Brazil’s presidential opposition candidate Jose Serra promised substantial changes to the country’s foreign policy if elected next Sunday. He specifically mentioned Brazil’s lobbying for a seat at the UN Security Council, the functioning of Mercosur and relations with Cuba and Iran.
“Mercosur impedes Brazil from advancing in free trade agreements with third parties because any unilateral negotiation is conditioned to the other members”, said Serra who also was ironic about the recent agreement reached with Israel.
“If we are elected, we are going to implement a trade policy which Brazil lacks. There have been too many trips overseas. The world reached many trade agreements in the last eight years, and Brazil only managed a very small one with Israel”, added the opposition candidate who is several points behind the ruling coalition candidate Dilma Rousseff in public opinion polls.
“This government only managed a limited agreement with Israel that is not even worth the Israeli oranges since they come from settlements that are considered disputed Palestinian territory. What a success”, said Serra ironically.
Regarding relations with Cuba and Iran, the national broadcaster O’Globo quoted Serra saying that “I survived thanks to groups who fought for human rights when I was arrested in Chile following the military coup of Pinochet in 1973. I personally value and have great respect for human rights and those who are committed to them. As a country you can have relations with a nation ruled by a dictator, but you can be sure I will not express admiration or cultivate friendship with a dictator”.
Brazilian president Lula da Silva has been severely criticized for his close relations sometimes described in the local press as “cosy” with Cuba’s Fidel Castro and Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Finally Serra criticized the current Lula da Silva administration approach and strategy to have the UN reviewed and a permanent seat for Brazil in the Security Council.
“If we make it to the Security Council, great. But this government opened embassies even in countries with a population of 15.000. That’s senseless. Wasting money in such a way is not coherent particularly when it is done with the purpose of having an alleged majority support in something which even Argentina is against”.
Serra faces Ms Rousseff in the run-off next Sunday, October 31, but is trailing in opinion polls after President Lula da Silva virtually took command of the ruling party’s campaign.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment ruleswow, Serra really loves President Lula da Silva, tudo bem, tudo legal!
Oct 25th, 2010 - 05:59 am 0He doesn't like Lula, Rousseff, Castro, Ahmadinejad, Chávez, Israel, etc. etc. Does he like someone? Does he like Mr. Putin?
What an angry an bitter person this man is wow
”3.877 cidadãos brasileiros estão registrados no consulado do Brasil na capital argentina para votar. Esse número torna Buenos Aires na cidade sul-americana fora do Brasil com o maior volume de eleitores brasileiros registrados. Diversas estimativas indicam que o total de brasileiros (entre legais e ilegais) residentes na Argentina seria de 37 mil.”
Nice, I hope Ms Dilma Rousseff wins. Lula has, in many ways, done a very good job, don't you think?
Serra's face is scary brrrr
I wonder why he wants a seat at the council.
Oct 26th, 2010 - 09:29 pm 0Perhaps he wishes to make some importent changes to the world.
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