In addition to initiating a wave of violence in Brazil and Latin America, an institutional break with a final blow in Brazil would have serious consequences for the country. The warning comes from José Ramos Horta, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and current president of East Timor. in an exclusive interview with UOLThe leader of the Asian country has made it clear that the diplomacy of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) “shocked the world” and that in recent years the country has “lost its north”.
A historical figure and symbol of resistance in the Asia Minor country, Ramos Horta was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister, and President for the first time between 2007 and 2012. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his work in seeking a “peaceful and just solution to the conflict in East Timor”.
Since May of this year, he has become president of the country again and has even bet on the figure of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) as part of an effort to rebuild dialogue between the US and Russia. Ceasefire in the war in Ukraine.
Here are key excerpts from the interview:
Chad – Why is this an important choice for Brazil to enter the world?
Ramos Horta – In recent years, Brazil has become unpredictable in its foreign policy, where it has almost rejected the entire tradition of being a country that advocates multilateralism, conflict-free and dialogical relations. This came as a shock to everyone. Brazil has always been known as a predictable country with a cautious, pro-Southern foreign policy and excellent dialogue with developed countries.
Brazil is a pioneer in fighting poverty and in collaboration with international organisations. This was an unpleasant surprise and frankly Brazil’s reputation was damaged. Anyway, these elections are very important for Brazil.
Do you think Brazil has maintained its priority in Asia in the last four years or has the region been abandoned by Brazilian diplomacy?
All of them have been affected by the pandemic that has paralyzed the world economy. We cannot attribute everything to the failure of the current Brazilian president to lead. But Brazil began to enter a phase of discrediting during this presidency, shortly after Dilma was sacked.
Brazil is coming to the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics in a very strange situation. From then on, Brazil became more and more hostage to its own internal political crisis and lost its way. This is without minimizing Brazilian diplomacy, one of the most competent in the world.
How would the world react to a possible coup in Brazil?
I do not believe in the possibility of a coup in Brazil. I do not believe that the Brazilian army, which enjoys a great reputation in the UN and participates in peace operations around the world, could take such a despicable act as was possible only in Chile, in Paraguay, during the worst period of the Cold War. and Guatemala. Brazilian Armed Forces is better than that.
The consequences will be very serious for Brazil’s image in the world and could lead to a massive wave of violence and instability in Brazil and Latin America.
How do you assess the international scenario that Brazil will have to navigate in 2023?
We are at a very dangerous stage. The Ukrainian war is not just between Russia and Ukraine. It covers the entire NATO and its consequences are global. So we are in a very troubled world.
And what role can a country like Brazil play?
To have international influence, the head of state must have a legitimate basis and a national reputation. In Lula’s case, half the world knows him. Lula could be the missing bridge, the founder of the missing bridge that fosters dialogue with the US, Russia and China, along with India, South Africa and Turkey.
We need countries that do not have permanent seats in the UN Security Council. Since they are not permanent members, they are more free and independent. Given their weight, they can resolve this stalemate in relations between China, the United States, and Russia.
This will be important for the process of re-establishing international dialogue and cooperation. At the moment, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is very isolated.
With Lula, who will meet with India, Turkey and South Africa, South Korea and Indonesia, they can partner with the Secretary-General and promote dialogue. At this point, everything is stopped.
We have seen attacks on democracy in various parts of the world, including parties that came to power through democratic means. How do you evaluate these threats to democracy?
I am not pessimistic. I am a realist And it must be said that throughout the history of democracies there have been major attacks on power in Germany such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. After the Second World War, the rebuilding of Europe, the great prestige of the USA, the enthusiasm with Kennedy and Martin Luther King, the golden period began in the 50s and 60s with the start of the process of liberation of the African colonies. War and the Democratization of Latin America and Elsewhere.
There have always been setbacks and advances from democracy throughout history. But democracies are always fragile.
source: Noticias
