INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Global Economy: Climate Change; Western Hemisphere:

Published: Tue 5 Jun 2007 01:19 PM
VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSO #0486 1561319
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051319Z JUN 07 ZDK
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7052
INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 8166
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 8113
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 2796
UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000486
SIPDIS
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 ETRD BR
SUBJECT: GLOBAL ECONOMY: CLIMATE CHANGE; WESTERN HEMISPHERE:
VENEZUELA, CLOSING OF RCTV; SAO PAULO
1. "Bush's Move To Combat Global Warming"
Business-oriented Valor Economico (6/5) editorialized: "The fight
against global warming may have gained an important - although
exceptional - ally: the U.S..... What remains to be seen is whether
Bush entered the game with a diversionary maneuver with dilatory
effects or if the U.S. has finally decided to engage in the world
effort.... The new U.S. posture, however, maintains in its intent
the unilateralist aspect of the Bush administration.... Bush's
proposal opposes not only the spirit of the Kyoto Protocol, but also
that of any global agreement. The U.S. has been sufficiently
ambiguous to leave in limbo the possibility of any mandatory limit
on emissions jointly established by other nations. By trying to look
for a solution just among the world's 15 main polluters, Bush wants
to discuss the matter outside the United Nations' range.... But the
simple acceptance by the U.S. that the problem exists may set in
motion a dynamic that will force Bush to take further positive
steps."
2. "Chvez and Lula"
Liberal, largest national circulation daily Folha de S. Paulo's
Caracas correspondent Fabiano Maisonnave commented (6/5): "Chvez's
unprecedented decision to refuse to renew RCTV's concession has made
clear that a significant portion of the international community will
make him pay a very high price. On the other hand, Chvez's
immoderate reaction showed to the world that he is willing to pay
for it. If it will become increasingly difficult to coexist with
Chvez on the international stage, for the Venezuelan opposition it
will be almost intolerable.... Meanwhile, according to President
Lula's pragmatism, an interference in Venezuela's 'internal affairs'
is only justifiable to help Chvez, as was the case with Lula's
visit in November, a few days before the presidential elections in
that nation.... There are strong motives for Lula to act like that.
Brazilian contractors led by Odebrecht, which donated funds for his
reelection campaign, are increasingly profiting from Chvez's
petrodollars - Brazil is already Venezuela's second trade partner,
after the U.S. These are the interests the GOB wants to preserve,
no matter if to do so it is necessary to sacrifice dear topics such
as freedom of expression."
McMullen
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