Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323153146
label
Brazil / Background 12/01/90 [OA 8320] [1]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323153146
contentType
document
title
Brazil / Background 12/01/90 [OA 8320] [1]
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13740-008
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323153146
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
802f8392d0afc975
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S; 2004-0734-F; 2009-1186-F
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13740
Folder ID Number:
13740-008
Folder Title:
Brazil/Background 12/01/90 [OA 8320] [1]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
21
1
7
Encyclopedia Britannica
144 Brazil
of Latin America; PIERRE MONBEIG, Ensaios de Geografia
Colonial period. The coast of Brazil had been touched
Humana Brasileira (1940), a collection of essays on Brazil's
in January 1500 by the Spanish navigator Vicente Yáñez
human geography; DONALD PIERSON, Negroes in Brazil (1942,
Pinzón, but the Spanish crown made no effort to follow
reprinted 1967), a good account of the history and sociology
up the discovery. Portugal's new possession was at first
of this group; ROLLIE E. POPPINO, Brazil: The Land and
called Vera Cruz (the True Cross), a name soon aban-
People (1968), an excellent, historically oriented introduc-
tion to Brazil; T. LYNN SMITH, Brazil: People and Institutions,
doned in favour of Brazil after the valuable red dyewood
4th ed. (1972), a sociologist's view of the regions, agriculture,
(pau-brasil) with which the country abounded.
land settlements, and socio-political institutions; JULIAN H.
During the colonial period Brazil was expanded beyond
STEWARD (ed.), Handbook of South American Indians, 7 vol.
the line of Tordesillas (a vertical line drawn 370 leagues
(1946-59), an indispensable reference work.
west of the Cape Verde Islands) westward to the slopes
The Economy: LUELLA N. DAMBAUGH, The Coffee Frontier
of the Andes and northward and southward to the Ama-
in Brazil (1959), a monograph on one aspect of the Brazilian
zon and the Río de la Plata. In the north the movement
economy; GILBERTO FREYRE, Brazil: An Interpretation (1945),
was led by missionaries, who established missions along
a sociologist's view of development; T. LYNN SMITH and
the Amazon in the 17th century. In the northeast, cattle-
ALEXANDER MARCHANT (eds.), Brazil: Portrait of Half a
men from the sugar zones of Pernambuco and Bahia
Continent (1951), a collection of noted works covering
sociological and economic aspects; STANLEY J. STEIN, The
pushed inland into the present area of Piauí, Maranhão,
Brazilian Cotton Manufacture (1957), on the textile industry
and Goiás in search of new pastures. The brunt of the
from 1850 to 1950; KEMPTON E. WEBB, The Geography of
"march to the west," however, was borne by the Paulis-
Food Supply in Central Minas Gerais (1959), a basic regional
tas, the settlers of São Paulo who organized great ex-
study; GEORGE WYTHE, Brazil: An Expanding Economy (1949,
peditions into the interior, known as bandeiras, to cap-
reprinted 1968), a comprehensive study, emphasizing in-
ture Indian slaves and to find gold and precious stones.
dustrialization.
Some of these expeditions, involving entire families,
Transportation: The Anuário Estatístico do Brasil (an-
lasted for years.
nual), contains the most recent statistical data; ALAN ABOU-
During the 17th century, Paulistas explored the area of
CHAR, Diagnostic of the Transport Situation in Brazil (1967),
Mato Grosso and attacked the Indian missions of Mis-
a technical economic analysis; WORLD BANK, Telecommunica-
iones and southern Brazil, generally meeting resistance
tion (Sector Working Paper, November 1971), includes basic
from the Indians and their Jesuit protectors; only along
data for Brazil.
the Río de la Plata, in modern Uruguay, did the Spanish
Administration; social conditions, and cultural life: FER-
NANDO DE AZEVEDO, A Cultura Brasileira (1943; Eng. trans.,
settlers eventually push the Paulistas back. The treaties
Brazilian Culture, 1950), a:lavish book covering many aspects
of Madrid (1750), El Pardo (1761), and San Ildefonso
of Brazilian culture; JOHN J. JOHNSON, Political Change in
(1777) with Spain gave some legality to Portuguese
Latin America (1958), a major synthesis on South American
claims, including the conquests of the bandeiras.
politics; MANOEL B. LOURENCO, La Educación en el Brasil
An important factor in the unification of the people of
(1950; Eng. trans., Education in Brazil, 1951), a general
Brazil was the heritage of Portugal; the Portuguese lan-
account; SAMUEL PUTNAM, Marvelous Journey: A Survey of
guage formed a common bond between plantation resi-
Four Centuries of Brazilian Writing (1948), a standard text;
dents, cattlemen, miners, slaves (both Indian and Negro),
H. JON ROSENBAUM (comp.), Contemporary Brazil: Issues in
Economic and Political Development (1972), a discussion of
slave hunters, and city dwellers from the Amazon to the
new directions in Brazilian government policies of national
Río de la Plata and distinguished them from their Span-
integration and economic development; JOHN V.D. SAUNDERS
ish-speaking counterparts elsewhere in South America.
(ed.), Modern Brazil: New Patterns and Development (1971),
Although Tupí-Guaraní continued to serve as a sort of
essays by 13 specialists, five Brazilians, on population, society,
lingua franca throughout much of the interior of the
The
the economy, and the arts; RONALD M. SCHNEIDER, The
colony, Portuguese remained the official and the com-
regency of
Political System of Brazil: Emergence of a "Modernizing"
mon language.
Dom
Authoritarian Regime, 1964-1970 (1971), an analysis of the
The expanded, patriarchal family structure, also derived
Pedro
social origins, political views, and continuing policy objectives
of Brazil's military leadership; T. LYNN SMITH (op. cit.), a
from Portugal, was nearly uniform throughout Brazil,
vast compilation on major social aspects; CHARLES WAGLEY,
and power was exercised by the heads of those families
An Introduction to Brazil, rev. ed. (1971), a penetrating and
which controlled the land, slaves, cattle, and, later, mines
sympathetic interpretation of Brazilian society, its values and
that produced the wealth of the colony. Brazilian society
aspirations.
and the economy were rurally based. The population was
divided unevenly between those who possessed landed
wealth and prestige and those who were dependent upon
Brazil, History of
them. No great cities grew up during the colonial period.
This article covers the history of Brazil, with emphasis
Moreover, contact with Portugal was maintained in all
on the national period, and consists of the following
parts of Brazil, and little trade or other regular contact
sections:
existed between Brazil and neighbouring Spanish
Brazil to 1889
colonies. These common factors proved far stronger than
Colonial period
did regional variants when Brazilian unity was under
The independence of Brazil
severe stress in the second quarter of the 19th century.
The Brazilian Empire (1822-89)
(See also LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN, COLONIAL.)
Brazil since 1889
The independence of Brazil. In 1789 the first rebellion
The early republican period
against Portuguese authority was instigated by José Jo-
Return to representative government
aquim da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes (Tooth Pull-
Military intervention
er) because of his occasional practice of extracting teeth.
Social and political changes after 1945
The uprising was put down, and Tiradentes was exe-
cuted.
BRAZIL TO 1889
Despite its isolation, Brazil could not escape the effects
The discovery and early settlement of Brazil appear in
of the revolutionary and Napoleonic epoch in Europe.
the larger perspective of history as episodes in the great
In 1807 Napoleon resolved upon the invasion and con-
movement of Portuguese colonial expansion to the east.
quest of Portugal, a traditional British ally, largely to
Vasco da Gama's discovery in 1498 of an all-water route
tighten the European blockade of Great Britain. The
to the East Indies and Spice Islands by way of the Cape
Portuguese prince regent Dom John, afterward King John
of Good Hope led the Portuguese crown to dispatch to
VI, decided to take refuge in Brazil, the only time a col-
India an imposing armada under command of Pedro
ony ever served as the seat of government for its mother
Ex
country. He sailed from the Tagus on November 29,
first
Álvares Cabral. To avoid the calms off the Gulf of
Guinea, Cabral bore so far to the west that on April 22,
1807, under the protection of the British fleet. Accom-
Arrival
of
1500, the mainland of South America was sighted; the
panied by the royal family and a horde of nobles and
Dom
Job
region was promptly claimed by Portugal, as it lay well
functionaries, he arrived at Rio de Janeiro on March 7,
in
1808.
endence
within the zone assigned to Portugal by the Treaty of
1808.
Tordesillas (1494).
The colonists, convinced that a new eΓa had dawned for
Brazil, History of
145
Brazil, welcomed their sovereign. The Prince Regent
realize that the days of absolutism were past; a new and
promptly decreed a number of reforms that radically
liberal constitution, drawn up by the Council of State,
altered the status of the colony. These included practical
was submitted to the municipal councils of the provinces
recognition of Brazil's position as seat of the Portuguese
and sworn to by the Emperor on March 25, 1824. Pedro's
Empire and its new requirements in view of the war in
remaining years saw a growing estrangement between
Europe. The old Portuguese commercial monopoly was
the monarch and his subjects. Parliamentary government
abolished and Brazilian harbours were opened to the
was little to his liking, and the opposition generally com-
commerce of all friendly nations. British trade with
manded a majority in the chamber of deputies. Brazil be-
Brazil immediately took on important proportions, and
came involved in a disastrous war with Argentina result-
a number of British trading companies established offices
ing in the loss of the Provincia Cisplatina (the present re-
in the colony.
public of Uruguay). Finally, Pedro formally abdicated on
A ministry with four portfolios and a council of state
April 7, 1831, in favour of the heir apparent, Dom Pedro
were installed in Rio de Janeiro, and a supreme court of
de Alacântara, then only five years of age.
justice, a court of exchequer and royal treasury, the royal
The regency (1831-40). The next decade proved the
mint, the Bank of Brazil, and the royal printing office
most agitated period in Brazilian history. From 1831 to
were established. A royal library, a military academy,
1835 a triple regency tried in vain to end civil war in the
and medical and law schools were founded. Industries
provinces and lawlessness and insubordination in the
were encouraged, foreign scholars and artists were wel-
army. In 1834 the constitution was amended to grant a
comed, and immigrants from northern Europe were
measure of decentralization to the provinces, through the
brought in at government expense. The changed status
creation of provincial assemblies with considerable local
of Brazil was reflected in the decree of December 16,
power, and to provide for a sole regent to be elected for
1815, by which the Portuguese dominions were desig-
four years. For this office in 1835 a priest, Diogo An-
nated the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the
tónio Feijó, was chosen. For two years he struggled
Algarves, thus making Brazil coequal with Portugal. In
against disintegration, but he was forced to resign in
1816 the queen, Maria I, died, and the Prince Regent be-
1837 and was succeeded by Pedro de Araújo Lima. As
came king.
the end of the decade approached, sentiment began to
Although John VI enjoyed a certain degree of personal
crystallize in favour of a declaration of majority of the
popularity, his corrupt and extravagant government
young Dom Pedro. The Brazilians, impatient with the
aroused much opposition, which was increased by the
regency, hoped to find in the Emperor a symbol to which
fermentation of liberal ideas produced by the French
the entire nation might rally. On July 23, 1840, both
Revolution. In Pernambuco a revolt broke out in 1817
houses of parliament passed a declaration that Pedro de
and was put down with difficulty after a republic had
Alcântara had attained his majority.
been formed that lasted for 90 days. After the departure
Pedro II. The reign of Pedro II, lasting practically a
of the French, Portugal had been governed by an arbi-
half century, constitutes perhaps the most interesting and
trary and tyrannical regency. A revolution in 1820 swept
fruitful epoch in Brazilian history. The prestige and
aside the regency, and the Cortes, which had not met for
progress of the nation were due largely to the enlightened
Prestige
more than a century, was summoned to draw up a con-
statesmanship of its ruler. Pedro cared little for the trap-
and
stitution.
pings of royalty. Though not without personal distinction
progress
The presence of John VI in Portugal was imperative if
he was always simple, modest, and democratic. He pos-
under
the revolutionary movement was to be kept in hand. On
sessed an insatiable intellectual curiosity and was never
Pedro II
The
April 22, 1821, he appointed his son Dom Pedro regent,
more happy than when conversing with scholars. He was
regency of
and two days later he set sail for Lisbon. Meanwhile,
generous and magnanimous to a fault. One of his favour-
Dom
antagonisms between the Portuguese and Brazilians were
ite occupations was inspecting schools. He was wont to
Pedro
becoming increasingly bitter, republican propaganda was
declare, "If I were not emperor I should like to be a
active, and Dom Pedro had to face the responsibility of a
school teacher." Yet this kindly, genial, and scholarly
separation of Brazil from Portugal as a result of the
ruler took his prerogatives and duties as sovereign with
shortsighted policy of the Cortes at Lisbon. The majority
great seriousness, and in all matters of first importance
of this assembly favoured the restoration of Brazil to its
he was the final arbiter. According to the moderative
former status of colonial dependence. Without waiting
power granted to the executive under the constitution of
for the Brazilian deputies, they proceeded to undo most
1824, the Emperor had the right to dissolve the Chamber
of the reforms introduced into Brazil by John VI. Fear-
of Deputies, to select the members of the life senate from
ful that Dom Pedro might head a movement for inde-
triple lists submitted by the province, and to appoint and
pendence, the Cortes ordered the prince to return to Eu-
dismiss ministers of state. That parliamentary life in
rope.
Brazil was pitched upon a high plane, that the highest
Supported by the majority of Brazilians, Dom Pedro
officials in the state generally left office poorer than when
defied the Cortes by his refusal to return to Lisbon. In
they entered it, that the machinery of government func-
January 1822 he formed a ministry in which the chief
tioned smoothly year after year was due in large measure
portfolio was held by the distinguished Paulista, José
to the vigilance of the Emperor.
Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva. On June 3 Dom Pedro
Pedro's government maintained an active interest in the
convoked a legislative and constituent assembly. On Sep-
affairs of the Plata republics, especially of Uruguay,
tember 7, on the plain of Ipiranga, near the city of São
which it sought to control through indirect measures.
Paulo, he solemnly proclaimed the independence of Bra-
Brazil aided in the overthrow of the Argentine dictator
zil, and on December 1, 1822, he was crowned the na-
Juan Manuel de Rosas in 1852. In 1864 Brazil inter-
tion's emperor.
vened in Uruguayan internal affairs and brought about
The strong Portuguese garrisons were forced to return
war with Paraguay. In alliance with Argentina and Uru-
US-B
to Europe. Before the end of 1823 independence had be-
guay, Brazil successfully waged the costly and bloody
firsts
come an accomplished fact. The United States was first
Paraguayan War of 1864-70, eventually overthrowing
to recognize the new government, on May 26, 1824. Por-
the Paraguayan dictator Francisco Solano López. The
tuguese recognition was secured in 1825. The early re-
empire's relations with the United States and with Eu-
sumption of formal relations with Portugal was due in
rope were generally cordial. Pedro personally did much
large part to the influence and good offices of the British
to cement these international friendships, visiting Europe
government.
in 1871, 1876, and 1888 and going to the United States
The Brazilian Empire (1822-89). The first years of in-
in 1876.
The first
dependence were difficult. The nation was without ex-
The empire's major social and economic problems were
Arrivalor
years of
perience in self-government, and the Emperor was in-
inde-
related to slave-based plantation agriculture. Real politi-
Slavery
Dom John
clined to be despotic and arbitrary. When the constituent
cal power remained with large rural landholders, who
in 1808
pendence
assembly proved unmanageable, Pedro I dissolved it in
formed the core of the social and economic elite of Bra-
1823 and sent the radical Andrada e Silva and his two
zil. Industrialization was still economically insignificant,
brothers into exile. Fortunately, however, he came to
and, with the decline of gold mining, agriculture was un-
146 Brazil, History of
rivalled as the source of Brazil's wealth. Cotton, and in-
creasingly coffee, cultivated by slave labour, competed
with sugar as the leading export crop. The rural land-
RORAIMA
holders were largely insulated from the antislavery cur-
AMAPA
rent of the times. Although manumission was common,
and the number of freedmen and their descendants far
surpassed the number of slaves in Brazil, the slaveowners
Amazon
as a group resisted pressures for the complete abolition
RIO GRANDE
PARÁ
DO NORTE
of slavery. Partly as a result of pressure from Great Brit-
AMAZONAS
MARANHÃO
CEARÁ
ain, Brazil had agreed to abolish the slave trade in 1831,
but it was not until 1853 that slave traffic completely
PIAUI
PARAIBA
PERNAMBUCO
ceased. Agitation to abolish slavery as such began in the
ACRE
ALAGOAS
1860s. Pedro was opposed to slavery, but he had to reck-
SERGIPE
on with the slaveowners. In 1871 a bill for gradual eman-
RONDÔNIA
BAHIA
cipation was passed by Parliament. The importance of
GOIAS
this act lay in the provision that, henceforth, all children
MATO
GROSSO
Brasdie
born of slave mothers should be free. But this concession
DISTRITO
did not satisfy many of the abolitionists, who, led by a
FEDERAL
MINAS
young lawyer and writer, Joaquim Nabuco de Araújo de-
GERAIS
manded immediate and complete abolition. Nabuco's
ESPÍRITO SANTO
book O Abolicionismo (1883) endeavoured to prove
SÃO
RIO DE JANEIRO
Postw
that slavery was poisoning the very life of the nation. In
PAULO
São
Rio de Janeiro
1884 Ceará and Amazonas freed their slaves; in 1885 all
Paulo,
boom
GUANABARA
PARANÁ
bust
slaves over 60 years of age were liberated. Finally, com-
1823
1920
plete emancipation without compensation to the owners
SANTA CATARINA
was decreed by the Princess Regent in the absence of the
1872
1930
Emperor on May 13, 1888. About 700,000 slaves were
RID GRANDE
freed.
1890
1940
DD SUL
The collapse of the empire. Under Pedro II's wise
0
300
600 mi
guidance Brazil had made very real progress. His rule
1970
0
300
600
900 km
witnessed a growth in population from 4,000,000 to
14,000,000, a fourteenfold increase in public revenues,
Growth of population in Brazil: dates by which the states
and a tenfold increase in the value of the products of the
had achieved a population density of more than two persons
per square mile.
Empire. Railroad mileage in 1889 exceeded 5,000 miles
Adapted from A.C. Wilgus, Latin America in Maps (1943); Barnes and Noble, Inc.
(8,000 kilometres); that year more than 100,000 immi-
grants came to Brazil. Yet there were grave causes of
dissatisfaction. Propaganda in favour of a republic,
his administration was rendered largely sterile through
the opposition of the disgruntled military elements and
launched in 1871, had gained many recruits. The great
the necessity of putting down a rebellion in the hinterland
landowners, who had lost their slaves without compensa-
tion, withdrew their support from the monarchy. The
of Bahia. His successor, Manuel Ferraz de Campos Sales
clergy had been antagonized by the punishment of sev-
(1898-1902), former president of the State of São Paulo,
eral recalcitrant bishops. Isabel, the heiress to the throne.
is chiefly remembered for his striking success in saving
and her husband, the Conde d'Eu, were unpopular. Most
Brazil from the financial collapse threatened by the orgy
serious, important elements in the army, which had be-
of extravagance, inflated currency, and speculation,
come a political force after 1870, turned against the Em-
which had followed the overthrow of the monarchy.
While still president-elect, Campos Sales in 1898 negoti-
peror, largely because Pedro insisted that they stay out
of politics. A conspiracy was hatched by these disgruntled
ated through the Rothschilds a funding loan of £10,-
000,000, interest on which was to be suspended for three
military elements, and on November 15, 1889, a revolt
years and amortization payments for ten. Because of the
of part of the army was the signal for the collapse of the
able and economical administration of Campos Sales and
empire. Pedro formally abdicated and, with his family,
was banished to Europe.
the marvelous recuperative power of the country, the
credit and finances of Brazil were again placed on a sound
BRAZIL SINCE 1889
foundation. Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves (1902-
The early republican period. For the next 14 months
06), likewise a Paulista, is generally regarded as Brazil's
Military
ablest civilian president. During his term of office the
The
Brazil was ruled by a military autocracy in which Mar-
capital was transformed into one of the world's most
autocracy
shal Deodoro da Fonseca, as chief of the provisional gov-
develop-
beautiful cities. Under the direction of the distinguished
ment
ernment, was virtually supreme. Decisions of great im-
physician and scientist Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro
of Rio de
portance were reached. Church and state were separated,
was completely freed from yellow fever. Some of Brazil's
Janeiro
civil marriage was introduced, and a constituent assem-
bly was summoned, which adopted in 1891 a constitution
most thorny boundary controversies were settled during
modelled closely on that of the United States.
the presidencies of Campos Sales and Rodrigues Alves
by the able minister of foreign affairs, José Maria de Silva
The presidencies. As president, Deodoro da Fonseca
Paranhos, barão de Rio Branco.
employed the same dictatorial methods that he had fol-
lowed as head of the provisional regime. On November
President Afonso Pena (served 1906-09) took an impor-
3, 1891, he forcibly dissolved Congress and proclaimed
tant step toward the stabilization of the exchange through
the creation of the so-called Caixa de Conversão, or Bank
himself dictator. But opposition was so widespread that
of Conversion, whose function was to redeem inconver-
on November 23 he resigned in favour of the vice presi-
tible paper currency by the issue of convertible notes se-
dent, Marshal Floriano Peixoto. But Peixoto differed lit-
cured through the deposit of gold. This project had to be
tle in his methods from his predecessor. Of the meaning
abandoned on the outbreak of World War I. Pena died in
of constitutionalism in the strict sense, he had scant un-
derstanding. Growing opposition finally culminated in
1909 and was succeeded by the vice president, Nilo Pe-
1893 in a naval revolt and military uprising that lasted
çanha. In the campaign of 1910 the official candidate,
Marshal Hermes da Fonseca, nephew of Deodoro da
until the following year and were put down only with the
greatest difficulty.
Fonseca, was opposed by Rui Barbosa, a noted lawyer
The advent of a civilian as president was hailed with
and publicist. Though the conviction was general that
Political role military of t]
undisguised relief. Prudente de Morais, who assumed
Barbosa had received a majority of the votes cast, the of-
ficial machine easily secured the election of Hermes da
office in 1894, was a distinguished lawyer of São Paulo
and a republican of long standing. Though his intentions
Fonseca, during whose administration (1910-14) the high
standards set by the first three civilian executives were
were excellent and his ability and honesty unquestioned,
largely abandoned.
Brazil, History of 147
World War I and its aftermath. A change for the bet-
stitutional patterns of the republic were voiced by.young
ter came with the election of Wenceslau Brás (served
military officers, the tenentes, in the mid-1920s; the
1914-18), a former governor of Minas Gerais. His ad-
movement they headed culminated in the revolution of
ministration was closely associated with Brazil's reaction
1930, which marked the end of the so-called old republic
to and participation in World War I. The sympathies of
and the beginning of a new era.
most Brazilians inclined toward the Allies. On April 11,
The Vargas era. When the administration-sponsored
1917, Brazil broke off relations with Germany following
presidential candidate was officially declared winner in
the torpedoing of the steamer "Paraná" off France. On
CEARÁ
the 1930 election, a revolt broke out. This successful re-
June 1 Brazil revoked its decree of neutrality in the war
bellion was led by Getúlio Vargas, governor of the state
AUL
as a mark of continental solidarity and friendship with
of Rio Grande do Sul, who was to remain central in
the United States. On October 26, following the sinking
Brazilian national life until his suicide in 1954.
of more Brazilian ships, Brazil declared war on Ger-
Vargas held office as chief executive on two occasions,
BAHIA
many. Brazil's participation in the war was confined to
1930-45 and 1951-54. Early in the first of these peri-
the dispatch of a part of its fleet to European waters and
ods, the country's difficulties were essentially economic,
the sending of a medical mission and a number of
accentuated by a policy of subsidizing coffee production,
aviators to the Western Front. Its chief contribution was
and the tremendous powers of the states served as steady
the placing of its food supplies and other resources un-
irritants to the country. In 1934 a new constitution gave
reservedly at the disposal of the Allies. Brazil partici-
the central government greater powers. Three years later,
pated in the peace conference and was given a temporary
President Vargas suddenly seized practically absolute
seat on the Council of the League of Nations.
power and set up still another constitution, under which
RIO
DE
In the election of 1918 a precedent was established by
Janeiro
he continued as president. The new administration,
the re-election of Rodrigues Alves. He was too ill to ac-
known as the Estado Nôvo (New State), so concentrated
ABARA
cept office, however, and died on January 18, 1919. In
power in Vargas' hands that he was able to suppress all
April, Epitácio Pessoa, a lawyer of note and head of the
manifestations of popular will. Vargas stripped Brazil of
Brazilian delegation at the Versailles conference, was
most of the trappings through which it might eventually
elected. His presidency, coinciding with a wave of post-
hope to become a democracy. On the other hand, consid-
war prosperity, was an era of reckless expenditure ac-
erable social legislation was enacted, with positive bene-
companied by an immense increase in both the internal
fits to the labouring man.
300
and foreign debt. Large sums were absorbed by the Bra-
Vargas' policy concentrated upon curtailment of states'
100
600
zilian centenary exposition, which was celebrated in
rights, emphasis on nationalism, and the transfer of the
1922. The presidency of Artur Bernardes (served 1922-
locus of power from the country to the city. The states
26) was beset with difficulties. The collapse of the boom
were increasingly subordinated to the central govern-
found Brazil in financial extremities, and the new execu-
ment, politically, economically, and socially. The ruinous
1C.
tive endeavoured to carry out a policy of strict economy:
coffee policies of the past were discarded, manufacturing
governmental expenses were cut down, costly public
was advanced, and the diversification of agriculture was
igh
works were postponed, and new sources of revenue, such
encouraged.
and
as the income tax, were created. The success of this pro-
After the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Vargas'
and
gram of retrenchment and reform was compromised by a
government supported inter-American solidarity; on Au-
les
dangerous flareup of militarism. In the closing weeks of
gust 22, 1942, it declared war against Germany and Italy.
ilo,
Pessoa's administration a military group made a desper-
Besides participating in the defense of the South Atlantic
ing
ate but fruitless attempt to prevent Bernardes' inaugura-
against Axis submarines, Brazil sent an expeditionary
rgy
tion. Another revolt was launched in July 1924 at São
force to Italy in July 1944 that distinguished itself in sev-
on,
Paulo city. This, too, was suppressed, but only after
eral battles. Brazil also allowed the United States to use
hy.
heavy loss of life and much property damage. In 1926
certain Brazilian naval and air bases during the war. A
oti-
Washington Luís, minister of justice in the two preceding
number of agreements were signed between the two gov-
0,-
administrations, was elected president without a contest.
ernments for the economic development and production
ree
The shift from empire to republic produced little im-
of Brazilian raw materials.
the
mediate change in Brazil's basic political or social insti-
Return to representative government. On October 29,
and
tutions. Under the constitution of 1891, state and munici-
1945, Vargas was overthrown in a bloodless revolution.
the
pal governments were granted somewhat greater free-
When it appeared that the President intended to continue
Over-
and
dom from central control, with a consequent increase in
indefinitely in power, a group of high army officers
throw
12-
the power of local bosses. But no significant new ele-
il's
forced him to resign, transferring the government to
of Vargas
ments were added to the political spectrum, and the bulk
Chief Justice José Linhares on an interim basis.
the
The
of the population remained outside the political process.
Dutra and Vargas. On December 2, 1945, Gen. Eurico
ost
develop
Rural landholders, particularly in the States of São Paulo
ed
Gaspar Dutra, the former war minister and a loyal friend
ment
and Minas Gerais, adjusted to the loss of slave labour
iro
of
of Vargas, was elected to a five-year term as president. In
and retained their pre-eminence. In São Paulo massive
il's
Janeiso
September 1946 a constituent assembly at Rio de Janeiro
immigration from the Mediterranean area before World
adopted a new constitution, which confirmed and
ing
War I provided a new source of rural labour for the ex-
strengthened the civil and personal liberties and the mul-
ves
panding coffee industry. By the late 19th century, coffee
Iva
tiparty system of representative democracy that had tak-
had become the outstanding export crop and source of
en effect after the overthrow of Vargas. As was custom-
government revenue. Diversification of agriculture and
ary in Brazilian constitutions, it recognized the armed
or-
the expansion and diversification of the mining industry
igh
provided economic stimulus in Minas Gerais. The old
forces as permanent national institutions and the guar-
nk
antors of constitutional powers.
areas of Bahia and Pernambuco gradually declined in po-
er-
litical significance and were eventually replaced by the in-
Dutra showed a sincere determination to govern the
country in harmony with the measures of the new con-
se-
creasingly important state of Rio Grande do Sul, but the
be
latter did not challenge the political hegemony of the
stitution. He outlawed the Communist Party as an un-
in
democratic, foreign-based organization in May 1947 but
central states until 1930. Thus, economic and political
Pe-
did not otherwise interfere with the free play of political
power was concentrated in São Paulo and Minas Gerais
during the first four decades of the republic, and national
expression or political party activities. Major accomplish-
ite,
da
policies usually reflected the interests of those states.
ments of the Dutra administration included the Paulo
yer
The principal new factor was the political role of the
Afonso Dam on the São Francisco River, to provide elec-
hat
military. After 1889 the armed forces asserted their claim
tric power to northeastern Brazil, and the opening of an
of-
all-weather highway linking that region with the indus-
as guarantors of the constitutional process and served
trial zones of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.
da
usually as a check upon the civilian administrations. The
igh
military also provided the leadership of occasional pro-
The general elections of 1950 resulted in a substantial
test movements. The first stirrings of social unrest and
victory for Vargas. While he failed to secure a clear
ere
vaguely expressed demands for a modification of the in-
majority in the four-way race, he polled 1,500,000 more
votes than the runner-up and nearly as many as the com-
148
Brazil, History of
bined total for the three rival candidates. Accordingly,
suffered a mild heart attack and on November 8, 1955,
despite serious reservations by the military leaders who
transferred power temporarily to his constitutional suc-
had deposed him in 1945, he was installed in the presi-
cessor, Carlos Luz, speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.
dency once more on January 31, 1951. During his second
The following day Luz indicated that he would dismiss
period in power, Vargas was unable to dominate the
Marshal Lott to resolve a conflict of authority between
political forces of the country or to exploit social and
the executive and the war minister. This was interpreted
Control
economic trends to his advantage; he endeavoured to
by Kubitschek's backers as the signal for a coup d'etat
by anti-
abide by the constitution of 1946 and was criticized in
by anti-Kubitschek forces. On November 11, 1955, War
Vargas
some quarters for weak leadership. Lacking a firm ma-
Minister Lott and Marshal Odílio Denys, commander of
groups
jority in the Congress, he could neither enact his own
army troops in Rio de Janeiro, staged a "countercoup" to
program nor resist the contradictory pressures of his
guarantee Kubitschek's inauguration. Luz was deposed,
supporters and opponents. The most serious continuing
his constitutional successor, Sen. Nereu de Oliveira
problem was economic. Brazilians were agreed upon the
Ramos, was installed as interim president under a state
need for more rapid industrial development and mea-
of siege, and Lott remained as war minister and the
sures to ameliorate the effects of gradual monetary in-
strongest figure in the government. Kubitschek and
flation, which persisted as government expenditures con-
Goulart took office as scheduled and without incident on
sistently outran revenues. Vargas maintained a precarious
January 31, 1956.
balance between the advocates of greater state interven-
During his term of office Kubitschek encouraged the
Spread of
tion in the economy and those who insisted upon a
widespread spirit of nationalism, appealing to the pop-
national-
favourable climate for domestic and foreign private in-
ular demand for economic development and to the belief
ism
vestment. The situation was complicated by the simul-
that Brazil was destined to become a great power among
taneous emotional, antiforeign campaign to nationalize
the nations of the world. Kubitschek felt that the nation-
the natural resources of the country. The campaign cul-
al government should play a vital role in economic areas
minated in the creation of the national petroleum corpo-
unattractive to private capital; thus, his administration
ration, Petrobrás, in 1953.
undertook ambitious developmental programs for the
For three years Vargas' popularity largely protected
construction of interregional highways and vast hydro-
him from attack by political adversaries, who directed
electric power projects, the expansion of iron, steel, pe-
their criticism against members of his administration.
troleum, and coal production, and assistance to the rapid-
João Goulart, Vargas' young protégé and vice president
ly growing private industrial sector. Perhaps his out-
of the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB), who became minis-
standing accomplishment was the construction of Bra-
ter of labour in 1953, was accused of using his office to
sília on an inland plateau 580 miles (930 kilometres)
transform organized labour into a political machine loyal
northwest of Rio de Janeiro. Although not yet com-
to Vargas. His sponsorship of a decree doubling the mini-
pleted, Brasília was dedicated as the official capital of
mum wage, thus strengthening labour-administration
Brazil on April 21, 1960. The purpose of Brasília was to
ties and contributing to the inflationary spiral, led to his
focus the attention of Brazilians on the interior of the
accession
dismissal in 1954. A series of crises followed, climaxed
country and to hasten settlement of the region and the
on August 5, 1954, by the murder of an air force officer
development of its largely untapped resources. The new
and the attempted assassination of opposition newspaper
capital was denounced by residents of Rio de Janeiro, but
editor Carlos Lacerda. Investigation revealed that the
Brazilians elsewhere generally regarded it as a symbol of
assassins had been hired by the President's personal
the nation's future greatness. In inter-American relations,
guard. The exposure of widespread corruption within the
the Kubitschek administration proposed the adoption of
administration caused a wave of revulsion against the
Operation Pan America, a cooperative program for the
Vargas'
former dictator. A group of army officers presented Var-
economic development of Latin America, which fore-
suicide
gas with a demand for his resignation; Vargas complied
shadowed the Alliance for Progress.
on August 24, 1954, and later that day committed sui-
The great material progress during the Kubitschek pe-
cide.
riod was achieved at a high cost in terms of inflation and
Kubitschek's administration. Vice president João Café
repeated foreign borrowing. The cost of living and the
Filho served out the remainder of Vargas' term. His
volume of currency in circulation tripled between 1956
Cabinet included military leaders who had been instru-
and 1961, while Brazil's large foreign debt nearly dou-
mental in removing Vargas and civilian moderates who
bled. The gross national product rose to unprecedented
generally favoured political democracy, limited social
levels, but living standards for much of the population
change, and an orthodox approach to economic ills. Mar-
remained stationary or actually declined. At the same
shal Teixeira Lott, a highly respected professional soldier
time, indications of large-scale graft and favouritism in
not identified with any political group, was made war
public office disturbed even the normally tolerant Brazil-
minister. Much of the Café Filho administration was OC-
ian electorate.
cupied by preparations for the presidential election of
Quadros and Goulart. This situation was debated in
October 3, 1955. After the failure of attempts to find a
the electoral campaign of 1960. Again there were three
single candidate around whom all major political parties
candidates for the presidency: Marshal Teixeira Lott
might rally, three strong candidates for the presidency
who had served as Kubitschek's war minister for more
emerged: former Minas Gerais state governor Juscelino
than four years; Jânio Quadros, the unorthodox for-
Kubitschek de Oliveira, popularly regarded as Vargas'
mer governor of São Paulo and at that time congress-
0
political heir; former São Paulo state governor Ademar
man from the State of Paraná; and Adhemar de Barros,
de Barros, with broad backing from financial and com-
6,
then mayor of the city of São Paulo. It was soon clearly
mercial groups; and Marshal Juárez Távora, considered
a race between Lott and Quadros. Lott received official
as the representative of conservative military and civilian
backing and campaigned on the Kubitschek record. Qua-
groups. In the 1955 election Kubitschek was the victor
dros, who was not a regular member of any political
Pt
with slightly more than one third of the total vote, Tá-
party was supported by the largest conservative party,
vora ran a close second, and Barros was a somewhat
the National Democratic Union (UDN), and a heteroge-
more distant third; in the separate vice-presidential elec-
neous grouping of lesser political factions. With a new
tion, João Goulart won with a large plurality. The elec-
broom as his symbol, Quadros caught the public's imagi-
tion was widely interpreted as a popular vindication of
nation as the candidate of the common man. He prom-
the Vargas position. The illegal but active Communist
ised a scrupulously honest administration, curbs on infla-
Party, which had thrown its unsolicited support to Ku-
tion, effective economic development, dignity for the in-
bitschek, claimed to have provided his margin of victory.
dividual, and an aggressively "independent" foreign pol-
Rumours of a Café Filho administration plot to use un-
icy. Goulart was once more a candidate for the vice-pres-
constitutional means to prevent the inauguration of
idency. At the polls on October 3, 1960, Quadros won
Kubitschek and Goulart were not proved, but the con-
election with a plurality of 48 percent of the popular
servative press-which regarded Kubitschek as a danger-
vote. He received more than 5,600,000 votes, the largest
ous radical-added to the tension. President Café Filho
number ever cast for a presidential candidate in Brazil.
Brazil, History of 149
Goulart, a political enemy of Quadros, won a narrow vic-
and conservative opposition. Goulart surrounded him-
5,
in the vice presidential race, polling slightly more
self with left-wing advisers. He sought to neutralize the
C-
jory than 4,000,000 votes. Quadros and Goulart were inaugu-
armed forces by frequent command changes and by de-
Opposition
S.
SS
rated on January 31, 1961.
veloping a personal following among noncommissioned
to Goulart
en
The election of Quadros was hailed as a revolution by
officers and enlisted personnel. After failing to obtain
ed
ballot. For the first time in three decades, anti-Vargas po-
authorization for a state of siege, which would have en-
Nitical groups controlled the presidency. Quadros took
hanced his powers, Goulart appealed directly to the
at
office in an atmosphere of popular expectation, but al-
people for support. At a mass rally in Rio de Janeiro
ar
most immediately he encountered resistance from the
in March 1964, he instituted a controversial agrarian
of
to
Congress, where parties loyal to the Vargas tradition still
reform and nationalized certain privately owned oil
ed,
commanded a large majority. Quadros' arbitrary and au-
refineries. Many military officers and opposition po-
ira
locratic manner, which soon alienated many of his for-
litical leaders had already become convinced that Gou-
ate
pact adherents, further reduced the possibility of enacting
lart was seeking to establish a dictatorship of the left.
the
meaningful reform program or effective measures to re-
During 1963 active plotting began among separate civil-
and inflation. In foreign affairs Quadros was more suc-
ian and military groups in different parts of the country.
nd
cessful; his foreign policy, which was applauded by ultra-
Gov. José de Magalhães Pinto of Minas Gerais state and
on
nationalists and deplored by moderates, seemed designed
Marshal Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco, chief of
to move Brazil toward neutralist nations and away from
staff of the army, emerged as the chief coordinators of the
the
nat
the traditional ties with the United States. He opposed
conspiracy. An attempt was made to find a formula to
op-
lief
any inter-American action to censure the Castro regime
prevent a coup d'etat by the President and still permit
ism
in Cuba and initiated proceedings to resume or establish
him to complete his term in office. At the same time,
ong
on-
diplomatic and commercial relations with the Soviet
plans were made to overthrow the regime if necessary.
Union and its European satellites. On August 25, 1961,
The administration's refusal to suppress a strike by naval
reas
tion
after less than seven months in office, Quadros resigned
enlisted men in late March 1964 was regarded by the op-
the
unexpectedly, alleging that "terrible forces" had deterred
position as intolerable, for military authority and disci-
iro-
him. The congress promptly installed Pascoal Ranieri
pline were considered the last check on Goulart's alleged
Mazzilli, speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, as tempo-
ambitions. On March 31, 1964, Magalhães Pinto pro-
pe-
pid-
rary president. Vice president João Goulart, the constitu-
claimed a revolution against the government by the civil
out-
tional successor, was then en route home from a state
and military forces in Minas Gerais; the following day he
Bra-
visit to China.
was joined by the political leaders of the States of São
tres)
Brazil stood at the brink of civil war. Many military
Paulo and Guanabara and by the armed forces through-
:om-
commanders and conservatives regarded Goulart as too
out most of Brazil. On April 2 Goulart fled into exile and
il of
radical to be entrusted with the nation's highest office,
two days later he reached Uruguay. The Congress de-
as to
while the great majority of civilian political leaders up-
clared his office vacant and designated Mazzilli as interim
the
held his constitutional right to the presidency. War Min-
president until a successor could be chosen to serve out
ister Odílio Denys now emerged as the chief spokesman
the remainder of term.
1 the
of the anti-Goulart forces, demanding that the Congress
Castelo Branco's administration. With the fall of
new
, but
declare the office of vice president vacant and hold new
Goulart, real power passed to the leaders of the revolu-
ol of
elections. The Congress refused. In southern Brazil the
tion, who instituted sweeping political changes. The revo-
tions,
commanders of the powerful army and air force units
lutionary commanders set out to restore economic and
on of
defied orders from the capital and sided with Goulart.
financial order, to eliminate what the generals claimed
r the
Goulart arrived in Pôrto Alegre, insisting that he was al-
was "Communist infiltration," and to purge corrupt and
fore-
ready president of Brazil. Faced with the imminent pros-
subversive elements. At the same time they desired to
pect of armed conflict, the Congress and the anti-Goulart
retain a modified form of representative government. On
k pe-
group in the military agreed upon a compromise solu-
April 9, 1964, these goals were combined in the First
The First
n and
tion: that Goulart be allowed to take office, but only as a
Institutional Act, a modification of the 1946 constitution.
Institu-
d the
Heurehead. On September 2, 1961, the parliamentary sys-
The executive was granted temporary authority to cancel
tional Act
1956
sem of government was adopted by constitutional amend-
the mandates of elected officials, to dismiss public ser-
dou-
ment; most presidential powers were transferred to the
vants, and to revoke for ten years the political rights of
lented
newly created post of prime minister. Provision was
those found guilty of subversion or misuse of public
lation
made for a national plebiscite on the parliamentary ex-
funds.
periment before the end of the presidential term. Goulart
same
During the six months these provisions were in effect,
ism in
accepted these conditions and was formally confirmed as
thousands were arrested, and hundreds of persons-in-
Brazil-
president on September 7, 1961.
cluding union and government officials and former presi-
Once the immediate crisis of the presidential succession
dents Goulart, Quadros, and Kubitschek-were deprived
ted in
was settled, the political parties resumed debate on press-
of political rights. The Congress was retained as a legis-
three
ins national issues but postponed significant legislation
lative body with power to debate and amend but not re-
a Lott
rending the outcome of congressional elections in Octo-
ject proposals submitted to it by the executive. On April
ber 1962. When these failed to indicate a clear mandate
more
11, 1964, Castelo Branco was elected president by the
X for-I
for or against the administration's reform proposals, the
Congress. José Maria Alkmin, finance minister under
opponents of parliamentarianism, led by Goulart, de-
ngress-
Kubitschek, was chosen as vice president. On July 22 the
Barros,
manded a quick return to presidential rule. On January
Congress extended the terms of Castelo Branco and Alk-
clearly
1963, a national plebiscite by a margin of more than
min to March 15, 1967.
official
five to one gave Goulart full presidential powers. Goulart
Castelo Branco's extended term was regarded by the
d. Qua-
was unable to secure majority support for his legislative
revolutionaries as a transition period during which sweep-
olitical
togram, however, and repeated Cabinet changes and
ing political and economic reforms should be enacted
Acw plans for economic and social development did noth-
party,
before the nation could again be entrusted to a popularly
5g to restrict inflation and soaring living costs, which
teroge-
elected government. It was generally agreed by the new
a new
reached alarming proportions under Goulart. During the
leaders that such alleged shortcomings of the political
S imagi-
two and one-half years of his administration, there was
process as the multiplicity of small, regional, and per-
e prom-
senfold drop in the dollar value of the currency, the
sonalist parties, opportunistic electoral coalitions, and
on infla-
cost of living tripled, and the growth of the gross national
the separate election of president and vice president must
the in-
toduct, which had been rising by 6 to 7 percent yearly,
be corrected, but they were divided over the best means
sign pol-
was brought to a complete halt.
to attain these ends. The President's determination to
Military intervention. As the situation grew more des-
ice-pres-
achieve reform by legislation, while permitting normal
perate, cooperation between the regime and its critics be-
ros won
political activities and full freedom of expression by
popular
came more difficult. The administration identified itself
critics of the regime, was challenged by civilian and mili-
e largest
creasingly with the ultranationalistic left, while most of
tary extremists who called for dissolution of Congress,
n Brazil.
Re military officer corps sympathized with the moderate
abolition of political parties, and suspension of all par-
150 Brazil, History of
tisan activities until the revolutionary regime had enough
part markedly from the course set by his predecessor.
time to consolidate its power.
His administration rejected petitions for a general am-
The test came in October 1965, when gubernatorial elec-
nesty, resisted all proposals to amend the new constitution
tions were held in 11 states and opposition candidates
to restore direct elections, quashed attempts to form a
were elected by substantial majorities in the key states of
second opposition party, and forcefully suppressed stu-
Minas Gerais and Guanabara. The extremists interpreted
dent disturbances. More serious political opposition, how-
the results as a great setback for the revolutionary gov-
ever, was muted in part by the government's achieve-
ernment. Accusing Castelo Branco of not pressing the
ments in the economic field.
revolutionary reform program with enough vigour, they
The political situation deteriorated rapidly late in 1968.
blamed him for the defeat of their candidates and de-
Faced with a resurgence of public and congressional crit-
Growing
manded that he annul the two elections. When he refused
icism, Costa e Silva, under strong pressure from the
opposition
to comply with their demands, they plotted a coup d'etat.
armed forces, seized emergency powers. The Fifth In-
At this point, Marshal Artur da Costa e Silva, the min-
stitutional Act issued on December 13 suspended all leg-
ister of war, intervened and persuaded the dissident lead-
islative bodies indefinitely, authorized the executive to
ers to keep the peace in return for Castelo Branco's
rule by decree, and provided the legal basis for a new
promise to take stronger measures to enact the revolu-
purge of outstanding political critics.
tion's reform program.
When in August 1969 Costa e Silva suffered a paralytic
On October 27, 1965, Castelo Branco signed the Second
stroke, the government was taken over by the three
Emer-
Institutional Act, which suspended all existing political
armed forces ministers, who held power till October when
gency
parties, restored the president's emergency powers for
the government selected Gen. Emílio Garrastazú Médici
measures
the remainder of his term, and set October 3, 1966, as the
as the new president. Elections for federal and state sen-
date for new presidential elections. An artificial two-party
ators and deputies and municipal officials in November
system was imposed upon the country. The new political
1970 showed a clear victory for Médici and the Arena
parties were the Aliança Renovadora Nacional (or Na-
party. Disturbances continued, however, through 1970
tional Renewal Alliance, called Arena), sponsored by the
and 1971, kidnapping of foreign consular and diplomatic
government, and an opposition party, the Movimento
officials being added to the arsenal of the dissidents.
Democrático Brasileiro (or Brazilian Democratic Move-
Médici in 1971 presented the First National Develop-
ment; MDB). A third party was theoretically possible, but
ment Plan, which was aimed at 8 to 10 percent annual
as a practical matter all active political factions were
economic growth and per capita income of at least $500
required to function within those two parties. Arena soon
(U.S.) per year (in 1972 it was estimated to be $400).
attracted a heterogeneous grouping of pro-administration
Development of the Northeast and the Amazon area,
elements, while the MDB came to be composed largely of
especially by means of a program of road construction
former followers of Goulart and of politicians who had
and one of redistribution of land, was also planned.
broken with the revolutionary regime. Neither party en-
In August 1973 a bill creating the electoral college that
joyed strong grass-roots support. Because the president
from 1974 onward would elect the president and vice
was elected by the Arena-dominated Congress, the MDB
president became law. In September the national conven-
refused to nominate candidates. The administration can-
tion of the Arena party selected as its candidates for pres-
didates, Costa e Silva and Pedro Aleixo, the minister of
ident and vice president, respectively, Gen. Ernesto
education, were elected.
Geisel, a chief executive of the government-owned petro-
Castelo Branco in December 1966 called an extraordi-
leum company, Petrobrás, and Gen. Adalberto Pereira
nary session of Congress to approve a new constitution
dos Santos. They were duly elected by the electoral col-
drafted by a government-appointed commission. The
lege on January 15, 1974.
Constitu-
new document, promulgated on January 24, 1967, incor-
The 10th anniversary of the revolution was celebrated
tion
porated much of the revolutionary reform program and
by lifting the prohibition on political activities of 106
of 1967
confirmed the expansion of the power of the executive
leaders of the former regime, among them Kubitschek,
and of the central government. Important changes in-
Quadros, and Goulart. The Fifth Institutional Act, how-
cluded the indirect election of the president and vice
ever, remained in force. A surprising victory for the MDB
president from a single ticket; reduction of the presiden-
in the congressional elections in November 1974, in which
tial term from five to four years; the use of military
the opposition gained 20 seats in the Senate, was not
courts to judge civilians charged with violation of na-
repeated in the municipal elections of November 1976.
tional security laws; the granting of authority to the
In April 1977 President Geisel dismissed Congress when
president to issue emergency decrees without consulting
it failed to pass judicial reforms that he had requested.
Congress; and denial to the Congress of the right to de-
Under the emergency powers of the Fifth Institutional
lay action on legislation requested by the executive.
Act, Geisel then issued decrees instituting those reforms
The Castelo Branco administration engaged in unprece-
and other electoral and constitutional changes. Among
dented economic planning in order to contain inflation
these were provisions for the indirect election of state
proletariat
and to revive the flagging economy. It employed emer-
governors and one-third of the federal senators and the
gency powers to limit and regulate sources of credit, to
increase of the presidential term to six years. The num-
restructure the tax system and collection procedures, and
ber of members of the Chamber of Deputies was to be
to impose wage and salary controls. These measures af-
based on the total population of the states instead of on
fected all sectors of society but bore most heavily on ur-
the number of registered voters, and constitutional
ban labour and white-collar workers, whose real income
amendment could be effected by an absolute majority of
was held below the rising cost of living. The adverse ef-
Congress rather than the two-thirds vote of two succes-
fects were partially offset by tax incentives to encourage
sive sessions formerly required.
increased industrial and agricultural productivity. At the
Brazil's phenomenal rate of economic growth in these
same time the government poured substantial invest-
years-the gross national product of 1973 was nearly
ments into electric power and transportation to provide
double that of 1964-was halted by the petroleum crisis
for continued orderly economic development. Although
of 1973-74. Because the country imported 70 to 80 per-
the administration did not achieve all of its goals, Brazil's
cent of its oil, the trade deficit had risen to $6,000,000,000
credit rating abroad was firmly re-established, the an-
by the end of 1976 and inflation had reached an annual
nual rise in living costs fell from 86 percent in 1964 to
rate of 45 percent. A stringent program to reduce govern-
41 percent in 1966, and the increase in the gross national
ment spending and imports and to increase exports was
product rose significantly. With the exception of labour,
introduced in 1977.
every major sector of the Brazilian economy was on the
Social and political changes after 1945. In certain re-
upswing when Castelo Branco left office.
spects, the phase of Brazilian political history that began
Administrations of Costa e Silva, Médici, and Geisel.
with the overthrow of the Estado Novo and the election
Costa e Silva promised to humanize the revolution, and it
of a president and Congress responsible to the electorate
was widely expected that he would soon relax the more
ended with the revolution of 1964. The latter event dis-
severe political and economic policies. Yet he did not de-
pelled any lingering doubts that the armed forces were
Brazil, History of 151
the strongest political organization in Brazil. The ease
Extension of the franchise to illiterates would greatly
with which military leaders assumed and retained power
enlarge the size of the electorate and increase the influ-
&
on
clearly revealed the failure of the postwar political parties
ence of the lower class on Brazilian politics. It would
to develop into cohesive national bodies capable of win-
also enhance the political power of rural society at the
a
ning the respect and allegiance of the voting public and
expense of the city dwellers. But even though about 59
u-
W-
of resolving the critical problems of economic develop-
percent of the rural population was still unable to read
'e-
ment and social justice. Charges made by the right-wing
and write in the early 1970s and was therefore still denied
opposition of the ineffectiveness of populist civilian ad-
the vote, the political consciousness of the peasantry had
58.
ministrations in the early 1960s paved the way for the
been awakened. Through illegal peasant leagues, founded
Rural
it-
retreat after 1964 to paternalistic rule by a narrow elite.
in the late 1950s, and legitimate rural unions, which were
political
Yet, in a deeper sense, fundamental economic and so-
authorized in 1962, many peasants were able for the first
power
he
In-
cial trends encouraged by the Vargas regime after 1930
time to make their needs known to the political leaders.
eg-
were only slightly modified by the representative govern-
Before the revolution of 1964, the Communists, a few
to
ments after 1945 or by the revolutionary governments
clergymen, and members of nearly all legal parties were
ew
after 1964. The fact that the political forces that had
competing for the allegiance of the rural masses, appeal-
just regained freedom of expression in 1945 were unani-
ing to their demands for social justice and higher stan-
mously agreed upon the need for a new national charter
dards of living. Although most peasant organizations were
tic
dramatically illustrated their awareness that a return to
abolished and many agitators were jailed or exiled after
ree
the re-1930 status quo was impossible. While the con-
1964, limited measures were enacted by the federal gov-
nen
stitution of 1946 borrowed heavily from that of 1891 in
ernment to assuage rural unrest. The peasantry remains
lici
en-
certain exterior forms, a comparison of the two charters
potentially the most powerful political force in Brazil.
reveals the nature and extent of the socio-economic trans-
The church. After 1964 the Roman Catholic Church
ber
ena
formation that Brazil experienced after 1930. The con-
in Brazil, as one of the few effective institutions orga-
stitution of 1891, despite its positivist trappings, was
nized nationwide, was drawn into the partial political vac-
970
atic
essentially a 19th-century liberal document that stressed
uum caused by the purge of populist civilian leaders and
the rights of the individual and of state governments as
the abolition of established political parties. Several bish-
lop-
opposed to the national administration. The constitution
ops led the secular and regular clergy in denouncing the
of 1946 largely reaffirmed Vargas' concentration of power
government's apparent indifference to the vast inequities
nual
in the central government and acknowledged the federal
in Brazilian society. Clerics also served as champions of
500
responsibility for maintaining and fostering economic de-
the right of dissent, and by the late 1960s the church had
00).
velopment and social welfare programs. These trends
become a rallying point for political opposition.
rea,
tion
were accelerated under the military rulers in the new na-
The armed forces. The armed forces, final arbiters of
tional charter of 1967.
the political process in Brazil, were neither blind nor in-
Influence
Rural and urban developments. The changes that be-
different to the objectives of the new groups that entered
of the
that
gan in 1930 reflect basic socio-economic developments,
the political scene after 1945. The traditional alliance of
armed
vice
such as population growth and an increase in urbaniza-
the military forces and conservative rural landholders had
forces
ven-
tion and in participation in the political process, which
long since been replaced by an informal similarity of
ores-
gave new dimensions and added complexity to Brazilian
views between military officers and urban middle class
esto
politics. In 1930 Brazil had a population of about 33,-
sectors. The armed services consistently defended cen-
etro-
reira
300,000, of whom at least three-fourths were rural and
tralized government, rapid industrialization, and the de-
illiterate, hence could not vote. By 1945 the population
velopment of an efficient, organized labour force. They
col-
bad risen to about 46,000,000; two-thirds of these were
were quick, however, to resent the exploitation of orga-
rated
rural and largely outside the political arena. In 1964 the
nized labour by political leftists as a counterweight to the
population surpassed 80,000,000 and was divided equally
political influence of the military officers. Between 1945
106
chek,
between rural and urban inhabitants; the proportion of
and 1964 no single political party was able to elect a
how-
literates was also about 50 percent, but at least half of
president or a majority in Congress. Because this situation
MDB
these were under voting age. By the time of the election
encouraged political irresponsibility, the armed forces,
of 1974, the population had reached almost 105,000,000,
always at the behest of civilian political elements, inter-
which
of which 56 percent was urban. Attendance at the polls
vened on four occasions to protect national institutions
S not
1976.
rose to 80 percent of the total of 36,000,000 registered
against what they considered to be civilian incompetence.
when
voters. It appeared certain that the bulk of the voters en-
Beginning in 1964, military leaders initiated a major revi-
ested.
franchised after 1930 belonged to the urban working class
sion of the political system, which, in their view, would
tional
and government bureaucracy.
make it impossible for men who placed partisan before
forms
With the formation of government-directed trade unions
national interest to come to power.
mong
in the 1930s, a politically conscious urban proletariat de-
veloped. This did not, however, signify the emergence
BIBLIOGRAPHY. E. BRADFORD BURNS (ed.), A Documentary
state
of a true labour-based political movement or an authen-
History of Brazil (1966), excerpts from historical documents
id the
from between 1595 and 1964, translated into English-an in-
num-
tic labour party. Leadership of this new political force
dispensable work because of the original information it
to be
was contested by the traditional elite, principally land-
gives; JOSE HONORIO RODRIGUES, Aspirações Nacionais, 4th
of on
owners and large merchants, and by a new middle class
rev. ed. (1970; Eng. trans., The Brazilians: Their Character
tional
composed of industrial, commercial, and professional
and Aspirations, 1967), a synthesis and interpretation of prin-
rity of
persons who had gained elite status. The governments
cipal facets of the Brazilian character and of the objectives
ucces-
after 1964 continued to control labour organizations in
of the nation; CAIO PRADO, JR., Formação do Brasil Contem-
an effort to gain labour support while discouraging the
porâneo, 7th ed. (1963; Eng. trans., The Colonial Background
these
formation of a potentially dissident labour movement.
of Modern Brazil, 1967), a masterpiece of interpretation of
nearly
Before 1966 the new middle class, which had not yet
the colonial period; ALAN K. MANCHESTER, British Preëminence
in Brazil, Its Rise and Decline (1933; reprinted 1964), a study
1 crisis
acquired a strong enough sense of class consciousness to
of relations between Great Britain and Brazil, with emphasis
30 per-
regard itself as a distinct social element, did not seek a
on the British influence in Brazil; C.H. HARING, Empire in
00,000
unified political expression. Rather, it vied with the tradi-
Brazil: A New World Experiment with Monarchy (1958; re-
annual
Donal-ruling groups for control of existing political or-
printed 1968), a good introductory book to the imperial
govern-
ranizations. Members of both groups were found in the
period in Brazilian history; JOSE MARIA BELLO, História da
rts was
eadership of virtually every party for two decades after
República, 5th ed. (1964; Eng. trans., A History of Modern
1945, although urban-oriented parties grew consistently
Brazil, 1889-1964, with a new concluding chapter by ROLLIE
tain re-
at the expense of more traditional, rural-based parties.
