Bravo, President Lula, for your lesson in diplomacy

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Brazil of "making the world more dangerous" due to Lula’s mediation with Iran, despite the fact that this joint action with Turkey had been consulted previously with the U.S. administration.

Nevertheless, we can easily imagine the extreme international and domestic pressures brought upon Washington to abort the alternative diplomacy in which these “emerging countries” have been so skillfully engaged.

This is a bad sign. But, good sign, shortly thereafter the United Nations signed an agreement to hold a summit in 2012 to convert the Middle East into a region free of weapons of mass destruction and to accelerate the disarmament process of all countries that possess atomic warheads. The agreement was subscribed by the 189 signatory countries of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (TNP). However, Israel, which has neither signed the TNP nor admitted or denied that it maintains nuclear arsenals, should not be “pressured” until the region is at peace!

What Lula has demonstrated is that if multilateralism doesn’t work through the direct manipulative influence of the most powerful countries, it is possible to achieve via negotiations what has never been achieved by force and antimissile shields. It’s clear that the captains of the great war machine, who were already watering at the mouth at the thought of war with Iran must feel terribly disappointed. Lula swiftly responded to the U.S.’s accusation by saying that nuclear energy should be an instrument for development, rather than a threat. “My experience as a union leader taught me that inflexible positions only feed confrontation and move us further away from possible peaceful solutions", he added.

In contrast, Minister Moratinos applauded “Turkey and Brazil’s tremendous effort". It is now essential through a strengthened United Nations to ensure that President Ahmadinejad keeps his word. And, in turn, that Israel realize that its “exceptional” status, based on the United States’ unyielding support, has concluded and that it must submit to the directives of the same organization that recognized Israel’s right to statehood in 1947.

What neither the G-7, G-8 nor G-20 achieved was made possible through these alternative channels of negotiation. Bravo, President Lula. Bravo, Prime Minister Erdogan. We must reform the United Nations, commencing with the Security Council, which today is being used for the benefit of the world’s great powers.

Times have changed. The great instruments of world politics must also change. “Let us rapidly put diplomacy and dialogue where there were previously only threats”. Neither Brazil nor Turkey has nuclear weapons... The paradox is that those who have them refuse to let others have them instead of seeking nuclear disarmament, the great aspiration of all human beings who think responsibly in the future generations. President Obama seems to be determined to do so. Let’s help him.

The World Cup is worth €600,000 to each player

I like football. And I can appreciate the quality of certain footballers. Especially those in the youth local teams. But I think that it’s shameful, inappropriate and unacceptable for these players, who are also the most highly paid in the country –and that’s why they are part of the squad- to be offered 600,000 euros (x 23 = 13.8 million euros) if they win the World Cup.

This amount is of course small fry if we calculate the media "return" that this victory would bring about. Those who will be "lacing their boots", in any case, are those who have managed to ensure that both the press and the broadcasters dedicate pages and hours of popular entertainment, turning us into mere impassive receivers for whom time passes by and passes by in this way without pauses to reflect, to express oneself, to agree or disagree, in short, to be citizens. Full citizens.

They keep us entertained. They are winning the game.

How many acts of reconciliation and peace, development and rehabilitation following disasters could be funded with this "added bonus"?

We have to change. Radical changes, with the participation of the people. Including those of us who are keen on football.

Garzón, World Judge

Some time ago (on April 1, 2010) I wrote in this blog that if they were able to prosecute Garzón, he would emerge unscathed. Given his national and international reputation, I knew that the wicked locals, obsessed with obscuring the past, would not be able to suppress our collective memory, but rather would enlighten and awaken it by further highlighting the work of a judge who, with great courage and foresight has not only sought to do justice to Spain’s past and present, but who has also taken aim at international criminals and perpetrators in acts of genocide.

They sought to put an end to Judge Garzón’s brilliant career and they have made him even more visible.

People frequently acquire “world status” when they suddenly die or are the victims of real or spiritual assassination... and just as suddenly all the world finally appreciates and values what they have done, with those who survive having the advantage of personally enjoying this worldwide recognition.

Despite my sadness and indignation, way down deep I am pleased because the dirty hands that sought to alienate and censure a great Spanish judge have made him a world renowned judge, respected by the immense majority of Spaniards and, what is more difficult, by all mankind.