VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSO #0123 0631433
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041433Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8992
INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0147
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 9046

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000123 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD 
 
DEPT PASS USTR 
 
USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP XM XR XF BR
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: Western Hemisphere: Cuba, governance; 
Global Economy:  protectionism; climate change and environment; 
globalization; Sao Paulo 
 
Cuba's new cabinet 
 
Editorial in center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (3-4) states: 
"....Fidel's brother, 77 years old Raul Castro, leaves clear his 
intention of being surrounded by people of his strict confidence in 
order to consolidate his hegemony - without waiting for the 
commander [Fidel Castro] to pass away. Military nominations lead one 
to think that Raul, Cuba's Defense Minister for decades, wants to 
have members of the institution he knows best and controls - the 
Armed Forces - close to him. What for? Only time will tell...." 
 
Obama listens to lobbies 
 
Editorial in center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (3-4) states: 
"President Barack Obama may be able complicate the conclusion of 
global trade negotiations - the Doha Round - and also block the 
liberalization of international trade. These are the most important 
signs of the first manifestation of his administration's foreign 
trade policy. The United States Trade Representative Office (USTR) 
annual report, the first one produced by the Obama administration, 
justifies the fears of a more protectionist U.S. policy and a more 
sensible one to lobbies that defend subsidies and barriers....The 
inclusion of 'social and environmental' objectives in the Doha Round 
may seriously complicate negotiations .....President Luiz Inacio 
Lula da Silva has at least one serious topic to talk to Obama this 
month in the United States". 
WHITE