Brazil's President meets Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi: we are not hostile to America, rather demand sovereignty
President of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan stressed during his meeting with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yesterday his country's care to develop its relations with aBrazil at a time when Lula stressed that "our policy is not based on confrontation with the USA," rather pursuing "a genuine sovereignty."
He criticized the US policy in the Middle East, and called for a greater role for the UN in Iraq and the region. He also stressed Brazil's attempt to get a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
The United Arab Emirates UAE official news agency said that the two leaders discussed means of supporting bilateral cooperation relations in the economic and trade fields, as well as the march of peace in the Middle East. Sheikh Zayed expressed his appreciations for "Brazil's President and government over Brazil's hosting of the Arab community there. "
Lula also met Abu Dhabi crown prince, Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan. In a press conference before the meeting, Lula said he had notified the US President personally he is opposing the invasion of Iraq. He said "it is not only the views and position of Brazil, it is rather the position of the whole world, almost." He added "when we develop our international relations, we do not do that with the aim to counter any country. We are a sovereign state and pursue a certain strategy.. Sovereignty should be genuine."
Lula stressed "our policy is not based on confrontation with the USA, rather self determination for the 170 million Brazilians."
Lula criticized the US policy in the Middle East, and stressed that peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis "can not be the road sought by the US alone." He stressed the UN to have a greater role. Lula moved to Dubai where he had met with Dubai crown prince and the UAE defense minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and reviewed with him means of developing bilateral relations.