Brazil and the Southern Cone - US Department of State

Brazil and the Southern Cone


Argentina’s first female president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, with her husband, former President Nestor Kirchner (© AP Images)

Argentine Success Can Anchor Regional Democracy and Stability

Argentina’s new president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, is sworn in as the country’s first female leader, calling for new government reforms and an acceleration of human rights investigations into abuses carried out during former military leader Jorge Videla’s regime. In Washington, U.S. officials call for Argentina to resume its active role in international organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States and Interpol. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon tells reporters that Argentina’s involvement in global efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and terrorism and resolve the Middle East conflict is welcome and very important. “[I]n the region, a successful Argentina is an anchor for democracy and a promoter of stability. It can play a very important role in the Andean countries,” Shannon says. (complete text)

Turning Point Reached in Developing Alternative Fuels Plan

A plan by the United States, Brazil and other countries to develop alternative fuels from organic matter is said to be at a “turning point” that will help the participating nations lower their dependence on foreign oil. State Department official Dan Sullivan tells USINFO that “major diplomacy” at a recent conference helped push forward a broad U.S.-Brazil biofuels partnership with these other countries and organizations. A second element of the plan, he says, involves the United States, Brazil, the European Union, China and India developing industrywide standards and codes that could lay the groundwork for a global biofuels market. (complete text)

2009 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration To Start October 3

Registration for the United States' 2009 Diversity Visa Lottery will be held October 3 to December 2, 2007. Applicants whose names are selected randomly will be eligible to apply for one of 50,000 Diversity Immigrant Visas made available annually to eligible persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. (complete text)