According to MercoPress, a few days ago WTO Director General candidate Pascal Lamy proposed, at a UN conference, declaring "the Amazon region and other rain forests as 'global public assets' subject to world management.
Brazil, with its own DG candidate, sees the potential for interference in its affairs. The MercoPress report is here: "Brazil reacts angrily to Amazon proposal"
"Brazil reacted angrily to former European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy's proposal to declare the Amazon region and other rain forests as "global public assets� subject to world management
The proposal, which revived Brazil�s fears that rich countries pretend control over the Amazon region was harshly condemned in a release from the country�s Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Mr. Lamy�s statements "are evidence of a prejudiced view underestimating the ability of developing nations to manage their natural resources in a sovereign and sustainable manner", said the release. "Such statements are incompatible with the post of director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to which Mr. Lamy aspires".
The statement refers to the current competition for the WTO chair between five candidates, including Mr. Lamy and Brazilian Ambassador Luiz Felipe de Seixas Correa.
The Brazilian press speculates that Brazil will use Mr. Lamy�s Amazon proposal to influence the votes of other countries with tropical rainforests, such as the seven other South American countries that share the Amazon region. "
Right now there are only four WTO DG candidates.
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