Cablegate: Media Reaction- Obama's Speech at the U.N.; Fx-2 Bid;

VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSO #0569 2681908
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251908Z SEP 09
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9642
INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0776
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 9262

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000569

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- OBAMA'S SPEECH AT THE U.N.; FX-2 BID;
HONDURAS/OUSTED PRESIDENT ZELAYA

"Obama's debut at the U.N."

Editorial in center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (9-25) states:
"....the high point of Obama's speech was the message that the
attitudes of his country, and sometimes the ends of its actions,
have changed...Obama has credentialed himself to lead the effort of
gradually ending nuclear [weapons], and by promising that the U.S.
will be guided by rules created in an multilateral context. In the
Bush years, this would be unthinkable."

"Sheltering democracy"

Op-ed in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (9-25) by PT senator Aloizio
Mercadante: "....Internally there are some people that have been
taking advantage of the episode [of Zelaya's refuge at the Brazilian
Embassy in Honduras] to attack Brazil and its government. The
arguments are precarious. ...Brazil is taking part in an
international effort to enable Honduras to re-find the path of
dialogue and democracy.... Nonetheless, it is clear that shelter for
Zelaya and the violent reaction of the de facto government has
placed Brazil in an uncomfortable situation....During this delicate
time, I believe that Brazil's unyielding defense of international
law and of democracy is commanding...."

"Bad luck and the Explanation"

Op-ed in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (9-25) by Eliane Catanhede notes:
"....It is unlikely that two planes of the same brand, the same
Navy, and the same aircraft carrier, would have suffered separately
breakdowns at the same time and crashed into the sea....but this is
heating up the FX-2 competition....[Lula's apparent decision in
favor of the Rafale...seems to carry a list of disadvantages, while
advantages are not clear or consistent....In the end [the
explanation for the choice is:] it is only because Lula wants it."
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