Number 450, September 12, 2001.
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Dear Sejup readers,
The attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon dominated the news this week in Brazil. We thought you might be interested in what one of the major Brazilian newspapers is saying about the event. Below are a two quotes from the editorial section of the Folha de Sao Paulo:
"In a world dominated by one pole of economic and military power, dissatisfaction fermented by misery, exclusion and religious fanaticism, tends to fragment into warring but politically irresponsible groups who are not committed to anything except bringing about their own apocalypse.
"The political behavior of the United States is not very sensitive to the international inequalities aggravated by the free market. Nor is it sensitive to the complaints of the poorest countries. [The attack] shows now the consequences of being unprepared for the unexpected, although nobody could have expected something on such a scale. It is obvious that the attack puts its authors outside the orbit of all civilized behavior and that they should pay for the carnage that their action produced. But one cannot ignore that the United States has not contributed to the reduction of the level of world tension."
Editorial of Folha de Sao Paulo
"From a strategic point of view, the drama only increases when one thinks of the virtual uselessness of the North American arsenal, even as it is increasing its defense with the so-called "Star Wars" missiles. ....In the new war, only a handful of people ready to kill and die at the same time are enough to cause more damage than the Red Army ever could."
Clovis Rossi, columnist for Folha de Sao Paulo
- "Grito" attracts 90,000 to Aparacida
The Brazilian Catholic Church’s annual "Grito dos Excluidos" (Shout of the Excluded) attracted over 90,000 to the National Basilica of Aparacida. The "Grito," now in its seventh year, is held throughout the country and is a protest against the current political and economic policies of the government. The "Grito" added to new themes this year: the defense of agrarian reform, but without the use of genetically-modified organisms; and the inclusion of immigrants in social policies. "I don’t like that we have the Grito, but unemployment, globalization and external debt demand it," commented dom Jacyr Francisco Braido, the bishop responsible for the Church’s social movements.
- Overcrowded Febem to be denounced to the OAS
The Commission of Human Rights of Sao Paulo announced this week that it will denounce an overcrowded Febem (juvenile detention center) to the OAS (Organization of American States.) The Febem in question is currently holding 300 adolescents in a building designed for 60. In addition to the overcrowding, the Febem has other problems: the adolescents pass the days with no organized activities; they are not permitted to talk to each other or even stand up without permission; bathroom usage is restricted; and three detainees have to share one mattress. The Commission is making the denouncement in hopes that international pressure will change the situation.
Source: Folha de Sao Paulo
September 7, 2001
- Mayor of Campinas assassinated
The mayor of the city of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Antonio da Costa Santos, was assassinated on Monday, September 10, as he was leaving in his car from a shopping center. "Toninho," as the mayor was called, was a member of the Workers’ Party. The police have no suspects in the case, but members of the Workers’ Party say that the murder was most likely politically motivated. At the time, the mayor was involved in a difficult land controversy and was under pressure from the opposing side.
Source: Folha de Sao Paulo
September 12, 2001
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