Now, It’s Brazil’s Defense Minister Who Comes in Defense of Iran

Minister Nelson Jobim After declarations by Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, in favor of dialogue with Tehran, the Brazilian minister of Defense, Nelson Jobim, made it public that he also is in favor of further talks with Iran after that country announced it will enrich uranium to 20%.

That announcement caused a strong negative reaction in most of the international community and prompted the threat of sanctions from the United States and France, among others.

Jobim criticized what he called “radicalizing,” and signaled that Brazil may continue to support the Iranian position. “Brazil is not against anybody. We have a tradition of resolving things through dialogue,” said the minister.

Jobim pointed out that enrichment to 20% is necessary for the manufacture of pharmaceutical goods and some kinds of food. Enrichment to 5% is what is used for running a nuclear reactor that generates electricity, which is what Brazil does at its nuclear power plants in Angra dos Reis, he explained.

Asked if Brazil would fight in favor of Iran, Jobim rebutted the question: “I don’t know if that would be in favor of Iran or in favor of ourselves.”

Although Iran has clearly changed the direction of its nuclear program, that country is betting that Brazil will continue to support them.

The Iranian ambassador in Brazil, Mohsen Shaterzadeh, said it was up to the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the Iranian nuclear program and that the president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has left the door open for further negotiations regarding the purchase of fuel from other countries.

Shaterzadeh said he is sure of Brazilian support, although he has not spoken with Brazilian Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, about the changes in the Iranian program.

“I don’t see any reason to talk to minister Celso Amorim, because I am certain that president Lula is convinced that the Iranian nuclear program, just like the Brazilian program, is for peaceful ends,” said the ambassador.

“We believe completely in Brazil. We have common interests and no country can intervene to undo our collaboration.”

ABr

Tags:

You May Also Like

Brazilian + American

Sou brasileira-americana. I need to be my hyphenated me. My Brazilian family does not ...

Brazil Expecting a Lot from Biodiesel

Biodiesel, a fuel of vegetable origin, derived from such sources as the castor-oil plant, ...

Brazil Frees US$ 200 Million for Research. Money Was Frozen to Pay Foreign Debts.

Brazil’s government has released US$ 200 million for scientific research, fulfilling a promise to ...

Roberto Marinho – The Most Powerful Man in Brazil

Roberto Marinho commanded a media empire and some say that he was more powerful ...

The Auditorium Wars

The success of TV hosts has created a new class of nouveaux riches in ...

Brazil Is Not Laughing and Threatens to Sue Robin Williams for Rio Joke

Nobody seems to be laughing in Brazil at the joke told by Robin Williams ...

Brazilian General Sees Reasonable Stability in Haiti

19 days in charge of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), Brazilian ...

Thiago Medeiros and Vitor Meira (in firesuit)

Meira and Medeiros, 2 of 6 Brazilians on Indy 500

As improbable as it seems the Brazilians just keep coming, and each that arrives ...

Brazil’s Builder Wins Tender for US$ 31-Million Algerian Dam

Brazilian construction company Andrade Gutierrez has won an international tender for the construction of ...

Lula Invites Brazilians to See on Site How Money Is Being Spent

In his TV address to the nation, yesterday, June 23, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio ...