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“Manaos less riskier than Iraq” Brazilian Sports minister tells English media

Wednesday, May 7th 2014 - 07:16 UTC
Full article 42 comments

Brazil's Sports minister Aldo Rebelo minimized the possibility of violence during the coming World Cup and replied to the British media that the Amazon city of Manaos, where England will be playing a match, will not be riskier that war zones. Read full article

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  • Anglotino

    Wow! Comparing a city to one in Iraq.

    How stupid are these Brazilian ministers?

    May 07th, 2014 - 07:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    Not as bad as Iraq...that's comforting to know.

    Where do South America get these idiotiv ministers from? Don't they know they are supposed to be welcoming and showcasing their country to the world?

    Maybe he'd like us to send the British army rather than a horde of drunken pink soccer nuts?

    May 07th, 2014 - 09:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    LOL! Do you think they put that in the tourism literature?

    “Not quite as dangerous as a war zone”.

    May 07th, 2014 - 09:27 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Devonian

    I don't think many English football fans visited Iraq during the war - it was too dangerous a place to stage international football competitions so that's a very strange comparison for the Brazilian Sports minister to use. I can foresee quite a few “incidents” occurring in the upcoming World Cup and not only in Manaus.

    May 07th, 2014 - 11:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Oh dear! Foot in the Mouth disease seems prevalent in Brazilian diplomatic circles. ...

    May 07th, 2014 - 11:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • macsilvinho

    Comparing Brazilian cities to Iraq is not stupid, it is the reality. I wish foreign visitors leave the country alive! Violence is rampant in this country actually at unprecedently levels!

    May 07th, 2014 - 11:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    I just remembered something I read in a tourist information leaflet the very first time I visited Santiago, Chile, many years ago. I was there working but the owner of the hotel was keen for me to enjoy my downtime and gave me a leaflet recently produced for tourists. I swear this is true. The opening pitch read, “Most people associate Santiago with boredom, pollution and depression but it is more than that!”. LOL! What could be more? Suicide? Asthma attacks? I laughed out loud and showed it to the woman who had not read it. She rolled her eyes and binned all the leaflets. (I kept my copy).

    As we have said here before, the tourism industry is still in its infancy in Chile - more so back then before any significant money was invested in tourism. The money is still not enough. The budget for the whole of Chile is less than Argentina spends on promoting Buenos Aires alone.

    May 07th, 2014 - 11:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    Apparently the “Minister” was being “ironic” or perhaps another word would be STUPID.

    Maybe some enterprising Brazilian could hire out 9mm pistols (ammunition extra) to the English fans: that would be fun to watch, especially when they lose to Uruguay!

    First World Country: ha, ha, ha.

    May 07th, 2014 - 11:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    But what one English language person could do in Brazil? Answer: NOTHING.

    They will starve because they can not order food. They will die of thirst because they will know not to ask for water. They may not move around the cities because they will know not to ask the taxi driver. They can not talk to people because people will not understand them.

    Honestly, I think the violence is not as serious. Not speak Portuguese is much worse.

    As I always said I would not come to Brazil without knowing how to speak portuguese fairly. Brazilian only know the portuguese language. ONLY.

    You should not think that there will be people here who understand what you say.

    May 07th, 2014 - 11:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @9 “Brazilian only know the portuguese language. ONLY.” So not true. I meet many Brazilians on my travels and they generally speak a number of languages. I guess the poor Brazilians may be monoglots.

    If you are honestly thinking that Brazilians will not be keen to sell to tourists and make a profit then you are crazy. I saw a news item only a few days ago where whole bars have been themed especially for the English fans.

    Honestly, you are as bonkers, small-minded and ignorant as TTT.

    May 07th, 2014 - 11:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglotino

    “Brazilian only know the portuguese language. ONLY.”

    After trying to decipher Brasileiro's posts for so long...... I think he may have finally admitted the truth.