E. POPPINO, 1966), a basic work in English dealing with the
began
By and large the middle class endorsed the revolution of
history of republican Brazil; HENRY W. SPIEGEL, The Brazilian
election
1964, but many of its political spokesmen later broke with
Economy: Chronic Inflation and Sporadic Industrialization
(1949), an analysis of Brazil's economic problems, with em-
ctorate
the revolutionary regime, and middle class political lead-
phasis on the contradictions that plague its structure; THOMAS
ent dis-
crs were found in each of the new political parties cre-
E. SKIDMORE, Politics in Brazil, 1930-1964 (1967), the best
sted in 1965.
es were
available study of Brazilian politics for this period.
KEY OFFICERS
The Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, can also
OF FOREIGN
provide current data on the security situation to interested persons
SERVICE POSTS
planning trips abroad. American business representatives desiring
this information should contact the Diplomatic Security Service,
Overseas Support Programs Division (202) 647-3122.
Guide for Business Representatives
Some of the services jointly provided by the Departments of
State and Commerce to U.S. business firms interested in
The Key Officers Guide lists key officers at Foreign Service posts
establishing a market for their products, or expanding sales
with whom American business representatives would most likely
abroad, include;
have contact. All embassies, missions, consulates general, and
consulates are listed.
-The Trade Opportunities Program (TOP) that provides specific
At the head of each U.S. diplomatic mission are the Chief of
export sales leads of U.S. products and services;
Mission (with the title of Ambassador, Minister or Charge
-World Traders Data Report (WTDR) that provides detailed
d'Affaires) and the Deputy Chief of Mission. These officers are
financial and commercial information on individual firms abroad
responsible for all components of the U.S. Mission within a country,
upon request from U.S. companies;
including consular posts.
-Agent Distributor Service (ADS) that helps U.S. firms find
At larger posts, Commercial Officers represent U.S. commercial
agents or distributors to represent their firms and market their
interests within their country of assignment. Specializing in U.S.
products abroad; and
export promotion, Commercial Officers assist American business
-Information about foreign markets for U.S. products and
through: arranging appointments with local business and govern-
services and U.S.-sponsored exhibitions abroad in which American
ment officials, providing counsel on local trade regulations, laws,
firms can participate and demonstrate their products to key foreign
and customs; identifying importers, buyers, agents, distributors,
buyers.
and joint venture partners for U.S. firms; and other business
In all matters pertaining to foreign trade, the nearest U.S.
assistance.
Department of Commerce District Office should be your first point
At smaller posts, U.S. commercial interests are represented by
of contact. Foreign trade specialists at these facilities render
Economic/Commercial Officers who also have economic respon-
valuable assistance to U.S. business representatives engaged in
sibilities.
international commerce.
Financial Attaches analyze and report on major financial devel-
For additional information about Foreign Service assistance to
opments and their implications for U.S. policies and programs.
American business overseas, or for specialized assistance with
Political Officers analyze and report on political developments
unusual commercial problems, you are invited to visit, telephone,
and their potential impact on U.S. interests.
or write the Office of Commercial, Legislative, and Public Affairs,
Labor Officers follow the activities of labor organizations and
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State,
can supply information on wages, nonwage costs, social security
Washington, D.C. 20520-5816. Telephone (202) 647-1942.
regulations, labor attitudes toward American investments, etc.
Consular Officers extend to U.S. citizens and their property
abroad the protection of the U.S. Government. They maintain lists
of local attorneys, act as liaison with police and other officials and
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
have the authority to notarize documents. The Department recom-
DISTRICT OFFICES
mends that business representatives residing overseas register with
the consular officer; in troubled areas, even travelers are advised to
ALABAMA
register.
CONNECTICUT
The Administrative Officer is responsible for the normal business
Birmingham-Suite 302-Berry Bldg.,
Hartford-Rm. 610-B, Fed.Off. Bldg.,
2015 2d Ave., North, 35203;
operations of the post, including purchasing for the post and its
450 Main St., 06103;
Tel (205) 731-1331
Tel (203) 240-3530
commissary.
Regional Security Officers are responsible for providing physical,
ALASKA
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
procedural, and personnel security services to U.S. diplomatic facili-
Anchorage-222 West 7th Ave.,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room
ties and personnel; their responsibilities extend to providing in-
P.O. Box 32, 99513-7591;
1066, 14th & Constitution, NW. 20230;
Tel (907) 271-5041
country security briefings and threat assessments to business
Tel (202) 377-3181
executives.
ARIZONA
FLORIDA
Scientific Attaches follow scientific and technological
Phoenix-Federal Bldg., Room 3412,
Miami-Suite 224, Fed. Bldg, 51 S.W.
developments in the country.
230 N. First Ave., 85025;
First Ave., 33130; Tel (305) 536-5267
Tel (602) 379-3285
Agricultural Officers promote the export of U.S. agricultural
Clearwater-128 N. Osceola Ave.,
products and report on agricultural production and market
ARKANSAS
34615; Tel (813) 461-0011
developments in their area.
Little Rock-Suite 811, Savers Fed.
Jacksonville-3100 University Blvd.
The AID Mission Director is responsible for AID programs,
Bldg., 320 W. Capitol Ave. 72201;
South Suite 200A, 32216;
including dollar and local currency loans, grants, and technical
Tel (501) 378-5794
Tel (904) 791-2796
assistance.
CALIFORNIA
Orlando-Room 346-CEBA II, College
of Business Administration
The Public Affairs Officer is the post's press and cultural affairs
San Francisco-Fed. Bldg., Box 36013,
U of Central Fla. 32802; Tel. (407)
specialist and maintains close contact with the local press.
450 Golden Gate Ave., 94102;
648-1608
Business representatives planning a trip overseas should include
Tel (415) 556-5860
Tallahassee-Collins Bldg., Rm 401,
in their preparations a visit or telephone call to the nearest U.S.
Los Angeles-Rm. 9200, 11000 Wilshire
107 W. Gaines St., 32304;
Department of Commerce District Office. The District Office can
Blvd., 90024; Tel (213) 209-7104
Tel (904) 488-6469
provide extensive information and assistance as well as a current
San Diego-6363 Greenwich Dr.,
GEORGIA
list of legal holidays in the countries to be visited. If desired, the
Suite 145, 92122; Tel. (619) 557-5395
Atlanta-Suite 504, 1365 Peachtree St.
District Officer can also provide advance notice to posts abroad of
Santa Ana-116 W. 4th St., Suite 1,
92701; Tel (714) 836-2461
NE., 30309; Tel (404) 347-7000
the representative's visit.
San Jose-111 W. St. John St, Rm. 424,
Savannah-120 Barnard St., A-107,
95113; Tel (408) 291-7648
31401; Tel (912) 944-4204
COLORADO
HAWAII
Denver-1625 Broadway, Suite 600,
Honolulu-4106 Fed. Bldg., P.O. Box
80202; Tel (303) 844-3246
50026, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., 96850;
Tel (808) 451-1782
Spring 1990
Foreign Service Post Information
F-11
BARBADOS-BRAZIL
BARBADOS
BENIN
BRIDGETOWN (E), P.O. Box 302; Box B, FPO Miami 34054; Tel [809] 436-4950
COTONOU (E), Rue Caporal Anani Bernard; B.P. 2012;
thru 7; Telex 2259 USEMB BG1 WB; FAX (809)429-5246; Canadian Imperial
Tel [229] 30-06-50; FAX [229] 30-19-74
Bank of Commerce Bldg., Broad Street, Bridgetown, Barbados
AMB: Harriet W. Isom
AID:
Mark Wentling
ECO/COM: Michele J. Sison
(resident in Lome)
CON: Michael I. Dane
ATO:
AMB: (Vacant)
RSO:
Alan Hemphill
George W. Goodrich III
ADM: James H. Webb
CHG: John E. Clark
AGR:
(resident in Lagos)
Lloyd Fleck
RSO:
Kevin O'Neil (resident in Lome)
ODA:
POL/ECO: Robert W. Beckham
Col Jerry R. Fry USA
(resident in Caracas)
ECO: Anthony C. Newton
PAO: Herman W. Henning
AID:
(resident in Abidjan)
Aaron Williams
CON: Thomas Cairns
PAO:
Katherine Lee
BERMUDA
COM: (Vacant)
ODA: Ltc Armand P. Haynes USA
LAB:
(Vacant)
MLO:
HAMILTON (CG), Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire;
Cdr Dean W. Schopp USN
ADM: Ross Cook
P.O. Box HM305, Hamilton HMBX; AMCON FPO NY 09560-5300;
Tel [809] 295-1342; FAX (809)295-1592
CG:
L. Ebersole Gaines
BELGIUM
INS:
Edward R. Moore
DPO:
Peter S. Maher
IRS:
James Rideoutte
BRUSSELS (E), 27 Boulevard du Regent; B-1000 Brussels; APO NY 09667-
CON:
Lili Ming
(resident in Nassau)
1000; Tel [32] (2) 513-3830; Telex 846-21336; FAX [32](2)511-2725
LAB:
Anthony Kern
RSO:
Steven Cox
(resident inWashington)
(resident in Ottawa)
AMB: Maynard W. Glitman
RSO:
Richard M. Gannon
POL/ECO:
David A. Denny
CUS:
Paul Somers
DCM: Donald J. McConnell
AGR:
John M. Beshoar
ADM: Lawrence F. Connell
USDA: Thomas Billak
POL:
Thomas H. Gewecke
PAO:
John P. Harrod
NASA: Steven Stompf
ECO:
Arnold J. Croddy, Jr.
DAO: Col Raymond K. Bluhm, Jr.
COM: James E. Winkelman
USA
BOLIVIA
LAB:
Paul W. Hilburn, Jr.
ODC:
Col Alfred K. Muelhoefer
LA PAZ (E), Banco Popular Del Peru Bldg., Corner of Calles Mercado and
CON: John M. Jones
USAF
Colon; P.O. Box 425 La Paz; APO Miami 34032; Tel [591](2) 350251, 350120;
ADM: Nicholas S. Baskey, Jr.
FAA:
Benjamin Demps, Jr.
Telex AMEMB BV 3268; FAX [591](2)359875
AMB: Robert S. Gelbard
RSO:
Dale A. Karlen
US MISSION TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION
DCM: Marilyn McAfee
AGR:
Gary C. Groves
(USNATO), Autoroute de Zaventem; B-1110 Brussels; APO NY 09667-5028;
POL: James C. Cason
(resident in Lima)
Tel [32] 242-5280; FAX (2)242-0696, FAX USIS (2)242-7768
ECO/COM: Leslie Sternberg
AID:
G. Reginald Van Raalte
LAB:
US PERM REP:
Gregory L. Berry
PAO: Robert J. Callahan
POL ADV: Craig G. Dunkerly
Amb. William H. Taft, IV
CON: Roger J. Daley
ECO ADV: E. Mark Linton
NAU: Brian R. Stickney
DEP PERM REP/DCM: John C.
ADM: Russell F. King
IAGS: Charles E. Klimicek
PUB AFF ADV: Barry Fulton
IRS:
Vincent Gambino
Kornblum
ADM ADV: Henry M. Reed II
DAO: Col Charles Hogan USAF
DEF ADV: David R. Nicholas
(resident in Sao Paulo)
MILGP: Col Richard L. Bevington USA
US MISSION TO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (USEC),
BOTSWANA
40 Blvd. du Regent; B-1000 Brussels; APO NY 09667-1030;
GABORONE (E), P.O. Box 90; Tel [267] 353-982; Telex 2554 AMEMB BD;
Tel [32] (2) 513-4450; Telex 21336; FAX (2)511-2092
FAX [267]353-982, x313; after hours: Tel [267]312-960
AMB: Thomas M. T. Niles
CUSTOMS ATT: Alice M. Rigdon
AMB:
(Vacant)
RSO:
Kim T. Starke
DCM: Michael E.C. Ely
TRADE POL OFF:
CHG: Johnnie Carson
AGR:
Roger F. Puterbaugh
POL COUNS: Joanna W. Martin
Christopher P. Marcich
POL/ECO: Douglas R. Kramer
(resident in Pretoria)
ECO COUNS: Joel S. Spiro
INDUST OFF: Alan R. Tousignant
CON/COM: Ken McGhee
AID:
John P. Hummon
PUB AFF COUNS: David M. Wilson
LAB: Dan E. Turnquist
LAB:
John R. Dinger
PAO:
Betty Ann Felthousen
AGR MIN COUNS: Edmund L. Nichols
SCI/TECH AFF: Patricia A. Haigh
(resident in Johannesburg)
OMC:
Maj Gary Walker
MNL:
Robert McSwain (resi-
ODA: Ltc Richard L. Grauel USA
ANTWERP (CG), Rubens Center, Nationalestraat 5, B-2000 Antwerp;
(dent in Johannesburg)
(resident in Harare)
APO NY 09667-1040; Tel [32] (03) 225-0071; Telex 31966; FAX (3)234-3698
ADM: Frederick B. Cook
CG:
Sheldon I. Krebs
CON: Lois A. Price
BRAZIL
POL:
Alison Pentz
BPAO: (Vacant)
ECO/COM: Jerome B. Neal
BRASILIA (E), Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3; APO Miami 34030;
Tel [55] (61) 321-7272; Telex 061-1091; FAX [55](61)225-9136
EUROPEAN LOGISTICAL SUPPORT OFFICE (ELSO Antwerp),
AMB: Richard H. Melton
Noorderlaan 147, Bus 12A, B-2030 Antwerp; APO New York 09667-1046; Tel
RSO: Thomas C. Allsbury
[32] (3) 542-4775; Telex 34964; FAX [32](3)542-6567
DCM: Robert E. Service
SCI:
Barbara J. Tobias
POL:
John F. Keane
AGR:
Robert J. Wicks
DIR:
Clifford W. Mecklenburg
DEP DIR: James O. Mazingo
ECO:
Gordon Jones
PAO:
Robert F. Jordan
FIN:
Matthew P. Hennesey
ODA: Bg Joseph S. Stringham USA
SHAPE (POLAD) B-7010; SHAPE, Belgium; APO NY 09055;
COM: Kevin C. Brennan
MLO: Col Vibert L. Strock USAF
Tel [32](65) 44-4471 or 4474
CON: Edwin L. Beffel
AID:
Howard B. Helman
POLAD: Herbert D. Gelber
ADM: Jeremy Nice
NAU: John W. Corris, Jr.
BELIZE
RIO DE JANEIRO (CG), Avenida Presidente Wilson, 147;
BELIZE CITY (E), Gabourel Lane and Hutson St.; P.O. Box 286;
APO Miami 34030; Tel [55] (21) 292-7117; Telex AMCONSUL
Tel [501] (2) 77161; FAX [501](2)30802
21-22831; USIS Telex 21-21466; FAX [55](21)220-0439
AMB: Robert G. Rich, Jr.
ODA: Maj Randall R. Parish USA
CG:
Louis Schwartz, Jr.
RES:
Gilbert M. Johnson
DCM: Joseph E. Hayes
MLO:
Maj Jerry R. Croghan USA
POL:
Daniel A. Strasser
ADM: Manuel F. Acosta
POL: Alexander Featherstone
VOA:
Frederick Haney
ECO:
Edward Olson
AGR: Marcus E. Lower
ECO/COM: Katherine Christensen
AGR:
John Jacobs
COM: Walter Hage
CON: Rudolph F. Boone
BPAO: David Wagner
(resident in Guatemala City)
CON:
Clyde Bishop
FAA:
ADM: Charles H. Grover
Raymond Ybarra
RSO:
Jerry Wilson
MLO: Cdr Guy W. Wicks
RSO:
AID:
Craig P. Decampli
Mosina Jordan
(resident in Guatemala City)
DAO: (Vacant)
F-14
Foreign Service Post Information
Spring 1990
S
BRAZIL-CANADA
SAO PAULO (CG), Rua Padre Joao Manoel, 933, 01411; P.O. Box 8063;
CAMEROON
APO Miami 34030; Tel [55] (11) 881-6511; Telex 11-31574;
USIS Telex 21-21466; FAX 1)280-3517
YAOUNDE (E), Rue Nachtigal; B.P. 817; Tel [237] 234014; Telex 8223KN
AMB: Frances D. Cook
RSO: George Rodman, Jr.
CG:
Myles R. Frechette
CON: Sandra L. Mendyk
DCM: (Vacant)
AGR: Thomas Pomeroy
POL:
Donald B. Harrington
ADM: Edmund E. Atkins
POL: Timothy Andrews
(resident in Lagos)
ECO: Ralph M. Buck
AGR: Joseph F. Somers
ECO/COM: Robert Godec
AID: Jay P. Johnson
COM: Arthur A. Alexander
BPAO: C. Sigrid Maitrejean
CON: Gerry W. Fuller
PAO: Mary Roberta Jones
LAB: James J. Ehrman
IRS: Vincent Gambino
ADM: Richard E. Kramer
ODA: Ltc Steven A. Lovasz USA
U.S. TRADE CENTER, Edificio Eloy Chaves Avenida Paulista, 2439,
DOUALA (C), 21 Avenue du General De Gaulle; B.P. 4006;
Sao Paulo; APO Miami 34030; Tel (11) 853-2011/2411/2778;
Tel [237] 425331, 423434; Telex 5233KN; FAX [237]427790
Telex 011-25274
PO:
William R. Gaines
POL/ECO: Geeta Pasi
DIR: Arthur A. Alexander
AGR: Joseph F. Somers
BPAO: Paul Patin
PORTO ALEGRE (C), Rua Coronel Genuino, 421 (9th Fl.); APO
CANADA
Miami 34030; Tel [55] (512) 26-4288/4697; Telex 051-2292 CGEU BR
PO:
Marianne M. Kunkel
BPAO: Merrie D. Blocker
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (E), 100 Wellington St., K1P 5T1; P.O. Box 5000,
CON: Bennett Y. Lowenthal
Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430; Tel (613) 238-5335; FAX (613)233-8511
RECIFE (C), Rua Goncalves Maia, 163; APO Miami 34030;
AMB: Edward N. Ney
SCI: Victor D. Comras
Tel [55] (81) 221-1412; Telex 081-1190
DCM: Dwight N. Mason
ADM: Eric J. Boswell
PO:
Leslie V. Rowe
POL: Stephen W. Buck
RSO: Steven Cox
BPAO: Martin E. Adler
CON: Richard G. Rosenman
ECO: Lawrence P. Taylor
AGR: Bryant H. Wadsworth
COM: George Mu
PAO: James P. Thurber
BRUNEI
LAB: Arlen R. Wilson
CUS: William Laverty
FIN:
Carl Lohmann
ODA: Col George Manolis USAF
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (E), P.O. Box 2991; Tel [673] (2) 29670;
CON: Leonard F. Willems
IRS:
Joe D. Hook
Telex BU 2609 AMEMB; FAX [673] (2) 25293
CALGARY, ALBERTA (CG), Suite 1000, 615 Macleod Trail, S.E., Calgary,
AMB: Christopher H. Phillips
PAO: James Pollock
Alberta, Canada T2G 4T8; Tel (403) 265-2116 or 266-8962;
ECO/COM: James P. Wojtasiewicz
(resident in Singapore)
FAX (403)264-6630
CON/ADM: Dennis A. Droney
ODA: Capt George W. Lundy, Jr. USN
CG:
Robert J. Kott
COM: Thomas K. Roesch
AGR: Geoffrey W. Wiggins
(resident in Singapore)
CON: Dennis W. Merz
ECO: Patricia Foran
(resident in Singapore)
RSO:
John Chernyak
ADM: Ann M. Evans
(resident in Kuala Lumpur)
BULGARIA
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA (CG), Suite 910, Cogswell Tower, Scotia Sq.,
Halifax, NS, Canada B3J 3K1; Tel (902) 429-2480-1; FAX (902)423-6861
SOFIA (E), 1 A. Stamboliski Blvd.; APO NY 09213 : Tel [359] (2)
CG:
George C. Lannon
CON: Barbara J. Baden
88-48-01 to 05; Telex 22690 BG
AMB: Sol Polansky
AGR: Steve Washenko
MONTREAL, QUEBEC (CG), P.O. Box 65, Postal Station Desjardins, H5B
DCM: William D. Montgomery
(resident in Belgrade)
1G1; P.O. Box 847, Champlain, NY 12919-0847; Tel (514) 281-1886;
POL/ECO: Douglas Ray Smith
PRESS/CULT: John Menzies
FAX (514)281-1072
ECO/COM: Michael Gelner
ODA: Col John M. Handley USA
CG:
Andrew F. Antippas
ADM: Melvin T. Spence
CON: Jonathan J. Coyne
IRS:
Frederick Pablo
ECO: John P. Riley
BPAO: Veda Wilson
ADM: Peter W. Bodde
(resident in Rome)
COM: Geoffrey Walser
USTTA: Andree Logan
RSO: Kevin W. Bauer
CON: David L. Boerigter
BURKINA FASO
US MISSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION
ORGANIZATION (ICAO), 1000 Sherbrooke, W. Rm. 753, Montreal; Mailing
OUAGADOUGOU (E), B.P. 35; Tel [226] 30-67-23/24/25, 33-34-22
Telex AMEMB 5290 BF; USAID FAX [226]30-89-03
address: Box 847, Champlain, NY 12919; Tel (514) 285-8304
AMB: David H. Shinn
LAB:
Ollie P. Anderson, Jr.
US REP: Edmund P.C. Stohr
ALT FIC/JSC REP: David L. Schiele
DCM: Robert M. Beecroft
(resident in Washington)
ALT US REP: John S. Jamison
POL/ECO/COM: David C. Becker
RSO: Anthony Richards
ADM: Walter 1. Woolwine
(resident in Niamey)
QUEBEC, QUEBEC (CG), 2 Place Terrasse Dufferin, C.P. 939, G1R 4T9;
AID: Herbert N. Miller
ODA: Col Roby M. Mauk
P.O. Box 1547 Champlain, NY 12919-1547; Tel (418) 692-2095;
PAO: Cynthia B. Caples
USA (resident in Abidjan)
Telex 051-2275; FAX (418)692-4640
POL/MIL: Michael E. Dougherty
CG:
William C. McCahill, Jr.
CON: Douglas M. Griffiths
BURMA
TORONTO, ONTARIO (CG), 360 University Ave., M5G 1S4; P.O. Box 135,
RANGOON (E), 581 Merchant St. (GPO Box 521);
Lewiston, NY 14092-0135; Tel (416) 595-1700; FAX (416)595-0051
AMEMBASSY, Box B, APO San Fran 96346; Tel 82055
or 82181; Telex 21230 AIDRGN BM
CG:
John E. Hall
ADM: William N. Campbell
ECO: Leonard A. Hill
BPAO: John Quintus
AMB: Burton Levin
ADM: Leonard J. Porter
COM: Dale V. Slaght
USTTA: William Tolson
DCM: Christopher J. Szymanski
RSO: Michael T. Manegan
CON: John R. Ratigan
POL/ECO: Marshall P. Adair
AID: Earl J. Young
COM: Shirlie C. Pinkham
PAO: William J. Weinhold
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (CG), 1075 West Georgia St., V6E 4E9;
CON: Shelley E. Johnson
ODA: Col David G. Douglass USA
P.O. Box 5002, Point Roberts, WA 98281-5002; Tel (604) 685-4311; FAX
(604)685-5285
BURUNDI
CG:
Samuel C. Fromowitz
CON: David P. Bocskor
BUJUMBURA (E), B.P. 1720, Avenue des Etats-Unis; Tel 234-54 thru 56
ECO: Jack P. Orlando
BPAO: David F. Fitzgerald
COM: Stephen Wasylko
USTTA: Eric Dixson
AMB: Cynthia S. Perry
RSO: Joseph Davison
DCM: David 8. Dunn
AID: Donald F. Miller
ECO/POL/COM: Edwin P. Brown, Jr.
PAO: Gary R. Nank
ADM: Herbert R. Brown
ODA: Col Robert Roman USAF
CON: Emily E. Jeffers
(resident in Kinshasa)
Foreign Service Post Information
F-15
Spring 1990
11/8/90
MEMORANDUM
CONFIDENTIAL/STADIS
TO:
S/P - Dennis Ross
ARA - Bernard Aronson
FROM:
S/P - Val MartinezVM
SUBJECT:
Speech for President Bush in South America
I have looked at the draft themes submitted by the Desks
for speeches by President Bush on his South American trip.
They all look very good and provide some valuable detail. I
remember, however, A/S Aronson observing some weeks ago that we
needed to work on the more symbolic elements of the President's
trip as well. I too think that this is very important. The
Latins, I believe, will be expecting some words from the
President on how we see the future of U.S. -Latin relations in
the years ahead, a broader vision of how we view our shared
hemisphere in these days of rapid international change.
To this end I have drafted a brief speech for the
President outlining how we see our hemispheric relations.
Given the President's call for trade, not aid, and given the
Latins' own willingness to forswear blaming us for all of their
problems, I think we should have the President speak with
clarity and frankness on what we offer to and what we expect
from our southern neighbors.
If such a speech is given, it should be given early in the
visit, probably in Brazil. The attached draft reflects this.
CONFIDENTIAL/STADIS
DECLASSIFIED
Department of State Guidelines
E.O. 12958, SEC 3.4 (B), July 21, 1997
By It NARA, Date 06/05/23
DRAFT SPEECH
PRESIDENT BUSH IN BRAZIL
The Legacy of the New World
Appropriate acknowledgments and thanks.
I am again very happy to be in Latin America, specifically, in
this great country of Brazil. I am always impressed by the
great cultural diversity and sheer physical beauty of the
region. The New World, I think, has indeed been very good to
us.
As we approach the 500th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of
the Americas, it's a good moment to reflect on the legacy of
this New World and our place in it. That legacy is richly
diverse; after all, here I am addressing Portugese-speakers in
English, all because of an Italian sailing for Spain at the end
of the 15th century.
We have now had half a millennium in this Hemisphere with which
to form our nations, to find our way in the world. I will be
the first to acknowledge that relations between the United
States and its sister republics have not always been the best.
Quarrels and misunderstandings have been all too frequent. I
wish now to address you in complete frankness; the importance
of our relations and our future merit it.
2
First and foremost, I firmly assert and sincerely believe that
what we have in common far outstrips what we have let come
between us in the past. All of us began as colonies, as
dependencies of European princes and powers. But even as
colonies one great principle was never far from the surface,
one latent ideal could never be crushed -- that of the
inviolable dignity of the individual and the absolute duty of
the state to respect that dignity. Whether it was the
courageous friar Las Casas arguing the rights of Indian peoples
before the courts of Spain or our own Puritan forefathers
seeking freedom of conscience, this ideal was always present.
We cannot pretend that we have not stumbled in pursuit of this
ideal, that it was often honored in the breach, if at all.
After all, this hemisphere's two largest republics -- the
United States and Brazil -- held human beings in chattel
slavery until well past the middle of the last century.
So let us be clear. I do not wish to romanticize our past or
offer utopias for our future. I do, however, wish to emphasize
that, despite our numerous false starts, this entire hemisphere
has represented the ideal of liberty to countless generations.
Further, just as individuals possess the God-given right of
their dignity and their liberty, so do sovereign nations. This
is what is meant by the rule of law, both within and among
nations. This is the very principle that is being so sorely
3
tested now in the Gulf, but that idea will triumph because good
men will see that it is not vanquished. But what does this
principle mean in practice for our hemisphere?
o
It means that all the nations of the New World must foster
the liberty of their citizens in the social, political and
economic spheres. This is our joint and solemn duty if we mean
what we say about the value of democracy.
o
It means that we must jointly -- and jealously -- guard our
liberties and convince those few in our hemisphere that deny
their citizens the most basic rights that change must come,
that the dead hand of tyranny knows no home in the New World.
o
It means that relations among our nations should cease to
be based on false or distorted images of one another; we must
begin to see each other as we are -- free nations in a free
hemisphere with much to offer each other.
O
It means that shared dangers -- the pestilence of narcotics
trafficking, for example must lead to shared
responsibilities in combatting them.
o
It means that we must allow our productive citizens to
trade with one another in as free an arena as possible.
4
o
It also means that shared economic opportunities must be
exploited on an equitable basis.
Again, let me be clear. We seek no advantage; nor do we offer
miracle solutions to debt and poverty. We believe the sister
republics of our hemisphere should instead cooperate with each
other on the basis of shared principles and mutual respect.
This was the spirit of my Enterprise for the Americas
Initiative announced on this past June 27.
The Initiative makes it clear that we believe we have an
obligation to foster investment where investment is valued and
protected; we believe we have an obligation to try and help on
the serious debt question in the spirit of equity and
responsibility; we believe we have an obligation to promote the
most liberal trade regime possible. I cannot emphasize enough
the seriousness with which we hold these ideas.
I see the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative as but the
first step toward an end to the First World/Third World
dichotomy that has too often distorted our political and
economic relations. Let us instead speak of the New World; let
us look for common values, not transitory disputes.
Our cultures are all vibrant and astounding in their endless
creativity and depth. We do not wish to "Americanize" the
hemisphere. Such folly has no attraction, no logic. We do
want to enter a new era of relations among nations in the New
World. We have all watched the Old World undergo a whirlwind
change; all of us need to change as well. We offer the hand of
friendship and trade; we expect only the same in return.
I have met with many Latin and Caribbean leaders. I think all
of us have been struggling for a way to express what we see as
a new, more mature, relationship among Latin America, the
Caribbean and the United States. Our wide range of recent
talks with our hemispheric neighbors on everything from free
trade to the environment to tariffs reflect this sense of
possibility of a new dawn in the New World.
Friends, the Cold War, the East-West struggle, is nearing an
end. I submit that, in this hemisphere, we should also end the
rhetorical war between North and South. This New World has no
cause to stand divided. There is no reason why the promise of
mutual benefit cannot overcome the poison of needless
recrimination.
Yes, too many North Americans in the past assumed Latin America
was but an adjunct of the U.S. colossus, a ready ally in the
larger struggle with the totalitarian East. Yes, too many
Latins in the past assumed that North American actions and
interests were always wrong and deserving blanket condemnation.
6
But we here know better.
For our part, we know that there can be no community of
democratic nations in this hemisphere without the respect one
such nation owes another. You know you have our respect,
honestly held and sincerely expressed.
For your part, I believe that Latin America knows that the
United States seeks neither fear nor favor.
How, then, do we express this sense of possibility, this birth
of a new era in our relationship?
We do so by seeking the common heritage. Above all, the New
World has been the land of frontiers. All of us are frontier
nations. Most historians in the United States claim that our
frontier "died" around the turn of the century as our Western
plains were settled. This is true in one sense, but I would
argue that all of us remain frontier nations. The horizon
still holds great promise, the lure of timeless ideas and
immutable principles.
We in the United States are genuinely excited as we view
today's leaders in Latin America putting such ideas into
practice, breaking down barriers that have held back the real
strength and vibrancy of talented and industrious peoples.
Richard Weaver, a fine American essayist, once wrote a little
book with the title "Ideas Have Consequences." We are already
seeing the consequences of a revolution of mind as well as
policy. The countries I plan to visit in the days ahead are
all led by men of keen and far-reaching vision. They know, as
do I, that bad ideas lead to dismal results, that to
collectivize the will of the nation can only lead to the
enslavement of its citizens.
This experiment has failed, and we have all witnessed its death
throes over the last year.
I therefore propose that the United States, Latin America and
the Caribbean embark on the joint project of making this New
World the first entirely free hemisphere -- free men within
nations and free commerce among them.
Let us strive to meet the 500th anniversary of the discovery of
this fruitful land with the full flowering of its rightful
legacy -- the resurgent and revivified idea of individual
liberty.
As I said on June 27 in announcing the Enterprise for the
Americas Initiative:
"Our challenge, the challenge of this new era of the Americas
is to secure this shared dream and all of its fruits for all
the people of the Americas -- North, Central, and South.
8
Let us now strive to meet that challenge.
Let us now speak of the New World instead of First and Third
Worlds.
Let us drop the hoary rhetoric of dependency theory and the
stifling weight of protectionism.
Let us respect the social, cultural and religious values of our
respective societies.
Let us always deal with one another on a basis of the respect
one free republic owes to another.
It is only in this way can we solve the many problems that
remain: debt, trade, investment, poverty, drugs, regional arms
control, the environment, nuclear non-proliferation.
To those in this hemisphere still resisting the tide of freedom,
especially Mr. Castro, we will welcome you to the party of
liberty the moment in which you break the chains of your own
long-suffering population. If you do not fear the heady
sensation of freedom then you need not fear us. If you do not
fear testing the will of your own people, then you need not fear
us. If you do not fear the spark of independence and dignity
that even the cruelest dictator cannot extinguish, then you need
not fear us.
9
I note that Mr. Castro is again rumbling about "socialism or
death. He implies a threat from the United States. But this
death threat does not come from us, it comes from the very
system that Castro has imposed on Cuba, for the deadly
totalitarianism of this system fosters the death of the soul,
the crushing of the citizen's individuality in the name of the
state. This is what we have always opposed and, again speaking
frankly, this is what all of us should oppose.
As I noted as I began this brief talk, we will soon celebrate
the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Americas. This
celebration will also launch us toward the 21st century, a
frontier of promise and hope.
You have heard how we propose to enter that new century with
our close and valued friends of the New World. We ask all of
you to join us in ensuring that that new era be one of
untrammeled freedom and mutual prosperity.
Thank you very much.
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 9:15 P.M. EST
NN9,90
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
20506
THE DECADE OF THE AMERICAS
Person of the Year Award Acceptance Remarks
By United States Trade Representative Carla A. Hills
Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce
New York city
October 25, 1990
Introduction
I am honored to be named "Person of the Year" by the
Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce along with the
distinguished Sergio Coimbra. The splendid reputation of the
Chamber and eminence of the previous recipients make this award
one especially to be cherished.
I am also grateful to have this opportunity to address this
extraordinary gathering of leading citizens from both Brazil and
the United States.
As the two largest countries in the Americas -- with nearly
400 million people -- it is exhilarating to think that together
we could make the 1990s the Decade of the Americas.
By joining together in a positive partnership for
prosperity, we could build upon the dramatic economic reforms
that President Fernando Collor has undertaken this year. In just
seven months since taking office he has driven down inflation,
begun to remove the government from the private sector, and
started to open the economy to greater competition.
President Collor's success comes from his strongly held
belief in freedom and his deeply rooted vision of the future for
Brazil and Latin America. In a speech last month to Yale
University, my alma mater, President Collor made clear what he
was after:
"We know exactly what we want. We want to have a fair share
in the benefits of mankind's progress. We want to join those. in
the forefront of our era. We want our peoples to have access to
the best there is in well-being, security, education, and
information. In short, we want our people to be able to fulfill
their legitimate aspirations for happiness."
In this great quest for prosperity, Brazil, and indeed all
of Latin America, are beginning to look outward. Recognizing the
extraordinary changes underway, this past June, President Bush
BRAZILIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER/PAGE 2
announced his Enterprise for the Americas Initiative, one of the
most exciting ideas of our time. His vision is to create a
hemispheric free trade zone.
The Uruguay Round
We will far be more able to realize the promise of his
Initiative for this hemisphere if we can successfully conclude
the Uruguay Round of global trade talks this December and open
markets worldwide.
The Uruguay Round -- so named because it was launched in
Uruguay in 1986 -- is seeking to strengthen and broaden the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or GATT. The GATT is
without doubt the world's most important trade agreement --
indeed, it is the Constitution of World Trade.
The GATT started out small after World War II with just a
handful of nations looking for a way to spur economic growth. It
succeeded beyond all expectations.
Under GATT sponsorship, the world's trading nations have
held seven successful rounds of negotiations in which they
slashed tariff rates by more than 75 percent. As a result, trade
exploded from just $60 billion in 1950 to nudge the $4 trillion
mark this year.
This enormous expansion in global commerce has fueled a
spectacular surge of the world economy which has grown faster in
the last 40 years than in any four decades of world history.
Those nations whose opened their markets have enjoyed
unparalleled prosperity.
The GATT opened new markets for business, increased choices
and lowered prices for consumers, and led to higher incomes and
more jobs for workers.
But just as a thriving family outgrows its first house, so
too has the family of 100 nations that now make up the GATT and
account for 85 percent of world trade outgrown the rules that
served us so well for SO long. Today, a third of world trade --
more than $1 trillion a year -- is not adequately covered by
internationally agreed rules of fair play.
Areas inadequately covered by GATT rules, like agriculture,
or not covered at all like services, investment, and intellectual
property have taken on an enormous importance in global trade.
That is why four years ago, the nations of the world
launched the Uruguay Round, so that they could negotiate new GATT
rules and amend old ones.
BRAZILIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER/PAGE 3
As we head into the final 39 days of those negotiations,
here is what the Uruguay Round could mean for Brazil and the
United States:
Reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers by one-third
could cause global output to grow by an extra $4
trillion over the next 10 years. And the Americas'
share would be over $1 trillion.
Developing comprehensive rules of fair play for the new
areas of services, investment, and intellectual
property would spur economic growth and facilitate the
transfer of technology.
Reining in the hundreds of billions of dollars of
subsidies would result in fairer competition and
expanded trade.
Bringing the developing world, which accounts for
nearly $500 billion in annual sales, fully into the
global trading system would spread the benefits of that
system to the nations most in need.
Creating a swift and effective means to resolve trade
disputes would increase international cooperation.
Finally, achieving fundamental reform of agriculture
would allow farmers worldwide to grow what they want,
sell where they want, and prosper without government
interference.
These trade talks are not abstract discussions of arcane
principles. As President Collor also said at Yale: "Economic
change is a requirement for modernization. The engine of growth
is fueled by free enterprise, unencumbered trade, increased
efficiency and scientific and technological capability."
Brazil's Position in the Round
The United States and Brazil have been partners in working
to achieve a good agreement in the Uruguay Round with respect to
agriculture. We need to extend our partnership to other areas as
well, including the balance of payments provision, trade-related
investment measures, and intellectual property.
When developing countries are experiencing real balance of
payments difficulties, the United States agrees that they should
be permitted temporarily to restrict imports that are injuring
domestic industries. Brazil should work with us to develop clear
international rules governing when and under what circumstances
such restrictions can be used.
BRAZILIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER/PAGE 4
A country that permits open investment fosters economic
growth; those that don't, stifle it. Again Brazil should work
with us to develop clear international rules to prohibit
governments from unduly interfering with investment -- that is
the road by which Brazil can become a world-class competitor.
Finally, a country that protects inventions and creative
ideas encourages their development at home and attracts valuable
technology from abroad. Thus, Brazil should work with us to
develop international rules that protect patents, trademarks, and
copyrights.
We are working hard in the Uruguay Round negotiations to
forge agreements in these areas. Little time is left and much
remains to be done. Quite frankly, President Collor's policies
in support of open markets and economic growth in Brasilia are
not getting translated into action in Geneva. Poor translation
puts at risk all that his administration is trying so
courageously to accomplish.
Conclusion
Both President Bush and President Collor have said that the
success of the Uruguay Round is a key to future hemispheric and
global prosperity.
President Bush said in speaking to the IMF/World Bank
meeting just last month: "The Round is not just a trade issue,
it is a growth issue. It can be the engine of economic growth
that carries us into the 21st century."
Our exciting new partnership for prosperity can help fuel
that engine.
Informed groups like the Brazilian-American Chamber of
Commerce can strengthen this partnership by educating the public,
politicians, and press in both of our countries about what is at
stake in this Round.
Make clear to them that your new markets, new sales, and new
profits gained through a successful Round will mean new jobs,
increased revenues, dollars in their pockets, and a better
standard of living for everyone.
Years of substantial economic growth are just within our
grasp. The Uruguay Round presents us with the extraordinary
moment in history to recharge global economic growth, propel
Brazil to prosperity, and launch the Decade of the Americas.
Thank you again for this award.
# # #
FROM
USIS BRASILIA
11.23.1990 8:58
P. 2
from Luzia
1
Cultural Affaire section
us Embassy grasilia
Quotes from Brazilians
1) "A liberdade, para nós, corresponde a uma série de conquistas
sociais e políticas." (Juscelino Kubitschek)
(Liberty to US means a series of social and political conquests
2) "Deste planalto central, desta solidão que em breve 8 e
transformará em cérebro das altas decisões nacionais lanço 08 olhos
mais uma vez sobre o amanhã do meu país e antevejo esta alvorada com
f é inquebrantável e uma confiança sem limites no seu grande
destino." Juscelino Kubitschek)
P-9
(From this central plateau, from this solitude that will soon become
of
the center of high national decisions, I look once again at the
future of my country and see this dawn with unyielding faith and
11-26-90
unlimited confidence in its great destiny.)
drattoint,
session
3) "Considero uma dádiva de Deus ter a oportunidade de construir
Brasília.' (Juscelino Kubitschek)
(To have the opportunity to build Brasilia 1s a gift of God.)
4) "Liberdade. As democracias que atentam contra a tua majestade
Barbosa) perecerão na tirania dos Césares ou na anarquia das ruas." (Ru1
(Liberty. The democracies that offend your majesty will perish
under the tyrany of the Caesers or the anarchy of the streets.)
5) "Toda a civilização se encerra na liberdade, toda a liberdade na
segurança dos direitos individuais.' (Rui Barbosa)
rights.) (Civilization embodies liberty, all liberty in assuring individual
6) "Em Política, é a mesma coisa que em Religião: 0 essencial não
está na profissão do credo, mas na prática das obras." (Rui Barbosa)
(In Politics, it 18 the same as in Religion: the essential 18 not in
the profession of creed but in actual work.)
FROM
USIS BRASILIA
11.23.1990 8:58
P. 3
7) Os povos podem o que querem. Uma raça, uma nacionalidade, ou um
povo só não é capaz do que não saiba querer." (Rui Barbosa)
(The people have the power to do what they want. A race, a
nationality, or a people will not be able to do only what they do
not know to desire.)
8) " O povo vive de persuasão e esperança, de benignidade e
trabalho." (Ru1 Barbosa)
(People live on persuasion and hope, on kindness and work.)
9) "Um povo que não tem quem lhe fale, perde o hábito de ouvir." (
Rui Barbosa)
(People listening.) who do not have someone to listen to, lose the habit of
10) "Não falsifica a história somente quem inverte a verdade, senão
também quem a omite." (Rui Barbosa)
also he who omits it.)
(It is not only he who distorts the truth that falsifies history but
11) "Política é a arte de assegurar o êxito do bem." (San Tiago
Dantas, politician, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1911/1964)
(Politics is the art of assuring the success of virtue.)
12) "Não basta viver para ser livre e responsável. E preciso sofrer
writer, journalist, 1893/1983)
o peso das opções e a dificuldade das escolhas.' (Tristão de Atayde,
(To be free and responsible, it is not enough to live. It 18
the choices.)
necessary to suffer the weight of the options and the difficulty of
FROM
USIS BRASILIA
11.23.1990 8:59
P. 4
Bree qah do
(Thank you)
3
Obrigado
Quotes by President Juscelino Kubitschek
(On wall of the Congress entrance hall (Salão Negro)
"Este ato representa o passo mais viril, mais energético, que a
Nação dá, após a sua independencia política, para a sua plena
afirmação como povo que tomou a seus ombros uma das mais
extraordinárias tarefas que a História contemporânea viu atribuir-se
a uma coletividade: a de povoar e civilizar as terras que
conquistou, vistas como um continente; a de integrar, na comunhão
dos povos, para o bem comum da humanidade, um dos mais ricos
territórios do mundo."
(This act represents the most vigorous, the most energetic step that
the Nation has taken, after its political independence, towards its
full affirmation as a people who has taken on its shoulders one of
the most extraordinary tasks that contemporary history has seen
bestowed upon a community: the task to inhabit and civilize the
lands that it has conquered, seen as a continent; to integrate, in
the peoples' community, for the well-being of mankind, one of the
world's richest terrritories.)
"E congratulo-me com 0 Congresso Nacional que, com alto
discernimento e patriotismo, soube auscultar 08 sentimentos desta
Nação, soube acolher seus históricos anseios, soube, mais uma vez,
mostrar-se fiel cumpridor da soberana vontade do povo brasileiro.
(And I congratulate the National Congress which, with high
discerniment and patriotism, knew how to sound out the sentiments of
this country, knew how to answer its historical yearnings, knew,
once again, how to reveal itself as a faithful fulfiller of the
sovereign wish of the Brazilian people.)
(Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek discurso ao sancionar a lei que
fixou a data de mudança da capital Palácio do Catete 10/10/57).
(President Juscelino Kubitschek speech made when he signed the law
that established the date for the move of the Capital Catete
Palace 10/01/57.)
Secretary Baker
Current
Policy
The OAS: Realizing
No. 1224
a Vision of Democracy
United States Department of State
Bureau of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
Following is the prepared address by
These images compose a portrait of
hope of ending more than a decade of
Secretary Baker before the 19th General
our time. We have witnessed the idea
civil war. In Haiti, a calendar for new
Assembly of the Organization of Ameri-
of democracy prevailing in our lifetime.
elections has been announced, and the
can States (OAS), Washington, D.C.,
Today, we see unfolding a worldwide
Avril government has made a welcome
November 13, 1989.
revolution of hope and courage, pro-
commitment to safeguard the security
pelled by the aspiration of ordinary
of the electoral process.
In this chamber today, there are no
people for freedom and a better life.
It is a measure of the distance this
lesser or greater nations. We meet here
hemisphere has traveled in one decade
as equals-in respect, and in partner-
ship-as members of the Organization
Leading the Way
that it almost seems an afterthought to
of American States.
in a Democratic Revolution
note that democratic transfers of power
are also underway in Brazil, in Uru-
We also welcome to our ranks our
It is fitting to note these historic devel-
guay, in Colombia, in Honduras, in
newest member, a proud democracy, our
opments here in the Organization of
Guatemala, in Costa Rica, and in the
neighbor-Canada-represented by my
American States. For this hemisphere
Dominican Republic.
colleague and friend, Foreign Minister
is no mere participant in that demo-
Joe Clark, and the Canadian delegation.
cratic revolution: it is helping to lead
We in the U.S. delegation look forward
A Powerful Economic Revolution
the way.
to working together with you and to
Look around this General Assembly
Side by side with this democratic politi-
benefiting from your wise counsel in the
and tally freedom's march: The people
cal revolution is an economic revolution
vital work of the OAS.
of Paraguay now live under a govern-
every bit as powerful and potentially as
We meet at a time of historic change
ment elected in a competitive election
far reaching. Mexico has joined the
that is transforming the politics of our
for the first time in more than 40 years.
GATT [General Agreement on Tariffs
planet almost more rapidly than we can
This past year, power transferred
and Trade], and Costa Rica is in the fi-
absorb it. Yet when the history of our
peacefully, democratically from one po-
nal stages of accession. Both have con-
era is recorded, I believe certain images
litical party to its rival in Argentina, for
cluded successful debt negotiations.
will long endure: a citizen of Berlin
the first time in 61 years; in Bolivia,
Venezuela is poised to follow. Brazil is
atop the Berlin Wall with a hammer
for the first time in 20 years; and in El
manufacturing communications satel-
and chisel, chipping the wall away; in
Salvador, for the first time in its
lites. Chile is trading with-the Pacific
the Philippines a human wave of peace-
history.
rim.
ful protestors facing down an army of
Chile is well on its way to returning
From Kingston to Caracas, Buenos
tanks; and the endless lines of campesi-
to the democratic community, marrying
Aires to Montevideo, a new generation
nos in El Salvador, standing hour after
its economic miracle with a hopeful,
of democratic leaders is stripping away
hour in the mid-day sun, braving bul-
new national consensus for political di-
the layers of state control and special
lets and rocket grenades to vote in a
versity. Elections are underway in
preference that shackled this hemi-
free election.
Nicaragua with OAS monitoring. If
sphere's productive powers for decades.
they are free and fair, they hold out
They are opening up their economies
with CARICOM [Caribbean Commu-
such a volume were to be written today
instead to the creative energies of their
nity] and the Government of Haiti,
about this hemisphere, I have no doubt
own people and to new trade and invest-
there is a role to play in that long-
that heading the list of profiles in cour-
ment in the global marketplace.
suffering nation's scheduled elections,
age would be President Virgilio Barco
None of us can forget the deep eco-
too. In 1987, the democratic community
and those who serve with him in the
nomic and social crisis that afflicts SO
stood helpless as voters in Haiti were
Government of Colombia.
many of this hemisphere's people or the
gunned down in polling booths; surely
The OAS is also playing a construc-
strains on fragile new democracies from
we cannot permit that nightmare to
tive role in resolving the conflicts in
debt-ridden economies. But neither can
return.
Central America where democratization
we deny that those nations that have
When the will of the people is
is the key to lasting peace. Let me say a
gone the furthest in creating free and
trampled, as it was SO visibly and vi-
word about Central America before I
open markets hold out the greatest hope
ciously in Panama, the OAS must de-
close.
of easing those debt burdens and reviv-
nounce such abuses with courage and
ing economic growth.
candor. The democratic community
The changes transforming our hemi-
must isolate those who are responsible.
Violence in El Salvador and Nicaragua
sphere did not arise from textbooks or
If the charter of this organization is to
In 1981, the Marxist guerrillas of the
theories, but from the hopes of ordinary
be fulfilled, multilateralism must not
FMLN [Farabundo Marti National Lib-
citizens. The housewives and peasants,
become a synonym for the lowest com-
eration Front] launched their so-called
shopkeepers, and students who endured
mon denominator, and the principle of
final offensive, but the people of El Sal-
dictatorships of right and left, who suf-
nonintervention cannot become an ex-
vador refused to heed their call. This
fered through a decade of lost growth,
cuse for looking the other way.
past weekend, in a spasm of violence,
and who tasted the terrible violence of
Nothing would please my govern-
the FMLN called for a "mass insurrec-
both ideological extremes learned a les-
ment more than the opportunity to nor-
tion," but the people of El Salvador said
son that neither colonels nor comandan-
malize relations with a democratic Pan-
no. As usual, when the FMLN attacks,
tes can long deny: only elections confer
ama, see the escrowed fees flow to a
the victims were ordinary citizens,
legitimacy; only pluralism delivers prog-
constitutional government, and see the
many among the poorest Salvadorans.
ress; only democracy promises peace.
joint implementation of the Panama
The attacks by FMLN guerrillas on
This Organization of American
Canal Treaties. But there is a dictator,
private homes and citizens were acts of
States, and all who hold a position of
and his name is [Gen. Manuel Antonio]
terror pure and simple. So, too, was the
elected leadership in this hemisphere,
Noriega. The United States will never
bombing the week before of an opposi-
are the custodians of those hopes. The
accommodate with the outlaw regime
tion trade union headquarters. In Nica-
OAS must be democracy's defender.
that fronts for him in Panama. After
ragua, the vast majority of ordinary
the devastating report just issued by
people simply want to vote in a free
Inter-American Commission
the Inter-American Human Rights
election. Yet, there the government has
on Human Rights
Commission, we trust that no other self-
suspended the cease-fire, threatening
respecting democracy will do SO either.
renewed violence and war.
Where human rights are embattled, the
The time has come to end the con-
Organization of American States must
Drug Trafficking
flicts in Central America. The men,
defend them-whether they are threat-
women, and children of this war-torn
ened by guerrillas or governments. The
Together, we must defend democracy
region have suffered and bled too long.
Inter-American Commission on Human
against the new slayers of the demo-
Central America yearns for democracy
Rights represents the OAS at its finest,
cratic dream-the narcotraffickers and
and peace. The international commu-
as its special report on Panama attests.
drug cartels who poison our children,
nity must mobilize its will to help them
We must support and strengthen its
murder public servants, and make war
achieve it.
work.
on civil society. Democracy in this
A framework for a lasting settle-
This is the commission's 30th anni-
hemisphere has never faced a more
ment in Central America already
versary. We will never know how many
highly organized, better-financed, or
exists-in Esquipulas, Tesoro Beach,
citizens of the Americas were freed from
more ruthless enemy. We cannot defeat
and Tela. Our challenge is to translate
prison or spared from the torturer's lash
this enemy unless we are united. Here
the promises in those agreements into a
because of the work of this proud insti-
in the OAS, and in other forums, we
permanent reality.
tution. But on their behalf, I would like
must pioneer new and effective means
The Soviet Union bears a special
to salute the members and staff of the
to track and arrest drug traffickers, ex-
responsibility because its arms and
Inter-American Human Rights Commis-
tradite fugitives, stop the laundering of
money, moving through Cuba and Nica-
sion and all of those who have served
drug money, curtail the flow of precur-
ragua, continue to support violence, de-
the commission so ably, so honorably,
sor chemicals, and control the traffic in
struction, and war. Shipments of Soviet
and so effectively for these past two
dangerous arms.
rocket-propelled grenades to the FMLN
decades.
I think no one will be surprised if I
are incompatible with the new thinking.
