Message from President Lula to the Palestinian Communities and
Entities in Brazil
 |
| President Lula Da Silva |
|
|
BPNIC, March 2007
Brasilia, January of 2007
Ladies and gentlemen,
I was honored and grateful for the kind invitation to attend
the Palestine Confederation of Brazil and for the
Palestinian-Brazilian society of Porto Alegre to attend the
opening of the 9 Congress of the Palestinian-Brazilian
communities and entities. For reasons due to commitments
already assumed, I will not be present, but I am going to
give some words to the participants.
Beyond enjoying the friendship of several friends and
companions of Arab origin, I have great admiration for the
immigrants from that origin along with their descendants,
including Palestinians; they did and continue aiding in the
construction and the progress of Brazil. Ten percent of the
Brazilian population growth in the century XX came from
foreigner migration, and many of which came from the Arab
world. Our homeland always received those that come here in
order to work, to add and to build.
In 2003, still in the first year of my previous presidency,
I carried out visits to several countries in the Middle
East; an unpublished initiative in our Republican history
which says a lot about the new orientation that we are
providing to our external politics. The government that I
preside on decided to include among the priorities the
narrowing of our relations with the Arab countries. We will
win only through the strengthening of these contacts.
Brazil has been trying to maintain strong relations and
mutual respect with all countries, but especially with Arab
nations. We are determined to contribute to the
establishment of peace with justice in the Middle East. Our
country supports all the measures that help to reach this
goal. I do not get tired to repeat that the only war that is
worthwhile is that against hunger.
The Palestinian people – living in Palestine and as
residents in Brazil - know that they have always counted on
my sympathy and my support in the fight to have their own
state as their homeland. Such support continues this day. I
understand, however, the fight should be by peaceful means
and through negotiations. Brazilians in majority are beside
the Palestinian people and condemn violence as a source for
the reaching of objectives.
I want peace and prosperity to the Palestinian communities,
especially those living in Brazil. I also hope the new
members of COPAL that will be chosen in this congress to be
productive in their work.
I wish that proposals arising from this congress contribute
to the enlargement of our great Palestinian-Brazilian family
in various sectors.
My all receive my embrace.
|
