The reluctant partner

This article dicusses the status of foreign relations between the United States and Latin America, particularly Brazil as of January 2004. Although most Latin American leaders complain that the United States has lost interest in the region since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United...

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Main Author: Hakim, Peter
Format: Book
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Summary:This article dicusses the status of foreign relations between the United States and Latin America, particularly Brazil as of January 2004. Although most Latin American leaders complain that the United States has lost interest in the region since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States government has courted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for the past year. The administration of U.S. President George W. Bush has no more important task in the hemisphere than to cultivate a constructive working relationship with Brazil. As Latin America's largest and most influential country, Brazil will determine, to a large extent, whether the United States is also to advance its foreign policy, agenda in Latin America. Although security has taken over the United States' first priority, the Bush administration's agenda for inter-American relations has not changed much in the past two years and is not very different from those of former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton or Goerge H.W. Bush. In his year in office, Lula has won supporters across the political spectrum, at home and abroad. Any United States contribution to his efforts can only be indirect, but it may be significant nonetheless.