United States Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, commended Brazilian peacekeeping mission in Haiti, in a meeting today with Brazil’s Minister of Defense, José Alencar.
In a quick stop in Brasília, Rumsfeld also met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to whom he confirmed his country’s satisfaction with Brazilian leading of the peace process.
“It is an example of the role Brazil plays in the world and in that region,” he said.
When asked about US opinion on Brazil’s bid for a seat on UN Security Council, Rumsfeld said that the issue is President Bush’s or Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s prerogative.
“The Defense Department has no say or role on determining Brazil’s position in the Security Council,” stated the Secretary.
Rumsfeld will leave today to Manaus, where he will watch presentations about the Amazon Surveillance Network (Sipam, Sivam) and about the law permitting the shooting down of planes or aircrafts (Lei do Abate). From Manaus, he will go to Guatemala.
Translation: Andréa Alves
ABr