Brazil Resists Push for Tougher Sanctions on Iran, Envoy Says

Brazil has told the U.S. and France that it doesn’t support tougher United Nations sanctions on Iran and will continue, over the objections of the Obama administration, to seek more trade with the Islamic government.

“We are not considering sanctions a good idea now,” Ambassador Maria Viotti said in an interview at her office in New York. “Negotiations should continue. If sanctions are pursued, this might block the negotiating track.”

Brazil’s resistance to sanctions signals the difficulty the U.S. will have in retaining the unity that characterized three previous UN resolutions targeting Iranian government officials and banks. Brazil, which began a two-year term on the 15-nation Security Council in January, might join China, Lebanon and Turkey in abstaining from a sanctions vote.

The Obama administration is stepping up pressure on Security Council member governments to back stronger penalties. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said yesterday her assertion that Iran is turning into a “military dictatorship” was “important for countries that are still evaluating” whether to support new measures.

Clinton said last year it was a “bad idea” for Latin American countries to deepen ties with Iran. She has talked this month of possible new UN sanctions targeting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is involved in the country’s nuclear program and has extensive business interests.

Negotiated Settlement

Viotti, 55, said late yesterday that a negotiated settlement of the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program is still possible because the government in Tehran hasn’t rejected a proposal to send uranium outside the country to be enriched for medical research. Iran’s response, while not acceptable to the U.S. and its European allies, doesn’t close the door on talks, she said.

Brazil doesn’t accept the U.S. view that evidence of Iran’s intent to develop a nuclear weapon is indisputable. Viotti said Brazil adheres to the position of the International Atomic Energy Agency that questions about the purpose of Iran’s nuclear program need to be answered.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will continue to seek greater trade with Iran when he visits Tehran in a few months, she said.

“Iran is a very good market for food products,” Viotti said. Brazil is Latin America’s largest economy and a major exporter of soybeans, orange juice, sugar and other farm goods.

Iran also is interested in forming a partnership with Brazilian state-controlled oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Brazilian Energy Minister Edison Lobao said this month.

Economic Clout

Viotti said stronger trade relations with Iran put Brazil in position to push for a negotiated settlement, a tactic that she said the U.S. approves. There was “appreciation” from the Obama administration after Lula took advantage of Iranian “trust” in Brazil to argue the merits of a deal during a November meeting with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, she said.

Brazil’s position on Iran showcases a push for a broader role in the world to match its growing economic clout and Lula’s drive for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, according to Christopher Garman of the Eurasia Group, a New York political-risk consulting firm.

“This is still something that is under way and not consolidated,” Garman said in an interview. “As a result, as Brazil starts to take certain positions, this process is fraught with trial and error and potential for overreaching.”

Lula was “somewhat played’” by Ahmadinejad during his visit to Brazil, Garman said.

“Brazilians see themselves as playing a positive intermediary role between Iran and other Western nations, but they came in a little late to an ongoing negotiation and dynamic which they did not fully appreciate,” Garman said.

Africa, Asia

Still, Viotti said Brazil will continue to seek greater involvement in Africa and Asia, including in the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Brazil wants to attend the planned Middle East conference in Moscow and would push for a greater Security Council role in talks when the time is right, she said.

“As we expand our economy and trade with a larger number of countries, and are present in Africa and Asia, we take an interest in what happens there and in trying to help maintain peace in those areas,” Viotti said. “It is new in terms of being more active in different scenarios.”