Where elections are in question, the
single out one member state, Colombia,
Soviet behavior toward Cuba and
OAS can help guarantee the integrity of
for special mention. Three decades ago
Central America remains the biggest
the process so that the will of the people
a young Senator, later President,
obstacle to a full, across-the-board im-
will not be denied. As I noted already,
named John F. Kennedy published a
provement in relations between the
the OAS is helping monitor the elec-
book called Profiles in Courage. It told
United States and the Soviet Union.
tions in Nicaragua. Perhaps, working
the story of some of my nation's bravest
and most selfless public servants. If
2
In Nicaragua, elections must go for-
In El Salvador, the time has come
I believe, as President Bush de-
ward free of fear, manipulation, or spe-
for the FMLN to return to the negotiat-
clared in San Jose, we have it in our
cial advantage to those who control the
ing table where both sides should bar-
power to create, here in the Americas,
power of the state. We have seen some
gain in good faith. Every individual
the world's first completely democratic
signs of progress in the concessions ar-
and group in El Salvador has the right
hemisphere-a hemisphere, as the
rived at before Tela and in the registra-
to participate in the democratic process
Charter of the OAS envisions, where
tion process. But we also have seen
free of fear; none has the right to im-
human rights are respected and the
some dark and dangerous signs: the re-
pose its will on the people through vio-
rule of law prevails, where all nations
appearance of mobs assaulting peaceful
lence or repression.
live in peace and none lives in fear of
opposition rallies; unlimited use of state
aggression.
resources and television for the ruling
party's candidate; and now a militarized
Becoming a Global Model for Peace
The ideal of a democratic Europe
blossomed into the vision of EC [Euro-
election atmosphere.
At the heart of the Central American
pean Community] 1992. I believe as
If the elections are to have legiti-
peace process is a vision of national rec-
well that this democratic hemisphere
macy, they must be conducted in an at-
onciliation in the nations of the region
we are building can become the model
mosphere free of violence. We hope the
where war has raged. Can those who
for the rest of the planet of a true part-
cease-fire will be reinstated, violations
have fought and died for more than a
nership between the developed and the
will cease on both sides, and the process
decade in Nicaragua and El Salvador
developing nations-where trade is free,
of dialogue between the government
overcome the hatreds of the past and
prosperity is shared, and the benefits of
and the Nicaraguan Resistance will
summon the will to compete-not with
technology are harnessed for all. To
proceed.
the weapons of war-but with the weap-
those doubters and skeptics who would
If the Government of Nicaragua
ons of democracy? Can Central Amer-
call this an impossible dream and coun-
truly wants the peasants of the Nicara-
ica achieve a triumph of hope over fear?
sel statesmen to set their sights on
guan Resistance to return voluntarily,
The international community must mo-
more pragmatic goals, I would answer:
it, and it alone, has the power to con-
bilize every resource to realize that
Do not lecture us about impossible
vince them: by stopping summary exe-
vision because we have urgent work to
dreams. This is the week the Berlin
cutions, freeing political prisoners, and
attend to in this hemisphere, and the
Wall came down.
agreeing to an independent mechanism
people of Central America have waited
to guarantee their freedom and secu-
for peace too long.
Published by the United States Department
rity. As conditions warrant confidence,
In 1990, the inter-American system
of State
Bureau of Public Affairs
Office
we would encourage the Resistance to
begins its second centennial. Three
of Public Communication
Editorial Division
test them.
years from now, we celebrate the 500th
Washington, D.C.
November 1989
Editor: Sharon R. Haynes
This material is
anniversary of the discovery of the new
in the public domain and may be reprinted
world; just 8 years later, we enter the
without permission; citation of this source is
21st century. What kind of hemisphere
appreciated.
can we envision? What will be the
agenda of the OAS?
good point for when
imap one insime of
the first free hemisphere
3
PA/OAP, Rm. 5815A
United States Department of State
BULK RATE
Washington, D.C. 20520-6810
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Department of State
Permit No. G-130
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300
Address Correction Requested
BRAZIL
153
the Brazilian cultural continuum includes the polar opposites of the soci-
etal spectrum, as well as every variation in between.
The struggle between development and conservation, progress and pres-
ervation of the past, national pride and openness to the contributions of
other countries, is played out here in plain view. The clash of opposites
is manifested in almost every phase of life. The Pantanal and the Amazon,
acknowledged universally as great natural storehouses of flora and fauna,
must contend with the mining and agricultural interests that would de-
plete or destroy these very resources. Brazilians decry the cultural imperi-
alism of the United States and the power of the International Monetary
Fund, yet they listen to American music almost more avidly than to their
own and English terms pepper their Portuguese as symbols of imported
ideas. Women are beginning to move into the work force and find their
own identity outside of traditional roles, yet men are still strongly macho.
Accompanying these modern dilemmas is the romance of the pioneer:
Brazil still has a sense of its own frontier because the largely undeveloped
interior still is a frontier, a kind of continental Alaska within everyone's
reach. A new wave of Gold Rush fever has struck, sending thousands of
prospectors into the jungle to gamble on striking it rich. Undiscovered In-
dian tribes and unexplored territory exist to a degree now unimaginable
in the United States or Europe.
At the social level, destitute urban slums called "favelas" grow up right
next to the most luxurious mansions. Wealthy socialites and movie stars
rub elbows with their maids and workers during lavish Carnival parades
where everyone participates equally in the magic. Yet, in practical terms,
BRAZIL
the great divide between rich and poor remains as unbridgeable as ever
and Brazil continues to be a nation with very few "haves" and countless
"have nots."
Colossus of the Continent
These extremes are perhaps the only constants in a nation of coexisting
inconsistencies. Regional differences remain profound, providing a set of
internal subcultures that with time will no doubt be lost to interstate high-
By
ways, shopping malls, chain restaurants, and national media. The forces
JOANNA BERKMAN and EDWIN TAYLOR
of modernization are hard at work in Brazil, but they must resist the pow-
erful pull of the past and so haven't progressed as far as they have else-
where. The distinctions and distinctiveness of Brazil still endure.
Joanna Berkman, a Boston-based freelance writer, has been a reporter for
the Boston Herald, a social science researcher for Abt Associates in Cam-
A Glance at Brazil's History
bridge, and has taught in the Expository Writing Program at Harvard. She
Brazil was discovered in 1500, just eight years after America. How Co-
studied Portuguese language and culture at the University of Lisbon and
lumbus missed this giant of the Western Hemisphere and touched down
has lived in and written about Brazil.
upon little San Salvador remains one of the mysteries of that era. Spain
was badly in need of new territories and when they put all their money
Edwin Taylor is an American journalist with ten years of experience writing
on Columbus they made a mistake, for Portugal was also in need and
on Brazil. A resident of Rio de Janeiro, Taylor is the editor and publisher
backed a sea captain named Pedro Alvares Cabral. The Portuguese king
of Brasilinform, an English-language information service on Brazil which
was in a landgrab race for the new colonies with the Spanish rulers, and
publishes newsletters. He is also editor of Brazil Travel Update, the only
both of them wanted as much as they could get in the shortest amount
English-language newsletter on the Brazilian travel trade.
of time. There were great things coming out of India that could be sold
to fill the royal coffers, later to be converted into ships and arms and man-
Brazil is so big and covers so many square miles through all sorts of
power to dash across the seas again and grab more land.
terrain that it is impossible to make generalizations about what is "typical-
When Cabral sighted Brazil he thought that he was seeing India, but
ly" Brazilian. From the pine forests and frosts of the south to the steamy
upon landing and finding none of the expected Maharajas or a road clearly
cities along the Equator, Brazil is a study in extremes and contrasts.
marked "Cathay," he reasoned that he had discovered someplace new.
Because of its peculiar combination of wealth and industrial might in
He thought it was an island and sent out a search party to walk around
the south, Third World poverty and hunger in the northeast, urban wealth
once and come back again. What Cabral had stumbled upon was, of
and sophistication in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, wildlife preserves in
course, not an island, but the biggest hunk of land to be claimed in the
the Pantanal, and aboriginal tribes in the Amazon territories and interior,
entire New World.
152
154
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
155
The Tupi natives were friendly, much to everyone's surprise and plea-
Alegre. Everything to the west belonged to Spain, everything to the east
sure; and after celebrating Mass, Cabral left a few men to watch his new
to Portugal.
country and then hurried back to Portugal.
Fortunately for modern Brazil the Bandeirantes knew nothing of this
The Portuguese referred to the new colony as "The Island of Santa
treaty, didn't care, or didn't have a compass. For they spread out over
Cruz" (Holy Cross); later when their error was discovered they called the
thousands of miles, planting their banner on the banks of the Amazon to
new colony "Land of Santa Cruz." But with the coming of merchant ships
the north, Paraná to the south, and on the Paraguayan and Bolivian fron-
from the mother country and the vast exporting of a hard wood called
tiers to the west. Spaniards, so busy with wars with the Indians, hadn't
"brazil," the people of Portugal began to refer to the place as "The Land
any idea what was going on in the heart of their lands. When they finally
of Brazil." From there it was an easy step to calling it simply Brazil.
woke up it was too late, for the Bandeirantes had claimed it all for Portu-
The Portuguese were interested in trade, and the long coastal lands of
gal.
their new-found colony were richer agriculturally than anything the Span-
Brazil was ruled from afar by Portugal for many years. When Napoleon
ish had been able to claim.
captured Portugal, the royal family fled to the new colony. It was like a
Farmers arrived from Portugal to set up huge sugar and spice farms.
shot in the arm for the New World. At once the exiled royal family opened
They plowed from the present-day city of Olinda down almost to Rio. The
the ports of Brazil to trade with some European nations, especially with
land was rich, the nights cool, and there was lots of elbow room. But work-
Napoleon's enemy, England. When the French were defeated, the king,
ers were scarce, and imitating their Spanish enemies, they set out to en-
Dom Joao VI, went back to Portugal and left his young son Pedro I to
slave the local Indians.
govern. But Pedro had ideas of his own and did away with a number of
The natives-there were many different tribes which were being lumped
reforms his father had set up. He proclaimed Brazil's independence on
together under the heading "Indian"-were not accustomed to toiling
Sept. 7, 1822. As a new nation, Brazil had a long way to go and a lot to
long, hot afternoons in cane or cotton fields and died off rapidly. Some
learn. So unsure was the nation and so ineptly governed, that after a series
escaped enslavement by fleeing deeper into the jungle. Later, slaves from
of costly wars with Argentina and Uruguay, Dom Pedro I stepped aside
the bulge of west Africa were brought in. Swooping down along the Guin-
in favor of his son Pedro II, who was only five years old. A series of regents
ea coast and as far south as Angola, Portuguese slave traders attacked vil-
then came into power that managed so badly parliament finally decreed
lages, killed off the weak, and shackled the strong. The trip to Brazil was
Dom Pedro II "of age" when he was just 14.
long and rough and many died on the way, but those that managed to
Then came almost a half century of peaceful and fruitful ruling on the
survive the voyage were brave, hardy, and resourceful.
part of the Western Hemisphere's only Emperor (if you don't count the
Soon great wealth was flowing to Lisbon, and the Royal coffers were
short reign of Maximilian in Mexico), who mingled with his subjects,
expanding from the raw materials the Portuguese traded with the rest of
made a trip to the United States, and declared that he would rather have
Europe. So envious were the other land-hungry nations of the era that the
been a school teacher than an emperor. Under his constant vigilance the
Dutch, French, and Spanish all tried to encroach on Portugal's claim.
nation prospered, trade agreements were signed, an attempt by Argentina
Much of her new wealth was spent in keeping the intruders at bay.
to take control was put down. Princesa Isabel freed the slaves on May 13,
While riches were being reaped from the soil in the northeast, other rich-
1888 by signing the "Lei Auréa," Brazil's Emancipation Proclamation.
es were being dug up in the mountains to the south. No sooner had the
But a democratic movement was brewing in the military, and in spite of
present site of Rio de Janeiro been put on the map than thousands of for-
progress and prosperity the army took over and banished Pedro and his
tune hunters poured through it on the way to the mines of Minas Gerais.
royal family back to Portugal. On November 15, 1889, the Republic was
Here were what seemed like entire mountains of amethysts, aquamarines,
born.
and diamonds waiting to be scooped up. A procession of miners and trou-
Thereafter Brazilian history grows dull with the parade of easily forget-
ble-makers took over an area many times bigger than Alaska. Wealth
table presidents and minor revolutionaries. There were all sorts of prob-
made them remember how the nobility had lived back home, and as soon
lems that needed to be solved, and very few able men around to solve them.
as a miner had enough to live, he wanted to live well. By the boat loads
Brazil stuck mostly to what the U.S. was doing politically, while staying
from Portugal came carpenters, stonemasons, sculptors, and painters to
close to France for its cultural instruction. Politicians made a number of
build churches, palaces, and cities in the Brazilian wilderness. Up went
efforts to gain power at the expense of the nation but the proud giant, in
such architectural treasures as Ouro Petro and Diamantina. There were
spite of them, kept growing.
gas lights and golden horse-drawn coaches in the streets and gem-studded,
Brazil has had very few actual internal wars and has never had a real,
silver ornaments in the churches. Lace came from Europe to adorn mi-
bloody revolution à la Spanish-American style. There have been some skir-
lord's cuffs, and actors and musicians brave enough to make the trip from
mishes among the gauchos in the south, and once in 1932 the state of São
Portugal had diamonds tossed to them after their performances.
Paulo took on the rest of the nation. It lost.
Other men were busy too. A hardy group of adventurous, blood-thirsty
Getulio Vargas was a strongman who took over in a military coup in
crusaders banded together near what is now São Paulo and set out to find
1930. The country was horrified, but soon liked the idea of having one
more diamond mines and more riches. Carrying the flag of the new colony,
man in charge and did very little except grumble against him. When he
these "Bandeirantes" (Flag Bearers) pushed out in all directions, claiming
was deposed by another military coup in 1945 he sat out his exile on his
each new step for Portugal. There had been a treaty of Tordesillas signed
home ranch in Rio Grande do Sul and prepared for the elections. In 1951
between Portugal and Spain in the year 1494. It was the idea of Pope Alex-
he was elected-legally this time-president of the Republic and right be-
ander VI, who wanted as little blood spilled in the New World as possible.
side him rode his protegé Joao "Jango" Goulart, later to govern the nation.
Both sides agreed to the dividing of the southern continent in a straight
Vargas tried to be more democratic this second time around and supported
line from what is now Belém on the Amazon River to a little east of Porto
labor unions and the like, but still that old obstacle, the Latin military,
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
164
165
of voodoo worshippers meet to pay homage to Iemanjá, the goddess of
rest of South America to shame, while both Rio and São Paulo offer a
the sea.
musical season that can match that of many a European capital in quality.
The end of the old year is a time for thanksgiving and the beginning
Rio's musical life, like the city itself, is essentially cosmopolitan, with
of a new year is the time to ask for the things that will make you happy
fine musical performances. You never know whom you might discover for
for the next twelve months. From all over the city stream the faithful, de-
yourself at Rio's Teatro Municipal or Sala Cecilia Meireles (a rare example
termined to start the new year off right. They are of all ages, both sexes,
nowadays of a cinema's being converted into a concert hall). One advan-
and all colors and economic brackets. Armed with fresh flowers, candles,
tage is that you can usually get a ticket if you show up half an hour before
and cachaça (sugarcane alcohol), they invade the beach around ten P.M.
the concert, unless a major international star is appearing, in which case
and get ready for the stroke of midnight. Some draw mystic signs in the
book a few days in advance.
sand. Others lay out a white tablecloth loaded with the gifts that a proud,
There is also the popular music of Brazil, "musica popular brasileira"
beautiful woman would like to receive. There are combs, mirrors, lipsticks,
(MPB), which, in the form of bossa nova and samba, has reached out and
hair ribbons, perfumes, and wines. Around this offering they set a chain
embraced the entire world with its happy, vibrant rhythms. Brazilians are
of lit candles and chant and sing over it. Some of them bring bouquets
equally in love with their music and every city has dozens of bars and res-
of flowers with notes asking for special favors tucked in among the blos-
taurants where drums and guitars blend into the hypnotic sounds of MPB.
soms. Even whole spiritist temples show up in full force, with their white
For tourists wishing to buy records, there are plenty from which to choose:
costumes, drummers, and altars. They rope off a section of the beach, light
Tom Jobim, João Gilberto, Chico Buarque de Holanda, Milton Nascimen-
candles, and begin to dance. Others bring a live chicken or goat that will
to, Ney Matagrosso, Gilberto Gil, Gaetano Veloso, and Roberto Carlos.
be sacrificed to the goddess.
Among female singers, Gal Costa, Maria Bethania, Elba Remalho, Alc-
By 11:20 P.M. the six-kilometer-long beach is a mass of white-dressed
ione, Tetê Espindola, and Simone are the best-known. Record stores can
bodies and flickering candles. From a distance it looks as if it has been
be found along virtually any commercial district and in all shopping cen-
invaded by millions of fireflies. Amid the worshippers, the curious and the
ters. If you see a record you like, ask to hear it first. Records in Brazil
tourist may freely wander, if careful not to step on an offering or to offend
are generally sold for around $4.50 for a popular LP. Nowhere else will
the goddess in any way.
you find the variety or quality of this exciting music.
At exactly midnight, fireworks, sirens, and bells can be heard from all
parts of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon beaches. Now the festivity
reaches its maximum. Shrieking, sobbing, and singing, the mass of human-
Architecture
ity rushes into the water carrying the flowers and gifts for the goddess.
Others stay patiently on the shore waiting for the third wave after the
Brazilian architecture, though it has not fulfilled the bright promise of
the thirties, has much to offer both the architectural student and the ama-
stroke of midnight to come up and claim their offering. Be it hypnotic sug-
gestion or whatever, the waves suddenly seem to grow in size and come
teur photographer. The most striking modern building in Rio, the Palace
slapping onto the sand with a new fury. Once the water has carried the
of Culture, completed in 1945, is now protected as a national monument.
gift into the sea, the giver relaxes and goes home, for this means that the
When started, it was one of the most revolutionary buildings anywhere
goddess was satisfied with the gift and has promised to grant all wishes.
in the world, being one of the first to be built on pilotis-huge concrete
If the ocean should throw the offerings back, this is considered an ill omen.
pillars that leave almost all the ground level of the site free for patios,
plants, and parking areas.
Many are the aristrocratic white Carioca women who decline to attend
the festivities but, nevertheless, excuse themselves to place bare feet in
Le Corbusier, a long-time friend of Brazil, was largely responsible for
the design, ably assisted by the brilliant Brazilian Lucio Costa, the man
water on the stroke of midnight!
who planned Brasilia and the Barra de Tijuca suburb of Rio. Take a stroll
among the pillars and gardens of the Ministry for a glimpse of what 20th-
Music
century city planning could be like if visionaries like Le Corbusier and
Brazil is one of the world's most musical countries, and talent flourishes
Costa had their way. The block it occupies is an oasis of civilized urban
in the tropical climate as exuberantly as the exotic creepers that grow two
delight in one of the world's most overcrowded and underplanned cities.
inches a day. Brazil is well known for having invented the samba and bossa
(Students of population explosion may like to study the average Copaca-
nova, but just take a look at the list of "serious" musicians Brazil has also
bana residential street, where the cars park on the sidewalks and the chil-
given the world in this century: composers Heitor Villa-Lobos, Claudio
dren play ball in the street, and draw their own conclusions.)
Santoro, Camargo Guarnieri, and Marlos Nobre; pianists Guiomar No-
Equally delightful is a stroll around the Rio Museum of Modern Art,
vaes, Ophelia de Nascimento, Jacques Klein, Roberto Szidon, Joao Carlos
designed by the late Affonso Reidy, whose exuberant use of concrete is
Martins, and Nelson Freire; singers Bidu Sayao, Maura Moreira, Maria
matched by his structural daring; the whole floor of the Museum's main
'Apparecida, Joao Gibin, and Maria Lucia Godoy; guitarists Eduardo
wing is one single slab without divisions or central supports, and all
and Sergio Abreu; conductors Eleazar de Carvalho and Isaac Karabts-
around are the splendid gardens laid out by Roberto Burle Marx, one of
chevsky; early music specialist Roberto de Regina and ballerina Marcia
the outstanding landscape gardeners of our time. A disastrous fire swept
Haydée, to mention only a few.
this building in 1978, but it is being restored. Its artistic holdings, however,
The four musical centers of Brazil are Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, and
can never be replaced and it will take years to find and acquire new ones.
Curitiba. Salvador has the best music school, where many rising young
For architects, though, Brasilia is the real thing. Despite its many prob-
composers have learned their trade from a German-influenced faculty; Cu-
lems it is here to stay and is a truly great place to visit, wander around,
ritiba presents an annual music festival that puts anything similar in the
and photograph. The air is fresh and unpolluted, the traffic well organized
FODOR'S 90 America copyrague
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
177
176
from 6 to 8 weeks delivery time, so order it well in advance of your trip. English
By bus. With its growing highway network, Brazil can offer comfortable bus
speaking doctors can be located in Rio through the Rio Health Collective, Av. das
travel over most of the country, and even internationally. Unless you're in a tour
Américas 4430, sala 303, Barra da Tijuca (325-9300, ext. 44). The RHC operates
group, however, you can't book straight through from, say, Montevideo to Rio.
a free referral service for medical specialists of all kinds, and can provide English-
Instead, you buy a ticket from one principal city to the next-Montevideo Porto
speaking nurse companions and translators if needed. Provides 24-hour service.
Alegre, then Florianópolis, Curitiba, São Paulo and Rio. But you'll need the hotel
room and rest between each long leg anyway. On most-traveled routes, service is
Elsewhere, consult the American Consulate.
British residents may rely on Europe Assistance, 252 High St., Croydon CRO
frequent and inexpensive. Between São Paulo and Rio (6½1/2 to 7 hours), for example,
there is a bus every half hour all day long costing about $4, and night "sleeper"
1NF, which operates an on-the-spot medical assistance service throughout the
at $8.
world. Note: This service involves a fee.
Rental Cars. Most major cities have local or international Rent-A-Car Services.
Pharmaceuticals pose no problem for the visitor. All major cities have excellent
Avis and Hertz have extensive operations throughout the country, and there are
drugstores and many offer "round the clock" service.
several good local car-rental services in various cities. Prices in Rio range from $20
a day for a small Volkswagen "Fusca," plus 5% municipal tax, mileage charges,
Safety. Although Brazil has the eighth largest economy in the world, it is a
and insurance fees.
country where 2 percent of the population are very, very rich and the rest are very,
Car Rental Agencies in Rio at the airport and on Rua Princesa Isabel,
very poor. Poverty breeds crime. The tourist who can afford the trip is a millionaire
Copacabana: Avis, 542-4249/4349; Hertz, 275-4996; InterLocadora, 542-0143 or
by Brazilian standards, and thus a prime target for crime. Crime is a problem in
275 6546; 295-0040; Localiza, 275-3340.
large cities everywhere, and Rio and São Paulo are no exceptions. To lessen the
risk of being assaulted, never wear gold or silver jewelry or watches; carry photo-
SPORTS Soccer, called "futebol" and pronounced foo-tea-ball, is as much a
graphic equipment in a knapsack worn back-to-front; do not carry a bag at all, if
national heritage for Brazilians as wine is for the French and snow for the Eskimo.
possible; avoid trouble spots like the Jardim de Allah, the 553 bus, and the Santa
The soccer the Brazilians play is a fast game, almost like a ballet, that begins
Teresa trolley in Rio, and do not wander around the streets of downtown São Paulo
when little boys take their first ball to the beach or into the middle of a vacant lot.
alone at night. Be especially on the lookout for young boys working in groups or
You can see them bouncing the ball off their knees, giving a backward kick with
with prostitutes. Report crimes at your hotel where the staff will direct you to the
a bare foot and sending it to a buddy who butts it with his head. In Brazil as well
proper authorities. To minimize losses in case of assault, carry only as much money
as the rest of the soccer-playing world, only the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the
as you will need and leave all valuable documents (passports, airline tickets, travel-
ball with his hands.
er's checks, etc.) in the safe provided by your hotel.
If you like sports at all and are in Rio on a Sunday when two of the major Rio
teams are playing each other, you should visit the huge Maracanã soccer stadium.
sites
GETTING AROUND BRAZIL. By air. There are four major commercial airlines
The four main Rio teams are Flamengo (Brazil's most popular team), Vasco (chiefly
(Varig, Cruzeiro do Sul, Vasp, and Transbrasil), which together fly over 3 billion
identified with the Portuguese colony in Rio), Fluminense (the high society team),
passenger-miles a year. The airline companies take good care of their planes, have
and Botafogo (the least definable in personality). If you try to go, talk it all over
top flight mechanics, and first-class pilots, and crews who refuse to let a plane go
ahead of time with someone at the hotel who can tell you how to get there, when
up unless they are absolutely certain it is ready to fly. The service is nothing short
to go, how to buy tickets, and so forth. Unlike baseball, U.S. or Canadian football,
of excellent and full course meals are the rule rather than the exception, followed
rugby, cricket, and the like, soccer is easy to understand even if you've never seen
always by a cup of black coffee.
it before. But even if the game doesn't turn you on, the stadium is impressive, and
Their plane scheduling is fairly imaginative and is designed to meet both passen-
the crowd itself is half the spectacle. Soccer crowds in the British Isles and northern
ger needs and the competition. One of the most successful and most used of all
Europe can be extremely surly; and in the Mediterranean and other Latin American
the airline services is the popular "air bridge" between Rio and São Paulo. In 1959,
countries (as well as most of Brazil), they can be dangerously passionate. But the
the four air companies pooled their forces to set up a system to keep both passengers
Maracanã crowd is unswervingly good natured, and the stadium is exceptionally
and planes constantly flowing between the two major cities. The traveler does not
safely constructed, so don't worry about stories you may have read about soccer
even need to buy a ticket or make a reservation in advance, you just show up at
disasters. For one of the big games between two of the major local teams, large
the airport and get aboard the next plane. During the rush hours there is a plane
numbers of the rooters bring huge homemade flags, featuring the team's colors in
leaving every 30 minutes, and every hour on the hour up to 10:30 P.M. The air bridge
a variety of homemade designs, and they wave these flags when their team comes
has been a success since its inauguration, carrying more than 2,000 passengers a
on the field or scores a goal. Another feature you are not likely to encounter at
day. If you want to leave on a specific flight, make a reservation. The cost is about
the World Series or the Super Bowl is that drums start beating in various parts
of the stadium well before the game and maintain their tom-tom rhythm without
$25 one way.
So successful was the Rio-São Paulo bridge that in 1962 air bridges were inaugu-
a break right through to the end. All in all, the crowd is one of the most colorful
rated to Belo Horizone and Brasilia. The flights are not so frequent, because the
and exciting spectacles in sport. If you go, try to buy the highest-priced reserved
distances are greater, but the regular commuters seem more than satisfied. Planes
seats. If you want to be with "the people" in the "arquibancada," be advisd that
tend to fill up on weekends; book well in advance if you plan to fly anywhere on
it is plain concrete bleachers, so be sure to buy foam rubber pads to sit on before
a Friday, especially to or from Manaus or Brasilia.
you go into the stadium.
If you're planning on doing a good deal of domestic flying in Brazil, you should
Capoeira and More. Another sport that is purely Brazilian, not to be found any-
purchase a Brazil Air Pass, which is sold only outside of the country. There are
where else in the world, is Capoeira. It is a fight, a dance, and a bit of judo all rolled
two variations of the pass: one for $250, which allows you to fly to four cities within
into one. In the early slave days there were constant fights between the blacks, and
14 days; and the other, costing $330, for six destinations in 21 days. Both are well
when the owner caught them at it he had both sides punished. The blacks consid-
worth the money. Check with your travel agent before starting your trip.
ered this unfair and developed a smoke screen of music and song to cover up the
By rail. Train service between Rio and São Paulo is reasonably comfortable. An
actual fighting. When a pre-arranged battle was to be fought, the natives brought
overnight trip for two in private cabin costs about $17; there is a dining car, and
their "berimbau," a bow-shaped piece of wood with a metal wire running from one
your porter can even provide "room service." There is excellent regional service
end to the other, where there was a painted gourd. Using an old copper coin the
from São Paulo on the Paulista and Sorocabana lines and 24-hour service from São
player would shake the bow, and while the seeds in the gourd rattled he would strike
Paulo to Brasilia, and also from Rio to Belo Horizonte. Most service to other areas
the taut string. The effect is like background music for a Hollywood monster film.
of Brazil is inferior to air travel. Travelers save both time and often considerable
There would be a chorus chanting a fast song and the two fighters would get in
the center and slug it out, primarily with their feet. Whenever the master came into
trouble by avoiding long rail journeys in Brazil.
BRAZIL
178
SOUTH AMERICA
179
view the fighters would do an elaborate pantomime of slashing the air with their
fists and kicking out so as to miss their opponent. Over the years this was refined
into a sport that is practiced in Bahia and Recife today. Both cities have their cham-
pion and there are many capoeira houses where the tourist can go to watch these
dances. In Salvador (Bahia), they may be seen on any Saturday morning around
the Modelo Market. The idea is to swing and kick to the mood of the music but
without either man touching the other. The back-bending all the way to the floor,
Exploring Brazil
the agile foot movements to stay clear of a gleaming knife, and the strange African
music make it a sport that needs great dexterity to play but is fascinating to watch.
Rio has recently become a hang-glider's paradise. Taking off from a mountain
peak, the colorful kites circle sometimes for hours before landing at the end of
Gavea beach, beyond the Inter-Continental and Nacional hotels.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Water-skiing and underwater diving are also practiced by sportsmen in clubs all
along the coastline. Brazilians are a very club-conscious people, and almost every-
one you meet will be a member of something and will be able to take you to his
Rio de Janeiro has been called the most beautiful city in the world by
particular club and introduce you around. They love to show off visitors and most
many experienced travelers. With a natural setting surpassing even Hong
clubs can only be entered with a member. Once you are inside you'll find the friend-
Kong and San Francisco, it has everything. There are long stretches of
ship and generosity for which the Brazilians are famous.
soft sandy beaches and lines of tall palm trees. There are mountains cov-
Horse racing is also immensely popular. The Grande Premio Brasil held first
ered with deep green untouched jungle and birds, butterflies, and flowers
Sunday in August highlights the racing season. Golf and tennis are available in all
leading cities. There are two golf clubs in Rio, where you can play by invitation
in profusion. There are great fleecy clouds floating lazily over the ocean,
only. Yachting is extemely popular in Rio. And there is surfing and windsurfing
which pushes in cool breezes and an occasional rain storm. There are
warm days and cool nights and starlit skies and huge full moons.
on the beaches.
For those who like to fish, Brazil can be a surprising wonderland. Many tourists
What nature has given, the Brazilians have embellished with their own
try for some marlin fishing off the coast of Rio, and others go to the magnificent
personalities. Along the black and white mosaic promenades walk some
Foz do Iguaçu to try their hand at dorado. In the Amazon River there are mon-
of the loveliest women in Latin America. The men, well built and tanned
strous fish called Pirarucú that reach up to 280 pounds each. The nation's rivers
from hours on the beach, add their note of masculine grace. Colonial
and streams are filled with a variety of game fish. No license is needed and no limit
buildings vie for space with modern air-conditioned skyscrapers. There
set.
is music everywhere, from the honking of taxi and automobile horns, to
If you have a taste for hunting; you're out of luck, because the government out-
lawed the hunting of big-spotted jaguars, wild boar, fleet-footed jungle deer, moss-
soft singing voices. There is an excitement in the air, curiously mixed with
backed turtles, and dozens of other animals which were once considered fair game.
the tropical languor.
But a camera safari into the Mato Grosso or Amazon jungles can still be an adven-
But Rio is more than just a beautiful setting. It is a city that boasts its
ture. Most travel agencies can tailor a program to suit you.
own ballet company, magnificent opera house, and dozens of cultural cen-
ters. It is a mecca for artists and enterprising businesspeople. It also calls
the international drifter, the expatriate, and the fortune hunter. And in
recent years, with the construction of many luxurious hotels, it is South
America's tourist capital as well.
São Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro is 15 miles long and varies from 2 to
10 miles wide. Nestling between the tall green mountains and the deep
blue-green sea, the city offers a breathtaking sight, by day or night. During
the day the sun plays on the sand and palm trees, and the white buildings
with their red tile roofs serve more to ornament the city's natural beauty
than to detract from it. At night the city wears strings of glowing lights,
giving the impression that strands of diamonds have been lazily entwined
around the buildings and the mountains by some benevolent giant.
The most obvious attraction for the visitor is the beach. Just the name
Copacabana inspires romantic images, and rare is the tourist who doesn't
arrive in Rio and immediately jump into a swimsuit. Rio has 23 different
beaches, scattered from the international airport in the north to the other
side of the mountains in the south. Most popular are the beaches at Copa-
cabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. There are no bathing fees for any of the
beaches. Oceanfront hotels provide cabanas, towels, chairs, umbrellas, and
security guards for their guests. Waves at the beach come in hard and fast
most of the time, so don't expect to do much swimming, just a lot of
splashing. Also be prepared to confront lots of people on the weekends.
Take nothing of value to the beach-no cameras, no jewelry, no passports,
no airline tickets, and only enough cash in cruzados for a drink or a snack,
which you can buy from one of the roving vendors.
180
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
181
Assuming you've had enough sun and that you want to see some of the
in the 18th century, it was the favorite spot of the Imperial Family and
city itself, a good plan is suggested in the following pages.
contains many fine examples of art from both the Old and the New
Worlds. The site of the church was once the hut of a hermit who, in 1671,
Botafogo and Sugar Loaf
with the help of two mysterious youths (angels), sculptured a beautiful
statue of Our Lady of Glory. Seventeen years later, when the image had
sites
Take a taxi or a bus to Botafogo and the Museu do Indio, or the Indian
been accredited with miraculous powers, the hermit returned to Portugal,
Museum, open from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Tuesday to Friday, 1 P.M. to 5 P.M.
taking the image with him. But the ship sank into the ocean, and the statue
on weekends (admission is free). Located in an old home at Rua das Pal-
washed ashore at Lagos, Portugal. In 1924 a copy was enshrined in its
meiras 55 (286-8799), it is a storehouse of Indian work (feathers, ceramics,
place in the Gloria Church. The Brazilians still want the original image
stone, and weaving), as well as a growing archive of films and recordings
returned. On August 15, the church is lit up like a baroque birthday cake
of the indigenous people's way of life and music.
and silhouetted against the dark sky and palm trees it is one of the loveliest
Close by, at Rua São Clemente 134, is the Casa Rui Barbosa (286-1297),
sights in Brazil.
former home of one of Brazil's leading citizens of the 19th century. Barbo-
Walk down the street you drove up and then along the Praça (park)
sa, a diplomat and politician, wrote Brazil's first constitution and sup-
Paris. Laid out by a French architect a good many years ago, it reminds
ported direct elections, abolition, educational reform, federalism, the
many Parisians of home, with its marble statues, trimmed hedges, reflec-
equality of nations and their right to remain neutral during war. A muse-
tion pools, and water fountains. On the opposite side of the avenue you'll
um since 1930, Barbosa's house is open to the public from 10 A.M. to 4:30
see the contrast in the ultramodern Monument to the Brazilian Dead of
P.M. Tuesday through Friday, and from 2 to 5 P.M. on Saturdays, Sundays,
World War II. Brazil sent troops to fight in Italy and suffered heavy losses.
/history
and holidays.
Construction of Rio's controversial and long-overdue subway, which tore
Next, head for Sugar Loaf, which is right nearby. It is advisable to get
up much of this area, is now finished. Despite a series of financial crises
there early for there are usually many people who want to make the visit-
and floods, the final stations have been completed, linking the downtown
especially during school holidays, January to March and July. Once you
area with the edges of the north and south zones of the city.
are borne upward you'll have the pleasant sensation of space all around
you and a vivid panoramic display of Rio and her natural beauties below.
The car makes a half-way stop on Urca mountain, where there is a pleasant
Museums and Historic Sites
restaurant and a small amphitheater that has shows and popular concerts.
Have lunch in the area, perhaps in the rooftop restaurant of Mesbla,
Starting in 1978, this peak also became the site for a spectacular pre-
Rio's largest department store, right across the street from the Passeio
Carnival ball. You can either linger here or transfer to the next car to go
Público, oldest public park in the city. Filled with tall shade trees, small
to the top, where you have the city at your feet and can identify the other
lagoons and rustic bridges, it is a pleasant place to get out of the sun. It
points of interest that you must see before you leave. It is best to visit Sugar
also has its share of tramps and beggars and a large collection of alley cats.
Loaf before you visit the Corcovado Christ statute, or you will remember
Leave the park by the upper right-hand sidewalk and keep walking right
Sugar Loaf only as an anticlimax.
over to Rio's main commercial heartline, Avenida Rio Branco. Walk up
There are taxis waiting at the platform where you will return and ask
Rio Branco Avenue and you will pass the National Library (Biblioteca
the driver to take you-slowly-to the Gloria Church (Igreja da Gloria).
Nacional at #219/239 Av. Rio Branco, 240-9229; open Monday to Fri-
On the way down Avenida Pasteur you will pass the high-walled Yacht
day from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M., and Saturday from 9 A.M. to noon) and the Muse-
Club (admittance strictly to members only but you can peer over the
um of Fine Arts (Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Av. Rio Branco 199,
chain-barred entrance-way) and the pink-painted colonial buildings be-
240-0160; open Tuesday to Friday from 10 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Saturdays,
longing to the Federal University. Coming out in front of the tunnel of
Sundays, and holidays from 3 to 6 P.M.) on your right and the Municipal
Pasmado, you'll go along Botafogo beach and after going around a bend
Theater (Teatro Municipal, Praça Floriano, 210-2463) on your left. If this
you'll be in the Flamengo beach district where a major face-lifting has
theater looks familiar, it is because it is an exact one-quarter scale copy
taken place. Here they have built the largest public park in Latin America
of the Opera House in Paris. If you are here at lunchtime, drop in for an
on land reclaimed from the sea. Every ounce of earth was carted in by
unforgettable meal at the Café do Teatro, downstairs in the opera building.
truck. The planting was done by master landscape gardener Roberto Burle
Good cuisine mixes here with an incredible setting, reminiscent of a Cecil
Marx. Thanks to the Flamengo aterro, as it is called, you can now drive
B. DeMille Biblical epic. Two blocks farther down the Avenue on the left
to and from Copacabana in a matter of minutes. The park is a delightful
rises the 34-floor, air-conditioned, glass-paneled Edificio Avenida Central,
place for a late afternoon stroll. You can also explore it by tractor-drawn
Rio's first skyscraper.
minitrain, and if you have small children with you, there is a fine play-
If you walk through the arcades to the other side of this modern build-
ground, and a special space for model aircraft enthusiasts. Be sure to use
ing and look across the street, you'll see the old Convent of Santo
the overpasses and underpasses to cross the main freeways; accidents are
Antonio (Igreja do Convento de Santo Antonio, Largo da Carioca,
frequent on the aterro and just about everywhere else in Rio.
262-0129/262-1201; open Monday to Saturday 7 A.M. to 6 P.M., Sunday
9 to 11 A.M. and 4 to 6 P.M.). Built between 1608 and 1619, it contains,
Favorite Church of the Imperial Family
aside from priceless colonial art objects, the tombs of Leopoldina, the first
Empress of Brazil, and the Infante Dom Pedro de Bourbon. Beside the
The driver will turn off and climb a steep hill that is lined on both sides
convent is the richest little church in Rio, the São Francisco da Penetência
with houses harking back to the days of the Portuguese colonials and will
(Igreja de São Francisco da Penitência, Largo da Carioca, 5; 262-0197.
let you off in front of the big wooden doors of the Gloria Church. Built
Open Monday through Friday from 1-5 P.M.). Its interior is completely
182
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
183
hand sculpted and covered in gold foil. It also has a remarkable altar and
sacristy. The climb up the hill is worth it.
of the Republic, insisted on living there rather than at the other palace
where he had been tossed out. It was also at Catete that he killed himself
The former hill of Santo Antonio was removed, its earth used to form
in 1954. The palace, with its magnificent gardens, was converted into the
the Flamengo aterro. The site was transformed into a double avenue bor-
Museum of the Republic when Brasilia was inaugurated. The Museu da
dered by new buildings. These include the cone-shaped Metropolitan Ca-
República, Rua do Catete, 179 (225-4502), after a lengthy restoration, is
thedral-still unfinished-the aluminum-block headquarters building of
scheduled to reopen in November of 1989.
Petrobrás (the government oil monopoly) and, across the avenue, the high-
Now you can have lunch downtown and hop into another cab for a bet-
rise headquarters of the National Housing Bank and the glass tower of
ter look at the old aqueduct, over which little trolley cars cross on their
the National Savings Bank. Behind this modern setting you will see the
way to the lovely residential area of Santa Teresa. You saw these arches
colonial arches built in 1723 to carry water down to the city.
from the other side yesterday. Now, however, you will be standing in the
Go back down Rio Branco, until you come to Rua Ouvidor. There are
Lapa district. The parks and fountains inaugurated in 1975 are on a site
no automobiles permitted on this street and it buzzes like an over-active
beehive.
that was once the center of Rio's bohemian nightlife and samba. Many
of the surrounding buildings have escaped the march of progress; indeed,
Five blocks from Ouvidor is Avenida Presidente Vargas. Be careful
some have been protected as examples of Rio's architectural history. Look
crossing the street here, because Brazilian drivers are notorious for dis-
for the Automóvel Club, the Sala Cecilia Meireles concert hall, the Na-
obeying traffic lights. To your right is the back entrance of the squat, at-
tional School of Music, and the large white Convent of Santa Teresa, built
tractive Church of Candelaria. (Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Candelária,
in 1970 and now the home of a Carmelite order of nuns who have no con-
Praça Pio X at the beginning of Getulio Vargas, 233-2324; open Monday
tact with the outside world.
to Friday from 7:30 A.M. to noon and 1 to 4:30 P.M.; Saturday from 7:30
A.M. to noon; Sunday from 9 A.M. until noon mass is over). The front of the
Now for a visit to one of the most charming corners of the city, the
building once overlooked the waters of Guanabara Bay, but the view is
Largo do Boticário just off Rua Cosme Velho. Everyone will tell you it
dates from colonial times, whereas in fact only one of its houses dates from
now obstructed by buildings and elevated drives. The inside is dark and
earlier than the 1920s. It is a pleasantly shady spot, one of its attractions
relaxing after a walk in the sun.
being an English-owned antique store.
Continuing downward on Rio Branco you will come to Praça Mauá
Now comes the treat, Corcovado. You can do one of two things. Contin-
and the beginning of miles of docks that have made the city such an impor-
ue in your taxi to the top of the mountain, which will give you a slow,
tant world trading center. Praça Mauá is peopled by all sorts, with heavy
unwinding, breathtaking view of all angles of the city, or go to Rua Cosme
emphasis on foreign sailors. Now take a bus marked Copacabana, Ipane-
Velho 513 and take a tiny cogwheel train to the top. Trains leave every
ma, or Leblon and go back to your hotel and have a tall, cool drink. You've
half hour and the ride is almost straight up through dense vegetation.
earned it today.
When you arrive you'll have to climb a number of stairs to get to the base
of the statue. The statue is impressive up close and the view from the top
monuments
The Mother of Palm Trees
simply indescribable. The statue, inaugurated in 1931, has a height of 120
feet and weighs 700 tons. The head alone weighs 30 tons; each arm weighs
mores
Another full day could start with an hour at the beach, a shower, and
30 tons and each hand 8 tons. The statue was designed by Frenchman Paul
then a visit to the Botanical Garden on Rua Jardim Botânico. Take any
Landowski and paid for by contributions of the people of Rio.
bus marked "Joquei" or "Jardim Botânico"-they all run along Rua
The best time to visit the statue is in the late afternoon about one hour
Jardim Botânico. The garden is one of the best in the world, say noted
before sunset. The effect of the reddening sun against the buildings and
horticulturalists, and is carefully kept up. Covering an area of 567,000
the sea far below is stunning. Wait patiently and one by one the lights of
square meters, there are over 135,000 plants and trees. There are 900 varie-
the town will start to come on, like fireflies awakening for the evening.
ties of palm tree alone. Founded in 1808 by the prince regent Dom Joao,
Within half an hour the city will be dressed in sparkling diamonds and
there stood near the entrance gate the famous palma mater transported
silhouetted against the dark shapes of Sugar Loaf and the blackening wa-
from the West Indies and planted by the monarch. There is also a striking-
ters of the bay and ocean. Warning: The last trolley leaves at 7 P.M. and
ly beautiful avenue of palms that is 740 meters long and contains 134 royal
is always crowded. If you go up in a cab have the driver wait.
palms. Also be sure and see the bronze fountain dating back to 1820 and
You may want to visit the Maracanã soccer stadium, the biggest in the
the mammoth Victoria Regia water lilies that measure 21 feet around.
world. Built in 1950 for the World Championship Games, it can hold-
There is also a peaceful jungle atmosphere, lake and waterfall, a small
and has held-as many as 200,000 people at one time. While the designers
greenhouse filled with insectivorous plants, including Venus flytraps, and
looked after the comfort of the spectators, they also considered the players,
some rare trees from Indonesia, whose huge roots spread atop the ground
and there is a wide moat around the field to protect the athletes should
like writhing cobras.
they lose.
From there take a taxi to the Laranjeiras Palace, the residence of the
Within walking distance is the Quinta da Boa Vista and the Museu Na-
governer of Rio. You probably won't be allowed past the guard, but the
cional, a beautiful old pink and white building that used to be the Imperial
drive through the Guinle Park and past the luxurious private apartment
Family's Rio palace, in a gemlike setting of landscaped parks, lakes and
houses that line it is worthwhile. Now still in your cab, take a quick look
marble statues. The museum is open from 10 A.M. to 4:45 P.M. every day
at Catete Palace on Rua do Catete, Flamengo. Built of granite and rose-
except Monday and is filled with traces of Brazil's past, both historical
colored marble in 1862 by a wealthy coffee baron, it was purchased 32
and archeological. There are Indian funeral urns, reconstructed fossils,
years later by the federal government and used as the Foreign Office. Dic-
and a fine collection of Amazon reptiles and insects, and one of the best
tator Getulio Vargas, when he returned to power as duly elected President
collections of birds in the world (264-8262).
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
199
198
(252-4512), open Mon.-Fri. 8 A.M.-6 P.M. Branches: International Airport, Arrivals,
located in Lapa, near Centro, was completed in 1750 and is part of the National
Sections A, B, and C (398-4073/7). Open from 5 A.M. to 11 P.M. Same languages
Historic Register. The Santa Teresa trolley tracks run on it. Museu do Palácio do
Itamarati (Itamarati Museum), Avenida Marechal Floriano 196, Centro
spoken as above.
(291-4411, ext. 6), temporarily closed for complete renovation. The palace itself
TOURS. You can easily book a tour around Rio and its environs through your
is considered one of the best examples of classical architecture in Rio and was built
hotel. There are many tour operators licensed by Embratur who cater to tourists
in 1853. After the proclamation of the republic, it was purchased by the Federal
in English, Spanish, and other languages. Most tours are by air-conditioned bus,
Government and served as the President's residence until 1897. Remodeled in 1930,
which will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Tours are run to Corcova-
the building now houses a museum with a varied collection of art and artifacts.
do/Floresta de Tijuca ($17), Pão de Açucar and the Botanical Garden ($18), Petro-
Museu Chácara do Ceu, Rua Murtinho Nobre, 345, Santa Teresa (224-8981) is
polis ($20), Petropolis and Teresopolis ($30), downtown and Niteroi Bridge ($13),
open Tues. through Sat. from 2 to 5:30 P.M., Sun. from 1 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. In addition
and various other combinations of these sights. Night and special tours include Rio
to a beautiful view of Rio from a peaceful garden, this museum offers a select sample
by Night ($50), Samba Show ($40), football game ($17), Paradise Island Tour
of the art collection of Raymundo Castro Mayer, which includes works by promi-
around Sepetiba Bay ($36), Macumba, or African Spiritist cult ceremonies ($38),
nent European painters and the Don Quixote series by Portinari, considered one
and Buzios/Cabo Frio ($50).
of Brazil's great artists. Museu do Folclore Edson Carneiro, (Edson Carneiro Folk-
Tour operators offering these itineraries include: BTR, Av. Nossa Senhora de
lore Museum), Rua do Catete, 181, Catete (285-0891) is open from Tues. to Fri.,
Copacabana 330,402 (235-1320). BrazilRio Viagens e Turismo, Ltda., Avenida Co-
11 A.M. to 6 P.M.: Sat., Sun., and holidays from 3 to 5 P.M. Collection includes hand-
pacabana 300A, Copacabana (541-5099). Ékoda, Rua México 11, sala 1502, Centro
crafts, household and religious objects, musical instruments, and popular literature
(240-7067). Specializing in service to Búzios. Gray Line, Avenida Niemeyer 121,
(broadsides) from all over Brazil. Museu da Imagem e do Som (Museum of Image
loja T1, São Conrado (central reservations: 274-7146, 294-0393, 294-1196). Kon-
and Sound) Praça Rui Barbosa, 1 (near Praça XV de Novembro), Centro
tik-Franstur, Avenida Atlantica, 2316A, Copacabana (237-7797). SulAmerica
(262-0309), is open Mon. through Fri. from 1 to 6 P.M. Varied collection of record-
Turismo, Av. Copacabana 441, suite 201, Copacabana (257-4732, 257-4735,
ings, photographs, and archives reflecting the life of the city of Rio and Brazilian
236-6947). Vikings, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 383, sobreloja, Copacabana (255-9242).
Popular Music.
Walpax, Rua Visconde de Pirajá, 547, suite 725, Ipanema (511-1242).
The south of Rio is the chic and expensive place to live. Here are the best hotels,
For a more culturally-oriented approach, the Projeto Roteiros Culturais, sup-
restaurants, and beaches. Here is Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. A little farther
ported by the Associação Brasileira de Educação (Brazilian Education Associa-
are Avenida Niemeyer and São Conrado beach, where the newest hotels are located.
tion), sponsors guided tours by Prof. Carlos Roquette in English and French, for
Here also is the beautiful Lagoa (lagoon) Rodrigo de Freitas, the traditional Jockey
$20. In-depth explanations are available in tours of Colonial Rio, Imperial Rio, the
Club, the calm and well-kept Botanical Gardens, Presidents' and governors' pal-
Botanical Garden, Chácara do Ceu Museum, the Teatro Municipal, and other
aces, and, rising from the bay's blue water, Sugar Loaf. Museu da Cidade (City
points of interest. Information is available 24 hours a day at 322-4872, and offices
Museum), Estrada de Santa Marinha (Parque da Cidade, Gávea), 322-1328 is open
are located at Rua Santa Clara 110, suite 904, Copacabana.
Tues. through Sun. and holidays from noon to 4:30 P.M. Objects illustrating the his-
tory of the city are displayed by century, with a special room on the pharmaceutical
mores
SIGHTS AND MUSEUMS. Rio is divided into the Zona Norte (North Zone),
industry. The Villa Riso, for groups with reservations (call 274-1708 or 322-1444),
Zona Sul (South Zone), and Centro (Center), and it makes sense to see the points
of interest in each zone at the same time. Many of these have already been described
at Estrada da Gávea 728, São Conrado, operates as a museum, performance space,
in the Rio narrative. The Zona Norte is the poorer section, with the lower economic
and concert hall and features employees in colonial dress, (à la Williamsburg, VA.)
classes and small individual homes. Away from the breezes of the ocean it can also
who give a tour of this former fazenda.
be sticky hot. But it does have interesting and important spots to visit like the
Separating the city into north and south districts is the junglelike Tijuca Forest
Church of Penha, the Museu Nacional, in the former Imperial Palace, Quinta da
with its Emperor's Table, Chinese View, and impressive waterfall. You can visit
Boa Vista, the Zoo, Maracanã (the world's biggest soccer stadium), and the Feira
it via private car, taxi, or bus tour.
Nordestino at São Cristovao, held Sun. from 6 A.M. to 1 P.M., a fair which features
BEACHES. Visitors to Brazil are always surprised to see how important the
food and articles from Brazil's Northeast.
The central part of the city is the commercial area, with bustling AvenidaRio
beach is to the Brazilians. Not just for those who live in the coastal cities, but even
Branco and Avenida Presidente Vargas. Here are all of the banks, important depart-
for those who live deep in the interior. Copacabana Beach or fashionable Ipanema
ment stores, and office buildings. Here also is the Museum of Modern Art (Museu
Beach are focal points of life in Rio. The beach permeates the lives of Cariocas the
de Arte Moderno-MAM), Parque do Flamengo, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique
way winter conditions the lives of Canadians. Everyone falls under the influence
(210-2188)-closed for restoration at press time-set in bayside gardens; the Muse-
of the beach, which is cocktail party, college mixer, soccer field, and backyard all
in one.
um of Fine Arts (Belas Artes), Av. Rio Branco 199 (240-0160 or 240-0068), open
Tues. and Thurs. 10 A.M. to 6:30 P.M.; Wed. and Fri. noon to 6:30 P.M., Sat. and Sun.
Rio's beaches-all 23 of them-are all public. There are rest rooms, but no pri-
3-6 P.M.; the National History Museum (Museu Historico Nacional), Praça Mare-
vate cabanas or changing rooms. You either arrive in your suit at the beach or else
chal Ancora, near Praça XV; (240-7978 or 240-7928), open Tues-Fri., 10 A.M. to
you peel off your clothes right there with your bathing suit on underneath. There
5:30 P.M. Sat., Sun., and holidays from 2:30 to 5:30 P.M. Partially under restoration
is no color line drawn, the rich lie on the none-too-clean sand with the poor, as
and reorganization, the classic Municipal Theater; all the old Congress and Su-
fruit and soft drink sellers walk over them equally. As one upper-crust American
preme Court buildings from when Rio was the nation's capital; and an area with
tourist once put it: "It is probably the most democratic beach in the world."
The undertow is strong, making swimming difficult, but the waves are prized
movie houses called Cinelandia.
Other museums and sights in this area include: Paço Imperial (Royal Palace),
by surfers. And lifeguards are stationed along Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon
Praça XV de Novembro, Centro (224-2407 or 224-8838). Currently used as an ex-
in numbered postos, or posts, which also serve as landmarks by which you can orient
hibition and concert hall, the Paço Imperial was the site of many historic events,
yourself.
including the signing of the "Lei Aurea," Brazil's Emancipation Proclamation, by
Brazilians begin their beach life early. It is not at all unusual to see tiny babies
Princesa Isabel in 1888. Open Tues. through Sun. from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M., and other
in wicker baskets soaking up the sun alongside their bikini-clad mothers. When they
days according to ongoing events (check newspaper listings), it also features an ex-
get old enough to walk they are usually accompanied by a maid who hovers over
hibit on the archeological research carried out during the building's recent restora-
them. Once they are able to leave their maids they go to the beach with their friends.
tion. Gift shop has prints of old Rio, picture calendars, and items sewn from printed
The boys learn to play soccer, boys and girls learn volleyball, windsurfing, and surf
fabric inspired by Indian body painting designs. Aqueduto da Carioca (Aqueduct),
boarding. Later on, these same children will do their homework on the beach, listen
BRAZIL
211
SOUTH AMERICA
Historically, immense wealth generated by the coffee plantation period
210
positioned São Paulo fortuitously: when the late-blooming Brazilian in-
dustrial revolution finally burgeoned during the late 1950s and early
1960s, São Paulo boomed, growing outward from the Centro district in
SÃO PAULO
concentric circles of development, forming an accretion of 500 neighbor-
hoods. Little is left from the colonial period except for the determined spir-
it of the Bandeirantes, hunters for Indian slaves and gold whose hardy
well you've studied Latin America surprise. and boned There up on is
expeditions into the interior claimed much of Brazil's territory and count-
Brazil, the city of São other South American nation, no other richest area
No matter how Paulo will come as a startling place that
less native lives. The legacy of such ruthlessness and rapid growth is relent-
less concrete, helter-skelter urban sprawl, a mania for achievement, and
nothing like close it in or any that even hints of coming close. It's of all the the Brazilians.
an area so rich that it is virtually a country within a country. The costs
can in come the fastest growing, and the pride doesn't begin in São
of industrialization have been as high as the profits-São Paulo also holds
South America, happens in Brazil that economically,
the dubious distinction of including within its immediate vicinity Cubatão,
Nothing of importance be the country's capital, but politically, and the
generally conceded to be the world's most polluted community.
