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2004 Trip Page

Global Philanthropists Circle & Synergos Board of Directors
Visit to Brazil & the Amazon April 24-May 3, 2004
Brazil News Digest for April 12, 2004

As background material for the trip, Synergos is compiling two digests of articles that might be of interest to our Board and GPC members. Please note that, over time, links to some of the articles may stop working.
 
If you would like further news about the region, an excellent resource is the Latin American Network Information Center at the University of Texas.

Associated Press via Canoe.ca, April 7, 2004
Near-record deforestation continues in Brazil's Amazon in 2003
The Brazilian Government reports that deforestation in 2003 continued at near-record rates, due to activities including soybean farming and logging. The annual rate in the last few years is about double that of the average in the 1990s. The high level of deforestation in 2002 -- 25,500 square kilometers -- was particularly alarming as increases in deforestation have usually corresponded with periods of economic growth, while in 2002 the economy actually declined. The government recently announced a $140-million package of activities to combat deforestation.
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BBC, April 11, 2004
Brazil landless step up seizures
The last month has seen an increase of illegal seizures of land by landless people. Land distribution in Brazil is very unequal, with nearly half of all farmland still owned by 1% of the population. The recent seizures place the governing Workers Party of President Lula in a difficult position. It traditionally has supported the agrarian movement (called the MST). Lula must try to balance his support for and among the landless with a desire not to scare investors by supporting illegal seizures.
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Brazzil Magazine, April 2004
Opening Bahia, Brazil, to the US
An organization called Integare is building connections between the black business communities in Brazil and the US. The focus is on economic empowerment of blacks in Brazil and creating connections between African-American communities and the African-Brazilian cultural center of the state of Bahia in Brazil. Major American, Brazilian and international corporations as well as government leaders in both countries have been supportive of this effort.
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InfoBrazil.com, April 10-16, 2004
Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's Fallujah...
Violence is a major problem in Brazil, particularly in favelas in Rio de Janeiro where criminal gangs operate, often with impunity. Insofar as they operate mainly in the favelas and do not threaten political leaders, insufficient attention is paid to them by the Brazilian Government. Moreover the police and legal systems are not effective enough, and the police often have little concern for human rights.
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Agência, April 5, 2004
Brazil to assist East Timor fight AIDS
The Ministry of Health's National Program for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS and the National Catholic Bishop's AIDS program are providing technical support in the fight against AIDS in East Timor, the new nation in Southeast Asia in which Portuguese is the official language.
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Agência Brasil, April 6, 2004
"University for All" will include quotas for Blacks
A government program to expand university enrollment -- "University for All" -- that requires 20% of admission be poor students will also include quotas for black students. The Minister of Education said that he did not expect a major backlash from more conservative critics against what he felt was an important step toward a "new reality" for Brazilian universities.
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Bloomberg, April 5, 2004
Brazil's Parana state bans Monsanto, Basf pesticides on risks
The governor of Parana state, which produces over a fifth of the soy in Brazil, has banned the sale of some pesticides produced by Monsanto and Basf over concerns about their health impact on humans. There is disagreement between the federal and state governments over this and related issues. President Lula gave temporary permission to allow certain types of genetically modified seeds to be planted in Brazil while the governor, Roberto Requiao, has banned them in Parana.
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Washington Post, April 8, 2004
Nuclear spat stokes Brazil's resentment
The US Bush administration has called for more detailed inspections of Brazil's nuclear facilities as part of what it says is a broad effort to stop nuclear proliferation. Brazil's government has objected to what it views an infringement on sovereignty and legitimate technological secrecy. Lumping Brazil together with other nations that face demands by the US for more inspections, such as Iran, is raising hackles in Brazil.
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InterPress Service via Yahoo.com, April 3, 2004
New evidence shows US support for '64 coup in Brazil
A recently declassified tape of comments by former US president Lyndon Johnson shows the large extent to which the US government was prepared to support the overthrow of Brazilian President Joao Goulart, which occurred in March 1964. It has been known for over 20 years that some US government agencies, such as the CIA, were prepared to become involved in the coup attempt, but this new evidence shows that support for the coup came from the highest level in the US. General Castelo Branco became president after Goulart was ousted.
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Associated Press via CNN.com, April 9, 2004
Brazil ready to take over Haiti mission in July
Brazil's government is preparing to take command of the international peacekeeping effort in Haiti, with troops from other countries including Peru, Chile and Argentina reported to also be available. The UN Security Council will decide soon on the transfer of command to Brazil.
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Boston Globe, April 8, 2004
Storm clouds gather around Brazil's Lula
Approval ratings for President Lula have fallen greatly in the last few month with dissatisfaction with his policies among past supporters. While much of his initial popularity came from among poorer groups in Brazilian society, since taking office he has paid increasing attention to the views of investors inside and outside the country. Many Brazilians who supported him that feel his social programs have not achieved enough. The bad state of the economy and a corruption scandal in his party have also hurt his popularity. President Lula has called for patience in creating a more prosperous, equitable Brazil.
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Bloomberg, April 5, 2004
BNDES to increase loans to small, medium companies, Globo says
Brazil's state-owned development bank, BNDES, plans to increase lending to smaller businesses by 20% over the previous year. This support will reach companies with annual sales between $400,000 and $20 million for the industrial sector, and between $200,000 and $7 million for the retail and services sector.
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2004 Brazil & the Amazon Trip Page