food

The situation of extreme poverty and no land to live as faced by the Guarani-Kaiowá ...

Brazil’s Lula to Bush: Stop Subsidies

Brazilians want a greater access to world markets in order to compete on an ...

Brazil to Pay 13% of Debt Due in 2006. Rest to Be Renegotiated.

The Brazilian government’s federal debt (domestic and foreign together) is expected to grow at ...

Brazil to Earmark US$ 23 Billion for Science and Technology

Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is expected to launch in November the ...

Best-seller Books, Plays and Movies

By Brazzil Magazine RIO Buda (Buddha)—Comedy. Decided to get a man she loves, a ...

Army and Navy Officers Join Brazil’s 1,200-Strong Military Force in Haiti

A group of 30 Army and Navy officers embarked May 25 to Port-au-Prince, capital ...

Brazilians Involved in Military Era’s Operation Condor Won’t Be Extradited

Authorities in Brazil have said they are awaiting notification from Italy on arrest warrants ...

Brazil’s Best Tribute to Niemeyer’s Genius Would Be Offering Opportunity for All

The late Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer was illuminated by that which we call talent. ...