Paulo. Brasilia may São Paulo is the number one city in the Where country, Rio is beau-
São Paulo today is a cosmopolitan hybrid, manifesting layers of cultural
and culturally, metropolis in all of South America. São Paulo is com-
amalgamation that distinguishes it from the rest of Brazil, where the eth-
largest, wealthiest Paulo is brilliant. Where Rio is devil-may-care, lackadaisical, São Paulo
nic stew is made of a different mix. To the original African and Portuguese
tiful, São and dynamic. Where Rio is laid-back and work ethic.
influences-epitomized by the earthy sensuality of samba and the piety
mitted is efficient, productive, as natives and of the propelled city are by called, the work entertainment. hard, play hard, Pauli- and
of Catholic tradition-were added the cultural traits of later immigrants,
primarily Japanese and Italian. The largest Japanese community outside
demand the very shrewd, best industrious Yankees of Brazil. This con-
Paulistanos, in shopping, restaurants, and mighty head-
Japan added its industriousness and pragmatism; the Italians contributed
their flair for seizing and enjoying the moment. Simmered together with
stanos are of the multinational companies and manufacturing is This a craggy is where
the universal yearnings of the immigrant, these cultural ingredients pro-
quarters skyscrapers and astute entrepreneurs. right place
duced the Paulistano: responsible, competent, ambitious, free from Anglo-
crete center come of to make it big, for everyone knows that to success the are hard
Saxon angst at pleasure, warm and flexible in dealing with people.
Brazilians here, and the secret ingredients and talent,
The state of São Paulo, whose residents are called "Paulistas," is a fit
and the right time are This giant city is a magnet and for all money over the world.
setting for its active, pulsating, capital city. With some of the richest farm-
work drawing and the persistence. ambitious cross between from all New parts York of Brazil and Los Angeles. semi-permanent Like Los An-
land in Brazil, it supplies almost half the nation's coffee, cotton, fruits,
and vegetables. The fertile land is criscrossed by an excellent system of
geles, São it Paulo sprawls is a over 589 square miles, by a giant is covered freeway by system. a Like New the
railways and modern highways, which the industries scattered in the small
towns use to their advantage.
blanket of smog, and dominate is connected the horizon in jagged a concrete clusters, white noise
São Paulo is a cosmopolitan city that owes its progress to people from
York, skyscrapers traffic and construction provides permanent best, most so-
all nations, the richness of the soil and the temperate climate. It is a never
constant din of and life is lived indoors, at night, in in all the Brazil.
ending source of investigation and amazement on the part of sociologists
in phisticated the background, restaurants, nightclubs, in New York, and Paulistanos company have a love-hate and threaten- rela-
and a richly rewarding experience to those Brazilians who feel their coun-
try is capable of becoming an important world power.
Like their counterparts They complain that it is ugly, dirty, do Jordão
From a sleepy little Jesuit colony founded in 1554 it has grown into
tionship with their they city. escape to Guarujá by the Manhattan sea or Campos for Long Island
metropolis almost three times the size of Paris, with an industrial district
ing. On weekends, New Yorkers flee they can't
that swallows up mile after mile of surrounding land per annum. There
in the mountains Some the way say they find it impossible to live here, has the yet tempo, the
violent energy in the air and none of the sentimentality that binds the
or the Catskills. anywhere else. No other Brazilian the city pursuit of excellence.
rest of the nation to the past. For São Paulo there is only the future. The
imagine living excitement that comes from included a vaca-
Paulistas like to say that "São Paulo can never stop." And from the way
creative drive, the never get to São Paulo, as it is rarely include São Paulo on would
it has weathered every political crisis and change and steered its way
tioner's itinerary. to the Yet United a visit States to without seeing Rio New instead of the superla-
Most tourists Brazil that did not York-unthinkable
through inflation and depression, it looks as if it never is going to stop.
But it is not an inhuman city of robots, concrete, and machines. It is
be like going for the seductions of avoid-
city of people who have come looking to better themselves from every
Nevertheless, Paulo, many a settle mistake São Paulo's 14 million are descendents residents have of immi-
nation on the globe. They are individuals who desire better living condi-
tives of São Paulo's inhabitants of the great
tions and are willing to work for them. The Paulista asks nothing from
ed. Seventy most percent of whom of arrived São between 1885 the and New 1914 World. as part Another wave
anyone. He has two hands and uses them to get what he wants. Sometimes
his attitude is rather Texan, in that he thinks the world comes to an end
grants, from Europe and Asia to War, while transplants from
global migration after the Second World new lives.
the state's boundaries. His capital city is self-contained and thrives on
of Europeans arrived and impoverished northeast arrive what daily São to start Paulo is made
the manufacture of textiles, clothes, paper, pottery, chemicals, automo-
Brazil's Brazil's interior big apple. Great expectations work are hard, and make it hap
biles, trucks, buses, and steel. His state alone provides one-fourth of the
This is realize come here, that by the
two million new jobs Brazil needs annually to keep unemployment from
of. People The city with is dreams constantly to a million. estimate
becoming a severe problem.
pen. year 2000, São Paulo will have
"SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
213
212
The city was first with enough cheap electrical power to handle any in-
with. Today the Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brasil 1500, Butantã
dustry that was interested in building there. It also offered a direct railway
(211-8211), the largest snake farm in Latin America, counts more than
connection to the seaport town of Santos, and its early governors encour-
70,000 snakes in its collection, as well as thousands of spiders, scorpions,
aged immigration of industrial workers rather than farmers. Those Euro-
and lizards. It extracts their venom regularly and processes it so it can
who couldn't take the climate of Rio or Bahia thrived in São Paulo, han-
be flown anywhere in the world when it's needed in a hurry. The institute
peans built their homes there, and encouraged their children to stay on and
is open Mon. 1-5 P.M., and Tues.-Sun. and holidays from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
dle the family businesses. The result is that today the city counts a number
Be sure to see them milking the snakes between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. You
of millionaire families who are third and fourth generation Paulista, and
can take a bus from Praça da Republica or, of course, a taxi, for it's quite
they are proud to tell the visitor the way their grandparents worked which their
a distance from the downtown area.
from steerage class to the mansions along Avenida Paulista, build-
Within walking distance of the snake farm is the House of the Flag-
way are rapidly up being replaced today by ultra-modern bank and office
bearer (Casa do Bandeirante), Praça Monteiro Lobato (211-0920). An old
ranch house that goes back to the 18th cenury, the building was complete-
ings.
ly restored in 1954 and decorated with priceless furniture and pottery of
the period. Even the outside buildings like the corn crib and the mill are
The Times Square of Brazil
authentic down to the last detail. If you are interested in the antiques of
Probably the best place to "feel" the pulse of the city is right in its heart,
this era, you'll love the place. It's open from Tues. to Sun. from 1 to 5
P.M. There is a guide here. Entrance is free.
the bridge over the vast Avenida Anhangabaú. It leads into the Praça do
requirents
Patriarca. Just stand there and observe the autos and people hurrying
below in what appears to be organized confusion. This is the Times
Parks, Museums, and Sights
Square you of Brazil, and the bridge you're on is the Viaduto do Cha worked (tea),
Ibirapuera Park is perhaps the biggest one of its kind in the world. It
named for the product once grown in this valley. The intricately
covers two million square meters, is decorated with natural lakes and roll-
bridge farther down the avenue is the Santa Ifigênia, recently spruced Electric up
ing, well-watered lawns, and contains ten modern exhibition halls where
by the city and bathed in golden light at night by the General note
one thing or another is being shown. The entrance to the park is dominated
monuments
Co. Now look at the buildings that flank each side of the bridge and below
by a statue containing 36 figures of the pioneers, Indians, and horses who
especially the squat white granite, solid looking one that is partly head-
braved the unmapped lands and carved out a new empire. The statue, the
the bridge and partly above it. It is the Matarazzo Building, former first
quarters of one of Brazil's most successful immigrant families. The when
work of Frenchman Victor Brecheret, is 50 meters long and has been given
the affectionate if irreverent name of "Don't push." Inside the park you'll
Matarazzo came to Brazil as an immigrant and arrived dripping wet
be able to visit the Japanese Pavilion, which is an exact reproduction of
his boat overturned going to the shore. He had lost every one of his posses-
sions. Undaunted but penniless, he started to buy and sell pork fat door
the Katura Palace in Japan and is kept up by donations of the Japanese
to door. Soon he had a small lard company and this he parlayed into a
colony. There is also a windowless dome of cement called the History Pa-
vilion. Here are the museums of Science, Aeronautics, and Technical Arts.
canning factory. Not long afterward there was nothing that he wasn't by
In the Pavilion Pereira, the world-famed Bienal art exhibits are held in
story
manufacturing or operating. Today the Matarazzo businesses are run
odd years-the next one is in 1989. The greatest display of contemporary
his granddaughter and grandsons.
Now walk up Rua Barão de Itapetininga across the Praça Ramos blocks de
art in Latin America, the show attracts painters from all over the globe
who compete for top honors in the art world. The Planetarium is also in
Azevedo along the front of the majestic Teatro Municipal and four with
this park and is rated the best in South America. Complete, absorbing
Av. Ipiranga. Here is the center of the man-in-the-streets haunts, and
shows are given each Saturday, Sunday, and holiday at 5 and 6 P.M., and
to the huge movie theaters, the elegant and well-kept Praça de Republica tourist
on weekdays arrangements can be made ahead for groups. Tickets at the
the sidestreets leading off to shops and specialty stores. Most of the offices
door cost about 90 cents. There is also a radio-telescope (the only one in
and souvenir shops are in this area, as well as the airline company
Brazil) that lets you "listen" to the stars, as well as an interesting corner
and better bookstores.
where telescopes are assembled. (For information call 544-4606.) Take
Edifício Italia, tallest building in South America, is situated at the high-
any bus marked Ibirapuera.
est point in São Paulo. Visit one of its rooftop bars or restaurants on a
Along the banks of the Anhembi River, at the entrance to the São Paulo-
clear day or night. Behind it, on Ipiranga, is the graceful, serpent-shaped Oscar
Rio Highway, is Anhembi Park, whose exposition hall is the world's larg-
and office building designed by famed Brasilia builder
est aluminum structure. The roof is supported by 25 light columns and
apartment Niemeyer, across the street from the São Paulo Hilton. Turning from Ipi-
the hall is illuminated by 200 aluminum globes. Right beside it is a mod-
and walking down São Luiz, which leads to the Hotel Jaraguá, you'll have
ernistic convention hall seating 5,000 persons. A 453-room hotel is also
ranga new office buildings with shops, theaters, and luxury stores that
under construction nearby.
see up in the past few years. São Paulo is like New York in this respect; one
The Zoological Park is located in Avenida Miguel Estafeno, 4241, Agua
sprung wherever you look there is an old building coming down and a new
Funda (276-0811). The largest zoo in South America, it displays over 400
animals and 600 birds. There are few fences or cages and Paulistas dot
rising in its place.
In 1888 the state government purchased an old farm house and turned could
the lawns on Sunday afternoons with their tablecloths and picnic baskets.
it to a scientist who had some crazy notion that snake serum
It is open daily from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., and adult admission is about $1.
be over used to save the life of someone bitten by a snake. His first patients work
Near the zoo, on the same avenue at number 3031, is the Jardim Botâni-
were the horses of the Paulista cavalry, and he had 64 snakes to
co, an orchid farm where there are over 35,000 species. The force of so
BRAZIL
223
222
SOUTH AMERICA
Santos is another pride of the Paulistas, for aside from having the biggest
dock area in Latin America, it also has a tropical climate and some beauti-
Show Houses
ful beaches. Apart from the basilica of Santo Andre, which faces the beach
Beco, Avenida Paulista, 424 (287-1234). Open Mon. through Sat. from 8:30 P.M.
and the row after row of modern apartment buildings, the city has little
on. Variety show with mulatas. Artistic cover charge.
to offer the tourist except her beaches. They are different from the ones
Palace, Avenida dos Jamaris, 213, Moema (531-4900). Open Wed. through Sun.
in Rio, the sand being darker and harder.
from 8 P.M.
The nearby island of Guarujá is lush, green, and lined with towering
Palladium Eldorado, Avenida Rebouças, 3970, 3rd fl., Pinheiros (814-8713,
palm trees-and, increasingly, with high-rises along the ocean. Today, to
814-7136). Bar, restaurant, dance floor, and sophisticated non-touristic floor show.
reach more unspoiled areas you must go north by bus or car, crossing the
Artistic cover charge. Open Tues. through Sun. from 8 P.M. to 3 A.M.
ferry to Bertioga and beyond (but avoid Sundays and holidays because
of long lines). There are some relatively untouched beaches, considering
Danceterias/Discotheques
the proximity to Santos and the number of weekend visitors. They offer
a pleasant visual and mental change from the hustle of the city. A trip
Paulicéia, Rua Pinheiros 473, Pinheiros (883-5038). Popular with university stu-
around the island by automobile can be made in an hour, for the roads
dents and journalists.
Show Days, Ave. Rebouças 3970, 3rd floor (shopping Eldorado) (814-9513).
are paved and in good condition. The best beaches north of Guarujá are
Ubatuba, Caraguatatuba, and the romantic island of Ilha Bela.
Wild West decor; popular with couples.
Up & Down, Rua Pamplona 1418, Cerqueira Cesar (285-1081). Trendy disco
The coastal village of Paratí was founded way back in the early 16th
with computer-controlled lights and giant TV screens.
century. Its calm, natural little harbor was the perfect jumping off point
Zoom, Rua Dr. Zuquim 311, Santana (299-6696). Two dance floors, three bars;
for adventurers looking for the gold and precious stones in Minas Gerais.
For decades the town flourished while it catered to the needs of the miners
holds 2,000 people.
and helped them spend their money. But the boom calmed down, Santos
rose in importance because of its superb harbor, and over the years Paratí
was forgotten. Then just a few years ago, the Paulistas rediscovered this
SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL
colonial village (actually located in Rio de Janeiro state), and the govern-
ment declared it a national monument whose architectural style must be
preserved. Today it is important as a tourist center. With the Rio-Santos
The headquarters of Brazil's southeastern region are the cities of Rio
Highway passing close by, traffic jams became so great that cars are now
and São Paulo, but in both the state of Rio and the state of São Paulo
banned from most city streets. Those who have taken the time to visit it
there is an abundance of attractions for the traveler who wants to get away.
come back with glowing tales of baroque churches, charming squares, and
from the big city. The two states combine miles of beautiful beaches with
an unspoiled old-world charm. Many houses have been restored by private
a mountainous region that runs down the coast and is home to numerous
parties and the tendency is to preserve as much of the original flavor as
mountain resort villages that serve as getaways for the harried Paulistas
possible.
and Cariocas who want peace and quiet together with mountain air.
São Paulo's mineral water resort area is located in the northeastern part
of the state near the border with the state of Minas Gerais. The top resorts,
Poços de Caldas, Caxambú and Aquas da Prata, are all within a short dis-
THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO
tance of one another and some 150 miles from the city of São Paulo. The
If one cannot understand the "Paulistas" contented "I want to be isolat-
various spas and hot spring resorts radiate northward into the higher
ed" attitude from studying their capital city, then it will certainly become
country, away from the capital city. Most of them have a large German
apparent when the rest of their domain is seen. The area has everything
or Swiss population and will remind the traveler more of Europe than
South America.
from sandy beaches to lofty mountain plateaus, from colonial splendor
to ultramodern health resorts. To see all of it you need time, much more
The hot springs attract an equal number of visitors, who go there to
time than most tourists have to devote to an area. That is one of the prob-
sit in the warm, swirling (at times rather smelly) water, rather than drink
lems of visiting Brazil. There is so much to see that it's absolutely impossi
it. Campos do Jordão, Poços de Caldas, and Serra Negra all have dry cli-
mates and their waters are famous for treating such diverse ailments as
ble to crowd it all in one visit.
The State of São Paulo itself is about the size of Great Britain and
rheumatism, skin diseases, and fatigue. Clean and nicely landscaped, these
villages are as pleasant to the eye as they are to the skin.
Northern Ireland put together, covering 95,800 square miles. Slow to take
root (the first colonies founded by the Jesuit fathers were complete fail-
ures), São Paulo didn't really start to grow until the coffee plant was intro-
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO
duced in the early 1800s. The product found a ready market, and when
WHEN TO GO. This depends on where you are going. Because of the varying
in 1847 a landowner near Limeira brought over a colony of Germans to
altitude of the state, which ranges from sea level to 9,000 feet, it can be hot in some
work his fields, the area was on its way at last. The demand for coffee grew
spots and cold in others at the same time. If you want the seashore, then the months
and more and more immigrants came from Europe to try their hand with
of Dec. to Apr. are the best. But exactly during these months you will be competing
the new plant. From Italy alone came a million people. Portugal sent half
with Brazilian tourists for the best hotels in such popular vacation beach towns
a million and Spaniards and Japanese many hundreds of thousands. From
as Guarujá, Ubatuba, Caraguatatuba, Ilha Bela, and Paratí. During Carnival in
the sale of coffee came money enough to start factories, install electrical
Feb. or Mar. it is almost impossible to find a hotel room without a reservation well
inadvance. Those same months will be chilly in the evenings in the mountain resorts
power, build railways, and clear rich forest land.
BRAZIL
227
226
SOUTH AMERICA
Moderate, Rua Rio de Janeiro 267 (94-1511); and the Majestic, Moderate, hotels. Praça
(331-1244); Brasil, Moderate, Praça João Laje (331-1422); Negreiros, Moderate,
Dr. Vicente Rizzo 160 (94-1812), with tennis courts. Meals included at all
Rua Venceslau Bras 242 (331-1533).
ATIBAIA
ARAXA
HOTELS. Famous mineral spa in Minas Gerais near the border with São Paulo.
HOTELS. A mountain village 45 miles from the city of São Paulo, Atibaia is
Best hotel is Grande Hotel, Moderate, Estância do Barreiro (661-2011).
most proud of the fact that according to UNESCO it possesses the second healthiest
Suggested side trips to springs at Barbeiro, Osario, and Cascatinha Gruta de
climate in the world, losing out only to Switzerland. It also is home to one of the
best mountain resorts in Brazil. The Village Eldorado, Expensive, Dom Pedro I
Monje and Historic Museum of Dona Beja.
Highway km 70.5 (484-2533), is an idyllic escape for São Paulo's businessmen.
Other good hotels are Parque Atibaia, Expensive, Fernao Dias Highway
CAMPOS DO JORDÃO
(484-3744), Recanto da Paz, Moderate, 10 chalets on a former farm (487-1369).
HOW TO GET THERE. The most sophisticated and popular of the mountain
The area surrounding Atibaia is one of Brazil's most popular camping areas.
of São Paulo, Campos can be reached by bus or car from São Paulo located or by
resorts a short train ride from São Jose dos Campos, one of the state's main cities
on the Rio-São Paulo Highway (Via Dutra).
THE SOUTH
HOTELS. This picturesque mountain village has become one of São Paulo's taber- top
tourist attractions, offering Swiss-style hotels and chalets amidst a setting of Deluxe,
nacle pines, mountains, and streams. Tops among the hotels are the Toriba,
The south of Brazil moves to the same upbeat, quickened pace of the
expensive than those served in many international restaurants with good ratings. of
but worth it, located in a natural park, with meals, included in room rate, Av
city and state of São Paulo. Here in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Para-
better Ernesto Diederichsen (62-1566); book well in advance, the hotel is a favorite included.
ná, and Santa Catarina, the results of heightened economic growth over
residents of São Paulo; Orotur Garden Hotel, Expensive, meals Roberto
the last 15 years are clearly apparent. Large, modern cities with efficient
European Rua 3 (62-2833); Vila Inglesa, Expensive, meals included, Rua Senador
public transportation systems coexist with the ruins of colonial times and
the natural beauty of one of Brazil's most fascinating areas. In the far
Simonsen 3500 (63-1955).
south on the borders of Argentina and Uruguay, a mixture of Spanish,
WHAT TO SEE. The natural setting is easily one of the most beautiful in Brazil be
Portuguese, German, and Italian cultures has produced the fabled land
and matter how many walks among the pines you take, there will mountains always
of the gauchos: the flat pampas grasslands stretching as far as the eye can
something no else to see. Horses can be rented and there are many nearby Ameri-
that be easily climbed. In the month of June the city hosts one of South for
see, the spirited proud horses, the women in their skirts and multicolored
ca's finest can classical music festivals and throughout the year there are activities
petticoats, the thousands of grazing cattle, the lonely nights, and full
moon, and the gaucho lament plucked softly on a guitar. These romantic
the guests at the many hotels in the region.
flatlands have created their own spirit and folklore visible today in the
CAXAMBÚ
dances, songs, and traditional dress of the region. There are the old mis-
sion cities, now in splendid ruin, built by the Jesuits in the 1600s. There
HOTELS. This popular mineral resort is located just across the border in Minas 590
is the rich grape-growing area where the best wines in Brazil are produced.
Gerais. Recommended hotels are: Gloria, Moderate, Rua Camilo Soares
And there are vast cattle ranches, source of the succulent beef that has
(341-1233); Palace, Moderate, Rua Dr. Viotti 567 (341-1044); Grande, Inexpen-
made the gaucho barbecue-the churrasco-a synonym for mouth-
sive, Rua Dr. Viotti 438 (341-1099). All with meals included.
watering steaks and sausages throughout Brazil.
While its tentacles stretch into Paraná and Santa Catarina, the color,
Isabel. Chacara Rosalan, Chacara das Ucas, São Tome das Letras, Corcovado
WHAT TO SEE. Recommended side trips to Parque das Aguias, Colina de Santa
the legend, the clothes, and the individualism of gaucho country are more
closely associated with Rio Grande do Sul. In neighboring Santa Catarina
Morro de Caxambú.
the accent is on beaches and sauerkraut in a state known for its German
influence and the beauty of its coastline. Paraná, third state in the region,
POÇOS DE CALDAS
is home to perhaps Brazil's most spectacular natural wonder, the magnifi-
sites
HOTELS. One of the best known hot springs in Latin America, Poços Moder- is also
cent Iguaçu Falls.
in the state of Minas Gerais. It boasts 37 hotels but try to get into the Palace,
with meals, Praça Pedro Sanches (721-3392). Built by the state intestinal government, dis-
RIO GRANDE DO SUL
ate, it has up-to-date facilities for the treatment of rheumatism, skin and
eases. Also the Minas Gerais, Inexpensive, Rua Pernambuco 615 (721-8686).
The thriving state capital of Pôrto Alegre, home to 1,300,000 Brazilians,
will surprise you. One of the most up-to-date and fastest growing cities
WHAT TO SEE. In the vicinity suggested side trips are to Cascata das Antas,
south of São Paulo, it has modern buildings, amiable people, and well-
Veu de Noiva, Fonte dos Amores, and Morro de São Domingos.
stocked shops. Lying as it does at the junction of five rivers, it has become
an important shipping port, and much of the state's leather, canned beef,
SÃO LOURENÇO
and rice are shipped from here to destinations as far away as Africa and
HOTELS. A third well-known Minas Gerais mineral water city. Recommended
Japan. The Lagoa dos Patos on which the city nestles is the largest fresh-
hotels are: Primus, Moderate, with meals, Rua Coronel Jose Justino 681
water lagoon in South America.
230
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
231
Probably the best beef in all Brazil is served in Pôrto Alegre. In most churra-
growth of new hotels. Most are medium-sized to small and several offer chalets.
scarias, you slice your own steak off the sizzling skewer, and eat it with a salad
All of the best hotels have excellent views from the rooms. The best hotels are: Laje
of lettuce, tomatoes, and hearts of palm-washing it all down with an inexpensive
de Pedra in Canela, Expensive, the largest and most luxurious of the hotels in the
mug (caneca) of vinho verde. Start with a linguiça (grilled sausage), then move on
two cities, Av. Presidente Kennedy (282-1530); Serrano Gramado, Expensive, Av.
to filet, picanha, or lombo de porco (pork loin).
Presidente Costa e Silva 1112 (286-1332); Ritta Hoppner, Moderate, Gramado,
There are just too many good spots with this mouth-watering specialty grilling
Rua Pedro Candiago 305 (286-1334); Hotel das Hortensias, Moderate, Gramado,
over smoldering charcoal to list all, but start with the Capitão Rodrigo (considered
Rua Bela Vista 83 (286-1057); Gramado Palace Hotel, Moderate, Rua D'Artagnon
the city's best, Moderate) in the Plaza São Rafael Hotel, Rua Alberto Bins 514
de Oliveira 237 (286-2021); Grande Hotel, Moderate, Canela, Rua Getulio Vargas
(21-6100). Next try the always good Mosqueteiro, Moderate, near the Olimpico
300 (282-1285); Canto Verde, Inexpensive, Gramado, Av. Coronel Diniz 5660
Stadium, Av. Dr. Carlos Barbosa (23-2833). Other top steak houses are the Quero-
(286-1961); Alpestre Hotel, Inexpensive, Gramado, Rua Leopoldo Rosenfeld 47
Quero, Moderate, Praca Otavio Rocha, 49 (26-1697), and the Santa Teresa, Moder-
(286-1311); Alpes Verdes, Inexpensive, Canela, Villa Alpes Verdes (282-1162).
ate, Av. Assis Brasil, 2750 (41-2251).
Etruria, Moderate, Rua Santo Antonio 421 (21-9132). Regional specialties with
RESTAURANTS. The mountain air will whet your appetite, which is just as
folkdance show at Recanto do Seu Flor, Moderate, Av. Getúlio Vargas 1700
well since the two cities have several excellent restaurants specializing in interna-
(33-6512). French and International cuisina, with live music, at Le Bon Gourmet,
tional, Swiss, and Italian cuisine as well as the ever present churrascarias. Saint
Expensive, Av. Alberto Bins 514 (21-6100). German at the Floresta Negra, Moder-
Hubertus, Expensive, Swiss cuisine, Gramado, Rua da Carriere 974 (286-1273);
ate, Av. 24 de Outubro 905 (22-7584).
Panoramico in the Hotel Laje de Pedra, Expensive, Parque Laje de Pedra, Canela
(282-1530), international cuisine; Le Petit Clos, Expensive, Swiss, Rua Demétrio
MUSIC AND DANCE. Performances of the traditional dances and folk songs
Pereira dos Santos 599, Gramado (286-1936); Bella Italia, Moderate, Italian, Av.
of Rio Grande do Sul may be seen at the Teatro de Camara, Praça de Republica
Borges de Medeiros 2879, Gramado (286-1207); Cantina d'Italia, Moderate, Ital-
575, every Mon. evening at 9 or at the Centro de Tradiçoes Gauchas, Av. Ipiranga
ian, Av. Borges de Medieros 543, Gramado (286-1600); Steinhaus, Moderate, steak
5200, Fri. at 8:30 P.M.
house, Av. Coronel Diniz 707, Gramado (286-1252); Bela Vista, Moderate, steak
house, Av. Coronel Diniz 3964, Gramado (286-1359).
CAXIAS DO SUL
WHAT TO SEE. The natural attractions of Gramado and Canela are the most
HOW TO GET THERE. By plane, bus, or rental car from Porto Alegre, 80 miles
compelling sights of the region, although if you happen to be in town in March
don't miss the Brazilian Film Festival. English-language films are also shown dur-
to the south.
ing the festival, but even if the films don't impress you, you'll love the parties. Make
HOTELS. Good hotels are: Alfred Palace, Moderate, Rua Sinimbu 2302
hotel reservations well in advance as the cities fill up for the festival. Gramado also
(221-8655); the older Alfred, Moderate, next door at 2266 (221-2111); Samuara,
offers a classical music festival in July. Hiking paths are plentiful here and horses
Moderate, 12 miles from downtown on the Parque do Lago (221-7733); Alfred Vol-
can also be rented. Ask at your hotel for directions on how to get to the many beauti-
piano, Moderate, Rua Ernesto Alves 1462 (221-4744); Cosmos, Moderate, Rua 20
ful viewpoints in the area overlooking canyons and waterfalls.
de Setembro 1563 (221-4688); Italia, Inexpensive, Av. Julio Castilhos 3076
(221-1979).
SANTO ANGELO
RESTAURANTS. Don Jon, Moderate, in the Alfred Palace Hotel, Rua Sinimbu
HOW TO GET THERE. By car or bus from Pôrto Alegre, a 250-mile trip. By
2302 (221-8655), international cuisine; Alvorada, Moderate, Rua Os 18 do Forte
plane from Pôrto Alegre.
200 (222-4637), Italian restaurant; Fogo de Chão, Moderate, Rua Os 18 do Forte
511 (222-4563), churrascaria barbecue with show.
HOTELS. Unfortunately there is not much to choose from. All hotels are mod-
est. Best bets are: Avenida II, Inexpensive, Av. Venâncio Aires 1671 (312-3011);
WHAT TO SEE. This is the capital of the wine country with a strong Italian
Maerkli, Inexpensive, Av. Brasil 1000 (312-2127); Santo Angelo Turis, Inexpensive,
influence. Some of the wineries have tasting tours. Every three years in February
Rua Antonio Manoel 726 (312-4055).
and March the city is host to the Grape Festival, the largest promotional event for
Brazil's wine producers.
WHAT TO SEE. Santo Angelo is the jumping off point for the mission region.
The most interesting and best preserved of the mission ruins is São Miguel, 30 min-
NOVA PETROPOLIS
utes from Santo Angelo. A light and sound show at the ruins gives the history of
the mission and the region.
HOW TO GET THERE. By bus or rental car, the city is located 60 miles from
Pôrto Alegre and 25 miles from Caxias do Sul.
PARANA AND SANTA CATARINA
HOTELS. The city has three main hotels, all small and all with excellent views
of the countryside: Recanto Suiço, Moderate, Av. 15 de Novembro 2195
(281-1229); Veraneio dos Pinheiros, Moderate, RS-235; Veraneio Schoeller, Inex-
Iguaçu Falls
pensive, RS-235 (281-1229).
Paraná is home to one of Brazil's most unforgettable sights, the Iguaçu
Falls. Eleanor Roosevelt remarked that: "Iguaçu Falls make Niagara look
GRAMADO AND CANELA
like a kitchen faucet." The water comes from some 30 rivers and streams
from the interior of Paraná, and as it rushes toward the 200-foot precipice,
HOW TO GET THERE. By bus or rental car. The two cities are located 80 miles
it foams and carries huge trees it has uprooted. The volume of roaring,
from Porto Alegre and 40 miles from Caxias do Sul.
earth-shaking water has been estimated at 62,000 cubic feet per second.
HOTELS. The growing fame of these cities as a tourist center plus the publicity
During the flood months of May to July the water plunges over at 450,000
given to the Brazilian Film Festival held each year in Gramado has led to a rapid
cubic feet per second.
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
233
232
Brazilians and Argentines have each made national parks on their side
of the falls and views from both countries are spectacular and different.
CURITIBA
Your hotel will take care of transportation to the Argentine side and all
the necessary customs paperwork. You will be impressed by the Devil's
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR PARANÁ AND SANTA CATARINA
Throat Falls, which must be seen by taking a highly adventurous outboard
For definitions of price categories see "Facts at Your Fingertips."
trip across the rapid currents to a trembling but secure little island. Don't
wear your good clothes. The spray of this breathtaking portion of the fall
HOW TO GET THERE. By air. Daily flights from São Paulo and Rio via Vasp,
is thrust 500 feet into the air.
Varig-Cruzeiro, and Transbrasil. By bus. Served by major bus lines from all of the
On the road to Iguaçu from Curitiba, capital of Paraná, is Vila Velha,
country's large cities.
a unique region of unusual rock formations carved by wind and water over
HOTELS. Numerous fine hotels here include the newly opened Hotel Bourbon
millions of years.
& Tower, Expensive, Rua Candido Lopes 102 (223-0966); the Iguaçu Campestre,
Expensive, on the BR-116 Highway (262-5313); Slaviero Palace, Moderate, Rua
Sen. Alencar Guimarães 50 (222-8722); Mabu, Moderate, Praça Santos Andrade
Curitiba
830 (222-7040); Caravelle Palace, Moderate, Rua Cruz Machado 282 (223-4323);
Deville Colonial, Moderate, Rua Com. Araujo 99, downtown (222-4777); Araucar-
ia Palace, Moderate, Rua Amintas de Barros, downtown (224-2822); Guaira Pal-
Curitiba is a busy city of one million inhabitants standing some 3,000
ace, Moderate, Praça Rui Barbosa 537 (232-9911); Ouro Verde, Moderate, Rua
feet above sea level on the plateau of Serra do Mar. For over a century,
Dr. Murici 419 (224-1633); Tibagi, Moderate, Rua Candido Lopes 318 (223-3141);
its bracing climate and picturesque location have attracted immigrants of
Tourist Universo, Moderate, Praça Osorio 63 (223-5816); the San Martin, Moder-
Slav, German and Italian origin, who have imparted a few European char-
ate, Rua Joao Negrao near Rua XV de Novembro (222-5211).
acteristics to its buildings and surroundings. Formerly best known as the
RESTAURANTS. You will find good food in the dining rooms of the better ho-
center of the hervamate industry, it has now acquired much greater impor-
tels and at the following restaurants (all are moderate in price, with the exception
tance as the capital of a flourishing and progressive state that derives its
of the steak houses and Italian restaurants, which are inexpensive): For churrasco
economic prosperity from extensive coffee plantations in the north and
(steak)-Pinheirao Campestre, Rua Vitor do Amaral 1010 (262-3711). German
vast timber forests in the southwest, as well as fertile areas that produce
foods-Schwarzwald, Moderate, Rua Claudino dos Santos 63 (223-2585). French
abundant crops of cereals and other foodstuffs. In addition to being the
and international dishes-Ile de France, Praça 19 de Dezembro 538 (223-9962).
capital of the State of Paraná, it is the headquarters of the Fifth Military
Italian-Bologna, Rua C. Carvalho 150 (223-7102). Also numerous fine restau-
Region and therefore the residence of many officers and their families, and
rants in the Santa Felicidade area, such as the Italian restaurants Madalosso
there are barracks for infantry and artillery regiments. There is also a mod-
(272-1014) and Veneza (272-1673) and the steak house Churrascaria Colonia
(223-6522).
ern and well-equipped military air base. The University of Paraná attracts
thousands of students from all over the states of Paraná and Santa Catari-
WHAT TO SEE. Places of interest include: the Coronel David Carneiro Muse-
na as well as from more distant states of the union.
um, with a unique collection of objects of historical interest and the Graciosa Coun-
Along the coastline of Paraná are several historical cities from colonial
try Club. Also noteworthy are the modern buildings, especially the Civic Center,
times, the most interesting of which is Paranagua, founded in 1648 and
which houses in one homogenous group the Governor's Palace, State Secretariats,
House of Assembly, Treasury, Law Courts, etc. There are two modern theaters
today one of Brazil's most important ports. A three-hour train ride from
(one for plays and revues, one for concerts and ballet) and a library in the center
Curitiba down the coastal mountains to Paranagua is one of the more spec-
of the town.
tacular journeys in Brazil, with breathtaking views of the coast and moun-
tains at virtually every curve.
IGUAÇU FALLS
HOW TO GET THERE. Most tourists arrive by plane from, Rio or São Paulo
at the Iguaçu airport. There is, however, a land connection also on a paved highway
from Curitiba with frequent buses.
Cities of Santa Catarina
HOTELS. Absolutely tops, even from the international tourist's point of view,
is the Varig Airlines-owned Hotel das Cataratas, Moderate. The food is good and
In Santa Catarina the accent is decidedly German, with graphic exam-
there are guides to take you to the falls. It's best to make a reservation with a Rio
ples of German influence, especially in the architecture and food, found
or São Paulo travel agent or call ahead for rooms (74-2666). Other good hotels
in the cities of Joinville and Blumenau. Blumenau is located in a valley
are the Salvati, Moderate, Rua Rio Branco 577 (74-2727), in town, and, out of town
reminiscent of the Rhine region of Germany and has recently carried this
headed toward the falls on the Cataratas Highway, the Bourbon, Expensive,
association one step further with an Oktoberfest. The state's coastline has
(74-1313); International Foz, Expensive (73-4240); the Carima, Moderate
the finest beaches in southern Brazil, a fact that is now attracting the resi-
(74-3377); San Martin, Moderate, (74-3030); and Panorama, Moderate (74-1200).
dents of São Paulo to the beaches of Santa Catarina. Laguna, a colonial
city founded in 1676, in addition to its picturesque narrow streets and colo-
FLORIANOPOLIS
nial architecture, also has the south's best beach resort hotel, the Laguna
HOW TO GET THERE. The state capital of Santa Catarina can be reached by
Tourist Hotel.
air from all of Brazil's major cities as well as by bus.
Appropriately, for a state known for its beaches, the capital of Santa
Catarina, Florianopolis, is an island city with fine beaches on the ocean-
HOTELS. The best hotels are: Jurere Praia, Super Deluxe, 63 beach houses for
rent with minimal rental period of one week (66-0108); Maria do Mar, Expensive,
side.
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
234
235
Rodovia Virgilio Varzea (33-3009), on the beach; Diplomata, Expensive, Av. Dr.
There is nothing outdated about Brasilia. In fact, everything there, ar-
Paulo Fontes 800 (23-4455), tennis courts; Florianopolis Palace, Expensive, Rua
chitecturally, is far in advance of its time. Like something out of Buck
Artista Bittencourt 2 (22-9633); Querencia, Moderate, Rua Jeronimo Coelho
Rogers, the city's administrative buildings spread out along the ground,
(22-2677); Faial Palace, Moderate, Rua Felipe Schmidt 87, downtown (23-2766).
coil around, then leap up in a shaft of marble to capture the rays of the
sun.
Located on an island with many fine beaches, Florianopolis is a popular spot
for camping. Permits are not needed.
It was a city "they" said couldn't be done, but others, more dedicated
and more determined, went ahead and did it. With a rare thrust of Brazil-
RESTAURANTS. Fragata, Moderate, seafood, Rua Henrique Veras, (32-0366);
ian energy, a city rose in just three years, in the very spot where once the
Manolo's, Moderate, international cuisine, Rua Hercúlio Luz 58 (22-4351); Atali-
jaguar roared.
ba, Moderate, steak house, Rua Jau Guedes da Fonseca (44-2364).
No trip to this magnificent and confusing country is complete without
BLUMENAU
a visit to this city. It's not quite the same as visiting Italy and not seeing
Rome-but almost.
HOW TO GET THERE. A modern prosperous city of 150,000, Blumenau is
Yet all around this spanking new wonderland of modernity nestles the
served by Varig and Cruzeiro airlines. The best way to reach the city, however, is
old Brazil-the land of coffee beans and beef cattle, of palm trees and slug-
by bus from São Paulo. While the highway is not the best in Brazil, it passes through
gish rivers, of shoeless peasants and Indians.
both Blumenau and Joinville, giving you a good look at the German origins of this
While it would be unfair to say that the area neighboring the new capital
region, visible in the homes as well as the features of the residents, many of whom
hasn't progressed with the city, it is a gross exaggeration to say that it
are blue-eyed blondes.
has greatly changed. Belo Horizonte, the most important interior city after
HOTELS. Plaza Hering, Moderate, Rua 7 de Setembro 818, (22-1277); Grande
São Paulo, has taken advantage of the geographical fact that almost every-
Hotel Blumenau, Moderate, Alameda Rio Branco 21 (22-0366); Garden Terrace,
one and everything traveling by highway to the new capital passes through
Moderate, Rua Padre Jacobs 45 (22-0145).
it. But it was a bustling and prosperous town before Brasilia, as its steel
mills and hundreds of factories attest. Goiania, a vibrating little town that
RESTAURANTS. In German country there is nothing better than hearty Ger-
has sprung up in the past half century, was doing all right before Brasilia
man cuisine. Among the best are: Frohsinn, Moderate, Morro do Aipim, on top
was even thought of. But it, too, has managed to cash in on the boom.
of a hill with a view of the city and surroundings (22-2137); Moinho do Vale, Mod-
One city in the Belo Horizonte area but far enough away from any na-
erate, Rua Paraguai 66, along the river that flows through the city (22-3337); Cav-
alinho Branco, Moderate, Alameda Rio Branco 165 (22-4300). The city also has
tional progress not to be tarnished is Ouro Preto. The sleepy, colonial prize
a well respected French restaurant, Le Foyer, Expensive, Rua 7 de Setembro 1415
still rings with the sound of hooves on its cobblestone streets, the sound
(22-9114).
of Latin chants coming from its thick walled churches, and the sad plain-
tive notes of a lover's guitar being strummed beneath a balcony. The city
JOINVILLE
at one time (the 1700s) was a bustling capital state with gold, silver, dia-
monds, and slaves. But hemmed in by tall, almost impassable mountains,
HOTELS. Like Blumenau a city with a strong tie to Germany, Joinville's top
it slowly strangled in the commercial competition of the 20th century. In
hotels are: Tannenhof, Moderate, Rua Visconde de Taunay 340 (22-2311); Anthuri-
1897, it lost its status as capital city of Minas Gerais, and Belo Horizonte
um Parque, Inexpensive, Rua São Jose 226 (22-6299); Joinville Tourist, Inexpen-
came into prominence instead. Preserved by the National Patrimony, it
sive, Rua 7 de Setembro 40 (22-1288).
stands as a proud reminder of the glory that was once Imperial Brazil.
RESTAURANTS. For German food, try the Tante Frida, Moderate, Rua Vis-
Aleijadinho. Here, too, are many works by Brazil's greatest colonial artist, the sculptor
conde de Taunay 1174 (22-0558); Bierkeller, Moderate, Rua 15 de Novembro 497
(22-1360); Bavaria, Inexpensive, BR-101 Norte, Km 28 (24-1077).
BRASILIA
LAGUNA
Brazil has had three capitals-Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, and, since
HOW TO GET THERE. The state's top beach resort is reached by bus or car
1960, the new city of Brasilia. The reason for the move from Salvador to
on a highway from Florianopolis 75 miles away.
Rio was that the Portuguese court wanted to be near the center of all the
HOTELS. The Laguna Tourist Hotel, Deluxe, is tops in the region and highly
mining and exporting activity. The reason for the move from Rio to Brasi-
popular with international tourists, on the beach, Praia do Gi (44-0022). Make res-
lia was that the nation had stagnated for too long along the coast and offi-
ervations well in advance. Other fine hotels are: Itapiruba, Moderate, on the beach,
cials wanted to waken the center of this sleeping giant.
Praia de Itapiruba, BR-101 (44-0294); Lagoa, Moderate, Trevo BR-101 Sul
It was not a new idea. As far back as 1808 newspapers were clamoring
(44-0844). The city also has several fine camping areas.
that Rio was not an adequate place for a capital and were proposing the
construction of a city in the interior, where communications could be
made with the rest of the country: "Our present capital is in a corner of
CENTRAL-SOUTH BRAZIL
Brazil and contacts between it and Pará or other far removed states is ex-
tremely difficult. Besides, Rio subjects the government to enemy invasion
To visit Brasilia, Brazil's capital, is more than a step into the future,
by any maritime power." In 1892, Congress authorized a special expedi-
it's a headlong leap into the 21st century. Rising amidst the scrawny jungle
tion to go into the backlands and study the terrain in the center of the
of the high red earth plateau, stands one of the most unusual, most strik-
nation where "a city could be constructed next to headwaters of big rivers
ingly different, most beautiful cities in the world.
and where roads could be opened to all seaports." After a three-month
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
237
236
overland trip, the expedition leaders decided on the planalto area of Goias.
Kubitschek had set the date for the inauguration of the city for April
They turned in their report and nothing was done with it.
21, 1960, and in spite of all odds it was ready. The inauguration itself was
It was not until 1956, when a sharp politician named Juscelino Kubits-
a memorable day that began with a Mass in the uncompleted cathedral
chek was elected president of Brazil, that the idea became a reality. He
and ended with a fireworks display, during which the name Juscelino Ku-
needed a campaign platform when he was running for President, and one
bitschek burned in letters 15 feet tall.
night at a rally someone shouted to him about building a new capital. Im-
For all of the troubles and haste that Brasilia generated, it is today a
mediately he took up the idea as his own and, as soon as he was installed
modern, comfortable, functioning capital city. It offers many things of in-
as President, he set the wheels in motion.
terest to the visitor aside from its architecture and feeling of unreality. It
It was a monumental undertaking, one without equal in the modern
has already started to do what those journalists of 1808 wanted. The area
world. What had to be done was to build a totally new city that would
around the capital is being opened and a new era of pioneering and coloni-
become the center of government for the biggest nation in Latin Ameri-
zation has started. There are roads (the Brazilians call them highways)
ca-with all the conveniences of light, power, telephones, sewage, housing,
that stretch outward from the new capital to far off Acre, and upward
streets, police protection, fire protection, schools, hospitals, banks, indus-
to the coastal city of Belém, and others under construction will go to For-
taleza and Salvador, Bahia. All along these roads, families are coming in,
try, commerce, ministries, churches, theaters, as well as all the necessary
clearing the land, and raising their children. Little communities are form-
buildings needed by the Congress, Supreme Court, and the President to
ing, and the poor of the big cities are finding out how much nicer life can
govern the country.
be in the country than in a cramped favela slum. It will be a long time
In the very beginning there was nothing there but scrub trees, red dust,
before the city really "works" or the interior of the country is really set-
and wild jaguars. President Kubitschek flew there, had Mass said, stayed
tled-maybe another hundred years-but there is no doubt that Brasilia
the night, and set up a long list of work committees. Money came from
has kicked off the much-needed social improvement.
all over the world in the form of loans and government grants. The Brazil-
In spite of its world fame and the fact that it is the capital of South
ians pushed the button on their printing presses and turned out billions
America's largest nation, Brasilia is still a moderate-sized city, with a pop-
of cruzeiros that inflated their economy as never before.
ulation of one million. Tourists can see it all in one day, if pressed for time,
Very few of the raw materials needed for such a grandiose enterprise
or two days if they are interested in the various architectural wonders or
could be obtained in Brasilia and had to be contracted from outsiders. Air-
in studying more closely the mode of life of a group of people who have
planes flew in continually from Rio and São Paulo, loaded with steel bars
been recently uprooted from their original environment.
and bags of cement. The roads to the new capital were still under construc-
Most visitors to Brasilia take an early plane from Rio-there are flights
tion, so all this heavy equipment had to be brought in by air.
from 6:30 A.M. onward-land in Brasilia before noon, take a sightseeing
Literally thousands of unskilled, uneducated workers, who needed
tour around the main buildings, and have lunch at one of the two good
money and were willing to face any hardship to get it, came from the
hotels; in the afternoon they continue their tour, this time visiting the old
northeast of the nation. They learned fast and worked hard. Living in
"free city," and are delivered to the airport in time to catch a flight back
wooden shacks and working as much as 15 hours a day, they built Kubits-
to Rio and dinner.
chek's dream city.
There is one treat that the linger-awhile type of tourist gets that the one-
Back in Rio, opposition to the new capital was loud and heated. Debates
dayer doesn't. That is to see the city illuminated at night. There is probably
in the senate turned into fistfights, and investigating committees were
no lovelier urban sight in all Brazil than the federal buildings, all white
sites
formed to see where all the money was going. Very few people wanted
marble with reflecting glass windows, shimmering under dozens of huge,
to move to Brasilia and they complained bitterly about the "lack of every-
superbly placed spotlights, while the stars shine brightly out of a jungle
thing" there. They said their children would not have the proper schools,
sky of black velvet. As one old peasant woman told her daughter after
that they would be unable to pay the high prices that the artificial city
she made the trip to the new capital in the back of an open truck: "It
was commanding, and that they would be separated from their families
looked like I always expected Heaven to look at night. It was difficult to
story
and friends. Actually, most of the big politicians were unhappy about
tell where the building lights ended and the stars began. They seemed to
being away from the beach and afraid that their investments in Rio apart-
be put there to show off the other."
ment buildings and commercial shops would suffer once the city ceased
Another thing you'll notice about Brasilia is the sky. It is bluer than
to be the nation's capital. Kubitschek's government countered this with
the sky in Rio and turns purple. There are always fleecy cloud formations
special inducements to civil servants of a 100 percent increase in salary
decorating it. Another noticeable item is the red earth of the city. Not un-
for working in Brasilia, special tax considerations, and an earlier retire-
like the red soil of Georgia, it has stained the bases of the buildings, has
ment age. He also promised free transportation of government workers
tinted the carefully planted grass, and, in a sudden gust of wind, is just
and their household effects, commissioned furniture factories to manufac-
as liable to coat your face and clothes with a fine red powder. The earth
ture modern styles to be sold to workers at wholesale costs, and put rentals
is very poor in minerals; artistically, it looks as if it had been placed there
on new houses and apartments at ridiculously low rates.
on purpose for contrast.
"Freetown," where most of the construction workers lived, had grown
Those with only one day to spend should be able to cover the most im-
into a city of over 100,000. It was a rough, sprawling, dirty, vice-ridden
portant points of the city by using this itinerary.
place, where anything went as long as there was money to buy it. It was
Leaving the airport, take a taxi (if you prefer to drive yourself, there
straight out of Hollywood. There were wooden store facades with false
are rental cars available at the airport, too) and watch for the white arrow-
second stories. Instead of horses, men parked their jeeps in front of the
shaped signs saying "cidade" (city). If you turn right, take a dip curve,
101 bars. Two movie houses did a roaring business.
and come up again to where the sign says "Eixo Rodoviario," you will
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
241
240
be on the main avenue of the south wing of the city. Along this avenue
just across the ramp on the upper level. If either of the houses are in ses-
the luxury apartments are built, and since all rooms have huge plate glass
sion, the Brazilian flag is flying from either of their flagpoles.
windows onto the street, the Brazilians refer to them as "the Candango's
Continuing down past the two houses of congress, you'll see the small
television." The workers do spend a great deal of time looking up into
but perfectly balanced Supreme Court on your right with a modern statue
the windows of the senators and ministers who live there. It's cheaper than
of Blind Justice in front. Further along, you'll come to a plump, oblong
the movies and much more eventful! The area through here has been
it is the Brasilia Museum.
cement box, with a huge head of Juscelino Kubitschek in its courtyard;
planned into Super Blocks (Super Quadras) and each block was designed
to be a complete unit in itself. There are high-class apartments in front,
Directly facing the Supreme Court is probably one of the most beautiful
then middle-income apartment buildings in the rear. Each Super Block
of all the buildings, the Planalto Palace, where the president has his offices.
has its own shopping area, complete with supermarket and barber shops,
Guided tours can be arranged. Be sure to see the luxurious Hall of Mirrors,
etc., as well as a Catholic chapel. There is also a primary school for almost
where state receptions are held, the severe but lovely room to the right
where the President holds open conferences, and the sun-illuminated inte-
every Super Block, so that school-age children do not have to cross streets
in profusion.
rior corridors on the second and third floors, where tropical plants grow
coming or going to class.
Brasilia, if you glance at a map, is built in the form of an airplane, a
Head east now, toward the lake, past what seems to be miles of modern
fitting symbol for a city in this space-minded age. The two "wings" are tail
lamp posts, until you come to the exclusive Alvorada Palace, official presi-
for commercial and residential areas. The fuselage, from propeller to
dent's residence, at the "propeller" of the airplane. This was the first ad-
blades, is for government, communications, and transportation centers.
ministrative building ready and the most expensive. Every inch of cement,
The city highways are so designed that there are almost no red lights or
all the steel girders, the pipes, the glass, tiles, everything had to be flown
traffic signs. City planner Lucio Costa's wife was killed in an automobile
in, because there was no way to reach Brasilia by land. Beside this jewellike
accident and he vowed that he would make Brasilia as "accident free as
Mass. palace is a small circular chapel, where the presidential family attends
possible," which it is.
that directs you to a Super Quadra and explore the internal workings of
As you go down this residential highway, turn off beneath another sign
The long, low, burned-out building nearby is the Brasilia Palace Hotel,
gutted in a fire in 1979.
community life there. Then, heading in the same direction, you'll come
After lunch, you will still have some three hours to see the other less
out onto Avenida W3, the commercial main street of the capital. Here
important things or to go back for a closer look at what you saw that morn-
you'll find the shops, both chic and mundane, the good restaurants, a
ing. You could visit the handsome national theater, a pyramid of weath-
movie house, the banks, the telephone company, and the post office.
ered concrete near the bus station, head off in the same direction for the
After heading south on W3, turn around and go to the far north and,
Yacht Club (where you get an interesting side view of the Three Powers
turning right onto the main highway by the Hotel Imperial, follow the
Square), or continue way out on the as yet almost deserted North wing
directional arrows that will take you in front of Hotel Nacional, down a
and arrive at the other side of the lake, where many expensive homes have
ramp under the monumental bus station (with music, shops, and perhaps
been built or are going up.
some visiting Indians riding up and down the escalators), then make an-
For a sharp contrast of a "satellite city" to modern Brasilia-from the
other right turn and you'll be on the Three Powers Square.
"architecture" of a dust town to the year 2,000-take a 20-minute drive
The first building of importance you'll pass is the national Cathedral,
beyond city limits to one of the communities settled by the Brazilian build-
sights
with clasped fingers of concrete reaching to the sky. Worshippers go in
site the Hotel Nacional.
ers. You may want to hire one of a group of American guides, right oppo-
underground and come out to hear Mass in the center under the fingers, hotel
protected from the elements by huge panes of glass. Check with your
If you will have an hour or so before your plane, take a quick look at
to see if there is a Mass on the Sunday or holiday you're visiting.
the wild-west, clapboard satellite town called Free City. Though the bulk
Besides the Cathedral, on both sides of the square, like huge glass-plated
of Brasilia's working class now lives far out in the satellite towns of Gama
dominoes, are the 18 various government ministries. Functional, but with
or Taguatinga, the Cidade Livre (Free Town) still stands as a monument
a tendency to absorb the hot sun's rays, they take the place of literally
to those hardy northeasterners who built the 21st-century capital city.
hundreds of offices scattered around Rio when that city was the capital.
