The summit of the heads of state of the two regions representing half a billion population was held for the first time. While Brazilian President laid emphasis on economic issues, Arab leaders called for solution of the Middle East crisis and vacation of Arab territories which Israel occupied in 1967 war. Both Algerian President Bouteflika and Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa criticised Israel and the United States and called for greater solidarity with the Palestinians. It is interesting to note that President of interim puppet government of Iraq was invited to join the summit among other Arab nations. Only strongest allies of the United States in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan did not participate in the summit, apart from Syria. America's request to have guest status in the summit was turned down. Israel, the closest ally of the United States in the Middle East was not invited in the summit.

Rumsfeld, Defense Secretary and Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State during their March and April visit to Brazil persuaded Brazil and Chile, another US ally, to condemn Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez through OAS (Organisation of American States) resolution for failing in its commitment to democracy without any effect.

America's policy to have their yes man as Secretary

General of OAS, which consists of 34 countries, also failed. The election of Chilean former foreign minister Jos Miguel Insulza as Secretary General in April this year is seen as a defeat for the United States, but a successful diplomatic game by Condoleezza Rice to throw support in favor of Insulza at the eleventh hour, who was supported by Chavez of Venezuela. Bush administration is having bad relations with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Both Condoleezza Rice and Rumsfeld criticised Venezuelan President who has become the supporter of Fidel Castro of Cuba. Bush administration did not see any justification of buying arms from the Russian Federation by Venezuela.

It may be mentioned that Venezuela recently bought 100,000 AK -47 rifles from Russia, and is negotiating with Brazil to buy 24 Super Tucano multipurpose combat aircraft. Russia may also supply MIG -29 fighters and attack helicopters to Venezuela Bush administration expressed concerns because 'weapons deals could be used to help militant left leaning Marxist revolutionary armed forces of Colombia rebels'. Apart from this, President Chavez's decision to cancel a 30-year military agreement with the United States was not appreciated by the latter.

Against this backdrop, the summit of the leaders of South American and some Middle Eastern countries in Brasilia is seen as an effort to counter political and economic influence of the United States. The summit was held at a time when the United States was planning to revive the stalled talks about free trade zone. According to US Today newspaper, "while the stated goals of the summit is to boost economic ties, the summit broughtÊ together leaders from countries that resent America's forceful hand in everything from regime change to globalisation that critics say benefits only large multinational corporations."

It is understood that Brazilian President's initiative holding summit is to unite together developing countries to bring about pressure for issues like the reform of the United Nations including expansion of the Security Council and the elimination of rich country's subsidies for agriculture. Brazil is aspirant for permanent membership of the Security Council from Latin America.

Two diametrically opposite cultures met in Brasilia on a common platform and their leaders adopted Brasilia Declaration at the end of the two-day summit on May 12. The major themes of the declaration are: to work towards closer political and economic ties; that trade liberalisation talks promoted by developedÊnations like the United States could benefit the global economy, but current rules of international commerceÊ widen the gap between the developed and developing countries; that free trade must be harnessed to the benefit of world's poor; it denounces terrorism, but asserts the rightÊ of people to resist foreign occupation in accordance with the principles of international legality and in compliance with international humanitarian law.

The leaders rejected terrorism in all its form and manifestation and called for an international forum to define terrorism, saying the current definition has been set by wealthy countries. This clause in the declaration would certainly cause irritation in the western countries, including the United States and Israel in particular, but the stand by 34 nations of South America and Arab countries is certainly praiseworthy. Terrorism should be defined by international community keeping in mind the fact that people who are fighting to liberate their territories from foreign occupation should not be treated as terrorists. Rather, illegal invaders should be declared terrorists by all standards. Jewish human rights group, however, did not welcome the clause in the declaration. It said that it "encourages every insurgent in Iraq, every al-Qaeda operative and every Hamas terrorists."

On the issue of Middle East, the declaration called upon Israel to disband settlements and retreat to its borders before the 1967 war and supportedÊinternational efforts to peace in the Middle East. The Declaration stressed for the unity, sovereignty and independence of Iraq andÊ for no interference in its internal affairs. This goes directly against the United States, which is an invading party along with Great Britain. On the other hand, the Declaration denounces US economic sanctions against Syria.

While US State Department refrained from commenting on the declaration, the Washington Times in its editorial comment of May 13 urged on the United States to establish a stronger voice in its backyard.

The presence of so many leaders from Arab countries, including Palestinian President Abbas in the summit reflects their willingness to develop political and economic relationship with South American countries. Arab League Secretary General traced back cultural links between South American countries and Arabs, saying that "about ten million South Americans are of Arab descent." In theÊÊ words of Brazilian President, the summit of like minded leaders 'marks the beginning of a new historic moment in the relations between the two regions.'

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, a former diplomat now resides in Virginia, USA