99 Brasilia: Various Cities in Sao Paulo State Attempt to Curb Corruption

 

The chief political officer in the Embassy classified this cable which was produced by his section with input, no doubt, from AmConsul Sao Paulo.  The political section of a post keeps track of local politics to keep Washington informed.  Do we need posts everywhere to do this and carry out other officials functions?  Read: http://realdiplomacy.blogspot.com/2016/03/us-foreign-policy-for-21st-century_14.html

99 Brasilia 02633: Biographic Material on New Main Cabinet Members

Note:  A continuing embassy function it to provide basic information on senior officials of the host government.  This information will often go into briefing memos for use by US officials when they meet counterparts.

99 Brasilia 02626: Brazilian Congress

99 Brasilia 02621: Translated "O Globo" Opinion Piece

Note:  Often, and especially in an advanced, sophisticated country such as Brazil, some of the best political analysis is open source.  Of course, one must also be aware of where an author is coming from. 

99 Brasilia 02610: Landless Movement's Confrontational Campaign Causes Concern

Note:  The MST is still very much part of the Brazilian scene:  http://mstbrazil.org/

Journal Entry for July 2, 1999: Hitting the Ground Running*

Well, I got through my first week and as of 7pm last night, I am chargé d'affaires of the US Mission to Brazil. It is a big operation. We have hundreds of people working just here in the Embassy compound. Diplomats, secretaries, information management personnel, admin personnel (including mail room clerks, repair shop folks, gardeners, budget analysts, drivers, guards, procurement specialists, etc) Marines, USAID personnel, public affairs officers, agricultural specialists, anti-drug personnel, FBI officials etc. A lot, really.

Moved into our house today. Decided to do so despite plans to redo plumbing. It is just too nice not to use right away and we'll deal with the plumbing as necessary. It is two levels with big patios, a pool and lots of space -- including seven bedrooms. It is light and has a great view of Brasilia and the lake. I give my first big reception there on Tuesday. But the actual work will be done by my three domestics, four from the Ambassador's residence (which is it self empty and will make a good weekend getaway) and my protocol officer. I just have to show up and be nice.

The weather is nice. It is hot today, especially in the sun playing volleyball at the picnic we are having here at the embassy. I read Clinton's July 4th address in my shorts and wearing my Budweiser hat. Also reviewed the Marine Honor Guard and then worked selling sodas and beer for a while. The Brazilians in the government I have met all speak English better than I speak Portuguese. But I am using the language to watch the telenovelas every night. These are daily soaps that usually run for a year or so and then change. They are really good and I have already become hooked on "Andando Nas Nuvens," or Walking in the Clouds. Found two good restaurants so far. In one you can eat the salad, in the other, as I learned, you can't. This weekend I will spend a little time in the office catching up and also exploring the new house.

 *An old saying used in the foreign service to indicate getting right to work as soon as you arrive:  "Hit the ground running."  Always hopefully without a splat.

99 Brasilia 02603: Cabinet Reform Not Much Drama

99 Brasilia 02586: SLV Safeguards Talks: GOB Team Plans for 26 July Date

99 Brasilia 02552: Brazilian Presidents Approval Rating Coninues to Slip

99 Brasilia 02540: Cabinet Reform: Malan to Stay, Most Others TBD

99 Brasilia 02534: Brazil Very Cool to Argentina Proposal to Become Associate Member of NATO

99 Brasilia 02437: Castro Charms His Way Through Brazil

Note:  All Embassy cables go out under the name of the Ambassador or Charge.  The person listed as classifier was probably the drafter.  The key word in the last paragraph is "ponder" not "poder," which is the Portuguese word for "power" or the verb "to be able" thus perhaps the slip of mind.

Brazil Cables Begin: 99 Brasilia 02431

I worked at the NSC 1998-99 and covered, among others, Brazil.  The President's nominee for Ambassador to Brazil -- Brian Atwood -- picked me to be his deputy (DCM).  In the event, Mr. Atwood was prevented from serving because of opposition from Senator Jesse Helms.  When I arrived at post in July 1999, and until leaving in January 2000, I served as chargé d'affaires.  Over the next several months, I will be posting cables from Embassy Brasilia during that period as released through a FOIA request.  I begin with the earliest.