Foreign relations Brazilian military government

presidents emílio g. médici (left) , richard nixon, december 1971.

during period brazil s international agenda incorporated new perceptions. nationalist military — state-control devotees — in power, there increased energy questioning disparities of international system. interest in expanding state presence in economy accompanied policies intended transform brazil s profile abroad. relationship united states still valued, policy alignment no longer total. connections between brazilian international activity , economic interests led foreign policy, conducted foreign minister josé de magalhães pinto (1966–67), labeled prosperity diplomacy.

this new emphasis of brazil s international policy followed appraisal of relations maintained united states in previous years. observed attempted strengthening of ties had yielded limited benefits. revision of brazilian ideological stand within world system added perception. state of affairs further enhanced momentary relaxation of bipolar confrontation during détente.

in context, became possible think of substituting concept of limited sovereignty full sovereignty. development made priority brazilian diplomacy. these conceptual transformations supported younger segments of itamaraty (ministry of external relations), identified tenets of independent foreign policy had distinguished 1960s.

based on priorities of foreign policy, brazil adopted new positions in various international organizations. performance @ ii conference of united nations conference on trade , development (unctad) in 1968, in defense of non-discriminatory , preferential treatment underdeveloped countries manufactured goods, noteworthy. same level of concern distinguished brazilian stand @ economic commission latin america (ecla) meeting in viña del mar (1969). on occasion, brazil voiced support of latin american union project.

in security sphere, disarmament defended , joint control system of 2 superpowers condemned. brazil particularly critical of nuclear non-proliferation treaty, view guarantee right develop own nuclear technology. prerogative had been defended previously, when brazilian government decided not accept validity of treaty prohibition of nuclear weapons (tnp) in latin america , caribbean. brazil s position on tnp became emblematic of negative posture would, onwards, sustain regarding power politics of united states , soviet union. initial detailing influenced presence of joão augusto de araújo castro ambassador un , president of security council in years 1968–69. brazil tried strengthen position nuclear cooperation negotiated settlements countries such israel (1966), france (1967), india (1968) , united states (1972).

the changes in brazilian diplomacy reflected in other matters on international agenda, such moderate stance taken regard six-day war between arabs , israelis. in multilateral sphere, country championed cause of reform of united nations organization charter.

the expansion of brazil s international agenda coincided administrative reform of ministry of external relations. move brasília in 1971 followed internal modernization. new departments created, responding diversification of international agenda , increasing importance of economic diplomacy. examples include creation of trade promotion system (1973) , alexandre de gusmão foundation (1971) develop studies , research foreign policy.

foreign policy during gibson barboza mandate (1969–74) united 3 basic positions. first one, ideological, defended existence of military governments in latin america. achieve that, organization of american states fought terrorism in region. second 1 criticized distension process between 2 superpowers, condemning effects of american , soviet power politics. third requested support development, considering brazil, economic potential, deserved greater responsibility within international system.

new demands , intentions appeared, related idea nation strengthening bargaining power in world system. @ international forums, main demand became collective economic security . endeavor lead third world countries made brazil value multilateral diplomacy. efforts in direction can observed @ un conference on environment (1972), gatt meeting in tokyo (1973) , law of sea conference (1974).

this new brazilian stance served base revival of relationship united states. differentiation other latin american countries sought, mean special treatment united states. nevertheless, not expectation not fulfilled military assistance , mec-usaid educational cooperation agreement interrupted.

washington held aloof @ time of president médici s visit united states in 1971. in response, in military , diplomatic spheres, nationalist ideas kindled , raised questions alignment policy united states.

the presence of j.a. de araújo castro ambassador washington contributed re-definition of relations american government. strategic move try expand negotiation agenda paying special attention diversification of trade relations, beginning of nuclear cooperation, , inclusion of new international policy themes.

in 1971 military dictatorship helped rig uruguayan elections, frente amplio, left-wing political party, lost. government participated in operation condor, involved various latin american security services (including pinochet s dina , argentine side) in assassination of political opponents.

during period, brazil began devote more attention less-developed countries. technical cooperation programs initiated in latin america , in africa, accompanied in cases state company investment projects – in particular in fields of energy , communication. pretext, inter-ministerial system created itamaraty , ministry of planning, function select , coordinate international cooperation projects. foster these innovations, in 1972 foreign minister gibson barboza visited senegal, togo, ghana, dahomey, gabon, zaïre, nigeria, cameroon , côte d ivoire.

however, prospect of economic interests , establishment of cooperation programs these countries not followed revision of brazilian position on colonial issue. traditional loyalty still towards portugal. attempts made consolidate creation of portuguese-brazilian community.