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Clinton seeks Brazil help on Iran Brazil's Lula urges Iran caution
(about 6 hours later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to raise the issue of Brazil's policy towards Iran as she holds talks in Brasilia. Iran should not be "pushed against the wall" over its nuclear programme but engaged in talks, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said.
Washington, which is pressing for further sanctions on Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions, is concerned at the strength of Brazil-Iran ties. His comments came as he prepared to meet the visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is due in Iran in May, returning last year's visit by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Washington wants Brazil, which enjoys good ties with Iran, to support tougher UN sanctions on Tehran to curb its nuclear ambitions.
President Lula argues that isolating Iran's leaders is counter-productive. Brazil is currently a member of the UN security Council.
Mrs Clinton is visiting South America at a time when there is a sense in the region that President Barack Obama's administration, distracted by so many other issues, has not lived up to expectations. "It is not prudent to push Iran against a wall," Preisdent Lula said ahead of talks with Mrs Clinton.
"The prudent thing is to establish negotiations," he said, repeating his stance that isolating Iran's leaders is counter-productive.
"I want for Iran the same thing as I wish for Brazil: To use the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. If Iran is in agreement with that, Iran will have Brazil's support."
Ahead of arriving in Brazil, Mrs Clinton said that she would explain to President Lula the US view that Iran has the right to nuclear energy but not weapons.
"It has been found to be in violation by the International Atomic Energy Agency and by the United Nations.
"These are not findings by the United States. These are findings by the international community."
Strains
Mrs Clinton is visiting South America at a time when there is a sense in the region that President Barack Obama's administration, distracted by so many other issues, has not lived up to expectations, says the BBC's Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo.
Brazil's approach towards Iran is just one of a number of sensitive topics up for discussion which will highlight strains in the relationship with Washington.Brazil's approach towards Iran is just one of a number of sensitive topics up for discussion which will highlight strains in the relationship with Washington.
President Ahmadinejad was warmly received here last November and President Lula is due to visit Tehran later this year. President Ahmadinejad was warmly received here last November and President Lula is due to visit Tehran this year.
Brazil takes the view that sanctions against Iran are ineffective.
President Lula has argued that Iran has the right to work towards a peaceful nuclear energy programme that fully respects international agreements.
He has warned that good things will not come out of Tehran if the country's leadership feels it is cornered.
Growing strength
The US state department has said if Brazil uses its relationship with Iran to press the country to fulfil its international obligations then that would be an important step, but if it did not do that, Washington would be "disappointed".The US state department has said if Brazil uses its relationship with Iran to press the country to fulfil its international obligations then that would be an important step, but if it did not do that, Washington would be "disappointed".
Commentators in some US newspapers have given a blunter assessment, with one suggesting Brazil's growing strength in the world had "gone to President Lula's head". With Brazil currently on the UN Security Council, its views will have an added importance as the US tries to build a consensus on the issue of Iran.
Brazil is currently on the UN Security Council, so its views have an added importance as the United States tries to build a consensus on the issue of Iran.
Mrs Clinton would undoubtedly be happier if she left South America's largest country with something that was at least approaching an agreed position.