Brazil is starting to enjoy its recognition as the leader of the region, as the White House gives President Obama’s next visit to that country and to Chile — ignoring Argentina — an importance similar to the ones the Democrat leader has already made to Europe and Asia.
“I think the president believes that it is important for him to get to South America and Central America personally… and strengthen, as we have in Asia and in Europe, strengthen our ties to that very important region of the world,” said the presidential spokesperson, Robert Gibbs, about the leader’s next tour, which caused discomfort to the Argentinean government.
In his trips to both continents, Obama took the time to interact with local authorities and to leave a clear message to the region. In the case of Europe, the visit included open dialogues with different sectors of the population, which were highly quoted afterward, and which have put that geographical region at the highest peak of exposure.
It is taken for granted that the format in the case of both of our neighboring countries will be similar. “There will be enough time that it can become a great visit,” assure those who are working on it. The exact date has not been revealed yet, but it is assumed that it will take place in the second fortnight of March.
The announcement of the visit to our neighboring countries, and the fact that it leaves Argentina behind, caused strong discomfort among the Argentine authorities, who kept silent as far as this topic is concerned.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson Gibbs spoke specially to Brazil, highlighting its rising economy within the international framework, as well its key situation in the energy field. An advance of what is hoped to happen in this trip was seen yesterday, when Hillary Clinton received both students and teachers from Brazil, accompanied by the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Arturo Valenzuela, who is in charge of managing the tour.
“The fact that the president is traveling there is to demonstrate our commitment to our ongoing relationship,” Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Phillip Crowley, who asked the people to be patient towards the details, said to “La Nación”.
The recognition to Brazil is being made despite the sound differences of position between Washington and Brazil on foreign policy, and that gives greater breadth to its choice as a destination for the tour.
“Brazil has an agenda of its own about many things, and this differs a lot from the one the United States has,” said diplomatic sources. Among them is Brazil’s closeness to Iran and their attitude toward atomic development, to which, according to what was indicated, Obama has been objecting.
“The outlines of our foreign policy are not going to change radically,” explained Brazilian chancellor Antonio Patriota in statements made from Europe. The coincidence here is that in the case of South America, America’s choice of Brazil signifies its recognition of Brazil’s strategic weight, its economic development and its leadership in the region. In the case of Chile, it was based on the predictability and the institutional advancement of the country. That, in some way, matches the values that are often highlighted in the speech of American diplomacy.
Ex-Chancellor Rafael Bielsa is not worried by Obama. Bielsa made a reference yesterday to the agenda of American president Barack Obama in the region, which includes Brazil and Chile but ignores Argentina. “It’s not that worrying, when we had carnal relations we didn’t end up well,” affirmed Bielsa in radical declarations. Nevertheless, the ex-official of Néstor Kirchner recognized it would be better if Obama came to the country. “Brazil plays in the major leagues and it is a must in Latin America. If Obama comes to the region it is inevitable that he goes there. And Chile negotiated during 13 years a free trade agreement with the United States,” said Bielsa.
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