The Press FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1964 Revolt In Brazil

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30406, 3 April 1964, Page 10

The Press FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1964 Revolt In Brazil

Although the result of the revolt in Brazil is not yet certain, the cause of it is clear. After balancing for two years—by manoeuvre, compromise, and prevarication—in the centre of Brazilian politics, President Goulart finally plunged to the left last month when he publicly adopted some of the rallying-cries of the left-wing parties and espoused expropriation of land and changes in the electoral laws. He appeared further to emphasise his move to the left when in a message to Congress he hinted that he would like to legalise the Brazilian Communist Party. In the classic pattern of Latin American politics, sharp movement from one side produced equally sharp reaction from the other; and the resultant clash has caused a breakdown of order. The Army holds the key to the political situation. Before he made his leftist declarations, President Goulart no doubt believed that two years of promoting the right officers and propitiating the rank and file—soldiers have been promised the right to vote—would safeguard his position with the military. That supposition remains to be fully tested.

Most observers regard President Goulart’s recent actions as a desperate bid to retain power by appealing directly to the masses. The economic position of Brazil, the most extensive State in South America, with a population now nearing 70 million, has deteriorated badly. The cost of living rose by more than 80 per cent last year. Brazil recently had to ask for the rephasing of foreign debts owed to Western Europe, the United States, and Japan. Brazil’s tragedy is that a potentially strong economy is in the grip of an inflation rooted in political causes. Discord within the factions from which the Government was drawn and conflicts within the administration itself have led to a policy of drift when firm decisions were needed. “ Yankee-baiting ” is a popular pastime; and the threats of the leftist parties against foreign investments in Brazil, especially in utility services, have discouraged further United States aid. Moderates in the Government have not been allowed to get very far with plans for stabilisation and progress designed to attract assistance from the international monetary agencies. Some observers have associated Brazil’s desperate external payments position with President Goulart’s interest in legalising the banned Communist Party. Reports have been current in Brazil and Eastern Europe that the legalisation of the party would be a condition of a loan of 250 million dollars from the Comecon countries—a loan that would go some way towards alleviating the current shortage of foreign exchange. Since the Cuban revolution, Latin America has been very sensitive to signs of spreading communism. Yet in spite of what his opponents say, President Goulart is probably more socialist than Communist; and his remedies for Brazil’s social unrest may be sounder than those offered by some of his right-wing opponents. But political opportunism has its perils in Latin America; and President Goulart’s opponents are certainly making the most of his leaning towards the Brazilian Communist Party.