Beyond the last building on the right is what many people claim to be
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR BRASILIA
the most beautiful building in Brasilia, if not in all Brazil-the Ministry
WHEN TO GO. The best time is probably the summer, from Nov. to around
of Foreign Relations (Palácio dos Arcos on the map, "Itamaraty" to all its
the middle of Apr. It gets chilly in Brasilia. Because the city is on a high plateau,
residents), with its water garden and soaring concrete arches. Despite
some 3,500 feet above sea level, and in the direct path of winds from the moist warm
extravagance-those arches support nothing but themselves-it's a must
jungles as well as those from the colder south, its climate is variable and invigorat-
for the amateur photographer.
ing. Sweaters at night during the winter months are almost a necessity, and no mat-
Across the way, almost floating on air and the shallow reflection pools,
ter what the season, you'll probably want to sleep under a blanket.
is the magnificent Congress building with its twin, 28-story towers where
senators and deputies have their offices. The two orange halves, sitting on
HOW TO GET THERE. There are daily flights from Rio, São Paulo, and Belo
each side of the towers, are the Senate Chamber and the House of Depu-
Horizonte. Buses also travel the roads connecting these cities with the nation's capi-
tal on a daily basis.
ties. The Senate is the smaller, inverted one. It is completely air condi-
tioned and perfectly illuminated within. The building can be visited desk but
HOW TO GET AROUND. Take a taxi. Many people prefer to have a guided
permission must be obtained from the blue-uniformed guard at the
tour by one of the registered agencies. If you only have time for a once-around-
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
243
242
lightly view of the city, then Ciclone-Hinterland Turismo at the Setor Commercial
of the way the highways and by-passes have been laid out. Also study the faces
Sul, or Trips, Toscano, Excelsior, or Presmic, all located in the arcade of the Hotel
of the "candangos," the dusty but courteous immigrant workers who built the city
Nacional, will give you the best service. They have their own cars, usually Brazilian-
with almost nothing but bare hands and determination.
made Volkswagen "Kombi" station wagons, and their drivers speak English as well
as half a dozen other languages. Prices are moderate but a little higher than in Rio
SPORTS. In Brasilia, there used to be such an exodus of governmental workers,
for the same service, about $15.
especially such important types as congressmen and ministry directors, that week-
You might, just for the fun of it, get on any of the buses that leave from the
end activities were limited. But the city is now developing a social life of its own,
street level platform at the centrally located Highway Terminal ("Estaçao Rodov-
even on weekends. The one favorite focal point is the yacht club, on the artificially
iaria") and stay on it till it takes you back to the terminal again. No matter which
created Lake Pinheiro. Although open only to members, your travel agent or almost
line you take, you'll get odd and interesting angles of the city that other tourists
any Brazilian citizen can get you in. There is a nice big pool, a small but more than
don't catch from the guided tour. But it's best to do this after you've seen Brasilia
adequate restaurant, and if you look sad, and wistful, some friendly Brazilian is
the regular way, so you can appreciate what you are seeing even more. Bus fares
bound to ask you if you'd like to take a ride on the lake in his "yacht." There are
about ten other good social clubs that have also sprouted up-all normally crowded
are about 10 cents.
and lively on sunny weekends.
HOTELS. (For definitions of price categories see "Facts at Your Fingertips.")
People do go fishing some as far away as on Bananal Island in the surrounding
Unfortunately, young Brasilia has never had a top-quality hotel. However, the Hil-
state of Goias. Check with your tourist agent in Brasilia about this and see if they
ton chain is now building a hotel, and a Sheraton and an Inter-Continental are in
can arrange a two-day trip to the Carajá Indians, who will act as your guides. There
the planning stages. In the meantime, the best remains the Nacional, Moderate,
is a hotel there; it was called the Juscelino Kubitschek until the latter's political.
Setor Hoteleiro Sul (226-8180), situated in the heart of the city with an incompara-
disgrace, whereupon it became John Kennedy. Don't go there without a reserva-
ble view of the Congress, Ministries, and the banking section. Ten floors of comfort-
tion. Andre Safari & Tours, in the Torre Palace Hotel, specializes in this trip.
able apartments. Off the spacious lobby is an excellent restaurant where one of the
daily specialties is a long smorgasbord table with 100 different dishes to choose
MINAS GERAIS-BELO HORIZONTE AND
from. The wine cellar is excellent and the European-trained chefs add a Continental
THE HISTORICAL CITIES
touch. There is a small bar done in beautiful jacaranda wood paneling, and a pool.
The basement is equipped with a modern Finnish-style sauna as well as steam baths
and massage parlors. For evening entertainment, one of the best nightclubs in town
The third largest city of Brazil with a population of 1.7 million, Belo
is on the ground floor, alongside a patio churrascaria. There is also a H. Stern store.
Horizonte is an airy modern metropolis nestled into the mountains of
Other good hotels are the Garvey Park, Moderate, Setor Hoteleiro Norte,
Minas Gerais, source of much of Brazil's vast mineral wealth. Although
Quadra 2, Bloco J (223-9800); Carlton, Moderate, Setor Hoteleiro Sul, Quadra 5,
the city is relatively young, celebrating its 90th anniversary in 1987, it is
Bloco G (224-8819); Eron Brasilia, Moderate, Setor Hoteleiro Norte, Quadra 5,
the jumping off point for the fabled historical cities of Minas, colonial-era
Lote A (321-1777); Torre Palace, Moderate, Setor Hoteleiro Norte, Quadra 4,
towns that dot the surrounding mountains and offer visitors a first-hand
Bloco A (321-5554); Phenicia, Moderate, Setor Hoteleiro Sul, Quadra 5, Bloco J
look at life in Brazil in the 18th century when the gold fields of this region
(321-4342); Aracoara, Moderate, Setor Hoteleiro Norte, Quadra 5, Bloco
attracted Portuguese adventurers and Catholic priests, a combination that
C (321-9222); Saint Paul, Moderate, Setor Hoteleiro Sul, Quadra 2, Lote 5
(321-6688); Bristol, Moderate, Setor Hoteleiro Sul, Quadra 4, Bloco F (321-6162).
gave birth to the area's famed baroque churches, rich in gold leaf.
But before taking off for a look at its historical surroundings, spend
RESTAURANTS. Brasilia does have some good restaurants. (For definitions of
some time in Belo Horizonte itself. There are many things for the tourist
price categories see "Facts at Your Fingertips.") For good solid Brazilian beef, done
to do. One of them is to stroll along the shady downtown streets and watch
"churrasco gaucho" style, pay a visit to the Churrascaria do Lago (223-9266) on
the new buildings going up all around. Another is to visit the municipal
the banks of the lake, in walking distance of the Hotel Brasilia. Their specialty is
park located in the heart of the business area. Town fathers planned well,
a "mixto," which is a little bit of everything, both beef and pork, served with rice,
for should you become tired of cement and commerce, you can cross over
manioc flour, and a special barbecue sauce of raw onions, tomatoes, and vinegar.
into the well-kept park, with its tree-lined walks, its small lakes, its rustic
Moderately priced.
A good spot for international cuisine is the Piantella, Moderate, (224-9408) with
bridges, and red flowered bushes. There is something going on there al-
live music. In the same commercial center (Comercio Local Sul) is the Florentino,
most all the time, and it is a favorite spot for lovers, nursemaids, and pho-
Expensive, the favored eatery of the nation's congressmen and where political deals
tographers.
are always in the works (223-7577). The Centro Commercial Gilberto Salomao has
Another interesting place is the Minas Tennis Club, one of the biggest
a number of spots. This commercial center, where bureaucrats and diplomats of
sports arenas in the state. Extremely modern in design, the gymnasium
all levels gather nightly, is home to the Gaf, Expensive, for French food (248-1103),
can hold 10,000 people. Its swimming pool is Olympic size and its separate
Komatsu, Moderate, Japanese food (248-3020), and the Au Chalet, Expensive, for
courts for volleyball, basketball, and tennis have caused favorable com-
Swiss (248-2897).
ment from many international sports-minded figures.
WHAT TO SEE. Everything. The two presidential palaces (the Alvorada where
Just as modern, but much more controversial, is the oddly shaped
the man in power lives and the Planalto where he works), the twin-towered Con-
church at Pampulha, just outside the city. Designed by famed Brasilia
gress building at the Praça dos Tres Poderes, the domino-placed Ministry buildings
builder Oscar Niemeyer, the church, once constructed, was refused conse-
in the same area, the crown-shaped cathedral at the Eixo Monumental, the national
cration by Catholic authorities because both Niemeyer and Portinari
theater also at the Eixo Monumental, the modern spacious apartments, and the bus-
(whose frescoes adorn it) were known Communist sympathizers. The bat-
tling-almost small town-atmosphere of the business district. A visit should be
the raged for a number of years until the people of Minas put pressures
paid to the yacht club and the area known as Embassy Row. A visit to the shrine
to bear on the Bishop and the church was blessed.
of Dom Bosco is also in order, not just to pay him homage, but to get an over-all,
The Tassini Museum has a collection of maps, crystal, lamps, work
complete view of the city. There are no museums as yet of any importance, nor the
any special collections. The exteriors of the buildings are more interesting than
tools, photographs, and general miscellanea collected over a 30-year span
interiors (with a few exceptions mentioned already), and don't forget to take note
by one Raul Tassini and donated to the city. It is devoted strictly to objects
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
244
245
that figure in the history of Belo Horizonte and the early diamond mining
Ask for someone who speaks English to give you a guided tour. Admission
days. Well worth a visit, it is open every day except Monday.
is free.
When you have finished with the sights of Belo Horizonte it will be time
Many people stay two days in Ouro Prêto, savoring the winding old
for you to travel back into the past of this fascinating region. Most trips
streets and the colonial buildings and dodging the donkeys and horses and
to the historical cities can be handled on a one-day basis, using Belo as
carts that still move among the automobiles. Ever since 1933, when the
your starting and ending point. Your first trip should definitely be to Ouro
entire city became National Patrimony, not a thing has been changed, and
Prêto (Black Gold, so-called because of the black coloring of gold in the
it is to the Brazilians' credit that many things have been restored and
area caused by iron oxide in the soil). Though still little known outside
cleaned up. Tour buses are no longer allowed to transverse the city's nar-
&
of the country, Ouro Prêto is one of the most unforgettable tourist attrac-
row streets, in order to preserve the colonial-period buildings. The buses
tions in all of South America. It is revered by Brazilians the way Italians
stop outside of the city from where taxis take you into Ouro Prêto. Wheth-
revere Venice or the Americans, Williamsburg. Founded in 1711 with the
er you spend the night or not, try to stay at least until sundown, when
name Vila Rica (Rich Village), it soon became the center of the gold, dia-
you will witness the reflection of the sunset off the city's tiled roofs, the
mond, and semiprecious stone trading in the colonial era. So much gold
gradual darkening of the surrounding hills and mountains, and finally the
came from the hills around Ouro Prêto that the area was named simply
cool mist that spreads across the city, evoking a sensation of distant times
"minas gerais" or "general mines."
in Brazil's colonial past. If you decide to remain for a second day, you
It became the place to live in those days, and the rich built fine houses
might hire a taxi and travel a few miles to the sleepy village of Congonhas.
and palaces, donated gold to construct churches, and hired the very best
The main attraction there is the church of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos,
artists to decorate them. One of the most famous names to come out of
where Aleijadinho sculpted 12 life-sized statues of the Prophets and placed
this period was a crippled mulatto sculptor called Aleijadinho. The man
them outside at the front entrance.
Andists
could do no wrong when he was working with wood or stone, but arthritis
These works, breathtaking in their exact details and expressive faces,
turned him into a monster. His facial features became so deformed by dis-
have been called "a genial mixture of Quasimodo, Beethoven and Michel
ease that he put a sack over his head so that no one could be frightened
angelo." Aside from a number of statues inside the church, he did the Sta-
by his ugliness. His legs refused to coordinate and his fingers and hands
tions of the Cross in life-size, using 66 different figures that are housed
became so contorted that his assistants used to tie his hammer and chisel
in six separate buildings. Rarely visited by the Brazilians themselves, these
to his wrists with leather thongs so he could work. What he did with the
figures are "finds" for the really discriminating tourist.
beauty inside him is in evidence in Ouro Prêto and the surrounding area
Aleijadinho, deformed and crippled though he was, got around. His
and is part of the rich Brazilian cultural heritage.
works can be seen in the churches of the nearby town of Mariana and São
João Del-Rei. Baroque lovers should also visit the churches of Sabará.
Diamantina took its name from the diamonds that were extracted in
The Glorious Churches of Ouro Prêto
great quantities from its soil in the 1700s, and even today the mines still
The best place to see Aleijadinho's artistry is the Church of São Francis-
supply gold, iron ore, and rock crystal. It was here also that the famous
sights
co, located just down the hill to the left from the Praça Tiradentes. Note
Chica da Silva, the mulatto slave who captured the heart of the wealthy
the twin towers in an almost salt-and-pepper-shaker form. Be sure and
Portuguese mine owner, lived. He showered her with gold and precious
inspect the huge soapstone medallion high up over the front door, as well
stones, built her a palace with hanging gardens and even transported a
as the intricately carved doorway. Inside, the main altar with cherubic
sailing yacht overland for her pleasure. Then he turned around and dug
faces, garlands of tropical fruits, and allegorical characters is still fresh
her a lake to sail it on.
with the original paint. Also note the twin soapstone side altars. Just doing
The city looks very much like it did in the days of Chica. Be sure to
one of them is enough for a man to be hailed as a genius, and he did two
note the covered overhanging roofs with their elaborate brackets.
for this church alone.
His work can also be seen in the impressive Monte do Carmo Church,
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR
in whose tall towers hang two bells that weigh 7,000 pounds. The altar
BELO HORIZONTE AND THE HISTORICAL CITIES
dominating the church of São José was also done by Aleijadinho.
There are 11 churches in this one town in the Brazilian hills. If any were
HOW TO GET THERE. Like the rest of the country, this area is no exception
in Europe, they would be international "musts" on any tourist itinerary,
when it comes to distances. Belo Horizonte is 453 miles from Brasilia, 250 miles
but hidden away as they are here, they have preserved their charm and
from Rio de Janeiro, and 360 miles from São Paulo. Ouro Prêto, the living museum
offer a new delight to the tourist with spirit enough to come this far to
city, is a full 75 miles away from Belo, but the people in the state capital consider
it "a suburb." And Diamantina (another colonial jewel in the Minas hills), is 180
see them.
miles away, but citizens in Belo will calmly tell visitors who have nothing to do
While in Ouro Prêto, don't fail to take a slow tour of the Museum of
for the day, "Why don't you run over and see Diamantina?"
Inconfidência. Housed in an impressive baroque building that was started
The city of Belo Horizonte is served by all of Brazil's major airlines, and there
in 1748 and finished in 1846, it was at one time the home of the Municipal
are daily flights between the city and Rio, São Paulo, and Brasilia. Bus service is
Congress. It was here that the first Brazilian rebellion against the Portu-
also frequent and the roads are good. For trips from Belo to the historical cities,
guese was started and here that the first rebel, a white-bearded martyr Rio
the best bet is by bus or car. The roads in the region are paved and in good condition.
nicknamed "Tiradentes" (tooth puller), was captured, then taken to
There is regular train service between Belo Horizonte and Diamatina. Day tours
depart from Belo for all of the colonial cities in the region. Taxis will drive you
and brutally executed. The museum is full of clothes, children's toys,
to Ouro Prêto and back for $45 or so and a regular bus line charges about $4 for
slaves' manacles, firearms, books, and gravestones of the turbulent era.
the same service.
246
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
247
inns and pensions, some rather primitive in their basic comforts.
Note: The historical cities region offers a range of hotels but most are quaint
BELO HORIZONTE
HOTELS. Brasilton Contagem. Expensive. Contagem industrial district on a hill-
OURO PRÉTO
top near Belo Horizonte (351-0900). First Hilton Hotel in Brazil outside São Paulo,
the Brasilton Contagem opened early in 1978. Rooms are built around central
courtyard with pool and tropical gardens, and all have air conditioning, heat, color
HOTELS. The best hotel is the Estrada Real, Moderate, located on the highway
at the entrance to the city, Rodivia dos Inconfidentes km 87 (551-2122). Like all
TV, well-stocked mini-bars.
the hotels in Ouro Prêto this one is small, with 30 rooms and 10 chalets. Other
Othon Palace. Expensive. Av. Afonso Pena, corner Tupis e Bahia (226-7844).
options are Luxor Pousada, Moderate, Rua Dr. Alfredo Baeta 16 (551-2244) Gran-
Newest, biggest, and most luxurious in the city, with 317 air-conditioned rooms,
de Hotel Ouro Prêto, Moderate, Rua Senador Rocha Lagoa 165 (551-1488); Pouso
rooftop pool and bar, international restaurant, coffee shop, sauna, conference facili-
sive, Praça Tiradentes 51 (551-3066); Colonial, Inexpensive, Travessa Camilo Velo-
Chico Rey, Moderate, Rua Brigadeiro Mosqueira 90 (551-1274); Pilao, Inexpen-
ties for 800 persons. Overlooking trees and lakes of Municipal Park.
The Amazonas. Moderate. On Avenida Amazonas 120 (201-4644). New and
so 26 (551-3133); Toffolo, Inexpensive, Rua Tiradentes 76 (551-1322).
small but service is very good. Excellent restaurant on the 11th floor.
The best restaurant in town is the Taberna Luxor in the Luxor Pousada.
Hotel Del Rey. Moderate. Pça Afonso Arinos 60 (222-2211). One of the best
traditional hotels downtown; 270 non-air-conditioned rooms, private baths, 24-
DIAMATINA
hour room service.
Normandy. Moderate. On Rua Tamoios 212 (201-6166). Service is very good;
HOTEL. The Tijuco Hotel, Inexpensive, is really the only option in the city. Lo-
the rooms large and airy; modern restaurant and bar are fine. Located in the center
cated on Rua Macau do Meio 221 (931-1022), it adheres faithfully to the historical
of the city's business district, it is one of the most popular meeting places. Insist
atmosphere demanded by the visitor.
on an outside room.
Other hotels include the Wembley Palace. Moderate. Rua Espirito Santo 201,
downtown (201-6966); the Serrana Palace. Moderate. Rua Goitacazes 450, down-
town (201-9955); and the Financial. Inexpensive. Av. Alfonso Pena 571, downtown
(201-7044).
CENTRAL-WEST BRAZIL-THE PANTANAL
RESTAURANTS. As in most Brazilian cities, new restaurants are constantly
opening with an increasingly international flavor. Tops among Belo's international
While most visitors to Brazil have heard of the country's beautiful At-
eateries is the Tacho de Ouro in the Othon Hotel, Expensive with live piano music,
lantic beaches and the jungle attractions of the Amazon rain forest, few
Av. Alfonso Penna 1050 (226-7844). Also good is the Nacional Club, Moderate,
are aware that Brazil is also home to the last major ecological frontier on
Rua Bernardo Mascarenhas 77 (337-9461). But Minas is also rightfully famous for
earth. Known as the Pantanal, this 140,000 square mile area covers a re-
its own regional cooking, hearty meals perfect for the cool nighttime temperatures
gion the size of Holland, Switzerland, and Belgium combined. Once an
in this mountainous state. Specialties are suckling pig and sausages but any pork
inland ocean in prehistoric times, the Pantanal today is a giant plain with
dish in one of Belo Horizonte's finer restaurants is recommended. A true Minas
River. Just south of the Amazon watershed, the northern Pantanal is home
an average elevation of 400 feet that is cut by the basin of the Paraguay
meal is always accompanied by tutu, a delicious black bean mash. One of the state's
traditional dishes, a favorite throughout Brazil, is tutu à mineira-sausages, pork
and tutu. In Belo, for regional cooking try Petisqueira do Galo, Moderate, Av. Ole-
to the headwaters of the rivers that form the Paraguay Basin. In the rainy
gário Maciel 1516 (335-5773); Chico Mineiro, Moderate, Rua Alagoas 626 in the
season these rivers drain south, forming huge lakes throughout the region
sophisticated Savassi neighborhood, home to the city's newest and liveliest night
with only a few areas left above the level of the waters where the Pantanal's
spots (273-4659); Arroz com Feijao, Moderate, Rua Antonio de Albuquerque 440,
wildlife escapes from the floods. In the dry season, the water level subsides
also in Savassi (221-1266); and Nini e Familia, Moderate, Av. Cristóvão Colombo
and the Pantanal's incredible variety of wildlife moves out to the now dry
631, Savassi. Best churrascarias are Minuano, Moderate, Rua Professor Morais 635
plain, accumulating along the banks of the many rivers that cut through
(225-3600) and Carretão Guaíba, Moderate, Av. do Contorno 8412 (337-7566)-not
the area. The dry season (usually May to September) is the best time to
only is the food good here but the way it's served is spectacular, all the steaks and
visit the Pantanal, a time of the year when visitors can see thousands of
sausages you can eat. Called rodizio or rotation-style, this system has become popu-
alligators, armadillos, monkeys, the capivara (the world's largest rodent),
lar in recent years-the waiters rotate from table to table carrying long skewers
and if you're lucky the famed onça, the Brazilian jaguar. But the best sights
heavy with sizzling meat and sausages and stopping only when you say no more.
are reserved for those who lift their gaze skywards. As birdwatchers
Other conventional churrascarias are o Laçador, Moderate, Rua Gonçalves Dias
throughout the world have long known, the Pantanal is world-class bird-
874 (224-3335); Grill, Moderate, Av. do Contorno 5671 (221-9368); and Vitelo's,
Moderate, Rua Cláudio Manoel 1149, Savassi (226-0993). The best Italian restau-
thought existed.
ing territory where in a single day you can see more species than you ever
rant is Tavernaro, Moderate, Rua Antonio de Albuquerque 889 in Savassi
(221-8283) and for German cooking try Stadt Jever, Moderate, Av. do Contorno
For those who come to do more than watch the wildlife, the Pantanal
5771, Savassi (223-5056).
is also famed as one of the top fishing areas on the earth. It is practically
unbeatable for both variety and quantity of fish. Here you will find the
NIGHTLIFE. The nightlife in Belo has become concentrated in the Savassi neigh-
piraracu, at 600 pounds the largest fresh-water fish in the world. Other
borhood, with many outdoor bars, excellent restaurants, and a few night clubs with
top eating varieties are the pintado and the pacu and if you've ever won-
live Brazilian music. The "in" spots tend to change from season to season but try
dered what a piranha looks like close up, here is the place to find out.
Aloha, Rua Pernambuco 1108 (226-6783); Sunset Boulevard, Av. Getúlio Vargas
Unlike the Amazon, the Pantanal is not closed in by jungle; thus, move-
1640 (223-9000); and Era Uma Vez um Chalezinho (with excellent fondue), Rua
ment here, by river, road, or rail, is relatively unrestricted. In past days
Paraiba 1453 (221-2170). All are located in Savassi, where you can't go wrong for
the lack of facilities for tourists made a trip to the Pantanal a form of Bra-
nightlife.
zilian safari but today the region has received major investments in tour-
BRAZIL
249
SOUTH AMERICA
248 ism infrastructure. Comfortable fishing camps plus small hotels for scattered those
trips to see and photograph the wildlife (there is no hunting allowed in
the Pantanal). Accommodations tend to be comfortable but modest. Al-
who simply want to sit back and enjoy nature watching are now of
throughout the Pantanal. But while the comfort has increased a sense setting
though the Pantanal today is no longer off the beaten track, it still has
adventure still prevails, thanks to the as yet undisturbed natural
no luxury facilities for tourists. The food is included in the room rate and
where tranquil rivers with alligators sunning on the banks cut through the
most of it comes from the region itself. Besides the fish from the rivers,
the vast sedimentary plain, leaving a sensation that you have escaped Pantanal
you will have freshly-baked bread made by the hotel as well as such Panta-
modern world and returned to prehistoric times. A trip to the
nal delicacies as monkey meat and piranha soup. Be prepared to take
things easy since there is virtually nothing to do at night except rest or
is an unforgettable experience.
talk to the other guests of the hotel. The hotels are isolated and it is not
possible to travel from one to another at night since all travel in the Panta-
Exploring the Pantanal
nal is by boat.
capital of the state of Mato Grosso, and in the south by way of contain city
The region has two main gateways, in the north via the city of Cuiaba, the
Similar excursions into the Pantanal are possible via the southern gate-
way city of Corumba, located on the Paraguay River. If you wish to get
an idea of the immensity of this part of Brazil, there is a train ride from
of Curumba, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. These two states South
the city of São Paulo to Corumba. The one-and-a-half day trip is not
all of the Pantanal as well as some of the largest cattle ranches in
America. In this area a sense of frontier life still exists, but the region's
known for its comfort but the final ten hours provide a spectacular view
main cities are expanding quickly. Only ten years ago, Cuiaba was a city
of the Pantanal. Once in Corumba, a sleepy river town with little to see,
boat trips into the Pantanal can be arranged. For the truly adventuresome
where could see roughened ranch hands walking the streets wearing folklore
there is a two-day trip across the Pantanal on a supply boat that carries
holsters you and packing six-shooters. Today such sights belong to
food and other necessities to small settlements located in the marshlands.
and Cuiaba is a bustling modern city with high rises sprouting up at every
The boat goes up the Paraguay and São Lourenço Rivers, ending the trip
downtown corner. The cattle ranches plus an explosion of farming (espe-
at Porto Jofre, the last stop on the Transpantineira Highway. The trip pro-
cially soybeans, of which Brazil today is the world's number two producer,
vides an excellent look at the Pantanal and the way its inhabitants live,
behind the United States) have brought new wealth to the city and region.
but life on board is rustic to say the least. There are no cabins and passen-
Once you've arrived in Cuiaba get in touch with a tour operator, assum- is
gers must bring their own hammocks to sleep in. To buy a passage go to
have not already taken this step in Rio or São Paulo. A guide either
the wharves in Corumba.
ing highly you recommended for the Pantanal. On your first day in Cuiaba take
a tour or rent a van with an English-speaking driver to in this you area on
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR THE PANTANAL
join drive the nearby Transpantaneira Highway. The Pantanal is
a is on somewhat like the Everglades in Florida, and the highway of the
WHEN TO GO. The dry season (May to Sept.) is the only time when it is practi-
built swampy, above the level of the swamps, giving you an excellent view small
cal to make a trip to the Pantanal. During the rainy season (Oct. to Mar. or Apr.),
and whatever wildlife is visible. Some tours spend the night in itself
the Pantanal is mostly under water, which makes visits impossible although you
region along the highway, returning to Cuiaba the next day. The city Portu-
may rent a plane to fly over the region. It is usually hot, except for June and July,
towns few attractions. While it was founded in the 18th century by heri-
and few of the hotels or fishing camps have air-conditioning so dress for warm
has adventurers looking for gold, Cuiaba has preserved little of Grosso its is
weather. Also, mosquitoes are a constant nuisance-bring lots of bug spray.
guese The Indian Museum of the Federal University of Mato main-
HOW TO GET THERE. Both Corumba and Cuiaba have airports that are served
tage. of interest and Cuiaba is also home to a satellite tracking station
by Vasp, Varig-Cruzeiro, and Transbrasil airlines. There are also direct buses from
São Paulo and Rio that make the trip to the two cities although the journey is long
tained by NASA.
rock formation located 40 miles from Cuiaba. This immense geological and
On day two, arrange to visit the Chapada dos Guimarães, a mystical
and tiring. The train ride from São Paulo to Corumba will provide you with a view
of the booming interior region of the state of São Paulo, easily the most developed
area of Brazil.
formation surges to a height of 2,400 feet with lush green forests action spec-
tacular waterfalls as well as curious rock formations carved by the
HOTELS. For definitions of price categories see "Facts at Your Fingertips." In
of the wind over millions of years. The Chapada also possesses a strange
Cuiaba the best hotels are Aurea Palace, Moderate, Av. General Melo 63
magnetic force that reduces the speed of cars, even when they are going
(322-3377); Excelsior, Moderate, Av. Getulio Vargas 264 (322-6322); Las Velas,
Moderate, Av. Filinto Muller 62 (381-1422); Mato Grosso, Inexpensive, Rua Com-
downhill. Now are ready for a full-scale trip into the Pantanal. From this to
andante Costa 2522 (321-9121).
on you will have to deal with a travel agency or tour several operator begin
In Corumba there is little to choose from but try Pousada do Cachimbo, Moder-
point things you for you. Most trips last three to four days and 120 miles
ate, Rua Alan Kardec 4 (231-4833); Santa Monica, Inexpensive, Rua Antonio
arrange with drive or flight from Cuiaba to the city of Caceres, about down
Maria Coelho 345 (231-3001); and Beira Rio, Inexpensive, Rua Manoel Cassava
109 (231-2554).
the a southwest. Here you will take a trip in an outboard motorboat Going
For accommodations in the Pantanal, the most recommended options are: Hotel
to the Paraguay River for three hours until you reach the Jauru River. birds and
Fazenda Barranquinho, Moderate, (279-0555 in São Paulo), for fishing and nature
the Jauru (always have your camera ready, especially for the one
watching, near Cuiaba; Hotel Cabanas do Pantanal, Moderate, fishing and nature
up alligators), you will soon arrive at the Hotel Fazenda Barranquinho, tourism
trips, northern Pantanal near Cuiaba (322-1353); Cabana do Lontra, Moderate,
of the better hotels in the area, with room for 36 guests. Run by a and trips.
fishing and nature trips, in the southern Pantanal near Corumba (283-5843 in São
agency, the hotel provides horses and outboard boats for fishing Pantanal,
Paulo); Fazenda Santa Clara, Moderate, fishing and nature trips, southern Pantanal
will receive all the assistance you need from the staff to either fish or
In this hotel, as in other fishing camps and hotels in the take you
near Corumba (284-4877 in São Paulo); Hotel dos Camalotes, Moderate, fishing
and nature trips, air-conditioning in the rooms, southern Pantanal near Corumba
250
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
251
(258-0344 in São Paulo); Paraiso dos Dourados, Moderate, fishing and nature trips,
There are sumptuous mansions vying for a place in the sun with mud-
air-conditioning in the rooms (258-4355 in São Paulo), southern Pantanal near
thatched shanties.
Corumba; Santa Rosa Pantanal, Moderate, fishing and nature trips, northern Pan-
tanal near Cuiaba (321-5514 in Cuiaba); Corumbi, Amazonas, Trans-Tur and Santa
If you stay there for awhile, you'll find Salvador is not just a city but
Isabel "botels," boats converted into hotels, air-conditioning, southern Pantanal
an entire way of life, where the arts and the human personality are more
near Corumba (231-3016 in Corumba). All of these hotels have accommodations
important than money or political ambitions. The city has been called the
"Renaissance of Latin America," because of its attitudes toward beauty
for 20 to 40 persons.
and self-expression and the number of artists from all over the nation (and
RESTAURANTS. The best eating in this area is in restaurants specializing in
the world) who have gone there for inspiration. But this does not mean
river fish. At the hotels in the Pantanal, fish is the main course and in some cases
that Bahia is all siestas in the sun. Far from it. One glance at the dozens
the only course. In Cuiaba try Flutuante, Moderate, Rua Santa Baracat (381-
of new office buildings and the hundreds of modern apartments and houses
5157)-the menu contains a wide choice of the best fish dishes of the region, which
will dispel that idea. It is simply that the Bahianos have found a way to
should give you a good idea of the flavor of the different species caught in the Panta-
live with the best of both worlds, and, like their hybrid religion, their city
nal; Regionalissimo, Moderate, Rua 13 de Junho (next to the Casa do Artesão)
has become a surprising, fascinating experience.
(321-0603), regional specialties, live music; Aurea Palace, Moderate, in the hotel
of the same name, Rua General Melo 63 (322-3637); Maria Taquara, Moderate,
SALVADOR
in the Excelsior Hotel, Av. Getulio Vargas 246 (322-6322). In Corumba the best
fish restaurant is the Ceara, Moderate, Av. Rio Branco 580 (231-1930).
Salvador was the first city the Portuguese built up when they colonized
TOURS. Getting to the gateway cities of Curumba and Cuiaba is not difficult,
Brazil. That was in 1549. Today this city spreads around the bay of Todos
but from then on you will need the assistance of professionals to arrange visits to
os Santos (All Saints), which is so wide (1,052 square kilometers) it could
the Pantanal. Most large travel agencies and tour operators in Rio and São Paulo
supposedly hold all the ships in the world. Salvador was built by the early
now offer Pantanal packages and you can get in touch with them through your trav-
settlers to keep the Spanish, French, and Dutch away from the new colony
el agent at home. Plan a Pantanal trip well in advance since hotel space is limited
belonging to King Dom Joao III. The administration buildings and resi-
and the best spots are always booked up ahead of time. Some persons, such as bird-
dences were built on the hills, the forts, docks, and warehouses on the
watching enthusiasts, may want a special tour package to visit particular areas of
beaches. To this day, it is still divided into upper and lower cities. From
the Pantanal. Your best bet in that case would be to get in touch with Rio Custom
1500 to 1815, Salvador enjoyed being the nation's busiest port. The sugar
Tours, Travessa Madré Jacinta 25, Rio de Janeiro (274-3217), a Rio tour operator
from the northeast and the area surrounding All Saints Bay and the gold
that specializes in Pantanal trips, especially for foreign bird-watchers.
and diamonds from the mines in the south all passed through this town.
It was a golden age for Salvador when magnificent homes and richly deco-
rated churches were built. Its churches have few rivals anywhere in the
world. Thanks to a federal commission called The National Historic and
BAHIA
Artistic Patrimony Service, created in 1941, many of the city's old church-
es are the same today as they were the day they were built. Entire squares,
such as Largo do Pelourinho, hundreds of private homes and even the
If you have only time to visit two cities in Brazil, make them Rio and
hand-chipped street paving bricks have been preserved and restoration
Salvador, although, as residents of the latter will quickly add, once you've
work is still continuing. Salvador counts 97,000 buildings and about
been to Salvador you won't need to visit Rio. With a rich colonial past
20,000 of them are over 250 years old. Yet there are brand new buildings
evident in its historical churches, forts, and buildings Salvador is known
going up everywhere to meet the living requirements of the progressive
to Brazilians as the most Brazilian of their cities. For this it draws not
citizens of today.
only upon its history (Salvador was Brazil's first capital) but also upon
Salvador may be seen, if necessary, in three days but only if you're
the colors, tastes, sounds, and aromas of this unique city that mixes old
pressed for time. The city really requires five days at the minimum. Save
and new, black and white, religion and mysticism. A blend of African,
time for shopping and if possible one extra day to travel into the interior
Indian, and European cultures, Salvador moves to its own rhythm, slow
of the state of Bahia
and sensual, more at ease even than Rio and blessed with miles and miles
The first day: By now you've become intrigued by the history of Salva-
of practically untouched beaches. The capital of the state of Bahia, with
dor, so plunge into the Upper City, home to Brazil's best preserved colo-
which it is so closely identified that Salvador is often called Bahia, Salva-
nial architecture. If you wish to do this on your own it would be best to
dor is at once South American and African, a mix that makes it unlike
contact an English-speaking guide either through your hotel or the local
any other city in the world.
tourism authority, Bahiatursa (see "Practical Information" below). Other-
There are red-tile roofs tacked atop white plaster walls. There are palm
wise, there are several local tour operators that can give you an excellent
trees, baroque architecture, an abundance of churches, and happy carefree
tour of the colonial Upper City and other sights in Salvador in air-
people. These are the expectable things. Then there are the thousands of
conditioned mini-buses with English-speaking guides. For those of you on
black faces, with bodies swathed in cloth of neo-African styles. There are
your own, start out at the downtown Praça da Sé. Remember, you should
dishes of hot strange foods prepared nowhere else in the world. There is
dress casually because of the heat but don't wear bermudas or swimming
a strange drum beating voodoo ritual that mingles the best of the African
wear as some churches will not let you in. To the left of the Praça is the
and Christian ideals into a powerful, frighteningly personal religion. There
Archbishop's Palace, built in the 18th century and today used as the Cath-
is a fight dance called capoeira that originated in Bahia and is only prac-
olic Law School. On the other side of the Tourist Office is the 18th-century
ticed here. There are modern automobiles vying with plodding donkeys.
Holy House of Mary church. Walking up Guedes de Brito Street, you'll
252
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
253
see Saldanha Palace with its impressive gateway. The School of Arts and
Crafts is there now. As you walk up Bispo Street you'll pass São Damasco
SALVADOR
Seminary, built in 1700, and will come to a little square and the Church
DOS
of São Francisco Convent. It is one of Brazil's most famous and undoubt-
0
1
Mile
PTO.
74
edly one of the most beautiful in the world. Hand carved in every nook
o
1 Km.
and cranny and then covered with shining gold, it is so impressive that
many tourists stay around all day just watching the play of light on the
FRANCISCO
walls. It is especially beautiful during a High Mass. The image of St. Peter
of Alcantara on the lateral altar on the right is so well done that church
S.
2
AV. CAM. DE AREIA
authorities had a battle with Emperor Dom Pedro II, because he wanted
R.
LUIS
TARQUIND BONEIM AV.
ESTR DE
it for his private chapel. Only the men may visit the blue-tiled cloisters
Fort of
CAMPINAS
of the monastery; women must be content to peer through the grillwork.
Mont Serrat
DNE
There are Franciscan fathers there who will show you around. When you
SÃO
leave drop some money into the poor box, for the church does an impres-
BR
sive job three times a day supplying warm meals for the poor. Right next
CAETANO
DE
door is the church of the Third Order of São Francisco. Inside there is
AV.
All
GALL
a room that is worth seeing full of life-size statues. The intricate facade
CRISTOVAO
ST
was carved in 1703 but hidden for many years by a thick coat of plaster.
Saints
Bay
R.
MARTIN
It was a major art find when it was uncovered recently. Now to the square
AV. JEQUITAIA
LIBERDADE
of Terreiro de Jesus with the 16th century Basilica Cathedral, the church
of the Third Order of São Domingos (1731), and the church of St. Peter
DA
of the Clerics. From here, up Alfredo de Brito Street you come to the ar-
Itaparica
Island
ESTR.
chitectural spectacle of the Largo do Pelourinho. It was here that thou-
R. MARINHO SALDANHA
sands of slaves were chained together, then sold on that platform on the
R. MQ. DE
right side of the street. Note the typical old balconies, the tiles and the
VITA
U.E.
R.
ALARDS
MARICÁ
people who look as if they've stepped from a Debret engraving. The streets
that lead into the Largo, all narrow and cobblestoned, contain several
3
LISBOA
Fort of São
QUINTAS
fine shops for the purchase of the region's delicate lace work-blouses,
Marcelo
8
6
AV.
dresses, table clothes, etc. Walk slowly down to Taboão Square where five
Largo do
Pelourinho
11
5
9
BARROS FACICIO
ANTONIO
streets cross and then up the Ladeira do Carmo. Now take a quaint flight
N
ANGÉLICA
of steps that leads to the Church of the Passo and continue to the top of
the street. Here the Carmo Convent and the Church of the Third Order
4
1
R
of Carmo stand side by side. The church is famed for its image of the cruci-
7
R
fied Christ. To enter the convent, you have to know the way. Beside the
CHILE
JOANA
AL
DA GAMA
biggest door in the room hangs a cord. Pull it and from somewhere inside
10
MARIO AV. LEAL FERREIRA
a smiling guard appears to escort you about. Be sure and tip him when
SILVA
12
LAD.
you leave. Going up the Ladeira do Carmo, there is a corner of blue-tiled
R. FTE. DE
PEDRO COSTA
VASCO
DOM
DA
houses.
REDENÇAO
SETE
AV.
TORORÓ
JOÃO
Tell the driver to take you to Baixa do Sapateiro, a street filled with
VI
MAL.
shops and private homes that time has somehow forgotten. Afterward look
Dique do
AV.
FELIO
NASCO DA GAMA
at the Convent of the Desterro (1678), where the sisters have a well-
Tororó
AV. JURACY
MAGALHÃES
deserved reputation as candy makers. It is Brazil's oldest and most beauti-
GRAÇA
DA
ful convent. Go up Avenida Joana Angelica to the Tororó steps. Below
AV.
EUCL
AV.CARLOS MAGALHÃES
them lies the Dique, an artificial lake made in the 17th century as part
DA CUNHA
Barra
Praia de Amaralina
of the city's defense system. It is also considered by followers of candom-
Harbor
DENTENARIO
AL
Lagoa do Abaeté
blé, the African religion brought to Brazil by the slaves, to be the bay of
GARIBALDI
Arembepe
Oxum, a river nymph who is the god of beauty and good fortune. At night
Airport
BARRA
presents are left on the banks of the Dique for Oxum. Also, no one swims
AV.
AV
PRESIDENTE
VARGAS
AMARALINA
in the Dique-these are sacred waters.
LUis
R. OSVAL
For the night of your first day in Salvador visit one of the many bars
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Ocean Beaches
CRU
with live Brazilian popular music. Salvador is the birthplace of many of
1 The Basílica Cathedral
7 Museum of Sacred Art
Brazil's top singing stars, such as Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso,
2 Bonfim Church
8 Our Lady of the Rosario of the Blacks' Church
AV.
3 Carmo Convent, Church, and Museum
9 The Saint Peter of the Clerics Church
AMARALINA
and Maria Bethania, and in the city's nights spots you can listen to their
4 Elevator Lacerda
10 São Francisco Church
songs and those of the other giants of samba and bossa nova. Nightlife
5 Mercado Modelo
11 The Third Order of São Domingos Church
6 The Most Sacred Sacrement Church
12 The Third Order of São Francisco Church
is centered in the Barra neighborhood, along the beach of the same name.
BRAZIL
255
254
SOUTH AMERICA
are struck it is easy to imagine the force of the dancers' legs and feet should
For your first night try Bistro 507 or Bistro do Luis in nearby Rio Vermel-
they strike their mark.
ho.
If you decide to leave capoeira for another evening, you may opt for
The second day should be devoted to beaches and outdoor scenery. Rent
a night of black magic, a candomblé ceremony. Candomblé is another ex-
a car and driver for the day and tell the driver to go slowly towards the
ample of how the African slaves fought to preserve their own culture in
Lagoa do Abaeté. The first impressive building you will pass is the white
the new world. Prohibited from practicing their native religions, the slaves
columned University Rectory. If you wish you may go in to see the blue
pretended to worship the saints of the Catholic Church but in reality for
tiles and the reconstructed auditorium. On the beachfront drive, called
each saint they substituted one of their native gods. Over the centuries
the Orla, you will see the results of the boom in tourism in Salvador in
the Catholic priests grew to accept the fact that for many of the worshipers
recent years. Anxious to compete with Rio, the city government has land-
who filled the churches, the symbols of Catholicism were also symbols of
scaped the beach area for a total of some 15 miles, turning this area of
candomblé. This duality of worship continues to exist today with the ex-
white sand beaches into one of the most beautiful beach drives in Brazil.
ception that while once it was banned by the church, today it is accepted
Along the beach there are kiosks where you can savor a cold drink while
and even extolled as an example of the blending of races and cultures in
you sample a seafood snack Bahia-style. (Although Bahian food has a rep-
Salvador. Known as the most deeply religious of Brazilian cities, Salvador
utation for being hot, in fact it is merely well-spiced. The hot sauces are
has 166 churches but it also has 4,000 candomblé temples. Bahians say:
served separately and if you wish to taste them, do so with caution. They
it's better with both-if one doesn't work, the other will.
are not really needed, though. Bahian food, especially seafood, is delicious
Several of the candomblé temples allow tourists to witness their ceremo-
and easily stands on its own, without the sauces.) Along the drive you will
nies and there is rarely a week that goes by without at least one celebration
be impressed by the vast quantity of coconut palms as well as the little
for one of the many African gods. Each god has his or her counterpart
boys selling fresh coconuts. If you stop for one, watch how deftly a boy
in the Catholic religion and each also wears a special color and dresses
can nick off the top with his knife. The milk is warm and sweet. Ask him
and dances in a specific manner. Thus when a particular god is being hon-
to split open the coconut and then go on and eat the soft white meat with
ored candomblé followers will wear his color that day-even to work. You
your fingers. You will pass famed Itapuã Beach with its tall coconut trees
can arrange to visit a temple through your hotel or a tour operator. Re-
and finally reach the lagoon. Brazilian composers have written dozens of
member not to take photos unless the permission of the Mae do Santo
songs about this strange inland lake with its contrast of white, white sand
(priestess) is given. Be prepared to be separated from your friends once
and black, black waters. Native women wash their clothes here, and there
you arrive there. They will tell you where to sit and it's always men on
are some good restaurants in the area for lunch or a cooling drink. Take
one side and women on the other. There is nothing to be frightened of
your bathing suit too, for you might like to sample one of the beaches on
either, but don't be surprised to see the Brazilian beside you suddenly be-
the way going or coming.
come "possessed" by spirits, fall onto the ground, roll his eyes, and then
Once you've finished with the lagoon go back to the beaches and follow
dance in a contorted, uncomfortable position. When you leave (sometime
them out into the newest area where hotels and restaurants are now
after midnight) show your appreciation by placing some money at the feet
sprouting. The beaches here are even better than the stretch between Barra
of the chief drummer.
and Itapuã. Running on north of the Quatro Rodas Hotel are the beaches
One more thing you should be aware of. While most foreigners naturally
of Barra do Jacuípe, Itacimirim, Arembepe, Guarajuba, and Praia do
associate candomblé with the voodoo ceremonies of the Caribbean, there
Forte, where once a year great sea turtles return to lay their eggs. The
is a major difference between the two. Unlike voodoo, candomblé is not
drive is refreshing and the highway is flanked by coconut palms and white
aimed at producing bad luck for your enemies. Followers are forbidden
sand dunes. At Arembepe you'll find the remnants of a 1960s colony of
to use the spirits convoked by the ceremonies to perform evil deeds. Can-
hippies once frequented by pop stars Janis Joplin and Mick Jagger. Stop
domblé is to be used only to produce positive results for the worshiper.
for lunch at Guarajuba and afterward continue on to Praia do Forte,
There are no dolls with pins sticking out of them in candomblé.
which is quickly becoming the most popular beach in the Salvador area-it
Finally, if you don't feel you're ready for a night of either candomblé
also boasts the ruins of Brazil's only haunted castle.
or capoeira, why not try a mixture of both as well as a sample of other
For your second evening you should consider one of the three basic
Bahian dances and folklore? There are four restaurants and one theater
nighttime activities that all first-time visitors to Salvador should take in.
in Salvador that offer Bahian folklore shows at night where examples of
First is a capoeira exhibition, where, at the best Salvador academy in Bra-
capoeira, candomblé, and the many other dances of the region are pres-
zil, you will witness the fascinating capoeira dance-fight. At first glance
ented (see "Practical Information" below). All are good but the restau-
it looks like an involved dance, with the two men rotating around a small
rants have the advantage of also offering you a sample of Bahian cuisine.
space flinging their legs into the air and seemingly just missing each other's
The combination of food and folklore is the perfect match for a Bahian
heads with their feet. In reality, though, capoeira was invented as a karate-
night.
like fight-and was often a fatal one. The slaves were not permitted by
The third day: Now you'll visit the other end of the city on the Itapagipe
their masters to fight between themselves but by disguising their struggle
peninsula. If you leave about 9 A.M. from the Praça da Sé the car will go
as a dance they were able to resolve their disputes. Thus capoeira is accom-
down commercially busy Rua Chile to Castro Alves Praça, then down the
panied by the strange-sounding berimbau, a curving stick with a carved-
Ladeira da Montanha (where many accidents have happened when the
out gourd at its base and a single chord running from top to bottom which
brakes didn't hold) and reach the lower city. That big column of white
is stroked by the musician. Together with drums, this musical background
cement rising to the upper city is the Lacerda elevator and is used to join
slowly builds up with the tempo of the dancers until you become hypno-
the two levels of Salvador. Imagine if you had to walk up and down those
tized by the flying bodies in front of you and the eerie mystical sounds
steep hills every time! Taking Avenida Frederico Pontes, you'll pass the
of the drums and the berimbau. Although in today's capoeira no blows
264
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
265
men aboard, forts and churches, literally hundreds of miles of uninterrupt-
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR STATE OF BAHIA
ed virgin beaches, women weaving fine lace, leather-clad northeastern
For definitions of price categories see "Facts at Your Fingertips."
cowboys who yearly face the searing heat of the interior, clay sculptors,
and finally, for aficionados, the best shrimp, lobster, and seafood eating
PAULO AFONSO
that you will find anywhere in the Americas.
260 miles north of Salvador
Away from the state capitals, most located along the coast, you will find
it rough going, but the recent discovery of the Northeast by European
with restaurant, bar and pool (281-1914).
HOTEL. Grande Hotel de Paulo Afonso. Moderate. The best hotel in the city.
tourists-mainly the Germans, Swiss, French, and Austrians-has led to
a building spree of hotels and restaurants of international quality on the
coast. Here, mainly in the cities of Maceio, Recife, Fortaleza, and São
ILHEUS
Luis, you will discover an enchanting combination of warm weather, ex-
240 miles south of Salvador
cellent beaches (the ocean water temperature in the Northeast is warm
year-round), good hotels, and top quality restaurants, all at prices that
HOTELS. This city of 130,000 has three good hotels: Ilheus Praia, Moderate,
today make the Northeast one of the great bargain destinations in the
sive, bar, restaurant, and pool, Praça Dom Eduardo (231-2533); Pontal Praia, Inexpen-
world.
pensive, Rua 28 de Junho 16 (231-1722).
bar, restaurant, and pool, Av. Lomanto Jr. 1358 (231-3033); Britania, Inex-
Maceio
LENCOIS
The present boom city in northeast tourism is Maceio, capital of the
240 miles west of Salvador
state of Alagoas. The state has long been famous for its 150-mile coastline,
HOTEL. Pousada de Lençois. Moderate. Rua Altina Alves 747 (334-1102).
which the experts claim has the finest beaches in Brazil. Until recently,
however, there was little in the way of basic comforts to greet the interna-
tional tourist. Fortunately, things have changed, with new hotels already
built and others on the way.
Like the other major coastal cities of the Northeast, Maceio combines
THE NORTHEAST
its colonial past with the beauty of its natural setting. This is a place to
relax and take it easy, enjoying the beaches and taking long walks through
The area known as the Northeast begins in Bahia and extends to the
the city. On the mainland side of the city are several large, beautiful lakes
edge of the Amazon in the north, taking in that part of the nation that
which can be visited by taxi. This is a good outing for lunch as there are
bulges out into the Atlantic Ocean up north. In addition to Bahia the
several fine restaurants along the Mundau lake. The best beaches are just
gion is composed of the states of Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, re-
north of the city's limits and it is here also that the newest hotels have
all Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, Piaui, and Maranhão. Although they
been built. Colonial buildings and churches can be seen in the center of
in part of the same region, the other states differ markedly from Bahia are
the city around the Praça Dom Pedro II, a public square.
tinct. North of Bahia, the influence is predominantly European. With so the
that they have little of the African influence that makes Bahia dis-
Recife
passage of the centuries, however, even this influence has diminished and
of today the Northeast of Brazil has its own culture and characteristics, born
North of Maceio is the state of Pernambuco, whose capital Recife is
the geographical and climatic peculiarities of this region.
also the true capital of the Brazilian Northeast. The sixth largest city in
The main one of these is the tendency of the region to alternate between
Brazil, with a population of 1.5 million, Recife is a vibrant metropolis
to drought and flood. The arid interior area, known as the sertão, is
whose spirit is halfway between the modern cities of the south and the
periodic droughts, which have driven many of its residents to the prone cities
more traditional centers of the Northeast, a combination of old and new
droughts ended after a five-year run in 1984. And when the rains
of the south in search of employment. The last, and worst, of these
that makes the city both an example of the past and a window on the fu-
ture. If you have time for only one stop in the Northeast, make it Recife.
they come in torrents-in 1985-86 the same area that had been stricken come,
Known as the Venice of Brazil because it is built on three rivers and
the by drought was subject to massive flooding. Despite its problems, however,
connected by a host of bridges, Recife got its name from the reefs that
interior of the Northeast may yet prove to be a vital food-producing
line the coast and make the city's most popular beach, Boa Viagam, also
the area for Brazil. The success of irrigation projects in Bahia has encouraged
one of the more unusual bathing spots in Brazil.
government to invest its money plus funds from the World Bank in
In the morning, when the tide is in, the waves come up almost to the
a multi-billion dollar irrigation project for the rest of the Northeast in an
road, then as the tide recedes, the rocks of the reefs slowly appear. Depend-
effort to make the desert bloom.
ing on the time of the day, individual swimming pools are formed, fish
But while the inland area of the Northeast is one of the poorest and
flap around the bathers, and the hidden rock formations dry into odd col-
most backward in Brazil, the coastal region is fertile and safe from
ors in the afternoon sun.
drought. For the tourist this combination offers some of the most pictur-
Another sight to see along this beach is the departure (about 6 A.M.) or
balsa-wood rafts with a single sail, that brave the Atlantic with lone fisher-
esque sights in Brazil. There are the jangada fishing boats, little more than
the return (about 2 P.M.) of the jangadas, those crude, log rafts with the
beautiful sails that local fishermen take out onto the high seas. Many sto-
ries and legends have been written about them, and they are as dangerous
266
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
267
as they look. Only an expert navigator and swimmer should try one. It
from Recife and Olinda and tourists attracted by the convivial nature of
on them all their lives.
looks easy for the sunburnt men of Recife, but they have been working
the milling crowds moving back and forth between several small bars that
open at night on top of the hill.
Boa Viagem for the residents of Recife is what Copacabana and Ipane-
At Alto da Sé, and also at the downtown Culture Center, you will notice
ma beaches are for Rio's citizens-the center of social life. On the week-
small clay statuettes for sale. Almost all of these are made in the interior
ends the beach is packed and at night the many restaurants, bars, and side-
town of Caruaru, considered the leading handicrafts center of South
walk cafes turn Boa Viagem into a glittering center of nightlife, the top
America. Reached by daily bus or special taxis on Wednesdays and Satur-
spot in the Northeast for a night on the town.
days, the days of the fair, the trip is well worth it. Not only will you be
Recife and Pernambuco were at one time part of the Dutch colonial
able to see a very colorful interior market place, but you'll be able to rub
&
empire until the Portuguese from the south of Brazil drove them out. The
elbows with the leather-clad cowboys of the harsh, dry region, see the way
influence of the two European colonial powers is evident in the city's many
the people live on the parched soil, and be entertained by strolling musi-
fine churches. In the downtown area of Recife is the convent and church
cians and dancers. Allow one full day for this.
of Saint Anthony with the famed Gold Chapel, a baroque design covered
Near the Recife-Olinda area is the historical city of Igarassu, which
in gold leaf and one of the most important and beautiful examples of reli-
among its colonial buildings numbers the oldest church in Brazil, the
gious art in Brazil. Other colonial-era churches in the center of Recife are
Church of Saints Cosme and Damião. Also worth a visit is the island of
the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, built in 1753, the Basilica of Our
Itamaracá, famed for its beaches and site of a fort built by the Dutch. Both
Lady of Carmo (1687), the Cathedral of the Clergymen of Saint Peter with
Igarassu and Itamaracá can be visited in day trips from Recife or Olinda.
the adjoining Saint Peter's Courtyard, where there are bars, restaurants,
Farther away but just as interesting is the interior city of Nova Jerusa-
antique and handicraft shops (these three churches are all located on Av.
lem, a replica of the city of Jerusalem of Biblical times that has been con-
Dantas Barreto), and the Basilica of Our Lady Penha (1656), on Rua da
structed to serve as an immense open air theater where, every Easter, the
Penha. While you are downtown you should also visit the Cinco Pontas
Northeast is home to one of the world's more remarkable passion plays.
Fort, built by the Dutch in 1630 and today home to the city museum, and
Nova Jerusalem is located 30 miles from Caruaru and is a must if you
the Pernambuco Culture Center, built as a prison in the 19th century but
decide to visit the famous Caruaru fair; plan on spending the night in Car-
now the best regional crafts center of the Northeast, offering a multitude
uaru. While in Nova Jerusalem you should also visit the Statue Park,
of shops (located in the former prison cells) showing the wares of the re-
where Northeastern artists have sculpted lifesize granite statues of typical
gion as well as performances of northeastern dances and music.
and historical figures of the region.
But the best of the old Northeast is preserved in the ex-colonial capital
Parties are also a part of the Northeastern lifestyle-the two biggest
of Olinda, today a suburb of Recife, a half hour from downtown. In recent
blowouts in the region are Carnival and the saints days during the month
years Olinda has enjoyed a renaissance, taking on a life of its own after
of June. For Carnival, Olinda has acquired a reputation as fun capital of
it was declared a world historical monument by UNESCO. Built on a se-
the Northeast. Each year through its narrow streets thousands of revelers
ries of hills overlooking the ocean, Olinda is remarkably well preserved,
dance all day and all night, performing the frevo, a regional dance that
with its narrow, winding streets snaking up and down the hills and offering
requires its performers to defy both gravity and human endurance. In the
at every turn spectacular views of the ocean and Recife in the distance
month of June on the days of the most popular saints, block parties are
while up close you see the historical past of the Northeast in the colonial
churches and homes of Olinda.
held throughout Recife, where a traditional dance called the quadrilha,
similar to American square dancing, is performed.
