Brazil Will Not Yield to Israel’s Demand

It seems that Avigdor Lieberman’s Latin American tour aimed to convince regional states to reconsider their relations with Iran has not been successful. Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Mansour Moazzami, South America analyst on the repercussions of Israeli FM visit to Brazil.

In his Latin America tour Lieberman demanded Brazil to convince Iran to stop Iran’s nuclear program. Why has Israel chosen Brazil?

The reason is quite clear. Iran and Brazil have remarkable economic relations. Iran is one of Brazil’s major trade partners. Annual imports from Brazil are valued at 2 billion dollars which have turned it into Brazil’s primary Middle Eastern target. This is the strongest tie between the two countries. Second, Brazil is seeking a more prominent international role. This country is currently a G20 member which shows its political and economic weight. Of course I believe Iran and Brazil have not fully used their capacity. There are still many potentials unlocked which Iran can use. However the relations are in a good point. Thirdly, at the moment Brazil is trying to find new markets, and new gates towards a greater international role. Fourthly, Iran has is playing well in the Latin American ground and has gained public support, of course with various degrees in different countries. Fifth is the Muslim population and the religious environment in Latin American countries and sixth is the cultural commonality between Iran and this region.

These factors have increased Iran’s presence in Latin America. Again I have to remind that our potential is much more but we have never managed to use it to the utmost. But the trend started since Khatami’s presidency and Ahmadinejad’s term has reinforced these relations.

The six factors I mentioned have caused fear among American and Israeli leaders. Today, one can no more call Latin America United States’ political backyard. The popular movements are good evidences. These movements have brought governments to power which have more ties with ordinary people, at least on the surface. Venezuela, Ecuador and Nicaragua are the typical instances.

So Israelis thinks that Iran’s presence in Latin America means less space for them. Considering their expansionist policies and their hostility towards our country we can understand why Iran’s presence has distressed them. However, an unfortunate phenomenon is the power of pro-Israel lobbies in South American states.

I don’t think Lieberman’s visit has ended in favorable results, at least in short-term. Israel’s current government is radical, fascist and in direct opposition to international norms. And with the present atmosphere prevailing in Latin America and the considerable Muslim population of its countries, Israel can not advance its project through public pressure.

Iran should use its opportunities in Latin America. These chances won’t last forever. We should grasp them and embark on economic and cultural projects without meddling in domestic affairs of Latin American countries.

Are these countries a fertile ground for our policies?

I think so. They have weak economies and that is the first point we can start from.

Israel used to make serious threats against Iran, but seemingly it has shifted to a new policy. One example could be Lieberman’s visit to Brazil and his demand. Does that imply anything?

No one can deny the peaceful nature of our nuclear program. There is nothing to hide. More than two thousand IAEA inspectors have visited our nuclear facilities and there were no violations they could report.

You asked a good question. Israel has only two ways. One is the old way of threatening. During these years they also pressurized IAEA chief Mohammad ElBaradei but their attempts all failed. Despite all IAEA’s ambiguous reports they have found no proof that Iran is following military goals under the shield of its nuclear program. So Israelis found out that threats can do nothing.

Meanwhile, a new president with a new language has come to power in the United States. The nature of his goals may not be different from Bush’s, but his language is. I believe he is more rational. Iran must have the diplomatic art to use this opportunity to advance its interests. You can see that Obama and his secretary of state are firmly against Israeli settlements in Occupied Territories. Therefore, Israelis lack their previous maneuverability. Now they are showing more flexibility due to international pressures and once again they have turned into the least popular country for the international public opinion.

Our Brazilian friends know that all our nuclear activities are monitored by IAEA. Meanwhile, Brazil has also got its own nuclear agenda. They are developing their nuclear activities and seek uranium enrichment. They may transfer Israel’s fear to Iran and ask for a reconsideration of nuclear activities, but Iran will respond with a firm ’no’. Our nuclear program has national support and is in line with international laws. Why should we relinquish our right just because of the pressure of world powers? Iranian statesmen are held responsible for any withdrawal.

Is Brazil powerful enough to affect relations of regional states such as Venezuela with Iran?

I doubt that. Look, Brazilians follow a low profile approach while they try to be internationally active. Compare it with the behavior of a country like Venezuela. See how Chavez reacted to the coup in Honduras. His foreign minister accompanied Manuel Zelaya to the Honduran border. Brazil never does such a thing, and even if it wanted to show any support, it could not be that overt. They have a conservative, low profile policy in line with international norms and they avoid any tension.