MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New Brazilian ambassador in Argentina

One of the most capable political operators from the Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mauro Luiz Iecker Vieira, 53, is the new Brazilian ambassador in Buenos Aires.

Mr. Vieira, fluent in Spanish is considered a "brother" of Foreign Secretary Celso Amorim, and "man of action", possibly "the diplomat with most outside contacts in the Itamaraty Palace".

Contrary to the traditional Brazilian diplomatic service, Mr. Vieira has always been closely linked to politics. He was an advisor in 1989 to presidential candidate Ulises Guimaraes; worked with the Science and Technology Ministry during the president Sarney administration and next to Mr. Amorim when he was Social Services Minister.

When Mr. Amorim was named Foreign Secretary of the current Lula da Silva administration Mr. Vieira became his cabinet chief.

Mr. Vieira also held several important diplomatic posts in Washington, Mexico, Paris and Montevideo.

Press reports indicate that Ambassador Vieira is not whole heartedly convinced about the US sponsored Free Trade Association of the Americas, but he does believe in a close alliance between Brazil and Argentina.

He replaces experienced negotiator Jose Botafogo Goncalves who is retiring.