|
Latin
American and Arab leaders are in Brasilia for a
summit on trade and other issues. Among the 22 Arab
region representatives attending the summit is
Iraq's President Jalal Talabani. U.S. and Israeli
officials have expressed concern the meetings could
serve as a platform to launch attacks on the Middle
East peace process.
Latin American and Arab leaders began arriving in
the Brazilian capital Monday for a historic summit
between the two regions.
Leaders were greeted by Brazilian Foreign Minister
Celso Amorim who called the meeting historic. Mr.
Amorim said, "It's a cultural and spiritual
promotion, but we also would like to see practical
results from the beginning of this historical
movement."
In their two-day meeting, which opens Tuesday, the
Arab and Latin American leaders are expected to
discuss trade, poverty reduction and other shared
goals. The summit was the brainchild of Brazil's
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who first
proposed the meeting during his visit to the Middle
East in 2003.
Among the attendees will be Iraq's President Jalal
Talabani, an ethnic Kurd, and Palestinian Authority
President Mahmud Abbas. Most Arab leaders will not
be attending. Some 10 Latin American countries will
also be represented.
While Mr. da Silva has promoted the summit as
primarily a way for both regions to establish new
trade ties, U.S. and Israeli officials expressed
concerns the meetings could serve as a platform to
launch attacks on both nations' policies in the
Middle East.
Last week the Israeli embassy in Brazil released a
statement saying the positions and worries of Israel
regarding the summit "have been expressed directly
to the government of Brazil and other South American
governments."
A U.S. government official told VOA he hopes the
summit does not undermine the peace process in the
Middle East.
A draft copy of the summit declaration published in
the Brazilian press and scheduled for release
Wednesday has both U.S. and Israeli officials
worried.
According to Brazilian newspaper O Globo, both
Lebanese and Palestinian leaders want the final
declaration to include language saying acts of
national defense are not considered terrorism.
Venezuela reportedly supports the wording.
The United States has asked for an observer status
at the summit, but the request was denied.
www.voanews.com
Top |
® 