Brazil's Minister of Defense Nelson Jobim yesterday met with France's president Nicolas Sarkozy
Sarkozy to discuss a possible strategic defence partnership between both countries. According to the ministry press office Brazil was hoping to negotiate a deal which would enable it to use French technology to build a nuclear submarine. Brazil is also considering buying fighter planes from France to replace its existing Mirage planes and is interested in the possibility of French helicopters being built in Brazil.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has proposed to U.S. President George W. Bush that a meeting of world leaders be organised for April in a bid to complete the Doha Round of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations. In other news, the General Comptroller of the Union (CGU) is to investigate two ministers for possible abuse of the government's corporate credit card; the two are the Minister for the Promotion of Racial Equality Matilde Ribeiro and the Special Secretary for Fishery, Altemir Gregolin (seeBrazil: 90 January 2008:.
Significance: The construction of a nuclear submarine would strengthen Brazil's military capability at a time when neighbouring countries such as Colombia and Venezuela are making arms purchases, even though Brazil does not face any threat of external attack. It is also in line with Brazil's aspirations to be considered a world power even though it could provoke international controversy (as occurred with the earlier opening of an enriched uranium facility in Brazil).
Meanwhile the leading role that Brazil has played in international trade talks is a reflection of the country's higher international profile.Global Insight
