Cablegate: Media Reaction: President Bush's Visit to the Middle East;

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DE RUEHSO #0015 0111028
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O 111028Z JAN 08
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7816
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RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 8963
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 8531
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TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD BR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PRESIDENT BUSH'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST;
SAO PAULO

"Bitter Remembrance"

Liberal, largest circulation daily Folha de S. Paulo editorialized
(1/11): "In addition to being late, President George W. Bush's first
visit to the Middle East is the crowning of his disastrous policy in
that region.... US action strongly helped oil prices skyrocket and
become a concern for the world's economy. The US's initially fair
response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, with the invasion of
Afghanistan and combating Taliban terrorists, was followed by the
unjustified war in Iraq, increasing threats against Iran and a
series of negative actions.... Bush's visit to the Middle East helps
remind how negative has been his influence on the region. Changing
that scenario will be one of the main challenges of his successor in
the White House."
White

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