President
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a public statement
lamenting the onset of armed action in Iraq. Here is the translation
of the text, provided by the Brazilian Embassy in Washington.
by:
"I
address the Brazilian people to lament the onset of armed action in
Iraq and, in particular, the resort to force without express authorization
by the United Nations Security Council.
Since
I took office, I undertook a series of initiatives in search of a peaceful
solution to the crisis, on the basis of full Iraqi compliance with Security
Council resolutions.
I spoke
personally and by phone with various world leaders. Up to the last moment
I remained involved in efforts to reach a negotiated solution. With
this objective in mind, I held several talks with the United Nations
Secretary-General. On our part, Brazilian diplomacy and I personally
did everything possible in order to prevent this conflict.
As
war begins, we must express our concern for the suffering of innocent
civilians, whose lives are endangered.
I make
an appeal for international humanitarian law to be respected, in particular
as regards the protection of the civilian population and refugees.
We
are also worried by the regional and international repercussions of
the conflict. We do not wish to see an increase in instability in the
Middle East, a region from which millions of Brazilians trace their
descendance and to which we are united by close ties of friendship and
cooperation.
We
all need stability and peace to pursue our struggle for economic development
with social justice.
We
are taking all measures required to ensure that Brazilians will not
suffer any effects from the war.
We
are ensuring regular supplies, healthcare and the security of our borders
as well as providing assistance to Brazilians who live in the region.
Having
taken these initiatives, let me state that I am certain that I interpret
the sentiment of the Brazilian people in expressing our desire to live
in a peaceful world, where international law is fully respected".
Foreign
Relations Ministry
The
Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, also released
a statement last March 20 regretting the start of military operations
in Iraq:
"The Brazilian government deeply regrets that military operations
have begun in Iraq and that efforts were not continued in seeking for
a peaceful solution for disarming Iraq within the scope of the United
Nations’ Charter and the Security Council’s resolutions, in conformity
with the wishes expressed by Heads of States, Parliaments and the civil
societies of countries in all continents.
While
deeply lamenting the suffering this military incursion will bring on
innocent civilians, the Brazilian government calls for respect toward
the rules of international humanitarian law, particularly regarding
the protection of civilian populations, the treatment of prisoners of
war and the protection of the rights of victims of armed conflicts.
The
Brazilian government makes an appeal for peace and for hostilities to
end, urging that the territorial integrity of Iraq be preserved".
No
Political Retaliation
The
Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Republic, José Dirceu,
affirmed that he does not fear commercial or political retaliation on
the part of the United States because of the Brazilian government’s
position with respect to the war against Iraq. According to the Minister,
there is no indication of anything in this sense. "We have disputes,
chiefly in the commercial field, but I see no reason for retaliations,"
he affirmed.
Dirceu
confirmed that all security measures have already been adopted to avoid
incidents in the country and to get around a possible reduction in the
supply of petroleum, as a result of the war.