The city was built by the Dutch during their brief turn at running Per-
nambuco in the 1600s. Many of the houses still have the original latticed
balconies, heavy doors, and pink stucco walls, evoking the colonial period.
João Pessoa and Natal
Residents of the city are forbidden to change its architecture or to con-
North of Recife is the city of João Pessoa, capital of the state of Paraiba
struct any new buildings that would not be compatible with the colonial
and another site of fine beaches. The city has one of the best hotels in the
motif. The result is a beautiful, compact city where the white, pink, and
region, the Tambaú, part of the excellent Tropical hotel chain owned by
red of the homes and tile roofs stand against the rich green of the heavily
Varig Airlines. Beyond João Pessoa is the city of Natal, capital of Rio
landscaped hills and the blue of the ocean below. Give yourself plenty of
Grande do Norte. Besides warm water and good beaches, Natal is also
time to explore Olinda by foot and if you can don't miss the sunset from
known for its miles of sand dunes that run along the ocean.
here. You won't forget it.
The top attractions in Olinda are the Church of Our Lady Carmo, built
in 1588; the Convent of Our Lady Neves (1585), the first Franciscan
Fortaleza
church in Brazil; the Seminary of Olinda, (1584), the Cathedral (1537),
Capital of the state of Ceara, this city of 1.8 million, fifth largest in Bra-
with an extraordinarily beautiful view; the Pernambucan Museum of Sa-
zil, has fallen on hard times lately, the result of the region's most recent
cred Art; the Misericordia Church (1540), the best preserved and most
drought which drove thousands of impoverished tenant farmers from the
impressive of Olinda's churches; the Ribeira Market, where handmade
interior into the city. Because of this Fortaleza has not yet been able to
goods are sold; the Museum of Contemporary Art housed in an 18th cen-
live up to its tourism potential, but there is no question that in the near
tury building; and the São Bento Monastery (1582), the first law school
future the city will be making its name known outside of Brazil. The reason
in Brazil. The highest point in Olinda, the Alto da Sé, is also the city's
for this is that even in hard times, Fortaleza has excellent attractions-fine
social center. Here, by day, several stands sell regional art and handicrafts,
beaches and even better ones located nearby, the best lobster fishing and
while at night on the weekends the square is packed with young people
eating in Brazil, and the top lace industry in the country. The city is also
268
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
269
on its way to becoming a world-class fashion center, thanks to the combi-
to be torrential and can lead to flooding in the downtown areas of the cities,
nation of abundant raw materials and cheap manpower. These two factors
and if possible avoid the rainy season. The best time to come is between Jan. and
have already permitted Fortaleza fashion designers to challenge their big
the Apr; temperatures of the coastal cities at pleasant levels, in the interior areas
for Carnival the top location is Recife-Olinda. Although the sea breeze of keeps the
city rivals in Rio and São Paulo and today one of Brazil's most important
fashion fairs takes place annually in Fortaleza in April.
Northeast it can get extremely hot.
Due south of Fortaleza on the coast is the city of Aracati, Ceara's most
HOW TO GET THERE. The capital cities are all served by Brazil's major air-
famed lace center where you will see little girls just three years old learning
to thread a needle and unravel snarled thread, as well as aging grandmoth
good to Fortaleza. From Fortaleza to São Luis, however, you are better off fly-
Varig, Vasp, Cruzeiro, and Transbrasil. The highways along the coast are also
ers almost blind from the years of close, delicate labor. Close to Aracati
as up the road connections are poor. Buses serve the entire region and bus trans-
are Ceara's best beaches, most notably Canoa Quebrada, with white sand
portation 108 is the most popular way of travel from one capital to another. Recife has
dunes and crystal clear turquoise waters. This area is still little explored
international airport and receives charter flights from Europe and Canada plus
for tourism, a fact that complicates visits but also guarantees the survival
regularly an scheduled flights from Miami (Varig) and Lisbon (Air Portugal). Brasilia For the
for the moment of an area of rare primitive beauty.
odventuresome there is a highway that cuts through the jungle between
and Belem offering a fascinating look at the backlands of Brazil, including the state
of Maranhão in the Northeast. There are daily buses in both directions and the
São Luis
trip takes three days. Comfort is minimal.
The last major city along the coast of the Northeast, São Luis, capital
MACEIO
of the state of Maranhão, is also the poorest. While this does not detract
from the beauty of its beaches, the biggest in the region, it has unfortunate
ly complicated efforts by local officials to preserve the city's historical heri-
HOTELS. New and the best hotel in town is the Jatiuca, Expensive, Rua Lagoa
tage. Many of the colonial buildings in the old part of the city, some of
da and bar. Second best and also new is the Luxor, Expensive, Av. Duque de Caxias
Anta 220 (231-2555). 96 rooms on the beach with pool, tennis court, restaurant
them still covered with 18th century French and Portuguese tiles, are
2076 (223-7075), near the beach, pool, restaurant and bar. Other good hotels are
today in desperate need of preservation, a fact recognized by local authori-
the Pajuçara Othon, Moderate, Rua Jangadeiros Alagoanos 1292 (221-0101), with
ties who are, sad to say, handcuffed by a lack of funds. For that reason
pool, restaurant, and bar; Beira Mar, Moderate, Av. Duque de Caxias 1994
what is one of the largest areas of colonial buildings in Brazil is slowly
(223-8022), pool, restaurant, and bar; Enseada, Moderate, Rua Antonio Octacilio Gouveia
wasting away. For the time being, however, it is still worth taking a walk
171 (231-4726), pool and bar; Ponta Verde Praia, Moderate, Av. Alvaro
through the old town, where you will see the colonial homes and buildings
2933 (231-4040), pool, restaurant, and bar.
with their colorful tiles (all buildings in São Luis today have these tiles
RESTAURANTS. Accompanying the arrival of tourism in Maceio has been the
but most of them were added recently to maintain the colonial spirit of
the city; only the historical buildings still have Portuguese and French tiles
opening of several fine restaurants with excellent options for regional as well as in-
ternational dishes. The best restaurants for northeastern seafood dishes are: Restau-
from the 18th century), as well as wrought iron balconies.
rante das Alagoas, Moderate, in the Hotel Jatiuca (231-2555); Lagostão, Expensive,
The city of São Luis is located on an island; on the mainland is another
colonial relic, the city of Alcantara, today a national monument where
Av. Alípio Barbosa 321 (221-5186); Bem, Moderate, Rua João Canuto da Silva
Av. Duque de Caxias 1384 (221-6211) for lobster; Restaurante do Alipio, Moderate,
the colonial ruins are maintained. Access to Alcantara, 15 miles away
21 (231-3316); Peixada da Rita, Moderate, Rua Antonio Baltazar, simple but excel-
from São Luis, is by boat or private plane since the only road link is a
lent. For international cuisine try: Forno e Fogão in the Hotel Luxor, Expensive,
precarious dirt strip that can take up to a day's journey. Boats leave daily
(223-7075); Fornace, Expensive, Av. Robert Kennedy 2167 (231-1780), on the
from downtown São Luis but these are primitive fishing boats suitable only
beach; Seandro's, Expensive, Av. Fernando Lima 554 (221-3164), live music, danc-
for the adventuresome. A catamaran also makes the trip and is far more
ing. Gstaad, Moderate, Av. Robert Kennedy 2167 (231-1780), good for fondue.
comfortable and reliable, although the trip is made only with groups (con-
tact Taguatur Turismo at 222-6658).
RECIFE
São Luis is known for its folklore presentations, which are considered
the most authentic of the Northeast. The principal one is called bumba-
HOTELS. Most of the top hotels in Recife are located along Boa Viagem beach,
meu-boi, an involved dance drama which reenacts a folk tale with colorful-
although the beach area of next-door Olinda has the new Quatro Rodas Hotel, best
in the area. In Boa Viagem the newest and best is the Recife Palace, Deluxe, Av.
ly costumed dancers. The same dance is performed throughout the North-
Boa Viagem 4070 (325-4044), owned and run by the same people who have Rio's
east but São Luis in particular is famed for the beauty of the costumes
excellent Rio Palace Hotel, with French restaurant and discotheque, on the beach;
of the dancers. The city is also home to the Tambor de Mina, a voodoo
Miramar, Deluxe, Rua dos Navegantes 363 (326-7422), 120 air-conditioned rooms,
ceremony that has generated a dance-ritual called Tambor de Criolo.
swimming pool, bar, restaurant, and nightclub; a new Sheraton, the Petribu Shera-
These African religious rites were brought from the Caribbean by slaves
ton, Deluxe, was scheduled to open in mid-1989, Av. Bernardo Vieira de Mello
and are the only ones in Brazil that are similar to the voodoo ceremonies
1624 (361-4511), 200 rooms, convention center, pool, tennis courts, restaurant and
of Haiti in their use of dolls and pins.
bars, on the Piedade Beach; Internacional Othon Palace, Expensive, Av. Boa Vi-
3722 (326-7225), pool, restaurant, and bar; Villa Rica, Moderate, Av. Boa
agem Viagem 4308, (326-5111), on the beach, pool, bar, and restaurant; Boa Viagem,
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR THE NORTHEAST
Moderate, Av. Boa Viagem 5000 (341-4144), beach-front, pool, bar, and restaurant;
Jangadeiro, Moderate, Av. Boa Viagem 3114 (326-6777), on the beach, pool, bar,
WHEN TO GO. The weather in the Northeast is good all year long, with the
and restaurant; Savaroni, Moderate, Av. Boa Viagem 3772 (325-5077), on the 9
temperature and humidity increasing as you go north, nearing the equator and the
beach, pool, bar, and restaurant; Park, Moderate, Rua dos Navegantes
Amazon. The rainy season usually begins in Apr. and continues through June, al-
(325-4666), pool, bar, and restaurant; do Sol, Moderate, Av. Boa Viagem 978
though in São Luis there is daily rainfall starting in Sept. Rains in the Northeast
(326-7644), bar, restaurant and pool, on the beach; Casa Grande e Senzala, Moder-
272
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
273
Other good international restaurants: Sandra's, Expensive, Av. Engenheiro Luis
ble trunk rivers. Ocean-going vessels can travel 2,700 miles upriver to Iqui-
Vieira 555 (234-0503); Panela, Moderate, at the Iracema Plaza hotel (231-0066);
tos, which is still about 600 miles from the origin of the river.
the late (Yacht) Clube, Moderate, Av. Matias Beck 4813 in Mucuripe. For seafood,
About one-third the world's oxygen is produced by the vegetation, and
try the following, all on Av. Pres. Kennedy along the beach: Alfredo, 4616, Moder-
one-fifth the fresh water in the world is provided by the Amazon. Al-
ate (244-3818); Tocantins, 4294, Moderate (224-5201); Peixada do Meio 4632,
Moderate (224-2719). Trapiche, 3956, Moderate (244-4400).
though there are over 18,000 plant species in the basin, the extremely
In general the best hotels and restaurants in Fortaleza are located along the Mei-
heavy rainfall leaches the soil of its nutrients and makes organized cultiva-
relles beach on Av. President Kennedy. Bars and outdoor cafes are also here for
tion extremely impractical. Although poor in agricultural possibilities, the
nightlife. The nearby Praia do Futuro beach is being developed now for tourism
Amazon is rich in among other products, gold, diamonds, lumber, rubber,
and will offer some fine new hotels, restaurants, and bars in the near future. Unfor-
oil, and jute.
tunately the remainder of the city has suffered greatly from the recent economic
American travel firms began to make it more accessible in 1956. The
problems of the state resulting from the last drought and today has little to offer
except some rather depressing scenes of abject poverty.
region is now becoming increasingly open to tourism. Such cities as Belém,
Manaus, Santarem, and Porto Velho in Brazil, Leticia in Columbia, and
SHOPPING. Fortaleza is famed for its lace work and here you will find intricate
Iquitos in Peru, are easily reached by air and offer fine hotels, good food,
hammocks, lace blouses, tablecloths, and beautifully embroidered skirts, all at in-
excellent services, and fascinating sightseeing.
credibly low prices. The best shopping areas are Central de Artesenato, Av. Santos
The main attraction in the Amazon is the jungle. It extends into nine
Dumont 1500 and the Centro de Turismo, downtown at Rua Senador Pompeu 350,
countries of South America-French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Vene-
open all day Sat. and until 1 P.M. on Sun.
zuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Brazil. Most of these coun-
tries have developed tourism facilities-most of them new-enabling the
SÃO LUIS
visitor to explore the basin in reasonable safety and comfort. However,
as it is a primitive area, many tourist facilities call for "roughing it."
HOTELS. Easily the best hotel in the city is the Quatro Rodás, Deluxe, Praia
do Calhau (227-0244), located on the best beach in São Luis, with swimming pool,
tennis courts, bar-nightclub, and one of the finest seafood restaurants in all of Brazil.
Belém
Highly recommended as a getaway spot for complete relaxation. Other hotels are:
Vila Rica, Expensive, Praça Dom Pedro II 299 (222-4455), downtown with pool,
The city of Belém is the gateway to the Amazon, 90 miles from the open
bar, and restaurant; Grande Hotel São Francisco, Moderate, Conjunto São Francis-
sea. Ultra-modern highrises dot the horizon, mingling with older red-tile-
co (227-1155), pool, bar, and restaurant; Panorama Palace, Moderate, new, Rua
roofed buildings.
dos Pinheiros (227-0067), pool, bar, and restaurant.
Belém was the first center of European colonization in the Amazon. The
Portuguese settled here in 1616, using the city as a jumping off point for
RESTAURANTS. Victor, Moderate, Quatro Rodas Hotel, excellent seafood, try
the interior jungle region and also as an outpost to protect the mouth of
their many varieties of white fish, all marvelous; Ricardão, Moderate, Praia do Ara-
the Amazon River. A river port with access to the sea, Belém developed
caji, for lunch; Solar do Ribeirão, Moderate, Rua Isaac Martins 141 (222-3068),
famed for shrimp dishes.
over the years into the major trade center for the Amazon. Like the upriver
city of Manaus, Belém rode the ups and downs of Amazon booms and
busts, alternately bursting with energy and money and slumping into rela-
tive obscurity. All of this is evident in the architecture of the city where
colonial structures survive along with rubber-era mansions and ostenta-
THE AMAZON
tious monuments to the civic spirit of past magnates. This is most evident
in the "old city" where you will find the Our Lady of Nazare church with
The Amazon region has figured so prominently in novels and films that
its ornate interior replete with carrara marble and gold, the former city
few people who come to see it don't have some preconceived notion of
palace, the Laura Sodre palace and the Bolonha Palace, the latter three
what they will find. Most often they expect an impenetrable jungle, herds
examples of works by European architects brought to the city by the rub-
of animals, flocks of swooping birds, and unfriendly Indians. In reality,
ber barons.
there is little groundcover vegetation, the trees range from 50 to 150 feet
While here, walk to the Praça da Republica, faced by the Municipal
in height, little animal life can be spotted, and the birds nest in the tops
Theatre, to see the Victorian marble statues. The theatre is the third oldest
of the high trees.
in Brazil. Nearby is the handicrafts center run by the state tourism office,
Francisco de Orellana, a Spanish Conquistador, sighted the river in
Paratur. In this daily fair you will find wood, leather, and straw objects
1541 and was so taken by the size that he called it Rio Mar, the River
plus handmade Indian goods and examples of the region's colorful and
Sea. Exploration was slow and arduous, and as explorers forged their way
distinctive pottery, called marajoara.
through unknown territory, they encountered and fought what they
Stop in the Goeldi Museum; in addition to an extensive collection of
thought was a race of women warriors, whom they called Amazons.
Indian artifacts and excellent photographs, there is a ZOO with many local
Whether they actually believed they were face to face with something out
animals in their natural surroundings. In the Jungle Park, a large area of
of pagan mythology is not known; but it is easy to imagine that they felt
virgin forest has been preserved and traversed by trails, which lead to re-
the name "Amazon" and its implications were pointedly appropriate to
flection pools with huge water lillies. Also worthwhile is the Agricultural
this hostile land, and this name came to refer to the entire region.
Institute, where rubber and Brazil nut trees are cultivated. Or, delve into
Most of the Amazon basin has been explored and charted. The river
history with a visit to an old rubber plantation.
itself is 3,900 miles long, the second longest river in the world, and has
Although Belém today is a bustling, modern city, the influence of the
17 tributaries each over 1,000 miles long plus over 50,000 miles of naviga-
Amazon river and jungle remains strong. Despite its international airport,
AMERICA
BRAZIL
the city still depends heavily on the river for contact with the outside
the world. The highway to Brasilia was built to end Belém's isolation from
dievelop the region and keep out invaders from Europe. To this end, the
rest of the country but it is still a seasonal highway, subject to periodic
Portuguese built their largest fort in Brazil in the city. Its remains are
closures because of heavy rains and flooding along the route. Its
today one of Macapá's main tourist attractions.
The top attraction, however, is provided by nature. Called the pororoca,
signts
value to the city is in providing land access for farm products and main
factured goods from the south. Buses also ply the highway but the manu- four-
this extraordinary natural wonder occurs when the incoming ocean tide
day trip is only for the adventuresome.
crashes against the outflowing waters of the Amazon. The violent meeting
Because it of its heavy dependence on the river, the port of Belém is today,
produces churning waters and waves that reach 15 feet in height. The most
find as was 300 years ago, an active trade and business center. Here
markable aspect of the pororoca, however, is the sound that results. For
salespitch that has survived the passage of time). Dozens of boats of
the Ver-o-Peso market (literally "see the weight," a colonial-era you will
mearly an hour before the final meeting of the waters, the air is filled with
what sounds like a continuous crack of thunder, gradually building in in-
types and sizes line up at the dock to unload their wares or haul on board all
tensity. At the end, the rushing ocean waves sweep into the forest along
Amazon goods destined for other ports. The market is a confusion of col.
the river banks. The intensity of the pororoca is at its greatest during the
ors and voices with vendors offering medicinal herbs, regional fruits,
months January to May when the Amazon is in flood stage. It is truly
cle roots from the jungle, alligator teeth, river fish (both stuffed and mira- for
one of the most unforgettable sights in South America.
but long on local color.
eating) and good luck charms for the body and soul. Short on cleanliness
The port of Belém itself is best seen by boat. Paratur operates a sternwh-
Santarem
boat, with a bar on board, leaves from the Praça do Pescador at 9 in
eeler that provides tours of the port and nearby islands. The oldtime river
Throughout modern times, the Amazon has been a magnet for adven-
turers and dreamers. First wood, then rubber and today gold have served
Ciatur morning on Saturdays and Sundays, returning at noon. Two private firms, the
as the lures for thousands of would-be millionaires seeking to carve their
with Novotel Hotel daily. Both of these tours include a stop along the river
and Neytur, also conduct river tours, leaving from the pier at the
fortunes out of the jungle. Many have left behind rusted monuments to
their dreams. The most noteworthy of these is Fordlandia, an Amazon
a short hike through the jungle. You can also arrange a boat
boondoggle envisioned by Henry Ford who poured millions of dollars into
to Jaguar Island, with its luxuriant vegetation and array of bird life. trip
a vast rubber plantation destined to supply him with the raw material for
insight into the lifestyle of the islanders.
small river cuts through the island; a short boatride provides interesting A
the tires of his cars. The scheme failed and today its remains can be seen
in the jungle some 40 miles outside of Santarem, a city of 100,000 on the
Amazon between Belém and Manaus. Santarem is now enjoying unprece-
Marajó
dented growth due to the latest Amazon boom cycle, this time built
Just north of Belém and reached by boat or plane is the island of Marajó,
around gold strikes that have been made in the region starting in 1981.
forest larger than Denmark. The island has two distinct zones of vegetation-
Originally settled by former soldiers of the Confederacy following the Civil
Its island is a vast unspoiled tribute to the abundance of the Amazon region.
and grassy plains-and is famed for its herds of water buffalo. The
War, Santarem boasts names like Higgins and MacDonald. The Tropical
Hotel Santarem offers superior accommodations and arranges local boat
only city, Souré, also has excellent river beaches. The trip to the island
trips on the Amazon and its tributaries.
the takes 6 hours by boat or 30 minutes by plane and if you decide to
The Brazilian shipping company, Enasa, is now operating two catama-
night, make sure to choose the Pousada Marajoara located stay
ran-style vessels between Belém and Manaus with a stop at Santarem.
for riverfront and designed in the form of an Amazon indian village, just on the
They boast 53 double and 8 quadruple air-conditioned cabins with private
capturing the spirit of this unique part of the world. While on the right is-
baths plus a small pool, bar, dining room and discotheque. The twice-
steak and desserts made with buffalo milk.
land, try out the distinctive local cuisine with such delicacies as buffalo
monthly sailings are usually on Fridays from Belém arriving in Manaus
the following Thursday. Departures from Manaus are on Friday arriving
In general, dining in the Amazon is as different as everything else in
in Belém on Wednesday.
fish, armadillo, wild Amazon duck and a wide variety of river fish with
the region. Besides buffalo, you will have the opportunity to eat piranha
Manaus
jaraquí, and Pacú (beware of anyone offering you alligator or turtle-the
such exotic indian names as tucunaré, pirarucú, tambaquí, curimatá,
A sprawling city of nearly one million, built in the densest part of the
ical killing of both is against the law). For dessert try some of the region's
jungle, Manaus has re-established its role as the key city of the Amazon
fruits, found only in the Amazon, such as сириаси, graviola, taperebá, trop-
basin after years of dormancy (the long-hoped-for expansion of the Ama-
pupunha, biribá, bacabá, burití, abio, and acaí.
zon basin did not attain the desired results despite the inauguration of sea-
sonal road connections with Belém and Brasilia). Vestiges of Manaus' opu-
Macapá
lent rubber boom days still remain; the famous Opera House, completed
in 1910, where Jenny Lind once sang and the Ballet Russe once danced,
lies tal the territory of Amapá. The city, one of only five in the world that
North of from Marajó is Macapá, an Amazon river city of 95,000 and capi-
has recently been restored to its former splendor. The building is adorned
with French ironwork and houses works of art and chinawear-seemingly
directly on the equator, is 40 minutes flying time from Belém. Like
out of place in the jungle. For further insight into the rubber boom period,
Belém, Macapá was an Amazon outpost established by the Portuguese to
visit a rubber plantation.
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
277
The Custom House and Lighthouse were imported piece by piece from
Suriname Airways, Vasp. and Cruzeiro. To Leticia: Avianca and Cruzeiro. To Iqui-
England and reassembled alongside the floating dock, built especially to
tos: Faucett, Aero Peru, and Cruzeiro.
accommodate the annual 40-foot rise and fall of the river.
Contemporary Manaus is a combination of modern highrise buildings
WHAT TO TAKE. Light summer clothing. Drip dry shirts and khaki slacks for
scattered among lower, older stucco structures. Still, the city has more
the men. Cotton dresses for the ladies or skirts and blouses. Pants and pantsuits
than its share of hotels, restaurants, and unusual sights. Wander through
for women are also acceptable. All shirts and blouses should be long-sleeved. All
the City Market Building, where caged animals and parrots are offered
colors may be worn with the exception of green. Very comfortable shoes are a must,
for sale alongside exotic fruits and vegetables.
and sneakers or tennis shoes will come in handy. In addition, for its jungle tours,
For shopping, try the Credilar Teatro, an imposing edifice of native red-
Amazon Explorers has the following suggestions and comments: (1) Rubber boots
(high) for walk through the jungles. A must. (2) Hat or head cover. Flashlight-
stone and glass. Or, taxi to the suburb of Cachoeirinha to see the Little
Since electricity is limited. (3) Insect repellent (for overnight trips a mosquito net
Church of the Poor Devil (Pobre Diablo) built by one poor laborer; it's
will be supplied). (4) Knife, scissors, first aid kit, toilet paper, sewing kit, sunglasses.
only 12 feet wide and 15 feet long. While in the suburbs, stop at the Sale-
(5) Camera and plenty of film. Plastic bags to store exposed film. (6) All medications
sian Mission Museum to see a complete documentary of the now vanished
as needed. (7) Walking stick if needed will be supplied. (8) For fishermen: please
order. "Floating City"; also, visit the Indian Museum operated by the same
bring variety of hooks and line. (9) Binoculars-good quality binoculars for bird
and animal watching-500 varieties of tropical Amazon birds are constantly
For natural beauties, plan a trip to Taruma Falls and, of course, a boat
around you. (10) As the life on the Amazon is much more relaxed and primitive
ride beginning on the Rio Negro that detours onto a small tributary that
than anywhere else in the world, you must be prepared for constant changes, delays,
is completely covered by a green umbrella of giant trees and vines. Birdlife
or cancellations of flights or steamers according to the moods of the river. Should
is abundant in this region and with luck, you might spot a scampering
such changes occur while traveling, your guide will notify you immediately and
monkey high in the trees. The fascinating end to the voyage cruises is the
make new arrangements accordingly.
"Wedding of the Waters," where the coffee-brown Amazon and the inky-
HOTELS. Once a wilderness area as far as hotel accommodations were con-
intermingling. black Rio Negro meet and continue for miles toward the Atlantic before
cerned, the Amazon has now thoroughly acceptable, even luxurious, lodging. For
definitions of price categories, see "Facts at Your Fingertips."
The Upper Regions
BELÉM
The upper reaches of the Amazon River are generally more interesting
Deluxe
than the lower portions because the upper river is only one-half mile wide
and the channel flows close to either shore most of the time. Indian life
Hilton, Av. Pres. Vargas 882, Praça da Republica (223-6500). Finest hotel in
is far more evident.
town, all rooms with private bath, air-conditioning; 2 bars and 2 restaurants.
There is weekly tour/cruise service on the upper Amazon between Iqui-
Moderate
tos, Peru and Leticia, Colombia. Reconstructed especially for cruising on
the Amazon, the M/V Rio Amazonas sails from its home port of Iquitos
Equatorial Palace, Av. Braz Aguiar 612 (224-8855). One of the best in the city,
with a bar, pool, and restaurant; the rooms have bath, air-conditioning, telephone,
each Wednesday and arrives in Leticia Saturday morning; return sailings
TV, and refrigerator.
depart Leticia Saturday afternoons and arrive in Iquitos Tuesday morn-
Excelsior Grao Para, Av. Presidente Vargas (222-3255). Rooms have bath, air-
ings. Sailing times in both ports are coordinated with air service to/from
conditioning, and telephone; bar and restaurant.
Bogotá, Manaus, Iquitos and Lima.
Novotel, Av. Bernardo Sayao 4804 (229-8011). 121 air-conditioned rooms near
The Rio Amazonas carries 55 passengers in 16 air-conditioned twin cab-
Rio Guama.
ins with private bath and 10 non-air-conditioned twin/triple cabins with
Regente, Av. Governador Jose Malcher 485. (224-0755). Rooms with private
community bath facilities at half the cost. All meals, twice-daily shore ex-
bath, air-conditioning, and TV.
cursions, lectures and films on the flora, fauna, and Indian life are all in-
Vila Rica Belém, Av. Julio Cesar (airport) (233-4222). Rooms have private bath,
cluded in the cruise cost. Shore excursions are not duplicated on the in-
air-conditioning, telephones, and TV; bar, restaurant, and pool.
depth roundtrip cruise, six nights from Iquitos back to Iquitos.
Inexpensive
Central, Av. Presidente Vargas 290 (222-3011).
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR THE AMAZON
Sagres, Av. Gov. Jose Malcher (228-3999). 136 rooms, all air-conditioned, TV,
bar, restaurant, and pool.
For definitions of price categories see "Facts at Your Fingertips."
Vanja, Rua Benjamin Constant 1164 (222-6688). Rooms with private bath, air-
WHEN TO GO. Since the Amazon Valley lies close to the Equator, winter and
conditioning, and telephone.
jungle, not in the cities or on the river. Average temperature is 80°F. Nights are
summer in the usual sense do not occur. High humidity is common only in the deep
MANAUS
always cool. Rainy Season-December to June (high water). Dry Season-July to
November (low water). Travel in both seasons is good.
Deluxe
Tropical, (238-5757). Built and operated by Tropical Hotels, a subsidiary of
HOW TO GET THERE. From USA: Gateway is Miami, via Lloyd Boliviano,
Varig, Faucett, and Suriname Airways, Avianca and Aeroperu.
Varig, on good beach overlooking the Rio Negro. 341 air-conditioned rooms, swim-
ming pool, excellent restaurant, night club. About 10 minutes from the new airport
From S.A. to Manaus: Varig, Cruzeiro, Vasp, Lloyd Boliviano. To Belém: Varig,
and 45 minutes from town. Best buy.
Encycl Britan
Brazil 143
on-
language come many of the names of plants, animals,
culture. It is in the modern novel that this literary move-
by
and places in Brazilian Portuguese. Some of these terms
ment, however, has been most actively developed. Jorge
li-
of Tupi origin have come to be used in English, such as
Amado has written in Terras do Sem Fim (translated as
tapioca (a by-product of the manioc tuber) and cashew
The Violent Land) of the frontier days of the early 20th
de
ig
(acajú in Tupi). The Indian contribution to Brazilian
century in the cocoa growing region of Bahia; and, in
culture is most apparent in the Amazon Valley, where
Jubiabá, of a heroic Negro character from the slums of
V-
many Indian customs and beliefs have been retained by
Bahia.
the rubber collectors and isolated farmers.
Cultural institutions. Among the many modern uni-
d-
African influence on the Brazilian way of life is strong-
versities and scientific institutions is the Butanan Insti-
ne
est in the old plantation region north along the coast from
tute, in São Paulo, where important work on snake serum
th
Rio de Janeiro. Particularly in Salvador, the capital of
has been done. The Institute Oswaldo Cruz in Rio de
SS
Bahia state, there are traditional dishes of African origin,
Janeiro is famous for its scientific work in tropical dis-
n-
such as vatapá-made of rice flour, coconut oil, fish and
ease.
shrimps, red peppers, and many condiments-and aca-
Modern mass media, such as the press, radio, and tele-
rs
le
rajé, a beancake fried in coconut oil. In most northern
vision, have expanded rapidly. Television was introduced
coastal cities, there are religious cults of African origin,
in 1950 in São Paulo. Twenty-one years later there were
1
56 television stations in the larger cities, with an esti-
0
called macumba in Rio de Janeiro and candomblé in
Bahia, which are analogous to the voodoo, or vodum,
mated 6,500,000 (1969) television receiving sets. Brazil-
of Haiti. These cults worship West African deities as
ians have also become a more sports-loving people.
S.
well as Catholic saints. Throughout Brazil, people tell
Thousands crowd the beautiful beaches, and hundreds
o
folktales similar to the Uncle Remus stories told in the
of thousands attend the soccer matches for which a
e
II
southern United States. African influence is apparent in
stadium seating 200,000 was constructed in Rio de Jan-
Brazilian popular music, especially in the highly rhyth-
eiro.
(C.W.W./T.L.S.)
e
mic sambas.
y
Because of the great environmental variation over this
Prospects for the future
large country, there are marked regional differences in
The armed forces have been the final arbiters of the
Public
Brazilian culture. The extreme southern state of Rio
health
political process in Brazil since the end of World War
Grande do Sul is known for the gauchos, the cowboys
II, and they seem likely to retain that function indefi-
e
of the Pampas. The southern states of Rio Grande do
nitely. Sharing similar points of view with the urban
S
Sul, Paraná, and Santa Catarina are known for their
middle income groups that have come to prominence in
colonies of European farmers. The people of the pro-
the past generation, the military officers are convinced
r
gressive city of São Paulo have the reputation of being
that Brazil is destined to become a world power and that
the energetic "yankees" of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is
it is the duty of the armed services to work toward that
known for the cosmopolitan charm of its people, spoken
end by providing efficient, nation-wide administration.
of as cariocas; for the gaiety of its pre-Lenten carnival;
This attitude is reinforced by their long-standing low
and, of course, for the beauty of the city and its setting
regard for professional politicians. Between 1945 and
at the foot of green mountains on the Baía de Guanabara.
1964 no single political party was able to elect a presi-
The northeastern semidesert is characterized by another
dent of Brazil or a majority in Congress, a situation that
type of cowboy, the vaqueiro, who dresses entirely in
encouraged political irresponsibility. In these circum-
leather for protection against the thorny bushes of the
stances, and always at the behest of civilian political
region. The Amazon Basin has the lonely seringueiro, the
elements, the armed forces intervened on four occasions
gatherer of wild rubber from the tropical forest. The
to protect national institutions against the effects of what
see
coffee plantations of São Paulo and Paranã states, the
they considered to be civilian incompetence.
cocoa plantations in southern Bahia state, and the sugar
Since the revolution of March 31, 1964, in contrast to
plantations of the Northeast coast also provide distinctive
their earlier practice, military leaders have retained
settings for regional variations in the Brazilian way of
direct command of the government and have carried
life.
out a major revision of the political system, progressively
The state of the arts. The varied racial and cultural
enhancing the authority of the national executive at the
autuor
past of Brazil and the striking regional differences are
expense of state governors, state and national legis-
reflected in Brazilian art, literature, and music. Without
latures, political parties, and the Brazilian electorate.
doubt the outstanding artist of the 18th century, during
Through rigorous fiscal austerity, revision of the tax
the colonial period, was the crippled mulatto architect
structure, promotion of private enterprise, and heavy
The
and sculptor, Antônio Francisco Lisboa, who was known
investment of public funds in the economic infrastruc-
artistic and
simply as Aleijadinho (the Little Crippled One). His
ture, the post-1964 regimes have reversed the down-
musical
famous carvings in soapstone may be seen in the 18th-
ward economic trend to give Brazil one of the highest
heritage
century churches of Minas Gerais state.
rates of economic growth in the world. Ambitious high-
Brazil's most famous modern artist, Cándido Portinari,
way-building and colonization programs in the interior
was the son of Italian immigrants; regional scenes are
of the country and more modest support of education
the subject of many of his paintings. The internationally
and social welfare are designed to hasten the effective
famous contémporary composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, in-
occupation and development of the national territory and
corporated folk music from the Brazilian Negroes and
the modernization of Brazilian society. Sustained eco-
Indians into his compositions, as in his Bachianas Brasil-
nomic growth and widespread public apathy in political
eiras and Chôros. Likewise, contemporary Brazilian ar-
matters will probably continue to be the norm in Brazil.
chitecture, which stresses open terraces and large win-
The military may be expected to remain at the centre of
dows that are shuttered against the sun, has become
the political stage until it feels that its "revolutionary"
famous throughout the world; it is a new school of ar-
policies are irreversible by a successor regime.
chitecture well adapted to the tropical and semitropical
(R.E.P.)
climate.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
In the field of literature, the mixed racial and cultural
The Land and people: FERNANDO BASTOS DE AVILA, Immi-
heritage of Brazil is also felt strongly. The poetic, ima-
gration in Latin America (1964), a text on the influx of
ginative novels of Joaquin Maria Machado de Assis won
foreigners and their influence in society and economy;
international acclaim during the late 19th century.
EUCLYDES DA CUNHA, Rebellion in the Backlands (1944), a fine
A series of outstanding writers have appeared in the
work on man's attempt to conquer northeast Brazil; MARVIN
HARRIS, Town and Country in Brazil (1956), a good account
20th century, focussing upon regional subjects. A modern
of Brazilian population settlement; INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPH-
Brazilian classic is Casa Grande e Senzala (translated
ICAL UNION Excursion Guidebooks (1-9, 1956), valuable
into English as The Masters and the Slaves) by Gilberto
guidebooks covering the regions of Brazil; PRESTON E. JAMES,
Freyre; it is a masterly social history of the Brazilian
Latin America, 4th ed. (1969), a standard text including
slave system of the northeast and the fusion of Indian,
coverage of Brazil; WILLIAM F. JENKS (ed.), Handbook of
Negro, and Portuguese social patterns into the national
South American Geology (1956), covers the natural features
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Brasilia, Brazil)
For Immediate Release
December 3, 1990
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE JOINT SESSION OF THE BRAZILIAN CONGRESS
Brazilian Congress Building
Brasilia, Brazil
11:28 A.M. (L)
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. President of the National Congress;
and Mr. President of the Chamber of Deputies; and to our two most
articulate speakers, Senator Tito and Deputy Fiuza; and Mr. Acting
President of the Supreme Court; esteemed Papal Nuncio; and members of
the diplomatic corps; Mr. Archbishop; Honorable Ministers of State
and Governors of the Federal District; and honorable deputies and
senators. It is a privilege, it is an honor to join you in this
great hall of democracy.
My thoughts today could have no better forum than this
National Congress -- my words, no better audience than the people of
Brazil. We meet at an extraordinary moment in our shared history. A
time of serious challenges and important choices that calls for
mutual respect, candor and collective will. I've met with many Latin
and Caribbean leaders. And beyond any single issue that we've
discussed, all of us have been galvanized by a new era of hope and
opportunity throughout the Americas -- especially here in Brazil.
By pioneering bold new economic reforms and consolidating
its democracy, Brazil today is poised to enter the 21st century as a
leader among nations. That is a tribute to a leader whose friendship
and vision I value and respect -- a man who represents a new
generation of democratic leadership now sweeping across Latin America
-- your dynamic new President, Fernando Collor de Mello.
President Collor has spoken eloquently of Brazil's
rightful place at the table of the First World -- and I agree. I
believe it is time, in fact, to end the false distinctions between
the First World and Third World that have too long limited political
and economic relations in the Americas. Let us instead speak of the
New World.
This hemisphere has always found strength in diversity.
After all, here I stand, addressing Portuguese speakers in English,
because of an Italian sailing on behalf of Spain five centuries ago.
What we hold in common transcends borders and translates into any
language. The nations of the Americas all struggled and gained
independence from the old ways of the Old World -- ended the
injustice of slavery and colonialism -- and built republics of
promise and renewal around the dignity and the power of the
individual and the rule of law.
Now, as we approach the 500th anniversary of Columbus'
discovery of Americas and the arrival of Cabral's Portuguese fleet in
Brazil, this is our moment to chart the course for the New World -- a
course of freedom, a course of democracy, a course of prosperity.
We've all witnessed in wonder the dawn of democracy in Eastern
Europe. But in the Americas, we, too, have seen extraordinary
political and economic change that is transforming the face of this
hemisphere; nowhere more so than right here, no more more so than in
the great nation of Brazil. The changes you are carrying out in your
MORE
economy reducing the size of the state, privatizing enterprises,
combating inflation and liberalizing trade, are the keys to growth
and prosperity in the global economy of the 21st century -- whose
outlines we already see today. I am here to tell you that you are
not only on the right path, but the United States wants you to
succeed and supports your efforts every step of the way. I believe
that we've just begun to press forward, toward the real promise of
the Americas.
Territories may end at borders, but mankind's capacity
for progress knows no bounds. Continents may end at the water's
edge, but human potential knows only those limits set by human
imagination. The Americas' role in the world is not defined by
geography. It is defined by its people and its ideals. I truly
believe that we are approaching a new dawn in the New World.
Our thinking must be bold; our will, resolute. Our
challenge now is to hew out of a wilderness of competing interests a
new kind of opportunity in the Americas. To fulfill the New World's
destiny, all of the Americas and the Caribbean must embark on a
venture for the coming century: to create the first fully democratic
hemisphere in the history of mankind. The first hemisphere devoted
to the democratic ideal -- to unleash the power of free people, free
elections, and free markets.
Two weeks ago in Czechoslovakia, I spoke to a people that
had paid dearly for its freedom. I talked about a new commonwealth
of freedom, based on four key principles. This hemisphere already
shares these convictions: an unshakable belief in the dignity and
rights of man; the conviction that just government derives its power
from the people; the belief that men and women everywhere must be
free to enjoy the fruits of their labor; and, four, that the rule of
law must govern the conduct of nations. Every nation that joins this
commonwealth of freedom advances us one step closer to a new world
order. We must persist until this victory for freedom and democracy
is won completely.
It is also within our power to make this hemisphere the
largest free-trading partnership of sovereign nations in the world.
From the northern-most reaches of Canada to the tip of Cape Horn. We
see a future where growing opportunity, the power of technology and
the benefits of prosperity are developed and shared by all.
Change will not come easily. Economies, now dependent on
protection and state regulation, must open to competition. The
transition, for a time, will be painful. Many in the Americas will
have to make serious adjustments to compete with Southeast Asia and
to take advantage of the European market after 1992. But we are
confident that solutions will be found --- by Brazilians, by
Chileans, by Venezuelans -- by all of the Americas.
And the results -- growing economies and sound currencies
-- will bring unprecedented prosperity and growth for all our
citizens to share. That was the vision of the Enterprise for the
Americas Initiative that we announced last June. And Deputy Fiuza, I
listened very carefully to your strong speech in this regard. And I
thank you for those frank and forceful comments. The initiative
calls for a major hemispheric effort to unify the New World in the
three key areas of trade, investment, and debt.
In trade, our first priority should be to promote
long-term growth. And the most effective first step is the
successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round, now in its final stages
in Brussels. An end to export subsidies on agricultural goods and
new openings for developing country exports mean new market
opportunities and a higher standard of living for the farmer in Para,
the textile worker in Santa Catarina, and the engineer in Sao Paulo.
But the Uruguay Round and bilateral trade agreements are
only first steps. The Southern Cone Common Market, now developing
under the leadership of your President and his colleagues in
neighboring countries, is another major step toward the world's first
MORE
nemispheric tree tr zone.
To promote new investment in the Americas, the dead hand
of state control must be lifted. We must allow entrepreneurs the
flexibility to adapt, create, and produce. So, as we chart a course
for the future of the New World, let us hold firmly in our minds an
unshakable conviction in the importance and benefit of free
enterprise. Let us work together so that any man or woman who wants
to launch a new enterprise views the state as an ally, not as an
obstacle -- and all who pursue the fruits of the free market see
other nations not as threats to sovereignty, but as partners in trade
and mutual prosperity.
Individuals cannot succeed if government is burdened by
debt. so the third leg of our Enterprise for the Americas Initiative
is a comprehensive commitment to work with Brazil and others in Latin
America to restructure U.S. official debt. Our new approach to
official debt will complement commercial debt restructuring through
the Brady Plan. I understand the importance to Brazil and, indeed,
to the international financial community of reaching a new and
effective agreement on commercial debt. I believe, through your
program of economic reform, you have taken the first crucial step
toward that goal. Global capital flows will be vital to your
development, and we are ready to assist wherever possible.
We've submitted a request to our Congress for the
authority to implement our proposals. But we know that real
solutions must involve all of us in the Americas. That's why we
envision a permanent partnership between all the nations of the
Americas, to confront challenges that know no borders. We envision a
hemisphere where a collaborative commitment is shared to protect our
environmental legacy. There can be no sustained economic growth
without respect for the environment. That's why the Enterprise for
the Americas Initiative joins environmental protection with bilateral
debt relief -- not as a challenge to national sovereignty, not as a
challenge to the sovereignty, in this case of Brazil, but as an
affirmation of shared international interests.
Senator Tito -- and I do appreciate, sir, your using this
podium for a frank exchange here -- talked about partners in growth,
I believe you said, sir -- partners in growth rather than
shareholders of misery. That is what you want, and that is what we
want.
I encourage Brazil and other creditor nations to convert
debt into funds for the environment. The entire world stands in awe
of Brazil's unique endowment of wildlife, trees and plants in the
Amazon and the Atlantic rain forests. No nation on Earth -- none --
is as rich in flora and fauna, with all of their potential to provide
future medicines and foods, and crops and fibers. Your hosting of
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992
places Brazil in a position of true global leadership. We hope that
conference will mark the culmination of a number of initiatives to
protect and wisely utilize the world's resources.
We also are challenged to make ours a hemisphere where
sovereign nations are joined in collective determination to eradicate
the disease of drugs. On this one, the time for blame is long over.
We in the United States recognize that we must do more to reduce what
seems to you as insatiable demand. And you understand that the
spreading tentacles of the drug trade threaten any democratic
society.
President Collor has taken a strong position against
drugs for the sake of youth in Brazil. I know full well it is a
demand problem as well as a supply problem for my country; and I
pledge the full efforts of my government to continue to dampen
demand. There is only one answer to the drug problem in this
hemisphere. And that is to defeat these narco traffickers who prey
on our children -- once and for all.
And finally, in this era of great challenges around the
MORE
world, we want the estern Hemisphere to be i odel to the world for
security, stability and peace.
Together, let us ensure that this hemisphere stands
united to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons or new, more
dangerous, ballistic missiles anywhere in the world. We hope that
all countries in this hemisphere will follow Brazil's and Argentina's
recent decision to bring the nonproliferation treaty, Tlatelolco,
into force. I want to applaud, as many other nations have done, the
recent announcement by Brazil and Argentina that together they will
ensure that no nuclear program in their countries is used for
anything but peaceful purposes. We applaud your decision to move
forward on full-scope nuclear safeguards.
But your leadership today goes beyond this hemisphere.
Just as Brazil made valiant contributions to the cause of freedom in
World War II, you were among the very first to implement the
sanctions against Iraq. I realize the sacrifices that Saddam's
brutality has caused this nation and its people -- has caused many
nations around the world. In this country, I was told this morning,
the impact -- $5 billion in higher oil prices alone for one year --
$5 billion to your economy, struggling to move forward, because of
the brutality and the aggression of Saddam Hussein. In
Czechoslovakia, a country that knows about aggression, Vaclav Havel
told me, $1.5 billion just because of the aggression of Saddam
Hussein. I salute your leadership in the world's community and
law. united stand against Iraq's aggression and in defense of the rule of
Our nations, long ago, achieved independence from the old
World. And so now let us work toward a new declaration of
interdependence among the American nations of the New World. If, as
Jose Bonifacio once said, "Brazilians are enthusiasts of a beautiful
ideal," let us not limit the New World's potential with old thinking.
After the half millennium we've had in this hemisphere to form our
nations and find our way, let the nations of the Americas now fulfill
their common potential.
Standing on this central plateau, soon to be the seat of
great decisions, President Kubitschek said this: "I look once again
at the future of my country and see this dawn with unyielding faith
and unlimited confidence in its great destiny."
My friends, our neighbors, let the new dawn come to
Brazil and to the New World, and let us fulfill the promise of these
great lands.
Thank you very much. And may God bless the people of
Brazil. Thank you very, very much. (Applause.)
END
11:50 A.M. (L)
Nixon 1974
[75]
Mar.
II
Public Papers of the Presidents
75
Remarks on Mrs. Nixon's Departure for Venezuela and
76
Ren
Brazil. March II, 1974
Ban
Mr. Ambassador, Mr. Minister, and all
Latin America and in the Western Hemi-
of our very good friends who have been so
Commander
sphere, and that trip will bring that to the
kind to come out here to see Mrs. Nixon
Mahon, all
attention, we think, of the whole world.
off on her journey to Caracas and then to
here at the 1
And so with that, I will now turn the
Brasilia:
platform podium over to Mrs. Nixon. She
distinguishe
Let me say, first of all, that as she leaves
I am very
says she doesn't like to make speeches, but
on this journey, that it will be not only in
I do know that the reporters who have ac-
for being Sp
an official capacity-she will extend, of
companied her when she traveled alone to
generously
course, congratulations and best wishes to
this medalli
Peru and also to Africa over the past 2
President Pérez of Venezuela and Presi-
years have said that she is the best ambas-
organization
dent Geisel of Brazil-but she will do
think that t
sador the United States has. I proudly
something she has done on all of her
present her to you.
pay a tribut
travels around the world-she has
I have dc
MRS. NIXON. Thank you.
traveled more than any First Lady in his-
I am so pleased that you are here to
to do it espe
tory-she will bring the best wishes of the
the Diamon
send me off in this manner. I enjoyed
American people to the people of all the
the high school band, Killian High School
as an organ
countries she visits. And that is, of course,
band, and all of these Scouts and school-
niversary of
what we want them to hear.
Members of
children who are out, and the oldsters who
And we think it is particularly appro-
the Senate.
could get away from their jobs today.
priate that she is taking off here from
I do want to say that I shall certainly,
As you ha
Florida, because Florida is a State which
time memb
in just 3 hours and 40 minutes, be giving
knows so well the tremendous contribu-
a member
your best wishes and your affection to
tion that has been made to this State and
the people of Venezuela, my first stop,
organization
this Nation by those of Latin background.
and then later, on the 15th, to the people
safely say th
And going from Florida, first to Vene-
of Brazil.
ners, convel
zuela and then to Brazil, she will be able
of the VFW
I look forward to seeing you, when I
to see there those nations that are our
ure in Amei
can return home, and bringing you greet-
closest neighbors and our closest friends.
have had th
ings from our good friends.
And I should emphasize that in these
I know tl
times when so much emphasis has been
NOTE: The President spoke at 11:45 a.m. at
as Vice Pre
Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., where Mrs.
placed upon, as it should be, the new rela-
Nixon was leaving to serve as head of the
President fc
tions with the People's Republic of China
U.S. delegation to inaugural ceremonies for
it in private
and the Soviet Union, with our relations
President Carlos Andrés Pérez of Venezuela
particularly
with the great countries of Europe, that
and President Ernesto Geisel of Brazil.
of what this
In his opening words, the President referred
we must always remember that here in
who serves
to Venezuelan Ambassador Andrés Aguilar and
this Western Hemisphere, our closest
Brazilian Minister-Counselor Celso Diniz.
land. It is V
friends and neighbors are the people in
an organiza
sions are n
United Stat
this organiz
interest and
is the VFW
256
Richard Nixon, 1974
Mar. 16 [8o]
dience that despite the fact that I at times
and while I leave the podium, I don't
may have appeared to be a bit partisan,
expect to leave the Presidency until Janu-
I didn't intend to be at all. [Laughter]
ary 20, 1977.
The only reason that I am going out is
NOTE: The question-and-answer session began
that they said you were waiting for me to
at 1:02 p.m. in the International Ballroom
leave. [Laughter] Let me say I have ap-
of the Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago, III. It was
broadcast live on nationwide radio and
preciated your response and your patience,
television.
80 Remarks at Nashville, Tennessee, on Mrs. Nixon's Return
From Venezuela and Brazil. March 16, 1974
MRS. NIXON. I can tell you that it is
Second, I wanted to express to the
mighty nice to be back here in Tennessee,
people here our appreciation for your
where we always have so many friends
coming out in such great numbers.
who come out to welcome us.
As you know, we are here for the open-
This is truly a wonderful homecoming
ing of the Opry House, the new one, and
and a wonderful birthday surprise to have
I think you will be interested to know that
so many friends here with your signs and
last year in the White House, we had
all these Scouts who are out and all the
country music in the White House on
beautiful roses from the Girl Scouts.
Pat's birthday. So we decided to come to
I appreciate everything, and I bring
country music in order to celebrate the
you messages today from leaders, from
second time here today.
leaders all over the world, because our
But the particular point I would like
delegation was one of 88 who met in
to make is with reference to the trip that
Venezuela and also in Brazil for the
Mrs. Nixon, my wife Pat, has just taken
inaugural ceremonies. And I had a chance
to Latin America, and the trips that she
to visit with these leaders. They wanted
has taken with me all over the world, and
me to convey the message that they sup-
what they mean to all of us, and par-
port us in our quest for peace and that
ticularly what they mean to the young
they have good will and good wishes for
people who are here, your children, and
all the people of the United States.
your future.
THE PRESIDENT. Governor and Mrs.
You think, for example, of going to
Dunn, Senator Baker, Senator Brock, and
Latin America, to Venezuela and Brazil,
the Members of Congress, all of the dis-
and how far it is, and you wonder what all
tinguished guests who are here:
this means to your future. And I am sure
I want to express appreciation to all of
you must have thought the same thing at
you for coming out here today for two
the time that you saw on television our
reasons. First and foremost, because as
visit to the People's Republic of China,
you know, this is my wife Pat's birthday,
where one-fourth of all the people in the
and I don't know any place in this coun-
world live, and what it means to you.
try where she could get a finer, warmer
And you must have thought that, too,
welcome than right here in middle
when we went to the Soviet Union, where
Tennessee.
you have the most powerful nation in the
277
[8o] Mar. 16
Public Papers of the Presidents
world in terms of anyone who might be a
in this great State of Tennessee, as indi-
8I
potential adversary of the United States,
cated by the votes of your Senators and
and what that visit and the other develop-
your Congressmen, the people of Tennes-
ments that we have discussed mean to
see support strongly my position that the
Roy A
you.
United States must never become the
propri:
I will tell you this very simply: What
second strongest nation in the world.
Birthd
it means is that we believe very strongly
And I know, too, that here in the State
imposi
that our generation, this generation that
of Tennessee, there is that strong charac-
dent, 1
now has the responsibility for govern-
ter, that patriotism which will see to it
THI
ment, owes something to you and future
that America is not only strong militarily
fession
generations.
but that we will be the world's leader,
rassed
We have had four wars in this century,
which it is our destiny to be, because with-
haven'
and young Americans have fought and
out our leadership there cannot be peace.
is a Yo
died very bravely for their country. We
And that brings me back to Mrs. Nixon.
In t]
have never gained anything out of those
Sometimes we think of the strength of mis-
wars except the chance for other coun-
[The P
siles and other weapons that we have. But
the pia:
tries to be free and to build a peace.
just as important is the sympathy, the
And now what we want is not just
understanding which can only come from
Just
peace in our time but peace in your time-
know,
people-to-people contact. She brings from
and I am speaking particularly to all the
father
the people of South America to the people
young people here-we want a generation
Patricl
of the United States their affection, and
of peace. And in order to do that, it is
she brought to them, better than anyone
always
necessary to talk to people who even
rick's ]
else could, the feeling that every Ameri-
might be your opponents and might think
So,
can has for everybody in the world.
very differently from you, rather than to
these f
Let us clearly understand, we want to
have the option of fighting them.
That i
be the enemies of no people in the world.
It also is necessary-and this is the im-
So,
We want to be friends with all people in
portant thing to remember-that the
think
the world, but we will maintain our
United States never forget that the
it. Just
strength so that America can play the
strength of America, its military strength,
great role of peacemaker in the years
[The P
its economic strength, the character of
ahead and that this young generation will
America, is essential if we are going to
MR.
be the first in this century to enjoy a gen-
be able to maintain the peace of the
well a
eration of peace, and with your help we
world.
are a
will do it.
And when I come here to the heartland
Aloi
Thank you.
of America, just let me say two things.
certair
NOTE: The remarks began at 6:14 p.m. at
From a military standpoint, I know that
going
Nashville Metropolitan Airport.
as a c
going
1 At
from h
country
doing t
ances.
278
J.F.K. 1961
[103] Mar. 29
Public Papers of the Presidents
I am hopeful that the Congress, spurred
be recommended by the Administration
ple share th
by the adoption of the 23d amendment,
providing the District of Columbia the right
more happy
will act favorably on legislative proposals to
of home rule.
here in the I
I hope Bra
have been fa
104 Letter to Secretary Stahr Concerning Discontinuance of
a warm com
We shall
Commercial Operations by the Panama Line. March 31, 1961
in strengthe
Released March 31, 1961.