    May 07th, 2014 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Steve R

    My Portuguese is rather limited yet strangely enough I failed to either starve to death or die of thirst in my last 3 month stay just outside of Recife LOL I found that talking with Brazilians not a problem some things are not hard if you take a bit of time :-) I also found the people to be polite and friendly :-) oh and very helpful. I would assume that many of the fans who will go to Brazil have managed to survive trips to other parts of the world so why is Brazil any different. I watched the Brazil v France world cup final sat in a bar in the middle of (for want of a better word) a jungle, my taxi driver spoke no english, the cafe owner had a couple of words and not a single patron spoke english yet I ate well, got slightly drunk and had the time of my life there :-)

    May 07th, 2014 - 12:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    So are we saying that if you cannot speak Portuguese or understand Portuguese
    you should not go,

    so that would mean almost `````````80% of the teams, and & 70% of the supporters, so it could be a very quiet games,..olol

    watch it on sky TV, at home, cheaper , warmer , and hassle free..lol,

    May 07th, 2014 - 01:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    ...and no threat of the British-hating Argentine Taliban attacking from across the border, either!

    May 07th, 2014 - 02:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    “The British press also expressed growing concern about security in Brazil...”
    well, many of the british newspapers (the sun, the daily mail, this one if you can call it newspaper, etc) are crap and a bit too much paranoid when it suits them.

    so, they published this:
    “Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomats have warned the Rugby Football Union of the potential for “security threats” and protests during England’s tour of Argentina in June, amid rising tensions over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.”

    when what finally happened was this:
    http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/june/news-articles/070613_england_oureach_salta

    May 07th, 2014 - 05:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Rick from Maryland

    “I have been into stats of snake and dog attacks in Manaos and let me tell you they are not alarming as the English media would like to present”, concluded Rebelo.

    Jeez. How ”alarming” are they then?

    Was this guy just trying to be funny and the translation just let him down?

    I don't know... joking about poisonious snakes in an amazon jungle town strikes me about as smart as joking about great white sharks off your Resort's beach...

    May 07th, 2014 - 05:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Bit too much paranoid when it suits them.

    Have you read all the other countries newspapers, or only the British ones,

    Have other countries newspapers warning of the dangers, or only the British ones ??
    .

    May 07th, 2014 - 06:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • malen

    They have problems with everything, the weather, the pretty and friendly phauna, the language, the town or district, the security, well, they have fears of everything. And just if Arg is worried of a militar base in Malvinas, we are exagerating!!

    May 07th, 2014 - 07:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    All are welcome. However, if there is doubt better not come.

    We are really hospitable, humorous, happy and we have beautiful girls and boys. But we do not like people who are pointing out our faults or think themselves superior.
    You must be humble and Brasil will receive you as a son.

    It is very important that you know how to speak basic phrases in Portuguese language because if you do not know how to speak basic words, you will be in trouble.

    Good luck to adventurers.

    May 07th, 2014 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @19 “You must be humble” LOL! You talk some crap.

    Brazilians are very friendly. Put two together, it is a party and everyone is welcome.

    May 07th, 2014 - 08:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Rufus

    The FCO have actually done an travel advice page specifically for the World Cup here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-cup-2014

    The highlights are (to paraphrase) it's hot in Brazil, if you're going to any games in yellow fever affected areas then make sure that you get vaccinated before you go, and avoid the busses to Manaus (not for any safety/security reason, but because it's a long way and the rural roads aren't good).

    May 08th, 2014 - 10:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    all this noise because england has to play in manaos?
    they will be going home after the first round .
    not big deal.

    May 08th, 2014 - 12:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack Bauer

    “Rebelo insisted that visitors fears have been inflated out of proportion and are significantly less than in war regions”........really comforting to know ....but innacurate....50,000 murders per year (official stats, which downplay the true figures) DO make Brazil more dangerous than Iraq, because in Iraq, you at least know what you're getting into.
    @idlehands : aswering your question as to where these idiots come from....well this particular idiot, Rebelo, belongs to the communist party... red flag, hammer & sickle, the whole caboodle. And considering that the last communist stronghold folded 25 years ago, the fact they hold onto the philosphy, doesn't say much for their intellect.
    And, I wouldn't be worried by the snakes which have no legs, but by the 2-legged creatures that sneak up on you from behind, and practice what most people call “mugging”...
    @9 Brasileiro tries hard to exceed his own stupidity....funny thing though, he succeeds. I remember in a post of his about 2 or 3 months ago, where he claimed that Brazilians ONLY speak portuguese. At the time, I replied he was wrong, because : 1. any “educated” Brazilian will speak portuguese, English and probably some other language, if not more ; 2. what the “uneducated” Brazilians speak, I suppose has to be called portuguese for the lack of a better definition. Brasileiro obviously speaks lousy portuguese, and even worse English (despite the aid of translating tools).
    @19, Brasileiro has given himself away : “We are really hospitable, humorous, happy and we have beautiful girls and boys”....so he thinks Brazil has beautiful BOYS ??? well, good for him , may he be happy on all fours.

