Little Red Blog

When leaders from the Arab and South American worlds get together to improve relations, economic and otherwise, it’s just a little something to keep an eye on. On Monday, in Brasilia, Brazil, just such a meeting began and thus far it’s produced several noteworthy events. While the stated purpose of the summit, dubbed the Summit of South American-Arab Countries, is to usher in improved political and economic ties between the regions, thus far the group has managed to challenge U.S. sanctions on Syria, question the UK’s claims to the Falkland Islands, and to press the Israeli’s to withdraw from the occupied territories. A few details for the summit that includes 7 Arab heads of state and 8 of their South American counterparts --

The largest ovations by the esteemed leaders and businessmen taking part in the convention have been for Hugo Chavez, there’s a friendly fellow for you, and Mahmoud Abbas. The event's host, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the first elected leftist leader of Brazil, went on to praise the Palestinian people for their patience. Patience. Palestinian patience. Yup.

In a document to be signed on Thursday, the group asserts that the U.S. violates international law by placing sanctions on Syria, which the U.S. did in response to Syria’s ties to terrorism. The document request that the UK and Argentina return to negotiations over the Falkland Islands, most likely prompted by the EU Constitutional referendum that includes the islands as British overseas territories.

To me it is clear that while efforts to establish "free-trade" between the two regions, as would apply to any or all regions, is an admirable goal. Unfortunately, just as in the hallows of the UN, when the participants only pay lip service to the ideals of freedom, it is unlikely that any positives will be achieved. Of course, in the diplomatic manner appropriate for our age, the U.S. congratulated the participants for their efforts.