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Brazil’s Illegitimate President:
Tainted by Corruption, Scorned at the UN, Praised by Joe Biden |
|
By
Stephen Lendman |
| Michel Temer heads Brazil’s illegitimately installed coup d’etat regime,
a deplorable figure, widely reviled at home, scorned by six Latin and Central
American nations at the UN’s 71st General Assembly session. Delegations from Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela boycotted proceedings when it was his turn to speak, remarks delivered ignoring his illegitimacy to serve. On September 24, the Wall Street Journal said Brazil’s Supreme Court authorized “prosecutors to open a probe into corruption allegations,” involving Temer and members of his regime, pertaining to illegally solicited campaign donations. According to state oil company Petrobras subsidiary Transperto’s former head Sergio Machado, Temer sought illegal campaign contributions when running to become Sao Paulo’s mayor. Funds were gotten through a bribery scheme related to Petrobras contracts. Already found guilty of campaign finance law violations, barring him from seeking public office for eight years after his coup d’etat term expires in late 2018, Temer faces possible charges if prosecutors find enough evidence to indict him after he leaves office. Brazil’s government is corruption-infested. Seven ministers resigned over corruption-related issues, including efforts to block investigations. Days earlier, authorities arrested former finance minister Guido Mantega over alleged kickbacks, related to when he was Petrobras chairman. Ahead of his Friday General Assembly address, Temer told US business leaders in New York that (democratically elected) President Dilma Rouseff was ousted over her opposition to neoliberal harshness, now imposed with him in charge. The plot to oust Rousseff began a year ago. Temer’s Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) prepared a scheme called “A Bridge for the Future” - involving deep social program cuts, increasing the retirement age, and privatization of state enterprises. Rousseff opposed it. Trumped up charges against her followed related to nonexistent budgeting improprieties, then illegal impeachment and ouster from office - another triumph for monied interests, social justice the big loser. The Wall Street Journal said Temer, while head of state, won’t likely face accountability over corruption issues, involving himself and high-level members” of his regime - thanks to special legal protections afforded to sitting Brazilian presidents.” Former PMDB House Speaker Eduardo Cunha was ousted from Congress weeks earlier - indicted on charges of money laundering and other corruption-related issues. On September 22, a Joe Biden press release said “(t)he Vice President met today with President Michel Temer of Brazil to renew their friendship and discuss opportunities for deeper cooperation between the United States and Brazil.” “The Vice President commended President Temer for his commitment to maintaining Brazil's regional and global leadership role during the recent period of political change in Brazil.” “The two leaders discussed prospects for Brazilian energy reform and economic modernization. They also pledged to work together to promote legal and orderly migration in the hemisphere and deepen cooperation in Central America and Haiti.” “The Vice President and President Temer agreed to remain in regular communication and work together to advance good governance, security and prosperity throughout the hemisphere.” Washington wants all independent governments replaced by ones serving its interests. It’s virtually certain its dirty hands were involved in illegally ousting Rousseff, installing Temer as her coup d’etat replacement. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |
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