U.S., Brazil Push Investment, Trade Agendas
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: BRASILIA -- At the outset of a three-country tour of Latin America, President Barack Obama heaped huge praise on Brazil's remarkable economic rise, but received a tongue lashing in return from Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who criticized the U.S. loose monetary policy for contributing to "acute" global imbalances by artificially weakening the U.S. dollar.

A joint appearance by the two leaders in Brazil's futuristic presidential palace was perhaps most remarkable for the subject that barely came up: The near simultaneous launching of U.S.-backed military engagements in Libya. Near the end of his remarks, Mr. Obama said the United Nations coalition, led by France and the U.K., was ready to "act with urgency." More details weren't available from the president, since Brazil did not allow reporters to ask questions.

So, as French jets took to the air over Libya, Mr. Obama spoke mainly on economic cooperation with Brazil, joking once about his disappointment that Chicago lost the 2016 Olympics to Rio de Janeiro. Later, Mr. Obama gave more extensive statements on Libya to U.S. reporters travelling with him.

Indeed, Mr. Obama's Latin American trip, which also includes Chile and El Salvador, is certain to be overshadowed the escalating hostilities. The visit is meant to reestablish the U.S. presence as an economic partner as Brazil and other resource rich Latin nations forge closer ties with China. But even before departing, Mr. Obama was criticized for leaving the U.S. amid international turmoil and pressing domestic budget debates. » | Paulo Prada, Laura Meckler in Brasilia, Tom Murphy in San [São?] Paulo | Saturday, March 19, 2011

WIKI: Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil »

Brazil Gets First Woman President, Dilma Rousseff

By GAUTAM Jha

BRAZIL NEWS - Lula's designated successor- Dilma Rousseff has finally become the the first-ever woman president of Brazil. She got over 56 per cent of the valid ballots as compared to 44 per cent of her rival- Jose Serra, social democrat. Ruling-party has supported her candidature till she became the favourite candidate for the post of president. Her win is considered as the extensions of the policies of popular president President Luiz I nacio Lula da Silva.

M s. Rousseff, 62, will be inaugurated on January 1 at the helm of the world’s eighth-largest economy, with a four-year mandate and a majority in both houses of Congress.

She accepted the challenge of succeeding Lula. This would be difficult but confident enough to do it. She has the knack how to honour his legacy as well as how to consolidate his work and build upon it. An almost tearful Ms. Rousseff said of her mentor in her first address as president-elect, before an auditorium filled with PT officials.

She lacks Lula’ s charisma, as was apparent when she read her first speech after the election. In her 15-minute talk, however, Ms. Rousseff highlighted her historic position as Brazil’ s first female president.

Ms. Rousseff said her most “ fundamental commitment” would be the eradication of poverty and
the creation of opportunities for all. She emphasized economic development, the fight against “ the protectionism of rich countries,” and the need to put an end to financial speculation which increases “ the volatility of capital and currencies.”

The hugely popular Lula, 65, was barred from serving more than two consecutive terms, and he threw his weight behind Rousseff, who is an economist and once trained as a guerrilla fighter during Brazil’s military dictatorship.