Lula affirms that the FRAA is threatening Brazilian sovereignty

SÃO PAULO.— President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated yesterday that Brazilian sovereignty has been and is currently under threat, this time due to the formation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).

Opening the 22nd Congress of the Socialist International he stated – in an obvious allusion to the United States – that "there are economies preaching free trade, that want zero tariffs in trade relations but are not giving way on subsidies amounting to one billion dollars per day."

He continued: "They want to liberalize government purchases but are using anti-dumping policies to protect their economy," while reiterating that his government is trying to procure a positive agenda in FTAA and other international negotiations.

"Another world is possible," he affirmed to delegates from some 150 parties affiliated to the Socialist International and observers, adding that the task of constructing it "cannot be done by one current or one person. The past of socialism has left us with that lesson," given that its reverses were related to disunity and its victories to unity.

He also denied that his principal social program, Zero Hunger, is merely an aid package as it includes job creation programs, consistent health, education, and transportation policies, and the start of a new cycle of development.

The president explained that Brazilian foreign policy is based on the creation of new international relations leading to a world of greater solidarity, one that is less unequal and more democratic, and defended the need to restructure the United Nations in order to build peace in the world on the basis of respect for international law.

The AFP news agency highlighted that Lula reaffirmed his commitment to multilateralism and defended the reform of the UN Security Council.