    May 08th, 2014 - 04:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    @23

    hahaha.

    If thou be Brazilian, you are entreguista bastard.
    If thou be North-American, you're idiot.

    In portuguese-indian-african-italian-germanic and UKraine sounds.....vá se ferrar, pá!

    May 08th, 2014 - 09:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack Bauer

    @24...WRONG on ALL counts.....bumboy.

    May 09th, 2014 - 12:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    Man is fucking idiot, he should try engaging his brain before he opens his mouth!

    Brazilian dickhead of the month!

    May 09th, 2014 - 09:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    I interpret these comments to be saying to the British, “Don't come, we don't want you.” And why would the Brazilians want them? People from a country whose own government finds it necessary to mandate the showing of films that attempt to persuade the Brits not to rape little children when they arrive in the country!

    May 12th, 2014 - 01:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    ...a country whose people sell their own children for sex.

    What does that say, Hepatia??

    May 12th, 2014 - 03:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    I am a Stealth PlayStation Penguin.

    The only way to stay safe and enjoy Football.

    May 12th, 2014 - 03:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/07/manaos-less-riskier-than-iraq-brazilian-sports-minister-tells-english-media#comment325841: So, which country might you be referring to? As far as I know the issue the British government has is with the tendency of Brits to commit pedophilia - not child prostitution.

    May 12th, 2014 - 05:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    Somebody provides the supply side of the equation - “ the way I read it” Brazilians are creating larger stables of child sex slaves that they can hopefully exploit by selling them to visitors of all nationalities and other Brazilians, too.

    Horrible horrible people. Thanks for bringing that to our attention - you seem very knowledgeable!

    May 12th, 2014 - 06:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/07/manaos-less-riskier-than-iraq-brazilian-sports-minister-tells-english-media#comment325856: “...the supply side of the equation...” So you think that pedophilia is a commercial transaction and not, as any reasonable person would, a crime against humanity. That is chilling!

    The fact is that I know of no evidence of child prostitution in Brazil. And, of course, you provide no evidence of any either. On the other hand the evidence of the Brits' propensity for pedophile sex is the very fears of the British government (who do understand the nature of the people over which they rule). Apparently you Brits believe that by going to a country with poor people a market will be created for the purpose of satisfying your most disgusting and perverted desires. Well you are in for a shock. For many Brits the trip to Brazil will be one way.

    So, is it any wonder that the world looks on the British with loathing and contempt. And is it any wonder that the Brazilian government is trying to discourage British visitors.

    Now go away. You are making my skin crawl.

    May 12th, 2014 - 04:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    No Hepetatis.
    The UK Government highlights this and PROCESCUTES the wrongdoers, which exist in every society.

    The Brazilians just hide this, or blame the Papist scum of the Catholic Church (which is true, and allows them to hide).

    The difference is that the UK Gov act on this scandal but the Brazilian Gov and the Papist Church deny responsibility.

    The British Protestants are facing the problem and moving forward, Eradicating this painful histry.

    What are YOU doing?

    May 14th, 2014 - 03:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/07/manaos-less-riskier-than-iraq-brazilian-sports-minister-tells-english-media#comment326212: What am I doing? I am pondering the dilapidating effects of dyslexia and whether there exists any treatment which would help with your spelling. Beyond that I am wondering which century it is at this time. Papist scum? Protestant? Your thinking may have been current during the Thirty Years War in Europe but is dated and out of place now.

