by John Fitzpatrick

Most of our political leaders kept quiet and the people appeared not to care. President Fernando Henrique Cardoso did condemn the act a few hours after it happened and offered support. However,  he was quick to point out that it could worsen Brazil´s economic problems. None of the emotion the world associates with Brazil has been on display.

Brazilians continued to watch events on television and political life went on in its usual way. No terrorism here, just the usual soap opera of corruption, violence and power mongering – beleaguered Senate leader Jader Barbalho finally stood down, more evidence piled up against former São Paulo mayor Paulo Maluf, also facing corruption allegations, and the mayor of Campinas in São Paulo state was shot dead. Another development this week was the defeat of the anti-government wing of the PMDB at a Congress which elected Michel Temer as the new leader. This was a blow to Minas Gerais governor Itamar Franco who may now seek membership of another party to launch his presidential ambitions.

So there were plenty of things happening here but why have the terrorist attacks evoked none of the emotions among Brazilians which they have among others? Obviously one cannot force people to feel genuine sorrow but the muted response has been puzzling and, to a non-American foreigner like me who lives here, disappointing and distressing.

It is distressing because it puts Brazil out of line with the world´s democracies and shows a lack of solidarity with a country where an estimated two million Brazilians live. Around 30 of these Brazilians are feared dead in the New York attack. It shows a lack of sympathy for a nation which has suffered a devastating surprise attack. It shows the ignorance of the less educated population and the smugness of the better educated. Of eight letters published in the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper at the time of writing this article, six are broadly anti-American accusing the US of reaping seeds it has sown. One wonders if any of the correspondents wrote a letter of condolence to the American ambassador. Another part of the same newspaper expressed relief that the US consulate would be leaving the posh Jardins area soon for a new location and the well-heeled residents would not have to endure the disgraceful sight of people queuing up to get visas.

Unreliable Ally
The lack of a political response is disappointing because it shows the US that it cannot rely on Brazil as an ally. The left-wing Workers Party (PT) wasted no time in linking the attacks to US policy, making sure that its condemnation of the terrorism was part and parcel of its condemnation of the US. One is as bad as the other in the PT´s view. We should expect this from the PT but the parties in the governing coalition have been shamefully silent. However, the US is nor relying on any muscular support from Brazil because it knows it will not be forthcoming. During the Second World War Brazil let the Americans use its territory and even sent troops to fight with the Allies in Italy. This is not the case now. It is obvious that there is no support for any active role by Brazil in any future US-led anti-terrorist operations and the terrorists are already winning with their intimidatory tactics.

Two examples prove this. For some time Brazil and the US have been discussing allowing the Americans to use an air force base at Alcantara in Maranhão state to launch rockets into space. To be fair there was a lot of political opposition to this before the attacks but the opponents are now adding fears that the base could become a terrorist target to their reasons. The chairman of the foreign affairs and national defence committee of the Lower House says now is not the time to discuss the matter and “maybe it would be better to wait a little”, meaning put it on the backburner. To his credit the defence minister, Geraldo Quintão, said the attacks should not interfere with the discussions but if this is the case why does the government not do something to show its resolve? Would it not be heartening if, instead of equivocating and being intimidated, Brazil announced, as an act of solidarity that the US could use the base?

Another example came from the foreign minister, Celso Lafer, who said immediately after the attack that Brazil´s relations with countries like Iran, Libya and Iraq might change. By Friday he was eating his words as the foreign ministry called in the ambassadors of these states, all of which have links with terrorist groups, and toned down the minister´s comments.

It is interesting to compare Brazil´s timid attitude with Argentina where the Peronist opposition movement is calling for Argentina to help the US militarily. Unlike Brazil, Argentina has suffered terrorist bombings against Jewish targets and even sent troops to join the Gulf war coalition against Iraq.  Cynics might say that the Argentina is only offering military help in return for US financial aid to overcome its current crisis. They may be right but at least they are showing some mettle not like the Brazil – the Gentle Giant.

September 15, 2001

© John Fitzpatrick 2001