VZCZCXYZ0014
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSO #0266 1261322
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 061322Z MAY 09
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9162
INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0314
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 9137

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000266 
 
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: VENEZUELA; SOUTH AND 
CENTRAL ASIA: IRAN; SAO PAULO 
 
Left high and dry 
 
Op-Ed in liberal Folha de S.Paulo (5-5) by Eliane Catanhede says: 
"[The decision] by Iranian President Ahmadinejad to not come to 
Brazil had a negative result on Brazil as the country made all the 
sacrifices in order to arrange the meeting between Lula and 
Ahmadinejad and ended up having no advantages.  It lost a lot (in 
criticisms) and won nothing." 
 
Iran is not Ahmadinejad 
 
Op-Ed in liberal O Estado de S.Paulo (5-5) by diplomat and former 
Ambassador to the U.S. Roberto Abdenur notes: "The visit of the 
Iranian President to Brazil could not be more 
inappropriate....Bringing Ahmadinejad to Brazil a few weeks before 
the Iranian Presidential election clearly would not demonstrate 
wisdom in political terms.  Seeking rapprochement with Iran in the 
person of Ahmadinejad brings us embarrassment and 
criticism....Brazilian diplomacy would have done well to realize 
that Iran is not necessarily Ahmadinejad." 
 
Mercosul Bolivarian Mercosul 
 
Editorial in liberal O Estado de S.Paulo (5-5) states: "Brazil won't 
gain anything if it lets Venezuela enter Mercosul now .....but it 
may lose a lot if it allows its trade diplomacy to depend on the 
humors and political interests of Alba's (Alternativa Bolivariana 
para as Americas) creator." 
WHITE