Cablegate: Media Reaction: Fx-2 Jet Fighter Bid

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SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: FX-2 JET FIGHTER BID

What does "Strategic" mean?

Op-ed in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (1-8) by columnist Eliane
Catanhede writes: "...The question in place [at the moment] is
whether the partnership between Brazil and France is enough to
justify the purchase of the Rafale fighter plane.... The GOB seems
to be divided between those who want to support the Air Force's
report [which indicates preference for the Swedish jet] and the
pro-French who support the Rafale at any cost and see only the
political aspects.....In the end, what does 'strategic' really
mean. The alliance between the Sarkozy and Lula's Administrations
or an Air Force package between two countries that will last for
the next 30 years and will have industrial and technological
impact?"
White

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