MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil revokes visa of NYT journalist.

The Brazilian government revoked this Tuesday the visa of the New York Times correspondent, Larry Rother who published an article alleging heavy drinking habits of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The article which had a great impact in Brazil generated strong solidarity in support of the president from opposition and government political parties.

The revocation of the visa means in fact the expulsion of the NYT journalist.

In a short statement, the Ministry of Justice argued that the groundless and dishonest article is offensive of the honour of the President of Brazil with serious consequences for the image of the country overseas.

During a press conference with Chinese journalists before leaving on a state visit to Beijing President Lula da Silva was asked about his reaction to the article and said that "a president does not reply such stupidities. It does not merit a reply, rather action, and I believe he must be more worried than I am".

Last Sunday the NYT published an article titled, "Brazilian leader's tippling becomes national concern" written by Larry Rother questioning if the performance of the Lula da Silva administration was being affected by alcohol.

Brasilia described the accusations as "libellous and offensive" and in an official statement underlined that the Brazilian government "received with deep indignation the calumnious article of The New York Times".

André Singer the President's spokesperson said the article was groundless, fabricated, libellous and an example of the worst kind of journalism. Brazil's Ambassador in Washington has been instructed to contact the NYT editor and government sources said legal action has not been ruled out.

As for presidential tippling, Mr. Singer said Mr. Lula da Silva's social habits were moderate and no different from those of other Brazilians.

Vice-president Jose Alencar insisted "Mr. Lula is a good man. All Brazilians must feel indignation with the article"

"President Lula has our full solidarity. The article is unfair and evil", said Geraldo Alckmin governor of Brazil's major state Sao Paulo and an opponent of the current federal administration

. "I'm under the impression the US newspaper exaggerated. We've seen Lula drinking socially for some time. That's all. If there something different going on, only the most intimate advisors can say so", argued Senator Antonio Carlos Magalhaes, a leading conservative and declared political enemy of Mr. Lula.

Folha de Sao Paulo, one of Sao Paulo's main newspapers also expressed irritation with the article but was critical: "the piece is rubbish; but the fact is that a fifth rate US journalist feels at ease writing whatever he pleases about a third rate government in a second rate country".

In the federal Congress leading Senators called the piece an insult to Brazil, "a lack of respect" and one even went as far as saying that "US foreign policy is drunk".