Due to fear of protests and possible legal complications, Henry Kissinger cancelled a recent visit to Brazil. He was invited to Sao Paolo to give a talk on "Peace in the World after September 11" and was to receive the "Ordem Do Cruzeiro do Sul" from the Brazilian President Cardoso.
Kissinger cancelled his planned trip to Brazil, citing "conflicting engagements", but Brazilian officials say his decision followed a phone call with Brazil's new Foreign Minister Celso Lafer, during which it was suggested that a postponement would avoid "mutual embarrassment." Lafer, who was in Washington to prepare in for President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's visit, is concerned by the threat of Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon to bring "crimes against humanity" charges against Kissinger, just as he did against Chile's former dictator Augusto Pinochet. Garzon is now looking at Kissinger's role in the Indonesia's takeover of East Timor (see KW #1), which like Brazil was once a Portuguese colony.
To protest against the award to Henry Kissinger, send e-mails to President Cardoso's office:
protocolo@planalto.gov.br
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