Brasília – In her address at the opening of the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations, on Tuesday (25), in New York, Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff reacted to an accusation by the government of the United States that Brazil has adopted protectionist measures to guarantee market for its products. Rousseff pointed out that all decisions adopted by Brazil follow World Trade Organisation (WTO) requirements. She denied any irregular operation or deviation of conduct.
As is the case with the letter sent last week to the United States Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, by the Minister of Foreign Relations, Antonio Patriota, Rousseff condemned the artificial appreciation of the US currency, which is affecting developing nations, mainly Brazil.
“Protectionism should be fought, as it confers greater competitiveness in an unlawful way,” said the Brazilian president, who opened the General Assembly of the United Nations. “[Our measures were] unjustly classified as protectionism.”
To the president of Brazil, it is fundamental for international organisations like the G20 (the most developed nations in the world), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to start operating against the exchange war and for the stimulation for economic growth. Rousseff called these organisations “multilateral mechanisms” and made a warning as to the current situation of the world.
“Recession only increases happenings. A broad pact against the desperation caused by unemployment and lack of opportunities is necessary,” she said, in reference to the measures that some nations have taken in search of solutions to stunt the worsening of the international crisis.
Rousseff pointed out that the hardships she mentioned one year ago, on opening the 66th General Assembly, still remain with some “new dressing”. “I would like to point out that some problems that affected us still remain and that the solution is even more urgent,” she warned. “The economic crisis has gained a new settings and the option for orthodox policies is generating reflexes in emerging nations.”
Criticising the political leaders of the European nations and of the United States, the president of Brazil said that “the main leaders have not yet found a route” to articulate economic alternatives associated to social inclusion. According to her, this absence of alternatives “affects the most vulnerable layers of the population”, causing hunger, unemployment and disillusion.
“History shows that when austerity is exaggerated and separated from growth, it defeats itself. We [Brazil] increased our investment in infrastructure, in the fight against inflation, in social inclusion and in alleviation of poverty. We reduced our tax burden and the cost of energy,” said Rousseff, adding that over 40 million Brazilians were removed from the line of poverty in recent years.
Crisis in Syria
In her address, president Rousseff also defended her search for a negotiated and peaceful solution to the end of the crisis in Syria. She condemned the proposals for military intervention in the country.
“I launch an appeal for the parties involved in the conflicts to lay down their weapons and join forces [for a peaceful solution],” said the president. “There is no military solution to the crisis. Diplomacy and dialogue are the alternative.”
Rousseff recalled that the Arab Spring, which began last year in a wave of protests and movements in the Muslim countries, is the main motivator for political, economic and social changes lived in the Middle East and North Africa. The president said she supports the pleas.
*Translated by Mark Ament
