Brazil

BRAZIL ON SYRIA

Early 2012

Brazil, a rising economic and diplomatic power in the developing, expressed support for efforts by the Arab League to end the ongoing violence in Syria.
CatherineAshton, the foreign affairs chief of the European Union (EU) met with Brazilian foreign minister Antonio Patriota in Brasilia on Monday to discuss both the situation in Syria and Iran. The two issued astatement praising Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi, citing how much we support him on the Arab League's initiative and the importance of seeing that leadership [being] able to support the people ofSyria into a future free of bloodshed.
Patriota also said he supported potential measures in Syria by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, as well as increasing cooperation between the UNand the Arab League.
Brazil’s stance on Syria appears to be an about-face from its previous laissez-faire attitude. More importantly, among the BRIC nations – Brazil, Russia, India and China ---Brazil is seemingly breaking off with Moscow and Beijing, which over the weekend vetoes a UN resolution condemning the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
However, as recently as lastNovember, deep into the Syrian crisis, Brazil specifically rejected any foreign intervention in Syria. The Brazilian foreign ministry referred to the bloodshed in Syria as its “internal affairs.”
Brazil hasalso abstained in proposed measures against Libya and Iran over the past few years. Assad himself visited Brazil in summer of 2010.
Now, in early 2012, after 7,000 Syrians have been killed by Assad’srelentless war machine, Brazil may be taking a new approach in its foreign policy in the Middle East.
Alex Gibson, Research Associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, commented that Brazil haslong abstained from controversial foreign affairs issues (including human rights) in its quest to obtain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and to avoid jeopardizing trade and economic...