Dated March 29, 1961 ]
Dear Mr. Secretary:
alternative transportation resources in order
106 Me:
I have reviewed the report on the Panama
to select the course of action which would
An
Line, prepared by the Bureau of the Budget
best serve the Government's interest and
in consultation with you and other respon-
most adequately and economically meet the
Ap
sible authorities. I am in accord with the
Canal Zone's particular transportation re-
APRIL 4th
views expressed that continued commercial
quirements. It is my further desire that you
the signing
operations of the Panama Line would not
render appropriate assistance to those em-
We are j
be in the public interest. You should, there-
ployees displaced by this action in finding
achievement
fore, take appropriate measures to discon-
other employment.
cooperative
tinue the Line's commercial operations by
Sincerely,
JOHN F. KENNEDY
gaged. But
April 20, 1961.
obligations
It is my desire that you investigate fully
NOTE: The letter was released at Palm Beach, Fla.
will deman
the will to S
and to adva
105 Recorded Greetings to the President and People of Brazil.
tion with 01
April 3, 1961
Murillo Neri (Rio de Janeiro announcer):
copy of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to your
107
Me
Mr. President, as you know, our President,
vigorous, dynamic new President, who seeks
Me
Janio Quadros is a big admirer of Abraham
for Brazil what we seek for the United States
Lincoln. You have right on your desk a
and indeed for the people of all our hemi-
document that was given us by Lincoln's
sphere: a better life under freedom and
IT GIVES
Museum. I would like to very much if you
justice.
greetings of
can sign this document or put a dedicatory
Mr. Neri: Mr. President, we thank you
the United
for our President, Janio Quadros.
very, very much. And I would like to ask
at Yaound
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: It is a great pleasure
you another thing, if it is possible for you to
importance
for me to have this opportunity to inscribe a
say some words to our Brazilian people, Mr.
It is a I
copy of the Gettysburg Address to the Presi-
President, please.
consultation
dent of Brazil.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: It is a great pleasure
cooperation
Abraham Lincoln does not, I think, merely
for me to have the opportunity to extend my
too often
belong to the United States now, he belongs
greetings to the people of Brazil.
Yours is an
to all those who believe in freedom, who
Over 20 years ago, as a young man, I
nations, de
believe in the rights of man. And therefore
journeyed to your country. I know some-
the welfare
it is a great pleasure for me to inscribe this
thing of its history, and I know that its peo-
nership in
246
John F. Kennedy, 1961
Apr. 6 [107]
ple share the same basic aspirations for a
viding for our people.
more happy and just life that my own people
It is a great pleasure, through television
here in the United States have.
and films, to have a chance to visit Brazil.
I hope Brazil and the United States, which
Mr. Neri: Thank you, Mr. President.
have been fast friends in the past, will have
NOTE: The program was recorded on film and tape
a warm comradeship in the future.
in the President's office at the White House for
We shall do our best to join with Brazil
broadcast to the Brazilian people.
in strengthening our hemisphere, and pro-
106 Message to the Secretary General of NATO on the 12th
Anniversary of the Signing of the North Atlantic Treaty.
April 3, 1961
APRIL 4th marks the 12th Anniversary of
the globe who believe in the freedom of man,
the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty.
we can and we will succeed.
We are justified in taking pride in our
Let us on this Anniversary look to the
achievements in NATO and in those other
future in this spirit. If we do the cause of
cooperative endeavors in which we are en-
freedom will prevail.
gaged. But this day also reminds us of our
JOHN F. KENNEDY
obligations to the future. The years ahead
[His Excellency Alberico Casardi, Acting Secretary
will demand of us all courage, sacrifice and
General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Paris]
the will to seize every opportunity to secure
NOTE: The message was released at Palm Beach,
and to advance human liberty. In coopera-
Fla.
tion with one another, and all those around
107 Message to the Conference of Chiefs of State of African Nations
Meeting in Yaoundé. April 6, 1961
[ Released April 6, 1961. Dated March 25, 1961 ]
IT GIVES ME deep pleasure to send the
to my country and it deserves the emulation
greetings of the Government and people of
of us all. I congratulate you and pledge the
the United States to you who are gathered
readiness of my country to provide concrete
at Yaoundé to consult on matters of high
support, if you so desire, for your efforts to
importance in your mutual interest.
make effective a permanent organization to
It is a particular pleasure because your
foster your economic cooperation and de-
consultations represent the kind of regional
velopment. You have our warmest good
cooperation that strengthens hope in a world
wishes for every success.
too often divided and torn by dispute.
NOTE: The chiefs of state of 12 African nations
Yours is an association of free and sovereign
participated in the conference, during which the
nations, dedicated to constructive action for
African and Malagasy Organization for Economic
the welfare of your peoples. It is this part-
Cooperation was formed.
nership in freedom that is most impressive
247
[284] July I3
Public Papers of the Presidents
Interior as the first chairman of the Council.
our basic water supply so it will be avail-
C
The first major task of the Water Re-
able when and where needed and in accept-
its 1
sources Council will be to establish, subject
able quality and quantity-and we have no
grea
to my approval, standards for formulating
time to lose. The planning authorized by
Stat
and evaluating water resources projects.
this legislation will provide a vital tool for
ecor
These standards will replace those currently
achieving effective water resources manage-
ticip
in effect.
ment.
How
Finally, the proposed legislation would
Also enclosed is a section-by-section
and
authorize financial assistance to the States
analysis of the bill. A similar letter is being
need
enabling them to play a more effective role
sent to the President of the Senate.
jecti
in planning for the development and con-
Sincerely,
stan
servation of water and related land resources.
JOHN F. KENNEDY
with
This is an essential element in promot-
ing sound, comprehensive water resources
NOTE: This is the text of identical letters addressed
whi
to the Honorable Lyndon B: Johnson, President of
conc
planning.
the Senate, and to the Honorable Sam Rayburn,
T
We have a national obligation to manage
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
to C(
the
285 Statement by the President Concerning a Plan for the
Tog
wor
Development of Northeast Brazil. July 14, 1961
Wes
exte
NO AREA in this hemisphere is in greater
Development Agency for Northeast Brazil
The
or more urgent need of attention than
(SUDENE)-to come to Washington and
with
Brazil's vast Northeast. Covering more
review projected plans for the development
than 600,000 square miles and containing
help
of the Northeast. Dr. Furtado has pre-
and
almost 25 million people, Northeast Brazil
pared-through the agency of SUDENE-
to th
is one of South America's most crowded and
a five year plan for the Northeast designed
T
poverty-stricken regions. The average per
to reconstruct the economy of that area and
Unit
capita income barely reaches $100, in 18
bring hope for a better life to its people.
Northeastern cities infant mortality is be-
prov
The plan is the result of two years' study,
east
tween 25 and 35 percent, and the area as a
and has the firm support of President Quad-
whole suffers from overpopulation, recurrent
ros and the Brazilian Congress.
drought, food shortages, and high illiteracy.
The plan envisages a total cost of $900
286
To these problems is added a yearly popu-
million dollars over a five year period;
lation increase of 600,000.
$500 million to be supplied by the Brazilians;
This area with its poverty, hunger and
and $126 million by international institutions
consequent discontent is a crucible of social,
such as the Inter-American Bank or IDA.
Dea
economic and political problems-problems
Of the remainder, the plan permits provid-
which have unmistakable implications for
I
ing almost half through the supply of surplus
the future development of Brazil and the
the (
foodstuffs. High officials of the United
bia (
security of the entire hemisphere.
States Government-in meetings chaired by
To study cooperative methods of dealing
store
Milton Barall of the Department of State-
local
with these problems the United States in-
have spent this week in preliminary discus-
vited Dr. Celso Furtado-Director of the
proce
sions of the program with Dr. Furtado.
can
508
John F. Kennedy, 1961
July 15 [286]
Certainly a plan of this magnitude, with
providing substantial assistance this year to
its wealth of technical detail, will require a
the entire country. And the ICA, on re-
great deal of further study. And the United
quest by the Brazilian Government, is pre-
States intends to dispatch a group of
pared to immediately provide technicians
economists and technicians to Brazil to par-
for research and technical assistance in river
ticipate with SUDENE in such studies.
valley development, soil utilization, water
However, although the details of the plan
supply, basic education and other fields to
and the magnitude of resources involved
which SUDENE is giving priority attention.
need further examination, the overall ob-
In the course of Dr. Furtado's visit we
jectives of SUDENE appear to be sub-
have concluded initial agreements for the
stantially sound, realistic, and in harmony
supply-as part of the Food for Peace Pro-
with those of the Alliance for Progress;
gram-of grain and lard as an emergency
which itself is an outgrowth of the Brazilian
reserve for flood or drought. In addition,
concept of Operation Pan-America.
food will be used to aid the resettlement of
Therefore, the United States is prepared
emigrants from the Northeast area. Nego-
to cooperate with SUDENE to help it realize
tiations are also continuing for the donation
the objectives embodied in this program.
of U.S. foodstuffs to be used as partial wages
Together the United States and Brazil will
in connection with economic development
work with international agencies and other
projects.
Western nations in an effort to mobilize the
The visit of Dr. Furtado has helped to
external resources which may be necessary.
increase our understanding of the problems
The United States is prepared to cooperate
of Northeast Brazil. The systematic study,
with SUDENE, on a continuing basis, to
planning and concern which the Goverment
help solve the problems of the Northeast
of Brazil has devoted to the area holds high
and to bring economic and social progress
promise for the betterment of the living
to that hard-pressed region.
conditions of its 25 million people. And the
The Governments of Brazil and the
United States intends to play a continuing
United States have already cooperated in
role in helping our sister Republic of Brazil
providing a great deal of assistance to North-
meet this urgent challenge.
east Brazil just as we have cooperated in
286 Letter to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the
House Concerning Local Self-Government in the District of
Columbia. July 15, 1961
Dear Mr.
:
the responsibility to the people of the Dis-
I am transmitting for consideration by
trict for dealing with their municipal prob-
the Congress a proposed District of Colum-
lems is long overdue. It is time to eliminate'
bia Charter Act. The draft bill would re-
the last legal and constitutional anomaly in
store to District residents the basic right to
the United States and to reaffirm our belief
local self-government through the elective
in the principle that government should be
process, a right enjoyed by all other Ameri-
responsible to the governed.
can citizens. Restoration of suffrage and
The draft bill authorizes (I) a locally
509
JFK. 1962
[488] Oct. 25
Public Papers of the Presidents
peacefully resolving the crisis. This would involve
identical message to the Chairman of the Council of
pleasure, Mr. Pr
a voluntary suspension of all arms shipments to Cuba
Ministers of the Soviet Union. Mr. Thant's message,
ship established
on the one hand, he said, and a voluntary suspension
dated October 24, is printed in the Department of
to the United :
of the quarantine measures involving Cuban-bound
State Bulletin (vol. 47, p. 740).
anxious to rene
ships on the other. He believed a 2 or 3 weeks'
For the U.S. statement before the Security Council,
suspension period would greatly ease the situation
referred to by the President, see the Department of
relations.
and give time for the parties to meet and discuss the
State Bulletin (vol. 47, p. 723).
I should like
problem. He also stated that he had sent an
casion to congr
on your recent
lowed with gr
489 White House Statement on the Soviet Missile Sites in Cuba.
and orderly prc
October 26, 1962
million Brazilia
THE DEVELOPMENT of ballistic missile
activities have continued at the Medium
sites in Cuba continues at a rapid pace.
Range Ballistic Missile sites resulting in
491
White
Through the process of continued surveil-
progressive refinements at these facilities.
lance directed by the President, additional
to Into
For example, missiles were observed parked
evidence has been acquired which clearly
in the open on October 23. Surveillance on
SEVERAL inco
reflects that as of Thursday, October 25, def-
October 25 revealed that some of these same
inite buildup in these offensive missile sites
posals have be
missiles have now been moved from their
within the last 1
continued to be made. The activity at these
original parked positions. Cabling can be
the one just ma
sites apparently is directed at achieving a full
seen running from the missile-ready tents to
operational capability as soon as possible.
proposal broadc
power generators nearby.
security of na
There is evidence that as of yesterday,
In summary, there is no evidence to date
October 25, considerable construction activ-
Hemisphere. ]
indicating that there is any intention to
ity was being engaged in at the Intermediate
dismantle or discontinue work on these mis-
sphere countrie
Range Ballistic Missile sites. Bulldozers
subject to the t
sile sites. On the contrary the Soviets are
current crisis-1
and cranes were observed as late as Thursday
rapidly continuing their construction of mis-
ernment in se
actively clearing new areas within the sites
sile support and launch facilities, and serious
and improving the approach roads to the
weapons into C
attempts are under way to camouflage their
launch pads.
efforts.
sive weapons is
Since Tuesday October 23 missile related
pace. The firs
with this imme
sensible negotia
490 Message to President Goulart Requesting Postponement of a
It is therefor
States that as a
Scheduled Visit to Brazil. October 26, 1962
sideration of a
[ Released October 26, 1962. Dated October 24, 1962 ]
Cuban bases m
Dear Mr. President:
compels me to request your concurrence in a
In view of the disappointment Mrs. Ken-
postponement once again of our visit to
nedy and I experienced last July in having
Brazil. If you agree, I suggest that we con-
492
Messa
to postpone our visit to Brazil, we have been
sult after the first of the coming year to agree
Soviet
especially anxious that nothing should again
upon the new date on which Mrs. Kennedy
require us to defer the pleasure of visiting
and I would visit Brazil.
Dear Mr. Chai
for the first time your great country and be-
Mrs. Kennedy and I are looking forward
I have read
coming acquainted with its people. Un-
particularly to visiting Brazil because of the
with great care
fortunately, the recent challenge to the peace
long-standing friendship and cooperation
of your desire
and security of this hemisphere posed by the
between the governments and peoples of our
the problem.
Soviet offensive military buildup in Cuba re-
two countries in the pursuit of peace and a
be done, howe
quires my presence in the United States and
happier world society. I also recall with
offensive missil
812
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Oct. 27 [492]
pleasure, Mr. President, the personal friend-
October 7 to choose their legislators and
ship established with you during your visit
state executives was to me a demonstration
to the United States last April, and I am
of the strength and vitality of democratic
anxious to renew and deepen our personal
government in your country.
relations.
With best wishes,
I should like to take advantage of this OC-
JOHN F. KENNEDY
casion to congratulate the people of Brazil
[H. E. João Belchior Goulart, President of the Re-
on your recent elections which I have fol-
public of the United States of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro]
lowed with great interest. The peaceful
NOTE: President Goulart's reply was released with
and orderly process by which some fifteen
President Kennedy's letter.
million Brazilian voters went to the polls on
49I
White House Statement on Soviet Proposals Relating
to International Security. October 27, 1962
SEVERAL inconsistent and conflicting pro-
must be rendered inoperable; and further
posals have been made by the U.S.S.R.
shipment of offensive weapons to Cuba must
within the last twenty-four hours, including
cease-all under effective international
the one just made public in Moscow. The
verification.
proposal broadcast this morning involves the
As to proposals concerning the security of
security of nations outside the Western
nations outside this Hemisphere, the United
Hemisphere. But it is the Western Hemi-
States and its allies have long taken the lead
sphere countries and they alone that are
in seeking properly inspected arms limita-
subject to the threat that has produced the
tion, on both sides. These efforts can con-
current crisis-the action of the Soviet Gov-
tinue as soon as the present Soviet-created
ernment in secretly introducing offensive
threat is ended.
weapons into Cuba. Work on these offen-
NOTE: An unofficial translation of Chairman Khrush-
sive weapons is still proceeding at a rapid
chev's message of October 27 is published in the
pace. The first imperative must be to deal
Department of State Bulletin (vol. 47, p. 741).
with this immediate threat, under which no
Stating that he had studied the President's reply to
Mr. U Thant "with great satisfaction," Mr. Khrush-
sensible negotiation can proceed.
chev proposed the removal of missiles from both
It is therefore the position of the United
Cuba and Turkey under U.N. supervision. He
States that as an urgent preliminary to con-
further proposed that the Soviet Government give a
sideration of any proposals work on the
solemn pledge to respect the frontiers and sover-
Cuban bases must stop; offensive weapons
eignty of Turkey, and that the U.S. Government
make a similar statement with regard to Cuba.
492 Message to Chairman Khrushchev Calling for Removal of
Soviet Missiles From Cuba.
October
27,
1962
Dear Mr. Chairman:
weapons systems in Cuba capable of offensive
I have read your letter of October 26th
use to be rendered inoperable, under effective
with great care and welcomed the statement
United Nations arrangements.
of your desire to seek a prompt solution to
Assuming this is done promptly, I have
the problem. The first thing that needs to
given my representatives in New York in-
be done, however, is for work to cease on
structions that will permit them to work out
offensive missile bases in Cuba and for all
this weekend-in cooperation with the Act-
813
Nixon 1971
[380]
Dec.
2
Public Papers of the Presidents
So if you raise the price of corn, be sure
dent, there are some things-[laughter]
The consu
that you don't do it at the expense of the
THE PRESIDENT. Thank you.
with Japa
hog producers.
NOTE: The exchange of remarks began at 5:05
now with
SECRETARY BUTZ. Well, now, Mr. Presi-
p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House.
try in Soi
consultati
The fac
381
Remarks to the National Conference on Corrections,
our count
Williamsburg, Virginia.
December 6, 1971
that I hav
with you t
AT LONG last, this Nation is coming to
that are speedy and fair. But let us also
and, also,
realize that the process of justice cannot
remember that the protection of society
portance
end with the slamming shut of prison
depends largely on the correction of the
forward to
gates.
criminal.
pheric rel
Ninety-eight out of every hundred
I look to this National Conference on
the world i
criminals who are sent to prison come
Corrections to focus the Nation's attention
spots arou
back out into society. That means that
on this problem, and to come up with
the trips, f
every American concerned with stopping
specific recommendations to blaze the trail
ing to oth
crime must ask this question: Are we do-
of prison reform.
United St:
ing all we can to make certain that many
Locking a convict up is not enough. We
closest frie
more men and women who come out of
must also offer him the keys of education,
are in this
prison will become law-abiding citizens?
of rehabilitation, of useful training, of
you as a cl
The answer to that question today, after
hope-the keys he must have to open the
for so man
centuries of neglect, is no. We have made
gates to a life of freedom and dignity.
Mr. Pres
important strides in the past 2 years, but
NOTE: The President's audiotaped remarks
our talks b
let us not deceive ourselves: Our prisons
were played at the first plenary session of the
that you h
are still colleges of crime, not what they
conference in the Williamsburg Convention
office in bu
should be-the beginning of a way back to
Center. The conference, convened at the Presi-
a productive life within the law.
dent's request and sponsored by the Law En-
the progres
forcement Assistance Administration and the
period. Th
To turn back the wave of crime, we
Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, was
have called
must have more effective police work. We
held on December 5-8, 1971.
congratulat
must have court reform to insure trials
know that
as we look
south, exte:
382 Remarks of Welcome to President Emílio Garrastazú
the people
Médici of Brazil. December 7, 1971
Thank y
that we CO
President Médici, Mrs. Médici, our dis-
visit to our country could not have been
tinguished guests from Brazil, and our
at a more important time from the stand-
NOTE: The
the East Roc
distinguished guests here from the United
point of both countries.
welcome wit
States:
As you know, I will be leaving for a
scheduled to
Mr. President, because of this inclement
trip to Peking and one to the Soviet Union.
because of 1
weather, it may seem to some that this is
Prior to that time, I consider it vitally im-
greeted Presio
not the most fortunate time for a visit, but
portant to have discussions with our closest
Portico and
the welcomin
I want you to know that I believe that your
friends in at least the largest countries.
1164
Richard Nixon, 1971
Dec.
7
[382]
The consultations with nations of Europe,
President Médici spoke in Portuguese. His
with Japan, with Canada last night, and
remarks were translated by an interpreter as
follows:
now with Brazil-Brazil, the largest coun-
try in South America-are part of that
Mr. President:
consultative process.
It was with great joy and emotion that I
accepted your invitation to visit the United
The fact that you could be here now in
States of America. This appeared to be, to me,
our country will provide the opportunity
a most propitious opportunity, not only to
that I have looked forward to, to discuss
reaffirm our long and steadfast friendship but
with you these visits that I will be making
also to discover the basis for a new dialogue-
and, also, to have other discussions of im-
brotherly, frank, and objective-between the
United States of America and the Federative
portance to our two countries. I look
Republic of Brazil.
forward to getting your views on hemis-
At this important moment of the national
pheric relations because, as the eyes of
history of both our countries, they find them-
the world inevitably are on various trouble
selves desirous to establish, through us, a new
spots around the world far away, and on
point of departure for a closer cooperation in
the future.
the trips, for example, that I shall be tak-
Both the problems of the present and the
ing to other parts of the world, we in the
prospects for the future make this a meeting
United States of America know that our
of transcendental importance for our peoples.
closest friends and our closest neighbors
Our peaceful relations have remained un-
are in this hemisphere, and we welcome
changed, and our friendship has been
you as a close friend and a close neighbor
strengthened in extremely difficult moments for
both our countries through effective coopera-
for so many years from Brazil.
tion and exemplary fellowship and mutual
Mr. President, finally, I look forward to
respect.
our talks because of the enormous success
Now is the time to build upon such a friend-
that you have had during your term of
ship, and it is for this purpose, which I am
office in building the economy of Brazil, in
sure you share, that I take advantage of the
welcome and hospitality of this great country.
the progress that has occurred during that
Our relations in the years ahead cannot fail
period. Those who have written about it
to reflect the promises and the uncertainties
have called it "the Brazilian miracle." We
that gather over the international scene.
congratulate you, and we want you to
Neither can they fail to adapt themselves to
know that all of the people of this country,
the new realities of the world and to the stage
of historical evolution of each of our countries.
as we look to our great neighbor to the
Drawing inspiration from the past, the cooper-
south, extend our very best wishes to all
ation between Brazil and the United States
the people of your great country.
must now seek, with imagination, new means
Thank you for coming at this time so
and instruments which reflect such realities.
that we could meet.
Our position cannot be the same vis-a-vis
every international problem, nor is this ex-
NOTE: The President spoke at 10:54 a.m. in
pected from our frank and loyal friendship.
the East Room at the White House. A formal
Let us, nevertheless, endeavor to make our
welcome with full military honors had been
policies converge without requiring that they
scheduled to be held on the South Lawn, but
coincide in every case.
because of rain, President and Mrs. Nixon
The Brazil of today, in full process of de-
greeted President and Mrs. Médici on the North
velopment, accepts the challenge of history
Portico and proceeded to the East Room for
which places on its shoulders an increasing
the welcoming ceremony.
share of responsibility in the concert of nations.
1165
[382]
Dec.
7
Public Papers of the Presidents
It is with this conviction and in the spirit of
dence in the cause of justice, progress, and
and de
fraternal friendship that I come to you today.
peace.
spect h
Mr. President, let this first moment be one
This is the message I bring you from the
Preside
brimming with faith and confidence-faith in
Brazilian people, asking you to convey it to
work V
that which we shall build together for the
the American people.
well-being of our people, and common confi-
no long
its futu
Wor
383
Toasts of the President and President Médici of
country
Brazil. December 7, 1971
goes, S
Americ
Mr. President, Mrs. Médici, and our very
are discovering it, and the visit of the
and Br.
distinguished guests from Brazil and from
President of Brazil to this country will tell
and as
the United States of America:
this message to our people and tell it
strong
It is always a very special occasion when
better, also, to the people of the world.
friends
the largest country in South America and
This great giant is now awake-100 mil-
a great
the most populous country in North
lion people, unlimited natural resources,
people,
America meet, today, as they do, on a
developing now not only on the coast, the
America
state visit. But this occasion is distin-
beautiful cities that we all know, but de-
special
guished from other occasions in which the
veloping, due to the leadership of our guest
I kno
leader of Brazil and the leader of the
of honor tonight and those who have
like to
United States have met, whether here or
worked with him, developing the heart-
for its P
in that country.
land of the country through highways and
raising
Brazil is a country that, for us in the
cities and exploration such as was only
distingu
United States, has always been one of
dreamed of before, but now is being
Brazil.
great promise, great mystery, great excite-
actually done.
NOTE: T
ment, and I think the description of
This has meant that Brazil and all of its
State Dir
Brazil which is contained in one section of
promise that people have dreamed about
Preside
its national anthem perhaps tells us why
through the years is now being realized.
His rema
Brazil has such a special meaning to those
The international historian, Arnold Toyn-
as follows
of us in the United States who look to this
bee, in 1934, wrote that Brazil's possibil-
Mr. Presi
great country to the south and think of its
ities would be unlimited once it had the
In the
future.
leadership in its government that would
only a g'
As I recall, Brazil is described there as
attract the kind of investment from its
the deter
en the tra
a great sleeping giant lying eternally in a
own people and from abroad that would
our home
magnificent cradle. That was true of
explore and develop its resources. And I
My wil
Brazil 150 years ago when it had its inde-
think the greatest tribute that I can pay to
party, sl
pendence, and the United States was the
our distinguished guest tonight is that in
memories
first country in the world to recognize its
the brief time that he has been President
here this
these moi
independence. It was true of Brazil 100
of Brazil there has been more progress than
pitality of
years ago, 5° years ago, maybe even 25
in any comparable time in the whole his-
Here w
years ago, or IO years ago. But it is not
tory of that country.
frank con
true today.
This is a great record. It is one which
change
The giant is awakened. The people of
the people of Brazil thank him for. It is
reminisce
to discuss
Brazil know it. The people of the world
one that we, his very good and devoted
1166
Richard Nixon, 1971
Dec.
7
[383]
and dear friends from the north, also re-
particularly to formulate long-range plans for
spect him for, and we, in our country, Mr.
the future. Here we are to carry out a joint
President, welcome the opportunity to
effort in establishing a new point of departure
mutually beneficial for the relations that have
work with this great giant of the south,
always been peaceful between the two nations
no longer sleeping, very much alive, with
which we represent.
its future so unlimited.
We met at length this morning, fully aware
Working with you as the leader of that
that our points of view are not always in coin-
country-because we know that as Brazil
cidence. We did not, however, lose sight for a
single moment of this objective of trying to
goes, so will go the rest of that Latin
harmonize them and integrate them in the
American Continent-the United States
broadest cooperation which is not only bene-
and Brazil, friends and allies in the past,
ficial for both countries, but it is also impor-
and as this dinner tonight reaffirms,
tant for the handling and the solving of the
strong and close personal and official
problems, problems of the hemisphere as well
as worldwide problems.
friends today, we shall work together for
Our friendship has undergone the tests of
a greater future for your people, for our
both war and of peace, and the United States
people, and for all the people of the
always knows that it will find in Brazil a loyal
American family, for which we have a
and independent ally. Brazil cannot display in-
difference and apathy in the presence of new
special place in our hearts.
events and new circumstances, in the presence
I know that in that spirit all of us would
of a reality which is ever changing and above
like to reaffirm our affection for Brazil,
which we must rise in order to build a new
for its people, for the American family, by
world order in the spheres of political, diplo-
raising our glasses to the health of our
matic, economic, financial, and monetary
distinguished guest, the President of
activity.
We must approach this new world without
Brazil.
preconceived ideas and without inflexible posi-
NOTE: The President spoke at 9:51 p.m. in the
tions. And what seems imperative to us is that
State Dining Room at the White House.
this new world order must also bring about an
President Médici responded in Portuguese.
entirely new phase of peace, justice, and prog-
ress for all the members of the family of nations.
His remarks were translated by an interpreter
The Brazilian and American voices which are
as follows:
blending around this table are all imbued with
Mr. President, Mrs. Nixon:
the same feeling of friendship, and they share
In the words of Your Excellency, I find not
an equal yearning for achievement. These
only a gesture of fraternal welcome but also
voices do not find it difficult to make themselves
the determination to preserve and to strength-
heard and understood and fully appreciated.
en the traditional solidarity that exists between
These are voices which are joining in common
our homelands.
purposes, still without giving up their own
My wife and I, and all the members of my
identity, which is autonomous and spontaneous.
party, shall always cherish unforgettable
It is on the basis of reciprocal trust, of mutual
memories of the fellowship that is prevailing
respect, and equality of rights that we are going
here this evening, of the joy that permeates
to preserve the great friendship, a friendship
these moments, thanks to the generous hos-
which is indicated to us and imposed upon us
pitality of Mrs. Nixon and yours, Mr. President.
by the common interests.
Here we are, Mr. President, to engage in a
It is in this spirit, and with these thoughts in
frank conversation between friends, to ex-
mind, that I ask all those present here to raise
change views and share experiences, to
their glasses in toasting the health of Mrs.
reminisce about the past of common struggles,
Nixon and the President of the United States
to discuss the problems of the present, and
of America, and also toasting the greatness and
1167
[383]
Dec.
7
Public Papers of the Presidents
the happiness of the great American Nation
among the nations of the region with respect to
private
which was born and which has been prospering
economic and social development, as well as
$7 billi
under the aegis of freedom.
their common security interest. They agreed
lion ha
that the primary goal of an era of peace
and prosperity for the region can be achieved
to pay
On December 9, 1971, at the conclusion of
only by cooperation which in turn must be
But th
President Médici's meetings with President
founded on the principles of freedom and
ing and
Nixon, an agreed-upon statement was read by
self-determination.
system.
Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler at his regular
The Presidents extensively reviewed rela-
Thre
news briefing. The agreed-upon statement read
tions between the United States and Brazil.
as follows:
mendo
Bilateral relationships embracing all facets, in-
The visit of President Médici to Washington
cluding common security interests, and politi-
improv
provided an excellent opportunity for conver-
cal, economic, military, scientific and cultural
is made
sations in depth between the Heads of State of
matters were discussed in the spirit of the tradi-
wage e
two of the largest and most populous nations
tionally close and friendly ties between the two
on the Western Hemisphere. Talks between
plans a
countries.
President Médici and President Nixon were
no tax
The meetings provided an excellent basis for
conducted in an atmosphere of warm friend-
continued and intensified cooperation between
ment S
ship, and both agreed that recent world devel-
the two nations over a wide range of matters
group
opments made their frank exchanges most
which both Presidents considered of primary
group
timely and mutually profitable.
importance.
their re
Their discussions covering the broad aspects
The two Presidents also discussed the im-
of the international situation were particularly
as insul
pressive economic progress made by Brazil un-
significant and timely in the light of President
der the leadership of President Médici, progress
the ben
Nixon's upcoming meetings with other world
which has marked Brazil as one of the most
they W(
leaders.
rapidly developing nations of the world.
when t]
There was an exchange of evaluations and
The conversations were particularly marked
of these
views on many of the issues of world signifi-
by the two Presidents' mutual grasp and under-
cance affecting, as they do, the interests of
standing of problems and issues facing both
taking
both nations. They reviewed action taken and
nations. Their talks provided not only an op-
the qua
contemplated to bring greater order to the
portunity for a review of past and present rela-
portant
international monetary system to further in-
tions, but importantly established a firm basis
to whic
ternational trade and development.
for continuing consultations in the future of
retired
The two Presidents consulted closely on im-
world, hemispheric, and bilateral problems of
portant hemispheric issues, recognizing the need
mutual concern.
and dig
for continuing and intensified cooperation
an adec
Olde
about t
384 Special Message to the Congress on a Pension
cially a
Reform Program. December 8, 1971
Aging,
ington.
To the Congress of the United States:
plans are a direct expression of some of
form an
Self-reliance, prudence and independ-
the finest elements in the American char-
systems
ence are qualities which our Government
acter. Public policy should be designed to
effort to
should work to encourage among our peo-
reward and reinforce these qualities.
tiremen
ple. These are also the qualities which are
The achievements of our private pen-
The f
involved when a person chooses to invest
sion plans are a tribute to the coopera-
includes
in a retirement savings plan, setting aside
tion and creativeness of American labor
renewec
money today so that he will have greater
and management. Over 4 million retired
posal, a
security tomorrow. In this respect, pension
workers are now receiving benefits from
could le
1168
Harry S. Truman, 1949
May I8 [102]
[The Honorable, The Secretary of the Interior.]
Comp., p. 279); Executive Order 10137, June 30,
NOTE: The following Executive orders. were signed
1950, "Amending Executive Order No. 10077 of
by the President in connection with the transfer of
September 7, 1949" (3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp.,
the islands: Executive Order 10077, September 7,
p. 320); and Executive Order 10264, June 29, 1951,
"Transfer of the Administration of American Samoa
1949, "Transfer of the Administration of the Island
from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of
of Guam from the Secretary of the Navy to the
the Interior" (3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp., p. 765).
Secretary of the Interior" (3 CFR, I949-1953
I02 Remarks of Welcome to the President of Brazil at the
Washington National Airport.
May
18,
1949
Mr. President:
the active and effective support of each
I am delighted to welcome you to the
other.
United States as the guest of the people of
At the present time, when the world is
this Nation. I personally am happy to be
still disturbed by fear and conflicting ideol-
able to renew our acquaintanceship, and to
ogies, it is gratifying to know that Brazil
reciprocate the generous hospitality which
and the United States are exerting their con-
you accorded me on my visit to Brazil in
structive efforts in the common resolve to
1947. I sincerely hope that your stay in the
strengthen democracy and assure world
United States will prove as enjoyable to you
peace under conditions in which freedom and
as my trip to your country was to me.
human rights will flourish.
This is the first time a Brazilian chief of
Mr. President, all of us in this country are
state has visited our country since Dom
honored by your visit as the Chief Executive
Pedro II attended the Centennial Exposition
of a great nation and a great people. You
at Philadelphia in 1876. He captivated the
share with us the principles and ideals which
people of the United States with his gracious
have guided our countries in our progress
manner and lively interest in the scientific
toward a better life for our people.
and social developments that characterized
I know that these ideals will continue to
that period of our history. I trust that you
inspire us in our quest for peace and happi-
will find the contemporary scene equally in-
ness for all mankind.
teresting and significant.
NOTE: The President greeted Gen. Eurico Dutra,
The exchange of visits between the heads
President of Brazil, at 4 p.m. at the Washington
of state of Brazil and the United States sym-
National Airport. President Dutra was received
bolizes the cordial relations that have
with a Presidential salute of 21 guns and full mili-
tary honors. The remarks were carried over radio
always existed between our two countries.
and television.
Throughout the history of the two nations,
A speakers' stand had been erected at Washington
our relationship has been one of warm
Post Square on Pennsylvania Avenue. When the
official procession reached the Square at 5 p.m.,
friendship and mutual helpfulness. We
President Truman and President Dutra left their
have fought through two world wars as loyal
car and mounted the platform. In a brief ceremony
allies. In peace and in war, Brazil and the
President Dutra was presented with a birthday
cake, decorated with American and Brazilian flags.
United States have been secure in the knowl-
In presenting the cake, President Truman made the
edge that we could confidently rely upon
following remarks:
255
Harry S. Truman, 1949
May 19 [105]
show them our gratitude through our whole-
I wish the USO abundant success in its
hearted support of the USO. Soon they will
vitally important task.
be returning to their homes. We want them
Very sincerely yours,
to return as good citizens, proud of the
HARRY S. TRUMAN
treatment they have received.
[Mr. Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., President, United
I am particularly happy to see Veterans
Service Organizations, Inc., 35° Fifth Avenue, New
York, New York.]
Hospital Camp Shows included in the pro-
NOTE: The President met with Mr. Firestone in his
gram of the USO. They serve the double
office at the White House at 11:30 a.m. A draft
purpose of entertaining the men and giving
"Suggestion for Statement to be Made to Hon.
them the much-needed assurance that they
Harry S. Truman, President of the United States, by
Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., President of U.S.O." is in
are remembered.
the files of the Truman Library.
For the statement by the President reactivating
the United Service Organizations, see Item 34.
105 Remarks to Members of the Brazilian Press.
May 19, 1949
I APPRECIATE that most highly. I want
that he had had a wonderful time, that he is
to say to you gentlemen that I hope you will
having a wonderful time, and we want him
have a pleasant time. You are most, most
to continue to have just that sort of pleas-
welcome here. Our only difficulty is finding
urable visit here.
the means to meet the precedent for courtesy
We are all of the same opinion, that the
which was set in Brazil. I don't think we
cementing of the good-neighbor policy in
can ever hope to come up to the treatment
the Western Hemisphere is vitally important
which we received when we were down
to the welfare of the world as a whole. We
there, from the President all the way down.
have always counted Brazil as our friend,
Our press was cordially treated. I don't
and I know that we can always count Brazil
think I ever had such a welcome in my life
as our friend. We are in a peculiar position.
as I had in Rio de Janeiro; in fact, I know it.
They give us credit for being an exceedingly
I have endeavored to give President Dutra
powerful nation, but our neighbors to the
something in the nature of the reception
south of us and our neighbors to the north
which he gave me in Rio de Janeiro. Of
of us are not afraid of us. We are all friends
course, we knew very well we could not hope
together. That is an example that I hope
to approach the turnout which you had in
some other people in the world will start to
Rio de Janeiro. One of our handicaps is
follow.
that we have only 700,000 people in Wash-
Thank you very much.
ington and in the immediate vicinity, and I
understand that Rio de Janeiro has some-
NOTE: The President spoke in his office at the White
thing approaching 3 million, so that makes
House at 3:35 p.m. His opening words "I appre-
ciate that" referred to remarks by Herbert Moses,
some difference.
president of the Brazilian Press Association, who had
The President assured me this morning
presented the group to President Truman.
259
[106] May 20
Public Papers of the Presidents
NOTE: The Preside
об Statement by the President on Activating a Generator at
by President Dutra
Grand Coulee Dam. May 20, 1949
honor of President
President Dutra's
follows:
THE PLACING in service of this additional
hope to see more of these great steps, such
Your visit to Br
generator, which today makes Grand Coulee
as the one we are witnessing today, as part
history of the cont:
Dam our biggest producer of hydroelectric
of a continuously developing program, orga-
were in Rio de Jai
is understood in E
power, is indeed an historic event. This is
nized under a single administration con-
admired.
one more of the many steps necessary in har-
cerned with the problems peculiar to the
On this return
nessing the almost limitless power potential
Northwest.
the exceptional dem
witnessed, directed
of our great Northwest.
The various Federal agencies have al-
ing among those V
Already the Nation is indebted to the
ready done much to develop the area of the
lovely Capital City
Northwest and its great Columbia Valley
Columbia River. Now, by uniting their ac-
shall carry back W
of voices and of an
resources for a large contribution in winning
tivities and authority in one administration,
our most terrible war. Now, in peace, this
the entire program can be geared more
power, and more to be added, can be used in
efficiently to the rapid growth of the area.
the development of industry and agriculture
NOTE: The President had set the new generator in
108 Joint S
in a coordinated approach to the needs of the
motion by throwing a switch in his office at the
region and of the Nation.
White House at 3 p.m. After the President threw
Preside
In a special message to the 81st Congress
the switch, he received the following message from
the Power House Control Room at Grand Coulee
THE PRESIDE
on April 13, I recommended the enactment
Dam:
dent of the Uni
of legislation creating a Columbia Valley
Thank you Mr. President. Power from the new
Administration which would coordinate
generator you put on the line is now lighting homes,
their approval of
serving farms, and driving the wheels of industry
[I.] The Pre
these Federal activities playing an important
throughout the Pacific Northwest.
of Brazil and tl
part in the development and conservation of
F.A. BANKS,
District Manager,
States of Americ
the resources of the Northwest. It is my
Bureau of Reclamation.
D.C., and have
sirability of foste
and social prog
107 Toasts of the President and President Dutra at a Dinner at
beneficial intercl
the Brazilian Embassy. May 20, 1949
and trained speci
through financi:
Mr. President:
the tour over the Tennessee Valley Author-
tion. These CO
In Rio de Janeiro you set a precedent for
ity, and your visit to Vanderbilt University in
spired by the t.
courtesy and hospitality. As best we can we
Nashville, Tenn.
friendship which
have been attempting to return to you and to
You have fulfilled my idea of what a
a century in the
the people of Brazil those wonderful tributes
President ought to be. You rise an hour
countries.
and pleasant times which we had when Mrs.
earlier than I do, you walk better than I do,
The recently P
Truman and my daughter Margaret and I
and you call your cabinet into session before
Brazil-United S
visited your great capital.
breakfast, which I think I shall institute in
which outlines a
I sincerely hope that you have had an en-
Washington.
opment for Braz
joyable visit in Washington, and I sincerely
Mr. President, to your health, and to the
to the expression
hope that you will have a pleasant visit in
continued friendship of Brazil and the
dent Dutra for
New York City. I hope that you will enjoy
United States!
American expert
260
Harry S. Truman, 1949
May 2I [108]
NOTE: The President was responding to a toast
of civic friendliness and the expressive cordiality
by President Dutra at a dinner which he gave in
of the American people.
honor of President Truman at the Brazilian Embassy.
We shall never forget the significance of the words
President Dutra's toast, through an interpreter,
and actions by which eminent representatives of
follows:
the three branches of Government of this great
Your visit to Brazil was a happy event in the
nation betokened your gracious hospitality to a
history of the continent, you had proof while you
brother from the south, and renewed the assurance
were in Rio de Janeiro of how well your country
of the traditional and time-tested alliance which
is understood in Brazil, and of how much it is
has seen us through the hardships of two wars, and
admired.
rendered ever more fruitful the constructive tasks
On this return visit, we are deeply gratified at
of peace.
the exceptional demonstrations of esteem which we
We are happy to have you with us now, in this
witnessed, directed toward our country. Outstand-
house of Brazil, in the atmosphere of cordial friend-
ing among those was the festive spectacle of your
ship which is a feature of the Brazilian home.
lovely Capital City bedecked with our flags. We
Mr. President, it gives me a great deal of satis-
shall carry back with us to Brazil the recollection
faction at this time to raise my glass to your per-
of voices and of anthems translating the vibrations
sonal happiness, and to the ever-present greatness
of the United States of America.
108 Joint Statements Following Discussions With the
President of Brazil. May 21, 1949
THE PRESIDENT of Brazil and the Presi-
dent Truman emphasized the past record of
dent of the United States are associated in
interdependence of the two countries, in
their approval of the following statements:
times of peace and war, and assured the
[I.] The President of the United States
Brazilian President that the United States
of Brazil and the President of the United
is now, and will continue to be, most inter-
States of America have met in Washington,
ested in the further development of his
D.C., and have discussed at length the de-
country, either through the implementation
sirability of fostering economic development
of the recommendations made in the joint
and social progress through the mutually
report or in other fields of related endeavor.
beneficial interchange of technological data
It was suggested that technical discussions
and trained specialists of all types, as well as
regarding this report might take place later
through financial and economic coopera-
in the year at the time of the visit of the
tion. These conversations have been in-
Brazilian Minister of Finance to the United
spired by the traditional and unfaltering
States.
friendship which has prevailed for more than
President Dutra mentioned the need of
a century in the relations between the two
foreign private investment in Brazil. The
countries.
two Presidents recognized the important role
The recently 'published report of the Joint
of private investment in economic develop-
Brazil-United States Technical Mission,
ment and social progress. Accordingly, they
which outlines a program of economic devel-
have instructed technical experts of their
opment for Brazil, was discussed. In reply
respective Governments to commence im-
to the expression of appreciation by Presi-
mediately the negotiation of an appropriate
dent Dutra for services given by North
treaty that would stimulate the mutually
American experts with this report, Presi-
beneficial flow of private investment.
261
[108] May 2I
Public Papers of the Presidents
The two Presidents were also fully agreed
Reconstruction and Development and the
IIO
Rem
that a comprehensive joint study of the tax
Export-Import Bank. President Truman
relations between the two countries would be
assured President Dutra that requests from
Resp
helpful. It was decided that conversations
Brazil would in the future, as in the past,
Wor
on this subject should be held with a view
receive the most attentive consideration of
toward negotiating a convention between the
the United States Government.
Mr. Chairma:
two countries, similar to those already in
[2.] The historical record of relations be-
ladies and ge
force between the United States and other
tween Brazil and the United States reflects
I appreciate
countries, which will, it is hoped, eliminate
cordial and unbroken friendship and co-
mittee is doir
many of the factors that result in double
operation. During the present visit of
fall, when we
taxation.
Brazilian President Dutra, he and the Presi-
the moral wel
President Dutra also pointed to the great
dent of the United States have reviewed this
Armed Forces
need in Brazil for trained technicians and
admirable record and have discussed means
had a long CO:
specialists of all types. He was assured that
through which relations between the two
You know, 1
every effort would be made to meet Brazil's
States might be improved and broadened.
were scarcely
requirements in the field of technical
In this connection both Presidents have
up of men W.
cooperation.
agreed that a cultural convention, a treaty
have about I.
The two Presidents recognized the possi-
which would encourage and further stimu-
Armed Forces
bility of financing through public lending
late the present cultural exchange between
whom are unc
agencies appropriate development projects
the two countries, would be desirable and
men who are t}
not suited to private financing, such as those
have given their approval to the negotiation
the future wi'
projects which have already been accepted
of such an instrument.
young men sh
for financing by the International Bank for
treatment as th
they stayed at
the neighbors's
home. In mo
109 Remarks Upon Receiving the Robert S. Abbott
happy in the are
Memorial Award. May 25, 1949
something whi-
give them.
THANK YOU very much. I appreciate it,
was set out. That's about all I can say.
and hope very much that I will continue to
Therefore, it
NOTE: The President spoke at 12:45 p.m. in the Rose
this Committee.
deserve it.
Garden at the White House.
found a better
The statement was made, I think before
The Robert S. Abbott Award was established in
the election last fall, that the principles for
memory of the founder of the Chicago Defender.
States of Ameri
which we are fighting are just as old as the
Presentation of the plaque, engraved with the
the moral forces
award citation, was made by John H. Sengstacke,
great, and the V
Constitution of the United States, and just
nephew of the late Mr. Abbott, and editor and pub-
as new as the Democratic Platform of 1948.
lisher of the Chicago Defender. The award read:
moral forces is t
We are pressing for the implementation of
"To President Harry S. Truman for his advocacy of
They accuse 1
full civil rights for all Americans regardless of race,
cause we strive f
that platform, and shall continue to press
color or creed. The President's civil rights program
for it until we accomplish the purpose which
fulfills a dream long cherished."
for the whole I
mental back of th
ard of living is li
mon on the Mou
the best system of
has ever seen.
262
I
378
Public Papers of the Presidents
378
У
Statement by the President on Appointing
Now we are partr
the Presidential Railroad Commission.
our free institutions,
able to all our citize
December 22, 1960
all nations. On bel
salute the memory (
THE MEMBERS of this Commission, representing management, labor
ultimate sacrifice. F
and the public, are embarking upon an effort that will have far-reaching
together in time of P
and lasting consequences for the railroad industry. The appointment of
With warm regar
this Commission represents a major and constructive innovation that will
prove to be a significant achievement in the progress of labor-manage-
ment relations toward greater maturity and stability. In resolving this
problem in a manner fair to the men, helpful to the industry, and in the
best interests of our country, the members of this Commission will provide
380
У
The ]
service of incalculable value.
Representatives of the railroads and railway labor organizations con-
Forbidding Di
cerned have, in a letter to me, jointly recommended that Secretary of
Documents R
Labor James P. Mitchell serve as chairman of the Commission. I am
particularly pleased that Secretary Mitchell has agreed to provide this
Countries.
I
additional and significant service to our Nation in the cause of industrial
[ Released ]
peace.
NOTE: A list of the 15 members of the Commission was attached to the statement.
I AM ADVISED tl
Secretary of State, tl
379
Ч
Message to President Kubitschek on the
Managing Director
from the Chairman
Occasion of the Ceremonies in Brazil Honoring the
Monetary Affairs O:
Dead of World War II. December 22, 1960
House of Represent
States aid program
Dear Mr. President:
As I have stated
The memorial ceremonies which are being held today in honor of the
Executive Branch to
Brazilians who gave their lives in the Second World War have a special
possible information
significance for me personally and for the people of my country. As war-
Executive also has a
time Commander of the Allied Forces, I had personal knowledge of
spect to the disclos
Brazilian courage on the field of battle, where members of the armed
relating to its operat
forces of the United States of Brazil and of the United States of America,
It is vital to the n
allied in the struggle against totalitarianism, fought and died together.
Executive Branch be
I am convinced that the spirit of common endeavor, which characterized
It is essential to effe
our relations then, still permeates them today.
in a position to be
personnel or other
88o
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1960
I
380
ng
Now we are partners in a common struggle to develop and strengthen
our free institutions, to make the benefits of our growing economies avail-
able to all our citizens, and to find ways to further understanding among
all nations. On behalf of myself and the people of the United States, I
salute the memory of your countrymen who, in time of war, made the
abor
ultimate sacrifice. Remembering their courage, we can continue to work
hing
together in time of peace for the high purposes they SO gallantly defended.
nt of
With warm regard,
will
Sincerely,
lage-
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
this
1 the
vide
380
I
The President's Certification as to His
Forbidding Disclosure to Congress of Certain
con-
y of
Documents Relating to Aid to South American
am
Countries. December 23, 1960
this
strial
[ Released December 23, 1960. Dated December 2, 1960 ]
I AM ADVISED that on October 31, 1960, there were delivered to the
ment.
Secretary of State, the Director of the International Cooperation, and the
Managing Director of the Development Loan Fund written requests
from the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and
le
Monetary Affairs of the Committee on Government Operations of the
House of Representatives for certain documents relating to the United
States aid program in seven South American countries.
As I have stated on other occasions, it is the established policy of the
Executive Branch to provide the Congress and the public with the fullest
f the
possible information consistent with the national interest. However, the
ecial
Executive also has a recognized Constitutional duty and power with re-
war-
spect to the disclosure of information, documents and other materials
e of
relating to its operations.
med
It is vital to the national interest that the officials and employees of the
rica,
Executive Branch be able to conduct its operations in an effective manner.
ther.
It is essential to effective operations that such officials and employees be
rized
in a position to be fully candid in advising with each other on policy,
personnel or other official matters, that they be able to engage in frank
881
To Caralyn (Rowley
FAX 456-6218
Tel 456 1414
FROM: ARA/BR
Mark hop
647-9407
90 OCT 20 P2: 35
L 2045662181
2026457522
: :
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
5 December 1988
1988 Constitution of the Federative Republic of
IV. To promote the welfare of all, without regard to
Brazil
origin, race, sex, color, age, or any other forms of
81420095 Sao Paulo 0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO
discrimination.
(Special Supplement) in Portuguese 5 Oct 88 pp 1-23
[Text]
Article 4.
Preamble
The Federative Republic of Brazil is governed in its
international relations by the following principles:
We, the representatives of the Brazilian people, con-
vened in National Constituent Assembly to institute 8
I. National independence;
democratic state that is intended to ensure the exercise
of individual and social rights, liberty, security, well-
II. The preeminence of human rights;
being, development, equality, and justice as supreme
values in и fraternal and pluralist society that is without
III. The self-determination of peoples;
prejudices, is founded on social harmony, and is com-
mitted on the domestic and international scene, to the
IV. Nonintervention;
peaceful resolution of disputes, hereby promulgate,
under the protection of God, the following Constitution
V. Equality among nations;
of the Federative Republic of Brazil,
VI. The defense of peace;
Title I - The Fundamental Principles
VII. The peaceful resolution of conflicts;
Article 1.
VIII. Repudiation of terrorism and racism;
The Federative Republic of Brazil, formed by the indis-
IX. Cooperation among peoples for the advancement of
soluble union of the States and Municipalities and the
humanity:
Federal District, is constituted as a democratic state of
law upon the following premises:
X. The granting of political asylum.
I. Sovereignty;
Sole Paragraph. The Federative Republic of Brazil shall
II. Citizenship;
seek the economic, political, social and cultural integra-
tion of the peoples of Latin America, with a view to the
III. The dignity of the human person;
formation of a Latin American community of nations.
IV. The social values of labor and of free enterprise;
Enterpr for
Title II - Fundamental Rights and Guarantees
V. Political pluralism.
the Americas
over 70 Million vaters participated
Sole Paragraph. All power emanates from the people,
Chapter I Individual and Collective Rights and Daties
who exercise it either through elected representatives or
directly, pursuant to this Constitution.
Article 5.
Article 2.
All are equal before the law, without distinction of any
sort. Both Brazilians and aliens resident in Brazil are
The three branches of power of the Union, independent
guaranteed the inviolability of the right to life, liberty,
and harmonious among themselves, are the Legislative,
equality, security, and property, under the following
the Executive, and the Judiciary.
terms:
Article 3.
I. Men and women are equal in rights and obligations
under this Constitution;
The following constitute the fundamental purposes of
the Federative Republic of Brasil:
II. No one shall be obligated to do or to refrain from
doing anything, except by virtue of the law;
I. To build a free, just, and unified society;
III. No one shall be subjected to torture, nor to inhuman
II. To ensure national development;
or degrading treatment;
III. To eradicate poverty and powerlessness and dimin-
ish social and regional inequalities;
IV. Thoughts may be freely expressed, but anonymity is
forbidden:
Z 20456621818
2026457522
: 2::15PM : 06-02-16
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
FRIS-LAT-00-233-S
5 December 1988
2
V. The right to a response proportional to the offense is
XVII. There is full freedom of association for legal
assured, in addition to indemnification for material or
purposes, but association of a paramilitary nature is
moral damages or injury to one's reputation;
forbidden;
VI. The freedom of conscience and belief is inviolable,
XVIII. Authorization is not required for the creation of
the freedom to hold religious services is assured, and
associations or, pursuant to law, of cooperatives, and
protection of the sites of religious services and their
government interference in their functioning is forbid-
liturgies is guaranteed pursuant to law;
den;
VII. The rendering of religious assistance in civilian and
XIX. Only a judicial decision may force the dissolution
military collective confinement facilities is assured
of an association or the suspension of its activities; in the
under the law;
first of these cases, the decision must have become final
and unappealable;
VIII. No one shall be deprived of rights by reason of
religious belief or philosophical or political conviction,
XX. No one may be compelled to associate or to remain
unless the individual invokes them to gain exemption
associated;
from a legal obligation that is imposed upon all and
refuses to perform alternative service as established by
XXI. Associative entities may, when expressly autho-
law;
rized, legitimately represent their members in and out of
court;
IX. Intellectual, artistic, scientific, and communications
activity may be freely expressed, without censure or
XXII. The right of property is guaranteed;
license;
XXIII. Property shall serve its social function;
X. The privacy, private life, honor, and reputation of
persons is inviolable and the right to indemnification for
XXIV. The law shall establish the procedure for expro-
material or moral damages resulting from the violation
priation on the grounds of public necessity or utility, or
thereof is assured;
in the interest of society, against fair indemnification
made in advance and in cash, except in instances for
XI. The home is the inviolable refuge of the individual
which provision is made in this Constitution;
and no one may penetrate it without the consent of the
resident except in cases of flagrante delicto or calamity
XXV. In the event of imminent public danger, the
or to render assistance or, during daylight hours, by court
appropriate authority may use private property and the
order,
owner is assured of subsequent indemnification if dam-
age occurs;
XII. The confidentiality of correspondence and of tele-
graphic, data, and telephonic communications is invio-
XXVI. A small rural property holding, as defined in law
lable except, in the latter case, by court order issued in
and provided it is being worked by the family, shall not
such instances and manner as the law may establish for
be attached to pay debts resulting from its productive
purposes of criminal investigation or the gathering of
activity; the law shall make provision for the means of
evidence in criminal cases;
financing its development;
XXVII. Authors have the exclusive right to use, publish
XIII. Any work, occupation, or profession may be
or reproduce their works and this right is transferable to
engaged in freely, with due regard for the professional
the heirs for such time as the law may determine;
qualifications established by law;
XXVIII. The following are assured, under the law:
XIV. Access to information is assured to all, and the
confidentiality of the source is safeguarded when neces-
(a) The protection of individual participation in collec-
sary for the exercise of a profession;
tive works and the reproduction of the human image and
voice; including for sports activities;
XV. Individuals may travel freely within Brazilian terri-
tory in peacetime and any person may pursuant to law,
(b) The right of the creators, interpreters, and their
enter, remain in, or depart from it with his property;
respective labor union and associative representations to
inspect the economic utilization of the works which they
XVI. All may assemble peacefully without weapons in
created or in which they participated.
places open to the public and do so without authoriza-
tion, provided that they do not disrupt another meeting
XXIX. The law shall assure the authors of industrial
scheduled earlier for the same site; advance notice to the
inventions temporary privilege for the utilization
appropriate authority is all that is required;
thereof, as well as protection of industrial creations and
E 20456621818
2026475752
2::19PM
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
FRIS-LAT-88-233-S
5 December 1988
3
the ownership of the trademarks, company names, and
XLII. The practice of racism constitutes a nonbailable
other distinctive seals, to provide for the interests of
and imprescriptible crime that in subject to punishment
society and the technological and economic develop-
by incarceration, pursuant to law.
ment of Brazil;
XLIII. The law shall consider as nonbailable crimes not
XXX. The right of inheritance is guaranteed;
subject to pardon or amnesty the practice of torture, the
illegal traffic in narcotics and similar drugs, terrorism,
XXXL The succession of the property of aliens that is
and those crimes defined as heinous; those who order,
situated in Brazil shall be regulated by Brazilian law to
carry out, or fail to prevent such crimes when it was
the benefit of the Brazilian spouse or children, unless the
possible to do so shall be held responsible;
personal law of the deceased is more favorable to them;
XXXII. The State shall promote the protection of the
XLIV. The action of armed civilian or military groups
consumer, in such manner as the law may provide;
against the constitutional order and the democratic state
constitutes a nonbailable and imprescriptible crime;
XXXIII. All are entitled to receive information from
government entities when it is of private interest to them
XLV. No penalty shall survive the convicted person;
or of collective or general interest; such information,
however, both the obligation to make reparation for the
except that whose confidentiality is essential to the
damage, and a forfeiture of assets decree may, according
security of society and the State, shall be furnished
to the law, be extended to said person's successors and be
within the interval established by law. Those who violate
executed against them, up to the limit of the value of the
this principle may be held liable;
estate transferred;
XXXIV. All are assured of the following, without pay-
XLVI. The law shall regulate the determination of the
ment of a fee:
penalty for an individual case, and shall adopt penalties
such as the following:
(a) The right to petition the governments in the defense
of rights or against illegality or abuse of power,
(a) Deprivation or restriction of liberty;
(b) The ability to obtain authenticated copies of docu-
ments and records at government offices in order to
(b) Forfeiture of assets;
defend rights and clarify situations of personal interest;
(c) Fine;
XXXV. The law shall not exclude from review by the
Judiciary Branch an injury or threat to a right;
(d) Alternative community service;
XXXVI. The law shall not impair a vested right, a per-
fected juridical act, or a matter adjudged (res judicata].
