Cablegate: Media Reaction: Mideast: Israel/Hizbullah Combat; Western
VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSO #0859 2191116
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 071116Z AUG 06
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5553
INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 6628
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 7331
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 2527
UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000859
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: MEDIA REACTION: MIDEAST: ISRAEL/HIZBULLAH COMBAT; WESTERN
HEMISPHERE: CUBA: CASTRO'S HEALTH; SAO PAULO
1. "Conflict Without An Arbiter"
Liberal, largest national circulation daily Folha de S. Paulo (8/5)
editorialized: "Bush supports Israeli policy so strongly that the US
can no longer act as an arbiter of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.... Of course this is not a one-way relationship. Israel
also serves the US's interests in the Middle East. By attacking
Hizbullah in Lebanon, the Israelis are making a point to Iran,
Washington's main enemy in the region today. The problem of the
post-Sep. 11 guidelines in the State Department is that Manichaean
positions and diplomacy do not match.... The current war is expected
to result in a change in the regional status quo. For peace to have
a chance, Washington must find a way to resume the role of mediator
without yielding in the essential points. Reaching an agreement is
already a difficult task. Without the mediation of the only
superpower, it will be impossible."
2. "Already Died"
Political columnist Clovis Rossi commented in liberal, largest
national daily circulation daily Folha de S. Paulo (8/6): "Fidel
Castro had already died as a model to be followed much earlier than
his biological decline, that is currently taking place. The 20th
Century's last great political leader continues to be a myth, but
the Cuban revolution is no longer an inspiration, except for a group
of fanatics. The proof can be seen by the two presidents who
consider Fidel both an idol and inspiration. Venezuelan Hugo Chvez
did not call his revolution 'Castroist,' 'Fidelist' or 'Cuban.' It
is 'Bolivarian,' of Simon Bolivar. Bolivian Evo Morales went back
even further in time and his heroes are pre-Columbian.... Also
contrary to Cuba, institutions have worked in Bolivia and Venezuela,
where political parties and the media are free, and there are
regular elections.... Experiencing decline, Fidel and 'Castroism' do
not have any future, only past."
3. "Fidel And The Brazilian Left Wing"
University Professor Carlos Mauricio Ardissone maintained in
center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (8/5): "It is worrisome to confirm
the Brazilian left wing's (politicians, academia and artists)
resistance in admitting the obvious: Fidel Castro is a dictator
like many others. How to call a leader who has been in power for
almost 50 years and needs to maintain imprisoned politicians whose
only crime is that of diverging from the thought of the sole command
of the Cuban Communist Party? How to refer in regards to a leader
who smashed the opposition for years, does not allow freedom of the
press and a multiparty system, and uses education as means of
indoctrination? The goodwill of our supposed leftist politicians,
academics and artists vis-`-vis Fidel Castro is intolerable and
contradictory.... The Brazilian left wing cannot paralyze or
impoverish the discussion on Cuba. The complexity of international
relations allows for us to be equally tough and critical towards the
US foreign policy for Cuba as well as in regards to Castro's
regime."
McMullen