    But I suppose that I should not be surprised. In the past Jews have been vilified as have, more recently, Muslims. And, of course, on the racial front there are always the old standbys of African Americans and Hispanics - as the recent Sterling episode have shown.

    I note your point that the Brits are going, once again, to eradicate history. This is how the British have always operated in order that the rewrite is not contaminated by the facts.

    But enough of history. The UK Government is plainly worried about the future in which it expects Brits traveling to Brazil to rape little children. Clearly they are basing this view on past British behavior.

    So what is the Brazilian government doing to address the problem of British predators? In the long term it is running a number of successful programs designed to raise Brazilians out of poverty and thereby remove the perception that they might be easy prey for the British. In the shorter term they are doing their best to discourage Brits from traveling to Brazil and this is the point of the remarks reported in this article.

    May 15th, 2014 - 03:05 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    32 Hepatia

    “The fact is that I know of no evidence of child prostitution in Brazil. And, of course, you provide no evidence of any either. ”

    erm...

    “Child prostitution in Brazil is widespread and a serious problem. Brazil is considered to have the worst levels of child sex trafficking after Thailand with an estimated 250,000 children involved.[4][5] The phenomenon is closely related with high levels of poverty and inequality in some areas of the country.[6] According to the recently released Protection Project report, various official sources agree that from 250,000 to 500,000 children live as child prostitutes”

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Brazil

    Or try this documentary film:

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Brazil

    May 15th, 2014 - 06:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Hepatia is just another puppet.

    May 15th, 2014 - 08:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @32, 34 Hepatia has embarrassed herself again

    May 16th, 2014 - 12:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/07/manaos-less-riskier-than-iraq-brazilian-sports-minister-tells-english-media#comment326501: Searching the Internet for child prostitution and ranking countries I see.

    But it doesn't matter because when a child is raped by an adult it is the adult that is the perpetrator and the child is the victim in all cases. The Brazilian Government understands this and is trying to keep British tourist out to address the problem. You are just following the usual British tactic of blaming the victim.

    May 16th, 2014 - 03:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    Hepatia

    “You are just following the usual British tactic of blaming the victim.”

    No, Hepatia, that is utter nonsense.
    I am not doing anything of the kind.

    Unfortunately, sex tourism exists and it is an ugly reality of events like this.
    The British are trying to do something about it instead of pretending it does not exist.
    ALL nationalities are guilty of this, including South Americans, Argentinians and Brazilians.

    The disgraceful reality is that there is already a well-developed and extensive child-sex industry in Brazil, parents selling their children into the sex trade.

    This has been going on for decades and it is not because of the World Cup.

    It is YOU who are exploiting this tragic reality by using it to spread disinformation and hatred towards the British, whilst deflecting the blame from where it should lie - a government and society that wilfully turns a blind eye, allowing Brazilians to continue to profit from it.

    It is up to your society to do the right thing and shut down the supply side of the equation.
    It is your moral obligation.

    May 16th, 2014 - 06:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglotino

    Hepatia has outdone her usual ignorance in spades on this forum.

    “The fact is that I know of no evidence of child prostitution in Brazil.”

    Nothing scream ignorant and uneducated than that sentence above. And nothing belittles the pain and exploitation of children in Brazil than such stupidity.

    “And, of course, you provide no evidence of any either.”

    http://www.fnpeti.org.br

    Consider yourself supplied with evidence and an education. You are an embarrassment and a racist. It is hardly surprising that children can be exploited as prostitutes with idiots running around claiming there is no proof of it.

    Google “child prostitution Brazil” if you wish to say anything else.

    May 16th, 2014 - 06:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    Hepatia,

    Liar - Brazil is second in the world, only to Thailand.

    “Child prostitution in Brazil is widespread and a serious problem. Brazil is considered to have the worst levels of child sex trafficking after Thailand with an estimated 250,000 children involved.[4][5] The phenomenon is closely related with high levels of poverty and inequality in some areas of the country.[6] According to the recently released Protection Project report, various official sources agree that from 250,000 to 500,000 children live as child prostitutes”

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Brazil

    May 16th, 2014 - 12:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    It is because of people like Hepatia and her attitude that such evil will prosper.

    May 16th, 2014 - 01:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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