MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil, US strategic partner?

The influential New York based Council of Foreign Relations is suggesting United States consider a closer and more strategic link with Brazil, a country that could become a "key partner" in promoting economic reforms, open markets and sustainable democracies in the region.

In a "Letter to the President", with copies to US Congress leaders, the Council of Foreign Relations insists that "there's no better strategic partner than Brazil", and that "a realistic and sustained dialogue with Brazil is essential for any US policy in the Western hemisphere".

However the paper also recalls the stormy relations between both countries: allies during the Second World War, the CIA helped in 1964 depose a constitutional president and sponsored a military takeover; since the seventies Brazil has taken increasing distance from the United States concerning trade affairs.

The Council's mentions three main reasons for pointing to Brazil: the country has become the world's fifth economy and in the last fifteen years represents over half of the region's GDP; Brazil is a leading trading nation in the world with thriving commerce with all South American countries and holds a strategic diplomatic and geographical position in the continent.

The paper also indicates that the coming April all Americas summit in Quebec could be an excellent opportunity to launch the suggested strategy since Brazil and the US will be jointly presiding over the continental trade talks as of November 2002.

"Brazil is opening towards a growing presence in the European Union, has systematically strengthened relations with other South American countries, and is conducting Mercosur to become a leading block in world affairs" underlines the Council of Foreign Relations.