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SOUTH
AMERICA |
Brazil Concerned about
Israeli Expansion
BRASILIA - The Brazilian government
expressed on Friday concern about Israel's
decision to build 1.600 new homes in East
Jerusalem and other 112 in Cisjordania.
The Brazilian government's position is
announced a day before President Luiz Inácio
Lula da Silva travels to Tel Aviv for his
first official visit by a head of state of
this South American nation to Israel and two
days after Foreign Minister Celso Amorim
regrets this Israeli government's position.
In a joint press conference with Deputy
Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister of
Germany Guido Westerwelle, Brazilian Foreign
Minister regretted the authorization for new
construction in settlements, especially when
conversations between Israelis and
Palestinians, yet indirect, could begin.
Amorim deeply regret that Tel Aviv position
was given exactly when negotiation between
Israelis and Palestinians were about to
start, he also added him and Westerwelle
understand this initiative does not
contribute to peace in the Middle East.
"I wondered if there are areas or people who
are not interested in peace. We regret and
deplore the increase of settlements," said
Brazilian Foreign Minister, whose country is
now a non-permanent member of the Security
Council of the United Nations, which
entitles it to vote but not to a veto.
The presidential spokesman Marcelo Baumbach,
when asked about the stance of Tel Aviv
against mediation by Brazil in the process
of negotiation, Baumbach stated President
Lula will reaffirm his interest and Brazilâ�Ös
to find a peaceful solution to this
conflict.
Lula believes Brazil can participate in
finding a way out and always seek to bring
the parts closer. |
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