The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, argued that all Brazilian uranium enrichment plants should be inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Powell said he hopes that “an inspection visit by experts from the IAEA and our own [American] experts will be conducted” soon.
Powell attended a breakfast at the São Paulo American Chamber of Commerce, where he addressed around 200 entrepreneurs and representatives of civil society organizations.
In his view, Brazil is a strong candidate to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
Powell explained that the US government is still awaiting the final conclusions of UN studies on reforming the organization’s structures, before “indicating what country should or should not participate, but Brazil is a potential candidate.”
The Secretary congratulated the government and people of Brazil on the municipal elections held last Sunday, October 3, and recalled that the United States will also have elections, next month.
Powell classified the two countries as “vibrant democracies” with the same sentiment of liberty.
During his speech, the Secretary also commented on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). He said that the American government is “100% committed to concluding the negotiations at the beginning of 2005.”
The encounter with Powell was marked by a strong security scheme. Reporters, who were asked to arrive two hours ahead of time, were all searched, and they were not allowed to ask questions.
The Secretary of State traveled this afternoon to Brasília, where he has meetings scheduled with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Chancelor Celso Amorim.
Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein