A Taboo Word at Brazil’s Arab Summit: Democracy

The Summit of South American-Arab Countries held in Brazil was not restricted to economic issues as was expected. Heads of State or Government also included the political agenda in the meeting’s final document.

Opinions not openly stated in the document text, were voiced during hall and hotel lobby interviews.


Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah, for example, demands immediate freedom for Palestine.


“How can we discuss trading with an occupied Arab country? The Palestinian issue must be solved and must be in the core of discussions,” he defends.


The crisis between Palestine and Israel leaves several South American countries in a delicate situation, since the region keeps good diplomatic relations with Israel.


But there are also issues that bring discomfort to Arab countries when mentioned by South Americans, for example, some type of government in the Middle East.


The President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo, said that the Summit brought not only progress in the commercial arena, but it has also allowed South Americans to defend the strengthening of democracy in the world.


“We want the Middle East to find the way to peace. And if this part of the world can do something for it, we will do it in a constructive way,” stated Toledo.


According to him, the visits scheduled to Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan in the next months, represent a Summit’s positive result.


In order not to offend Arab sensibilities references to democracy were scrapped brom the Brasí­lia Declaration, the final document of the Arab Summit.


The words only appear when referring to the UN and elections in Iraq. To compensate for this oversight, in his closing speech, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva exalted the virtues of democracy.


ABr

Tags:

You May Also Like

Carnaval Capers

Over 40,000 members of the security forces are patrolling the streets of Rio this ...

Condoms for All: Brazil to Give Away 1 Billion of Them

Brazil’s Ministry of Health will buy around one billion condoms for free distribution in ...

Brazilian Car Racer Gets Pole Position in Miami’s Real Estate Race

The world of auto racing has attracted fans from across the globe. Perhaps people ...

Deep “Throats” and The Return of Brazilian Bad Boy Gerald Thomas

He’s ba-ack! No, not Arnold, the ex-Governator, and certainly not The Donald, either. But, ...

120 Years After End of Slavery Brazilian Blacks Still Far from Getting Equality

Despite Brazil’s NIMBY attitude about racism, while trying to convince itself of being a ...

Abbas Holds Long Talk with Brazilian Congressmen

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sent a congratulatory message to the ...

Biokerosene creator, Expedito Parente

This Brazilian’s Obsession: Get the World to Use His Biojet Fuel

At age 66, Doutor Expedito has never been so requested. His biokerosene should pave ...

Brazil Reiterates Support for Venezuela

The head of Brazil’s Presidential Civilian Advisory Staff, Minister José Dirceu, met, yesterday, with ...

Experts Urge Brazil to Urgently Fund Nanotech R&D

Public and private institutions must work closely together if Brazil is to take full ...

Brazil Says Gol Profited US$ 81 Million, US Says It Lost US$ 18 Million

Despite heavy losses, Brazilian airline company Gol reported a 60% increase in its net ...