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Brazil Warns Of Waning U.S. Influence In South America
Written by Steve Anderson   
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 00:03

Suggests Obama should meet with Chavez

Brazilian Foreign Minister Celos Amorim last weekend warned that relations between the United States and South America are deteriorating and called on U.S. President Barack Obama to begin a dialogue with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.


“It’s possible that by the time President Obama concentrates on the region’s problems, relations between United States and South America will have deteriorated even further,” said Amorim in a Sunday interview with Folha de Sao Paulo. “Let’s hope it does not happen. Maybe President Obama is so absorbed with Iraq and Afghanistan that it keeps him from concentrating on other issues.”

The Brazilian official insisted that the core issue of relations between the US and South America is the deployment of US forces in seven Colombian bases in accordance with an agreement recently signed between the Obama administration and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

“I believe the US should act with more openness towards the region,” said Amorim. “President Lula da Silva proposed to Obama a meeting to address the issue (of US personnel in Colombian bases), but he did not accept.”

“These bases have triggered concern” because the agreement “contains ambiguities,” said Amorim. “Not only does it refer to combating the drug trade, it also mentions threats to peace and democracy. But who defines what are threats to democracy?”

Amorim downplayed recent statements by Venezuelan president Chavez calling on Venezuela’s military and the civilian population to prepare for war with Colombia. “Chavez took back that statement,” said Amorim.  “It is one thing is to talk about war, a word which should not be used, and another is the practical and objective issue of the U.S. bases in Colombia.

“Venezuela might have a rivalry with Colombia, but Venezuela does not feel threatened by Colombia,” he explained. “But it does feel threatened by the United States.… That is why we recommended a direct dialogue between United States and Venezuela” as a way to defuse tensions in the region.

SOURCE: MERCOPRESS
By Steve Anderson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

 
 
Comments (6)
6 Sunday, 22 November 2009 12:46
Fred Duncan
As a U.S. citizen, let me add my perspective. Obama has his hands full trying to turn the U.S. into a socialist country. He has a lot of opposition, and it will not likely happen. Afghanistan is taking away some resources, but is really of no concern. Most of South America is never even thought of by the average American. You run your own country your way. Why should we concern ourselves with your problems? The above article make me think you want a hand out from the U.S. When have you ever given anything to us? No one in the last 200 years has ever done anything for the U.S. When was the last time you came to our aid when we had a major earthquake? Does any country from Mexico south give the U.S. any monetary aid? No. Most of what I see around the world is "How can we get more money from the U.S." Maybe it's time you took care of yourselves and stopped relying on someone else.
5 Thursday, 19 November 2009 12:33
Manuel
Here are the typical, bullish of the world, why do not live Chavez and if we are in a democratic world why you people accept other that do not think same way as you do? we always have to follow the "American Way".
YOU LOST IN VIETNAM, SOMALIA, NOW IT WILL COME AFGANISTAN.
You system has made possible the biggest RECETION in the World.Just follow your masters the Israelis.

Bye4 now.
4 Wednesday, 18 November 2009 07:46
PS
Never ceases to amaze me the ignorance and bigotry which read about day in day out concerning Chavez and Venezuela. It's difficult to know where to begin refuting such accusations. Perhaps browsing the Venzuelan press, where hostile daily news stories against Chavez are a staple of the opposition press, will illustrate the point. It's a funny sort of dictatorship where you can do such things. Also, let's look at recent history for cases of direct and indirect intervention in the hemisphere...Oh look!!! The US has intervened directly in Grenada, Panama and Haiti, I don't think Venezuela has the same (unenviable) record.

My first suggestion is that people learn to read and secondly they do a little background reading.
3 Wednesday, 18 November 2009 01:25
GB
anyone believing that chavez has the thoughts of the south american people at mind is a brainwashed fool. he is only concerned with power and control of the oil money. this so called "liberator" is nothing more than a dictator. beware you uneducated morons of south america, chavez wants HIS own empire to rule and you are HIS slaves! just look at iran, he wants the same.
2 Tuesday, 17 November 2009 23:20
C Koch
There is no evidence for your assertions about Chavez wanting to take over the greater part of Guyana or about aiding the Farc to take over Columbia. The Farc are Columbians already. They are trying to gain their rightful influence but can only do so by rebellion because they are murdered systematically if they go the usual political route. Look up the history of the FARC's efforts to join in the political discussion in Columbia.
1 Tuesday, 17 November 2009 13:31
jay dykstra
I have no doubt that Chavez means what he says.
He wants to follow Bolivar.s conquest of So American by any means possible. He realy intends to anex all or most of Guiana (sp?) & aid FARC takeover of Columbia.
However, it is not any of the US's business what So American countries do to themselves.

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