Rousseff and V.P. Biden meet to discuss Cuba
BRASILIA — President Dilma Rousseff and the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, discussed Thursday (Jan. 1) in Brasília ways for Brazil to help the United States’ process of rapprochement with Cuba.
Biden attended Dilma’s inauguration at Planalto Palace and met with her for nearly one hour in Itamaraty [site of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry] in the early evening. Members of the government said that it is Dilma’s intention to pay a state visit to the United States in September.
Biden’s visit to Brazil represents a gesture of the White House after the upheaval caused by revelations of [U.S.] espionage in September 2013.
Barack Obama’s second in command is the highest authority sent to a Brazilian presidential inauguration since Fernando Collor’s in 1990, when then-Vice President Dan Quayle came for the inauguration of the first president elected by direct vote after the military dictatorship (1964-1985).
At Thursday’s meeting, held behind closed doors, Dilma and Biden discussed what can be done to help a relaxation of relations with the island of Fidel and Raúl Castro and what Brazil’s role should be.
The U.S. and Cuba resumed diplomatic relations in December after 53 years. The historical accord was mediated by Pope Francis and involves the reopening of embassies and steps taken in sectors such as communications, tourism and banking.
On this occasion, Brazil was informed barely moments before the official statements.
Foreign Ministry sources said that Cuba’s participation in the Organization of American States was also discussed by Dilma and Joe Biden.
As he left Itamaraty, the U.S. Vice President spoke briefly with the press and displayed optimism. “It is a new beginning,” he said.
After disclosures that she was a target of U.S. espionage, Dilma cancelled a state visit to Washington that she had scheduled for October 2013.
Asked if the Brazilian president planned to restart the trip, Biden answered, “I hope she does.”
Last night, the White House issued a note about the meeting, saying that Dilma and the U.S. Vice President “agreed on the need to work in equal partnership to develop a robust and ambitious agenda for renewed bilateral, regional, and global cooperation.”
Thursday afternoon, Dilma empowered the new Brazilian foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, until now the Brazilian ambassador in Washington.
Standing next to his predecessor, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, the new foreign minister joined the meeting with Biden.
[Photo shows Dilma Rousseff and V.P. Joe Biden on Thursday. At rear is former F.M. Luiz A. Figueiredo.]