(e) Suspension or interdiction of rights;
XXXVII. There shall be no special courts or tribunals;
XLVII. The following penalties shall not exist:
XXXVIII. The institution of the jury is recognized, in
such form as may be organized by law, the following
(a) Death, except in case of war declared pursuant to
being assured:
Article 84, (XIX);
(a) Full defense;
(b) Perpetual penalties;
(b) The confidentiality of the balloting;
(c) Forced labor;
(c) The sovereignty of the verdicts;
(d) Exile;
(d) Jurisdiction to try felonious crimes against life;
(e) Cruel and unusual penalties;
XXXIX. There is no crime unless first defined by law,
nor penalty without prior legal imposition;
XLVIII. The penalty shall be served in establishments
that have been differentiated according to the nature of
XL Criminal law shall not be retroactive, except to
the offense and the age and sex of the convict;
benefit the defendant;
XLI. The law shall punish any discrimination that is
XLIX. Prisoners are assured of respect for their physical
offensive to the basic rights and liberties;
and moral integrity;
V
2026457522
2::17PM
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
FRIS-LAT-88-233-S
5 Documber 1988
4
L. Female inmates shall be assured conditions under
LXV. Illegal detention shall immediately be relaxed by
which they may remain with their children during the
the judicial authority;
period when they are breastfeeding;
LI. No Brazilian shall be extradited; however, a natural-
LXVI. No one shall be taken to prison or held therein
when the law permits provisional liberty, with or without
ized Brazilian may be extradited for an ordinary crime
bail;
perpetrated prior to maturalization, or for proven
involvement in illicit traffic in narcotics and similar
drugs, pursuant to Inw;
LXVII. There shall be no civil imprisonment for indebt-
edness, other than that of one who is liable for voluntary
LII. Extradition of an alien shall not be granted on the
and inexcusable failure to fulfill an obligation to make
basis of a political crime or crime of opinion;
support payments, and the indebtedness of an unfaithful
depositary;
LIII. No one shall be tried or sentenced except by the
competent authority;
LXVIII. Habeas corpus shall be granted whenever any-
one suffers, or finds himself threatened with suffering,
LIV. No one shall be deprived of liberty or his property
violence or coercion in his freedom of movement due to
without due process of law;
illegality or abuse of power;
LV. The litigants in a judicial or administrative proceed-
LXIX. A writ of mandamus shall be granted in order to
ing, and accused persons in general are assured the right
protect a definite and certain right, not protected by
to an adversary proceeding and the opportunity to
habeas corpus or habeas data, when the party responsible
present a full defense, with the means and appeals
for the illegality or abuse of power is a public authority or
inherent therein;
an agent of a legal entity exercising the prerogatives of
the Government;
LVI. Evidence obtained by illicit means is inadmissible
in the proceedings;
LXX. The following may petition for a collective writ of
mandamus:
LVII. No one shall be considered guilty until the crimi-
nal conviction has become final and unappealable;
(a) A political party having representation in the
National Congress;
LVIII. One who has been identified by civil means shall
not be submitted to criminal identification procedures
(b) A labor union, trade or professional association, or
except in the instances for which provision is made by
other legally constituted association that has been func-
law;
tioning for at least 1 year in defense of the interests of its
members or affiliates;
LIX. Private criminal charges may be filed when the
public prosecutor has not instituted criminal proceed-
ings within the legal interval;
LXXI. An injunction shall be granted whenever the
absence of a regulatory rule makes inviable the exercise of
LX. The law may only restrict publicity regarding the
the constitutional rights and liberties and the prerogatives
events in the proceedings when the protection of privacy
inherent in nationality, sovereignty, and citizenship;
or the interests of society so dictate;
LXXII. Habeas data shall be granted:
LXI. No one shall be arrested except in flagrante delicto
or by written and duly justified order of the proper
(a) To ensure access to information relating to the person
judicial authority, except in cases of military transgres-
of the petitioner that is contained in the records or data
sions or a distinctively military crime, so defined by law;
banks of governmental or public entities;
LXII. Notification of the arrest of any person and the
(b) For the correction of data, when it is preferred this
place where he may be found shall immediately be
not be done to do so through confidential judicial or
communicated to the appropriate judge and the family
administrative proceedings;
of the detainee, or a person designated by same;
LXXIII. Any citizen may legitimately file suit ["acao
LXIII. The detainee shall be informed of his rights,
popular") seeking to annul an act that is injurious to the
among which are the right to remain silent, and he shall
public patrimony or to an entity in which the State has
be assured the assistance of his family and an attorney;
an equity interest, or to administrative morality, the
environment, or the nation's historical and cultural
LXIV. The detainee has the right to learn the identity of
heritage; in such event the plaintiff, unless proven to
those responsible for his detention or for his interroga-
have acted in bad faith, shall be exempt from payment of
tion by the police;
court costs and the onus of defeat;
S 2045662181
2026457522
2:188PM
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
FHIS-LAT-88-233-S
S December 1988
5
LXXIV. The State shall render full legal assistance free
VI. Irreducibility of wages, except as provided in a
of charge to whose who prove indigence;
collective convention or agreement;
LXXV. The State shall indemnify a convicted person for
VII. Guaranteed wage level, never lower than the mini-
an error made by the judiciary, and shall do likewise for
mum wage, for those remunerated on a variable basis;
one who is imprisoned beyond the length of time pre-
scribed in his sentence;
VIII. Payment of the year-end bonus on the basis of
full-time remuneration or the amount of the retirement
LXXVI. The following are free of charge for those
pension;
recognized as indigent under the law:
IX. Higher remuneration for night work than for day-
(a) The civil certificate of birth;
time work;
(b) The certificate of death;
X. Protection of wages pursuant to law; felonious with-
LXXVII. The actions of habeas corpus and habeas data
holding thereof shall constitute a crime;
are free of charge and, pursuant to law, the same is true
of acts necessary for the exercise of citizenship;
XI. Participation in the profits or earnings, independent
of the worker's remuneration and, exceptionally, partic-
Paragraph 1. The rules that define the basic rights and
ipation in the management of the enterprise, as may be
guarantees have immediate application;
defined in law;
Paragraph 2. The rights and guarantees set forth in this
XII. A family allowance for the worker's dependents;
Constitution do not exclude others that may flow from
the regime and the principles adopted herein, or from
XIII. Normal working hours not to exceed 8 hours per
international treaties to which the Federative Republic
day and 44 hours per week; arrangements for compen-
of Brazil is party.
sation of hours and a reduction in the work day may be
made by collective labor agreement or convention;
Chapter II - Social Rights
XIV. A 6-hour work day for work performed in uninter-
Article 6.
rupted shifts, unless otherwise agreed through collective
bargaining;
Under this Constitution, the social rights are education,
health, work, leisure, security, pensions and social assis-
XV. Paid time off every week, preferably on Sundays;
tance, protection of mothers and infants, and assistance
to the unprotected.
XVI. Overtime pay at a rate at least 55 percent higher
than the normal;
Article 7. The following are rights of both urban and
rural workers, in addition to other rights directed
toward improving their lot in society:
XVII. Annual paid vacation remunerated at a rate at
least one-third above the normal wage;
I. An employment relationship that is protected against
arbitrary dismissel or dismissal without just cause, pur-
XVIII. Maternity leave, without impairment of employ-
suant to complementary law, which shall provide for
ment or wages, for a duration of 120 days;
compensatory indemnification and other entitlements;
XIX. Paternity leave, under terms to be established by
II. Insurance in the event of involuntary unemployment;
law;
III. Participation in an unemployment compensation
XX. Protection of the labor market for women by means
fund based on length of service, [FGTS];
of specific incentives, pursuant to law;
IV. A minimum wage established by law and unified on
XXI. Advance notice of dismissal proportional to the
a nationwide basis; such wage to be capable of meeting
length of service but not less than 30 days, pursuant to
the basic necessities of life of the worker and his family,
law;
in terms of housing, food, education, health care, leisure,
clothing, hygiene, transportation, and social security; it
XXII. Reduction of the hazards inherent in work, achieved
shall be subject to periodic readjustments that preserve
by means of health, hygiene, and safety standards;
its purchasing power and may not be used as a reference
value for any purpose;
XXIII. Additional remuneration for arduous, unhealth-
ful, or dangerous activities, pursuant to law;
V. A wage floor proportional to the scope and complex-
ity of the work;
XXIV. Retirement benefits;
9 20456621818
2026475752-
2::16PM
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
FBIS-LAT-00-233-3
5 December 1988
6
XXV. Assistance free of charge for children and depen-
II. The creation of more than one labor union organiza-
dents from birth through the age of 6, in day care centers
tion at any level to represent an occupational or eco-
and preschools;
nomic category in a single geographical zone is forbid-
den; such zone shall be defined by the workers or
XXVI. Recognition of collective labor agreements and
employers concerned but may not be smaller than the
conventions;
area of a Municipality;
XXVII. Protection against the effects of automation,
III. It is the duty of the union to defend the collective or
pursuant to law;
individual rights and interests of the category it repre-
sents; this duty extends to judicial or administrative
XXVIII. Insurance against accidents on the job, to be
questions;
paid by the employer but not to the exclusion of the
indemnification which the latter is obligated to make if
IV. The general meeting shall determine the contribution
cited for malice or negligence;
to be made by the category, and in the case of an
occupational category, said dues shall be collected by
XXIX. The right to sue for sums owed him as a result of
payroll deduction in order to defray the cost of the
employment relationships, such right to expire after:
confederative structure of the respective union represen-
tation, regardless of the contribution provided for by
(a) 5 years for an urban worker, but not more than 2
law;
years following the termination of the contract;
V. No one shall be required to join or maintain mem-
(b) Not more than 2 years for a rural worker following
bership in a union;
the termination of the contract;
VI. It is mandatory that the unions participate in the
XXX. Prohibition against differentials in terms of
collective bargaining process;
wages, duties, and hiring criteria on the basis of sex, age,
VII. A retired union member is entitled to vote and to be
color, or marital status;
elected to positions in the union organization;
XXXI. Prohibition against any discrimination concern-
ing wages and hiring criteria for a handicapped worker,
VIII. An employee who is a union member may not be
dismissed after registering as a candidate for a position
in union leadership or representation and if elected, even
XXXII. Prohibition against distinctions between man-
as an alternate, may not be dismissed until 1 year has
ual, technical, and intellectual labor, or among the
passed since the end of his term of office, unless he
respective professions;
commits a serious offense pursuant to the law;
XXXIII. Prohibition against nighttime work or danger-
Sole Paragraph. The provisions of this article apply to
ous or unhealthful work for minors under the age of 18,
the organization of labor unions in rural areas and in
and against any work for children under the age of 14,
fishing villages, with due regard for such conditions as
except as an apprentice;
may be established by law;
XXXIV. Equality of rights between a worker who has
tenure in his employment and one who is sporadically
Article 9.
employed;
The right to strike is assured, and it is the province of the
workers to determine the occasion for exercising this
Sole Paragraph. Domestic workers as a category are
assured of the rights for which provision is made in
right and the interests to be defended thereby;
sections IV, VI, VIII, XV, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XXI and
Paragraph 1. The law shall define the services or activi-
XXIV, as well as their integration into the social security
ties that are to be deemed essential, and shall make
system;
provision for the pressing needs of the community to be
met;
Article 8.
Paragraph 2. Any abuses committed shall subject those
Individuals are free to join a professional association or
responsible to the penalties of the law.
labor union, with due regard for the following:
Article 10.
1. The law may not require that authorization from the
State, except for registration with the appropriate
Workers and employers are assured the opportunity to
agency, be obtained in order to establish a labor union,
participate on committees and similar bodies of the
and the government is forbidden to interfere or inter-
public agencies where their occupational or pension
vene in union organization;
interests are the object of discussion and decisions;
L
2026457522
2:20PM
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
FBIS-LAT-88-233-S
5 December 1968
7
Article 11.
IV. The office of minister on the Federal Supreme Court;
In companies that have more than 200 employees, the
V. Positions in the diplomatic service;
workers are assured the opportunity to elect a represen-
tative whose sole purpose shall be to serve as a direct
VI. Officer positions in the Armed Forces.
communication link between them and the employers.
Paragraph 4. The nationality of a Brazilian who takes
either of the following actions shall be declared forfeit:
Chapter III - Nationality
I. Has his naturalization cancelled by court order by
virtue of activities injurious to the national interest;
Article 12.
II. Acquires another nationality through voluntary nat-
The following are considered to be Brazilians:
uralization;
I. Native-born Brazilians are:
Article 13.
(a) Those born in the Federative Republic of Brazil, even
if born to foreign parents, provided that said parents are
The Portuguese language is the official language of the
not in the service of their country;
Federative Republic of Brazil.
(b) Those born outside Brazil to a Brazilian father or
Paragraph 1. The flag, the national anthem, the coat of
mother, provided that either is in the service of the
arms and the national seal are symbols of the Federative
Federative Republic of Brazil;
Republic of Brazil.
(c) Those born outside Brazil to a Brazilian father or
Paragraph 2. The States, the Federal District, and the
mother, provided that they have been registered at the
Municipalities may adopt their own symbols.
appropriate Brazilian government office or come to
reside in the Federative Republic of Brazil prior to
attaining majority and, after attained such, opt for
Chapter IV - Political Rights
Brazilian nationality at some time;
II. Naturalized Brazilians are:
Article 14.
(a) Those who acquired Brazilian nationality pursuant to
Popular sovereignty shall be exercised by universal suf-
law; however, only uninterrupted residence for a period
frage and by direct and secret ballot, with equal value
of 1 year and good moral character shall be required of
given to all and, pursuant to law, by means of the
persons from Lusophone countries;
following:
(b) Aliens of any nationality who have resided in the
I. Piebescite;
Federative Republic of Brazil for more than 30 years
without interruption and have not been convicted of a
II. Referendum;
crime, provided that they apply for Brazilian nationality;
III. Popular initiative;
Paragraph 1. Citizens of Portugal who reside perma-
nently in Brazil shall, if reciprocity is granted in favor of
Paragraph 1. Registration to vote and the act of voting
Brazilians, be afforded the rights inherent to a native-
shall be:
born Brazilian, except as provided in this Constitution.
I. Obligatory for persons who have attained the age of 18;
Paragraph 2. The law may not establish a distinction
between native-born and naturalized Brazilians, except
II. Optional for:
as provided in this Constitution.
(a) Those who are illiterate;
Paragraph 3. The following positions may be held only.
by native-born Brazilians:
(b) Those who have attained the age of 70;
1. The offices of President and Vice President of the
(c) Those who have attained the age of 16 but are under
Republic;
the age of 18;
II. The office of president of the Chamber of Deputies;
Paragraph 2. Neither aliens, nor conscripts who are
fulfilling their obligatory military service, may register
III. The office of president of the Federal Senate:
for the vote.
8 2045662181
2026475792
: 2:221PM
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
FRIS-LAT-80-233-S
3 December 1988
8
Paragraph 3. The following are the conditions for elec-
II. If the individual in question has more than 10 years of
tion to office, pursuant to law:
service, he shall be placed on leave of absence by the
higher authority and, if elected, shall automatically pass
I. Brazilian nationality;
to inactive status immediately upon taking office.
II. Full possession of one's political rights;
Paragraph 9. Complementary law shall establish other
instances of ineligibility to hold elective office and the
terms under which such ineligibility may cease, in order
III. Registration as a voter;
to protect the normality and legitimacy of the elections
from the influence of economic power or the abuse of a
IV. Voting residence in the specific district;
function, position, or employment in the direct or indi-
rect administration.
V. Party affiliation;
Paragraph 10. An elective mandate may be challenged in
VI. Attainment of at least the following ages:
the Electoral Courts within 15 days of the elected per-
son's certification; such action is to be supported by
(a) 35 years for the offices of President and Vice Presi-
evidence of abuse of economic power, corruption or
dent of the Republic, and for the office of senator,
fraud;
Paragraph 11. Proceedings challenging an elective man-
(b) 30 years for the offices of governor or lieutenant
date shall be heard in secrecy in the court and plaintiff
governor of a State or of the Federal District;
shall be held liable under the law if deemed to be acting
precipitately or in manifest bad faith.
(c) 21 years for federal deputy, State or District deputy,
mayor and vice mayor, and justice of the peace;
Article 15.
(d) 18 years for city councilman.
Disenfranchisement of political rights is forbidden; they
may only be lost or suspended in the following instances:
Paragraph 4. Illiterates and persons who are not eligible
to register to vote are not eligible for election to office.
I. Cancellation of naturalization by a court sentence that
has become final;
Paragraph 5. The following may not be re-elected to the
II. Absolute civil incapacity;
same office for the next subsequent term: the President
of the Republic, the State and Federal District gover-
III. Criminal conviction that has become final, but only
nors, the mayors, or those who may have succeeded them
for the duration of the sentence;
or replaced them during the 6 months prior to the
election.
IV. Refusal to fulfill an obligation imposed on all, or to
perform alternative service, pursuant to Article 5, VIII;
Paragraph 6. In order to THE as candidates for other
offices, the President of the Republic, the State and
V. Administrative dishonesty pursuant to Article 37,
Federal District governors, and the mayors must resign
paragraph 4.
their respective posts not later than 6 months prior to the
election.
Article 16.
Paragraph 7. Neither the spouse, nor blood relatives or
A law that alters the electoral process shall enter into
in-laws up to the second degree, nor relatives by adop-
force only after I year has elapsed since its promulgation.
tion of one who holds the office of President of the
Republic, State, Territorial or Federal District Gover-
Chapter V . Political Parties
nor, or Mayor may NEARS for elected office in the territory
Article 17.
of jurisdiction of the office holder, nor may anyone who
has replaced such office holder within 6 months prior to
Political parties may be freely created, consolidated,
the election do so, unless they already hold an elective
merged, and extinguished provided that national sover-
office and are a candidate for re-election.
eignty, the democratic regime, the principle of multiple
parties, and basic human rights are safeguarded and that
Paragraph 8. A member of the military who is eligible to
the following precepts are observed:
register to vote may be elected to office, if the following
conditions are met:
1. The party must be Brazilian in character,
1. If the individual in question has less than 10 years of
II. No financial resources may be received from a foreign
service, he must resign from active military service;
entity or government or a source subordinate to same;
6 2045662181
2026457522
2:222
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
FBIS-LAT-88-233-S
5 December 1988
9
III. Party accounts must be submitted to the Electoral
1. Establish religious sects or churches, subsidize them,
Courts;
impede their functioning, or maintain relations of
dependence or alliance with them or their representa-
IV. Parliamentary functioning is to be in accordance
tives, without prejudice to collaboration in the public
with law;
interest pursuant to law;
Paragraph 1. The political parties are assured autonomy
II. Refuse to honor public documents;
in defining their internal structure, organization, and
manner of functioning, however their by-laws must
III. Create distinctions among Brazilians or preferences
contain rules on party loyalty and discipline;
among themselves;
Paragraph 2. After acquiring legal identity pursuant to
civil law, political parties shall record their by-laws with
the Superior Electoral Court.
Chapter II - The Union
Paragraph 3. Political parties are entitled to resources
from the party fund and free access to radio and televi-
Article 20.
sion, pursuant to law.
The following are the property of the Union:
Paragraph 4. Political parties are forbidden to use para-
military forms of organization;
I. Those assets which presently belong to it and those
which may be attributed to it;
Title III - The Organization of the State
II. Those unoccupied lands essential to the defense of the
borders, the military fortifications and buildings and the
Chapter I - Political and Administrative Structure
federal highways, and for environmental protection, as
defined by law;
Article 18.
III. All lakes, rivers, and watercourses within its domain,
The political and administrative structure of the Feder-
or that touch the shores of more than one State, serve as
ative Republic of Brazil is comprised of the Union, the
boundaries with other countries, or that extend into
States, the Federal District, and the Municipalities, all of
foreign territory or proceed from same, as well as land
which are autonomous, pursuant to this Constitution.
along the edges thereof,¹ and the river beaches;
Paragraph 1. Brasilia is the federal capital.
IV. The river and lake islands in the border zones with
other countries, the maritime beaches, and the ocean and
Paragraph 2. The Federal Territories are part of the
coastal islands, but excluding the areas referred to in
Union; creation of a territory and its conversion to a
State or reincorporation into its State of origin shall be
Article 26, II.
regulated in complementary law;
V. The natural resources of the continental shelf and the
Paragraph 3. The States may merge with each other,
exclusive economic zone;
subdivide, or dismember themselves in order to join
with others or to form new States or Federal Territories
VI. The territorial sea;
upon approval, expressed in a plebescite, of the popula-
tion that is directly interested and with the consent of the
VII. The marine lands and their accretions
National Congress expressed through complementary
law.
VIII. The potential sources of hydroelectric power;
Paragraph 4. The creation, merger, consolidation, or
IX. The mineral resources, including those of the subsoil;
dismemberment of Municipalities shall preserve the
continuity and the historical-cultural unity of the urban
X. The natural subterranean cavities and the archaeolog-
environment; it shall be accomplished by state law, the
ical and prehistoric sites;
requirements of complementary state law having been
obeyed, and shall require advance consultation, through
XI. The lands traditionally occupied by the Indians.
a plebescite, with the populations that are directly inter-
ested.
Paragraph 1. The States, the Federal District, and the
Municipalities, as well as the entities of the direct
Article 19.
administration of the Union are assured, pursuant to
law, a share in the proceeds from the exploitation of
The Union, the States, the Federal District, and the
petroleum or natural gas, of water resources for electrical
Municipalities are forbidden to:
energy generation purposes, and of other mineral
2026457522
RCV BY:THE WHITE HOUSE
SENT BY:US MISSION TO OAS
11-21-90 : 8:45AM ;
2026470911-
2024566218:# 1
United States Department of State
United States Permanent Mission to the
OCT 21 A9:56
Organization of American States
FAX: 647-0911
Washington, D. C. 20520
DATE November 21, 1990
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION COVER SHEET
TRANSMITTED TO:
Ms. Carolyn Cawley
The White House
(ORGANIZATION)
456-6218
(FAX NUMBER)
456-7750
(TELEPHONE NUMBER)
TRANSMITTED FROM: Amb. Luigi R. Einaudi - Dept. of State
(ORGANIZATION/NAME)
647-9376
(TELEPHONE NUMBER)
PAGES BEING SENT:
4
(DO NOT COUNT THIS COVER SHEET AS A PAGE)
SENT BY:US MISSION TO OAS
11-21-90 ; 8:46AM ;
2026470911-
2024566218;# 2
To Ms Cawley
From Amb. Einaudi:
My search turned up no great quotes, and little likelihood that one
would be found.
One option would be to fall back on a mix of allusions that build to
almost the same thing. Something like the following, which has the
advantage of being very Brazilian:
In the nineteenth century, Brazilians declared their independence
from the Old World, freed their slaves, and founded their republic.
0.4-
In this century, Brazilians have led in regional cooperation and
Brazil
have begun to build the "new world in the tropics" foreseen by Gilberto
Business
Freyre.
Luncheon
Remarks
But the greatest challenge, a gigantic challenge worthy of this land
of boundless frontiers, worthy of the Brazil's mythical bandeirantes --
the super cowboys whose mission is "to open new paths never trod, never
known" -- is the dream that is now coming true: The Western Hemisphere
is becoming the first fully democratic hemisphere known in the history of
man.
And Brazil is a leader of this shared democratic adventure. (Return
to text praising Collor, etc.
)
SENT BY:US MISSION TO OAS
11-21-90 ; 8:46AM ;
2026470911-
2024566218:# 3
NEW WORLD
IN THE TROPICS
St
The Culture of Modern Brazil
BY
Gilberto Freyre
crinro
Alfred A. Knopf New York
1959
SENT BY:US MISSION TO OAS
11-21-90 ; 8:47AM ;
2026470911-
2024566218:# 4
Latin America:
A Cultural History
by Germán Arciniegas
TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH BY
Joan MacLean
New York : Alfred A. Knopf : 1968
SENT BY:US MISSION TO OAS
:11-21-90 : 8:47AM ;
2026470911-
2024566218;# 5
428
LATIN AMERICA: A Cultural History
of
THE BACKLANDS
Until far into the twentieth century, Brazil had to juggle two
different and simultaneous processes. One was that of the cities
and estates, where civilization became stabilized. The other was
that of the frontier, which the bandeirantes had gradually pushed
inland toward the backlands-o sertão,
In Brazil the concept of the frontier is as old as the nation.
It was born at the time of the captaincies in the sixteenth century.
Nuclei of violent adventurers kept forming around the outposts.
In 1692, the governor general wrote: "The city of São Paulo
has much about it of a republic, observing no law, either divine
or human." The will-o'-the-wisp that beckoned the bandeirantes
onward was not gold, but emeralds. The hero of the time was
Fernão Dias Pais, the protagonist of the first epic poem written
in Brazil: A Relação Panegírica em Oitava Rima
do Gov-
ernador Fernão Dias Pais, Descobridor das Esmeraldas (The
Panegyric Account in Ottava Rima
of Governor Fernão Dias
Pais, the Discoverer of Emeralds). Its author was Diogo Grasson
Tinoco, whose character is surrounded by mystery. The bandeir-
ante in the poem
Departs now at last for the boundless frontiers
To open new paths never trod, never known
Leaving his home and his country in tears
111
To slash through the underbrush, scale ramparts of stone
Ford turbulent rivers, build canoes, rafts, or bridges
Pushing on despite obstacles through every zone
Now with
Now defying the jungle, now heedless of cold
Conquering summit or valley, a man strong and bold.
minds, not Rands only
Olavo Bilac, whose full name was Olavo Bras Martins dos
Guimarães Bilac (1865-1918), returned to the same subject
(con mentery maros)
two hundred years later, in the period of Brazil's Parnassus, using
it in one of the most beautiful poems of his time: O Caçador de
Esmeraldas (The Emeraid-Seeker).
The frontier was no more an exclusively Brazilian phenomenon
than were the international brigades that moved inland. The
frontier of the United States was an unstable line that the Eng-
lish and other colonists kept pushing westward. As they did so,
the Europeans, chiefly Anglo-Saxons, kept despoiling the Indians
of their land. Spain herself had known a frontier on the Iberian
Peninsula which receded southward in the course of the eight
p.5 of 11-26-90
kraft for joint session
BRAZIL
ducing an enormous number of soap op-
eras (telenovelas) that have found a
world market. The visual arts, espe-
cially painting, are lively, while liter-
ature and the theatre, although
important, play a less prominent role in
this fast-moving, media-oriented
society.
Traditionally, Brazilian culture has
developed around regional subjects,
with the country's northeast normally
identified with nativist and indigenist
themes, while the urban centers of Sao
Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have demon-
strated a tendency toward a more open,
international, and European-oriented
expression. With the post-1964 push to
a more integrated national culture,
these tendencies have diminished some-
what but remain central to understand-
ing the uniqueness of this vast nation.
From an international perspective, Bra-
zil is at the center of a Portuguese-
speaking world that also includes Por-
tugal, Angola, Mozambique, and other
former Portuguese colonies. Its culture
is an important reference point for the
lusophone countries as well as the
Spanish-speaking nations of the West-
ern Hemisphere.
zhorje
Among the more familiar figures in
Brazilian literary culture, several stand
out. Jorge Amado, whose works depict
the rich cultural tapestry of Brazil's
good toguote
northeast in the 20th century, espe-
cially that of his native state of Bahia,
has had several best-selling novels pub-
The statues in front of Palacio do Planalto honor the first workers in Brasilia.
lished in English. A number of his
works also have been adapted to film,
including Gabriela, Clove and Cin-
namon, and The Two Husbands of
1964. The coup leaders chose as presi-
members of Congress and six delegates
Dona Flor. Machado de Assis, Brazil's
dent Army Marshal Humberto Castello
chosen from each state by the majority
most important late 19th and early 20th
Branco, who was elected by the Na-
party in the state legislature. In Janu-
century novelist, produced several
tional Congress on April 11, 1964.
ary 1985, the electoral college elected
world-class pieces, including Dom Cas-
Castello Branco was followed by retired
Tancredo Neves from the opposition
murro and Epitaph for a Small Win-
Army Marshal Arthur da Costa e Silva
Brazilian Democratic Movement
ner, each rivaling the works of Henry
(1967-69), Gen. Emilio Garrastazu Me-
(PMDB) to run against the candidate of
James in their subtlety and complexity.
dici (1969-74), and retired Gen. Ernesto
the government party, Federal Deputy
Carlos Drummond de Andrade, a poet
Geisel (1974-79). Geisel began the polit-
Paulo Maluf. However, Tancredo Neves
from Minas Gerais who died in 1987,
ical liberalization process, known as
fell ill before he was to be inaugurated
was a world-acclaimed writer whose
abertura, or "opening," which was car-
on March 15, and died on April 21, 1985.
prose and poetry occupied center stage
ried further by his successor, Joao Bap-
His vice president, the former Senator
for over three decades. Gilberto
tista de Oliveira Figueiredo (1979-85).
Jose Sarney, who had been acting presi-
Freyre, who died in 1987, was a Per-
Figueiredo not only permitted the re-
dent since inauguration day, became
nambuco-based sociologist and social
turn to Brazil of politicians who had
president upon Neves' death.
critic whose writings, including
been exiled or banned during the 1960s
Masters and Slaves, are key to under-
and early 1970s, but also allowed them
Cultural Achievements
standing the history of the country's
in 1982 to run for state and federal of-
race relations and its transition from a
fices, including the first direct elections
As its geography, population size, and
rural to an urban-based society.
for governor since 1966.
ethnic diversity would imply, Brazil's
Roberto da Matta, an exceptionally
Direct elections for president were
cultural profile and achievements are
keen social commentator from Rio de
still not permitted, and President
extensive, vibrant, and constantly
Janeiro, has written a number of semi-
Figueiredo's successor was chosen by
changing. Popular culture predomi-
nal studies on carnival and its rela-
an electoral college consisting of all
nates, with a thriving popular music in-
tionship to Brazilian national identity.
dustry, relatively active cinema, and a
highly developed television empire, pro-
Rui Barbosa
295
diplomat/writer
BRAZIL
Moacyr Scliar, an important novelist
Two Husbands of Dona Flor, Bruno
state and the federal district) elected to
and essayist from Porto Alegre, has
Barreto's adaptation of Jorge Amado's
8-year terms, and 487 deputies elected
written extensively on Brazil's Jewish
ribald novel, They Don't Wear Black
at large in each state and territory to
community and its role in national life.
Tie, directed by Leon Hirzsman and de-
4-year terms. The elections are based
Popular music has produced many
picting the struggle of Brazil's labor
on proportional representation,
of the most interesting examples of na-
movement under military rule; Gaijin,
weighted in favor of less populous
tional culture. Among the better known
a chronicle of the country's Japanese
states. The next congressional elections
contemporary artists are Chico Buar-
community by Tizuka Yamasaki; and
are scheduled for 1990.
que de Hollanda, a sort of Bob Dylan.
Pixote, the story of Sao Paulo's juvenile
The apex of the judicial system is
Also important from a domestic as well
delinquents, known as pivetes, directed
the Supreme Federal Tribunal. Its 11
as international perspective are such
by Hector Babenco and featuring the
justices, including the chief justice, are
artists as Caetano Velloso, Gilberto Gil,
internationally acclaimed actress,
appointed by the president to serve un-
Maria Bethania, and Gal Costa, all
Marilia Pera.
til age 70.
identified with the tropical sounds of
As the most pervasive medium in
Brazil is divided administratively
Brazil. Antonio Carlos Jobim (contem-
the country, television plays a prepon-
into 23 states, 3 territories, and a
porary) and Heitor Villa-Lobos (tradi-
derant role in developing a national cul-
federal district, Brasilia. The frame-
tional) are probably the two composers
tural identity. Television versions of
work of state and local governments
best known internationally. Several
works by the major exponents of na-
closely parallels that of the federal gov-
Brazilian classical musicians have
tional culture are given wide play, with
ernment. Governors, elected for 4-year
earned international acclaim, including
numerous adaptations of historical nov-
terms, have far more limited powers
Antonio Menezes, the cellist, and
els and popular literature. The
than do their counterparts in the
Arthur Moreira Lima and Antonio
telenovela have proven to be profitable
United States. This is due to the highly
Guedes Barbosa, both pianists.
for TV Globo, the country's leading
centralized nature of the Brazilian sys-
The visual arts play an important
television network, which now exports
tem and to a constitution that reserves
role in Brazilian national life. Several
them to Latin America, the United
to the central government all powers
outstanding museums and galleries are
States, Europe, Africa, and even the
not specifically delegated to the states.
located in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo,
People's Republic of China.
The limited taxing authority granted to
and the cities of Salvador in Bahia and
Sports also play an important role
states and municipalities-the only ter-
Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais feature
in national culture, with soccer occupy-
ritorial subdivisions of the states-has
some of the hemisphere's most impor-
ing an important part of virtually
tended further to weaken their power.
tant examples of Baroque architecture
everyone's life, either playing, viewing,
The three remote, frontier territo-
and religious art. Brasilia is known for
or cheering for a favorite team, both
ries are administered by governors ap-
its futuristic design and represents the
regionally as well as nationally. Edson
pointed by the federal government. The
country's forward thrust. The following
Arantes do Nascimento, better known
federal district, moved from Rio de
are among the long list of 20th-century
as "Pele," for two decades was the
Janeiro to Brasilia in April 1960, is gov-
artists notable for their contributions
world's best known athlete and a major
erned by a governor appointed by the
to national identity: Emiiano Di Caval-
figure on Brazil's world championship
president and approved by the Senate.
canti, who depicted the cabaret life of
teams in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Vol-
urban Rio and Sao Paulo during the
leyball, water sports, track and field,
Principal Government Officials
1920s and 1930s; Candido Portinari, the
and basketball are other major national
President-Jose Sarney
Sao Paulo muralist, whose works por-
sports in which Brazil has been suc-
Vice President-Vacant
tray the suffering of the country's mi-
cessful in international competition.
President's Civil Household-Ronaldo
grant farmers and working classes;
Costa Couto
Manabu Mabe, the Sao Paulo artist of
Zico
GOVERNMENT
See
swads of
President's Military Household-Gen.
Japanese birth, whose lyrical abstract
Rubens Bayma Denys
paintings can be viewed in museums
around the world; and Tarsila do
Brazil is a federative republic with
Cabinet
Amaral, the leading member of Brazil's
broad powers granted to the federal
Foreign Affairs-Roberto Costa de
1922 Modern Art Week, whose works of
government. A Constituent Assembly
Abreu Sodre
magic realism continue to set the pace
began to draft a new constitution in
Justice-Paulo Brossard de Souza
for contemporary artists in Brazil more
February 1987. It is expected to com-
Pinto
than half a century later.
plete its work by January 1988. Every-
Finance-Luis Carlos Bresser Pereira
The cinema is another lively aspect
thing from system of government to
of Brazilian arts. In the 1960s, Brazil's
federal/state relations is under discus-
Education-Jorge Konder Bornhausen
Labor-Almir Pazzianotto
Cinema Novo (New Cinema), based
sion. At the national level, the current
Health-Roberto Figueira Santos
mainly on social protest and incorporat-
constitution establishes a presidential
Welfare and Social Security-Raphael
ing camera techniques from U.S. and
system with three "independent and
European masters, proved to have a
de Almeida Magalhaes
harmonious powers"-executive, legis-
Communications-Antonio Carlos
major international impact. Directors
lative, and judicial. It forbids delega-
such as Glauber Rocha and Carlos Di-
Magalhaes
tion of powers and provides for a series
of checks and balances.
Mines and Energy-Antonio Aureliano
egues won awards at Cannes and nu-
Chaves de Mendonca
merous other international festivals. By
The president is assisted by a vice
Industry and Commerce-Jose Hugo
the 1970s, national cinema began to
president (elected with the president),
Castelo Branco
move toward a more commercialized,
a cabinet (presidentially appointed),
international expression and produced
Planning Secretary of the Presidency-
and specialized administrative and ad-
Anibal Teixeira de Souza
several notable successes, including The
visory bodies.
The bicameral National Congress
UPDATE NOTE: Leadership changes may have
consists of 72 senators (three for each
occurred here since the date of this entry. Check
the directory of officials beginning on
1
for
296
most recent information.
COLOR
November 19, 1990
MEMORANDUM
TO:
LANGER
FROM:
CAROLYN
RE:
BRAZIL larger
Brazil and the US share a long history of friendship and
cooperation.
Traditionally, Brazil has been a leader in the inter-
American community and has played an important role in collective
security efforts as well as in economic cooperation in the
Western Hemisphere.
Brazil aligned with the Allies during both World Wars.
Brazil is an active party in many regional and international
organizations. These include:
-- the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance
(the Rio Treaty)
-- the OAS
-- founding member of the Amazon Pact
-- founding member of the Latin American Integration
Association, the successor to the Lat Am Free
Trade Association
-- Charter member of the UN
-- Member of GATT (Round will be underway in Geneva
during POTUS' visit to Brazil)
The US and Brazil:
The United States was the first country to recognize
Brazil's independence in 1822.
Brazil's 19th century leader, Emperor Dom Pedro II, admired
Abraham Lincoln and visited the US during the 1876 Centennial
Exhibition in Philadelphia -- the first Brazilian chief of state
to visit. (Quote to come.)
The agreements between Brazil and the US include a treaty of
peace and friendship; an extradition treaty, a joint
participation treaty on communication satellites, and scientific
cooperation, civil aviation, and maritime agreements. We
exchange professors under Fulbright and other academic programs
and carry out university cooperation projects.
We are both frontier societies and have both had 3 capitals:
(New York, Philadelphia, D.C.) and (Salvador, Rio, Brasilia).
Epitacio da Silva Pessoa President-elect of the Federative
Republic of Brazil in 1919; 2nd chief of state to visit the
US. He made remarks to a joint session of the US Congress.
In his remarks, he referred to Brazil as the "ancient
friend" of the US, acknowledging that the relationship
embraced their recent diplomatic agreement at Versailles.
As President of a nation precariously dependent on the
export of agricultural products, he underscored that Brazil
would see in "the energies and capacity of the US for trade"
her own "widest possibilities for the development of her
trade and commerce."
Walt Whitman wrote a poem to the Brazilian people to
herald the birth of the Republic in 1889.
"Welcome, Brazilian Brother, thy ample place is ready.
A loving hand, a smile from the North, a sunny instant
hail!
Let the future care for itself, where it reveals it's
troubles, impedimentas,
ours, ours the present throe, the democratic aim, the
acceptance and the faith;
To thee today our reaching arm, our turning neck --
to thee from us the expectant eye.
Thou cluster free! Thou brilliant lustrous one! One
thou, learning well,
The true lesson of a nation's light in the sky,
more shining than the cross, more than the crown,
the height to be superb humanity."
Excerpts of President Jose Sarney's speech before a Joint Session
of the US Congress -- September 11, 1986
--On Jose Joaquim Maia
"In 1787 the young Brazilian, Jose Joaquim Maia, sought out
Thomas Jefferson, then Minister Plenipotentiary in Paris, to ask
his support for our independence. Two years later, our hero,
Tiradentes, who dreamed of a free and republican Brazil, was
hanged, drawn, and quartered, his severed body hung for all to
see, in the streets and roads, as cruel example to smother the
dream of freedom, and to declare that it would not come forth in
the land.
Do you know what the King's agents found among the papers
that had set the hears of our martyr afire with the holy madness
of independence? The Constitution of the United States of
America."
On Congress
"Congress is a school for public life. It is greater than
the sum of all its Members. This institution is the sovereignty
of the people. One learns here to listen rather than to speak.
To listen to all the voices, all the groups of society, all the
emotions, all the injustices. Here, all decisions are
questioned
"
The National Anthem of Brazil
The music was written in 1831 on the accession of Emperor
Dom Pedro II. New text adopted in 1922 but same tune.
"A challenge from a people who were fearless;
Thenceforth the sun of Freedom climbed our country's
sky and poured its rays upon us, bright and
peerless "
"Oh mighty vision, well we know that we survey our
country's future greatness shown for us there
10/30 9 a.m.
REVISED VERSION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH - BRAZIL
SETTING
O
I am delighted to begin my trip in Brazil, the largest
country of Latin America and the fifth largest in the
world. This is an immense land -- covering half of South
America and four time zones -- with a spirit to match. The
success of your economy (the world's eighth largest) and
your society is vital to the well-being of all nations in
the Americas.
Your
30-year
old
opace-age
capital Brasilia symbolizes your
nation's energy, inventiveness and aspiration to
greatness. I stand today in your congress, like ours, one
see merno square vers
3
of three independent branches of government. I am
impressed that so many members could appear today during
your congressional recess.
I come to Latin America and to Brazil at a time of great
international change and promise. Events in Eastern Europe
and the Soviet Union may have garnered most of the
headlines SO far. But North Americans are beginning to
understand that a political and economic revolution of
truly major proportions is occurring in the southern part
of this hemisphere. I have come because I wished to
witness this revolution -- and to pledge my country's
support to see it carried forward successfully.
THE CHANGING HEMISPHERE
What is happening in the hemisphere marks this decade as
the most important of the 20th century for Latin America.
Its significance in fact compares with that of the age of
decolonization and political independence of the 19th
century. But in this case, the revolution has two sides --
both political and economic. contrast 19thc. w/ 20thc $ draw
vision for the next century.
The political revolution reflects the aspirations of the
region's peoples for self-rule and a voice over decisions
that affect their lives. This stirring tide has swept away
almost all authoritarian rule in the region. It will lead
one day to the*world's first completely democratic
hemisphere
2
But running alongside -- perhaps sometimes less noticed --
is an equally profound change in the way in which the
peoples of Latin America have come to view the structure
and operation of their own economies. Many in Latin
America are now beginning for the first time to enjoy
economic as well as political democracy.
Revolutions, whether political or economic, are untidy.
They destroy special privilege. Along with new
opportunities, they create new uncertainties. They demand
special leaders to provide a steady compass in a storm of
change. In this respect, our hemisphere -- and your
country -- have proved fortunate. Your president, Fernando
Collor, represents a fresh breed of young leadership which
is sweeping across Latin America.
Since I first met President Collor last January, I have
come to value greatly our friendship. He and I have
discussed his wish to see Brazil take its rightful place
among the world's leading industrial democracies. We in
the United States stand ready to help realize this goal.
President Collor has spoken of Brazil's rightful place at
the table of the first world. What is so important about
that table is that there is no limit to its size. Brazil
belongs there -- and so do Argentina and Chile, Uruguay and
Venezuela. Getting there simply demands courage and a
willingness to make hard choices. Today's presidents of
these and other countries of the region have shown that
they understand this.
Latin America's political revolution grew from the grass
roots. Its still-uncompleted economic revolution must
essentially develop the same way -- from the demands and
efforts of your peoples for more efficent, market-driven
economies with a fairer distribution of benefits. But the
United States wishes to help. This is not simply altruism
-- in fact, we have a very large stake in your success.
In other words, we have a clear interest in the promotion
of economic as well as political democracy in the
hemisphere. Your gain will be our gain in terms of
expanding markets for our goods and technologies. Your
growth will provide new opportunities for investment by
U.S. companies. And expansion of economic opportunity for
the great mass of Latin America's peoples will pay enormous
dividends in terms of social and ecological stability for
the entire planet.
3
BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
The United States has a profound national interest in
improving its relations with the countries of Latin America
in the years ahead. The problems that characterized the
past decade -- debt fatigue, the fragility of emerging
democratic institutions, a struggle for consensus on a
regional economic model, the growing drug menace -- have
also created a window of opportunity for strengthening the
US-Latin American relationship.
We are approaching the 500th anniversary of Columbus'
encounter with the New World. Eight years after Columbus,
the first Portuguese squadrons under Pedro Alves Cabral
arrived in Brazil. We are both frontier societies and our
two youthful and vigorous nations have grown together. Our
relations have been strong and productive. But today,
nearing five centuries after Columbus and Cabral, we face a
series of challenges which offer great promise -- but which
will also test our ability to work cooperatively together.
Brazil has already taken major steps to meet these
of
challenges. It celebrated its return to democracy last
year with the first popular election of a Brazilian
go
President in 29 years. Seventy million Brazilian voters
participated in one of the largest expressions of
democratic choice that the world has ever seen. Your
araft 11-26 for
recent gubernatorial and legislative elections represented
one more major step in this process. I congratulate you
and the Brazilian people on these achievements.
As the two largest countries of the hemisphere, Brazil and
the U.S. have a special responsibility for leadership. Our
bilateral relations remain close and productive -- but, as
we approach the 21st century, I believe there is even more
that we can accomplish together in addressing a large and
expanding agenda of global issues. These issues touch
every one of us -- they include environmental concerns: the
absolute need to eliminate the scourges of drugs and of
terrorism; arms control; poverty and human rights.
The problem of drugs affects both of our countries in
similar ways. It ravages neighborhoods in both Rio de
Janeiro and Washington, D.C. I believe we now understand
that we cannot make progress against this threat by
pointing fingers of blame at each other.
4
We in the U.S. recognize that we must do more to reduce
demand. You recognize that the spreading tentacles of the
drug industry threaten democratic society. Together, we
recognize that we must continue to increase cooperation to
protect our children -- the next generation.
President Collor has taken a strong lead here by using his
office to publicize the threat drugs pose to Brazil's
young. I pledge the full efforts of my government to
continue to lower our consumption and thus dampen
incentives to drug production. Further, as we both learn
better how to reduce consumption and treat drug addiction,
we can more fully share these lessons.
Brazil and the U.S. are also cooperating closely in efforts
to protect the global environment. Brazilian and U.S.
scientists work side by side to study biodiversity in the
Brazilian rain forest. Our space agencies cooperate in
remote sensing activities to measure the impact of human
settlement in the Amazon region. Our environmental
agencies are tackling together our common problems of urban
pollution and waste management.
I believe that the Brazilian people understand that Latin
America should not - - and need not -- make the same
mistakes that we did in more careless times: in destroying
large tracts of our forests, in creating air and water
pollution requiring large investments to correct, or in
allowing development to override the human rights of native
populations. My country stands ready to cooperate with
Brazil and other countries of the hemisphere develop a new
and more sustainable economic model -- to allow development
without the human and economic costs of environmental
degradation.
You can be proud of Brazil's new leadership in these
fields. There is no better symbol of this than Brazil's
constitutional protections for indigenous peoples or its
offer to host the second U.N. conference on the environment
in 1992.
5
ECONOMIC REFORM/THE EAI
Thirty years ago, Juscelino Kubitschek, the president of
Brazil -- and the founder of Brasilia -- received here an
illustrious predecessor of mine named Dwight D.
Eisenhower. Gazing upon the new city of Brasilia, then
under construction, Ike spoke of the towers rising on the
Brazilian plateau as "an epic worthy of this nation's vast
possibilities and aspirations. Today we descendants of
these two great men come together again to undertake a
fresh and even more daunting task -- the construction of a
new economic relationship for the Western Hemisphere. I
have called this effort an "Enterprise for the Americas."
Its full realization will take far longer than the XX years
it took to build Brasilia. But with the drive of a
Kubitschek -- and the determination of an Eisenhower -- it
will happen.
I am speaking of a new relationship born of the triumph of
democracy in this hemisphere and directed towards the
necessary next step -- the essential task of raising the
standard of living and expanding the economic freedoms of
the peoples of Latin America.
President Collor and other Latin American leaders
understand that democracy is an economic asset. They
perceive that to give this asset value, a new vision is
needed, one which encourages innovation and competition and
which produces maximum opportunity for the individual.
Such a new vision requires a redefinition of institutions
and their relationship with the peoples they exist to
serve.
Your president put it well, I think, when he said in his
inaugural address: "It is not enough to govern for the
people; we must reconcile the government with the people,
the power with the citizenry and the State with the Nation.
But changes will not happen easily. They will require
difficult choices and sacrifices from all of us. Economies
which depended on protection and on state regulation must
open to competition and greater economic liberty. The
transition may for a time be painful for many --
unfortunately including some who already suffer from
poverty and deprivation.
6
But the results -- a growing economy and a sound currency
-- will lead to new opportunities and a welcome sense of
stability.
The major challenges that Latin America has faced over the
past decade has been economic adjustment. Development came
easily to the region in the 60s and 70s. Private
investment and bilateral, multilateral and private bank
lending were readily available. Economies were bouyant and
world demand was high. Conditions were tolerant of
mismanagement, inefficiency and protectionism.
This is no longer the case. Latin America producers now
compete for capital and markets for Southeast Asia, with
the mediterranean countries of Europe and with aggressively
exporting industrialized countries. Eastern Europe has
added a new dimension to the demand for capital.
Latin America is already adjusting. Your exports are
rising. Fiscal reform is underway. So is privatization.
Governments are doing away with subsidies which skew the
draft
market. They are giving more attention to agriculture a
Joint
sinssion
sector which, as we in the U.S. have discovered, can be a
powerful engine of development.
There is a rapidly growing consensus in the region about a
new model of Latin America development. It challenges
certain aspects of Latin America's traditional political
culture and institutions. As elsewhere in the world,
shifting human aspirations are creating new market
realities. Political systems too must modernize to keep
up.
Latin America will have to make further adjustments to
integrate into the international economy; yet they must do
so if they are to compete on an equal footing with
Southeast Asia and emerging European economies, as well as
to take advantage of the European Market after 1992. We
are confident that you can and will succeed in this task.
We know that solutions must be found by Brazilians, by
Chileans, by Peruvians -- but we in the United States want
to help.
7
O
The Enterprise for the Americas concept that I have
proposed calls for a major hemispheric effort to bring our
nations closer together in the three key areas of trade,
investment and debt:
-- On trade, our first attention should be on successful
conclusion of the Uruguay Round negotiations in
Geneva. The Round, now in its final stages, holds out
a prospect of important trade benefits for Latin
5.of
America's economies. The U.S. is aligned with Latin
America in fighting for an end to agricultural export
11.26
subsidies and new openings for developing country
exports. What is at stake is not just numbers. It
represents major new market opportunities and a higher
graftint forition
standard of living for the farmer in Mato Grosso, the
textile worker in Parana and the engineer in Sao
Paulo.
--
The Round and Bilateral Trade Agreements are the first
step; they create the necessary conditions for a
regime of eventual free trade encompassing all of
Latin America and the U.S. We see the Southern Cone
Common Market, now developing under the leadership of
President Collor and his fellow presidents in
neighboring countries, as a major further step towards
this goal.
--
On investment, we look to Latin American governments,
where required, to lift the dead hand of state
control. Doing SO will allow your entrepreneurs to
invest, sell and adapt to changing economic
conditions. It will help provide meaningful and
well-paid jobs to your workers. It is the key to
lifting a large percentage of Latin America's peoples
out of the grinding poverty in which they live today.
Brazilians know what foreign investment can help
produce -- witness its contribution to the dynamism of
Sao Paulo and the $10 billion of U.S. investment
already in this country. Just imagine what the result
could be in terms of jobs for your workers and goods
for your people if Brazilian dynamism were completely
unleashed!
8
On debt, we are prepared to work with Brazil and with
others in Latin America to write down and restructure
U.S. official debts contracted on concessionary
terms. These swaps have the potential of liberating
substantial resources for use in environmental
6
projects. I believe that this can be a very exciting
90
avenue of new collaboration between us. Specifically,
it can help Latin America's nations to develop and
for
prosper without undue ecological cost to the
communities and countryside upon which we depend and
within which our children will be raised.
Our new approach to official debt is intended to
complement commercial debt restructuring through the
Brady Plan. I understand the importance to Brazil --
and to the international financial community -- of
reaching a new agreement on commercial debt.
Continued access to global capital flows is vital to
your development. Although we do not sit at the table
of such negotiations, we stand ready to assist where
appropriate to ensure they reach fruition.
We have submitted a request to the Congress for
legislation that will give us the authorities we need
to implement these proposals.
VISION
Let me stress, my vision of an "Enterprise for the
p.qof
11-26-90
Americas" is of a joint undertaking involving the effort
and imagination of all nations in this hemisphere. A great
draft
Brazilian poet, Jose Bonifacio, once said that "Brazilians
are enthusiasts of a beautiful ideal. As we approach the
for
21st century, let us all hold fast to the "beautiful ideal"
of greater prosperity and freedom of choice for our peoples.
Joint session
At the beginning of this address, I said that I had come to
Brazil and to Latin America as witness to a political and
an economic revolution in the hemisphere. The political
revolution was accomplished by brave and courageous efforts
by democratically-elected leaders such as you here in this
chamber. You are the pioneers -- you have shown that
change need not issue from the barrel of a gun. It can and
is taking place under the rule of law.
9
It is now the time to complete this revolution by enacting
a matching economic bill of rights for Brazil and for all
the nations of Latin America. This will be in many ways a
harder task than writing constitutions or organizing
elections. But its objective will be similar -- the
unchaining of your economic possibilities to match your new
political freedoms. And its promise is to create a
hemisphere of new productivity, open markets and expanding
possibilities from Laborador to Lima, from Boston to Buenos
Aires, from Pittsburg to Porto Alegre. You and I together
are privileged to be witnesses together to such a vision as
we move towards the new century which can make it a reality.
Doc SEARABR 4345