Bolsonaro is expecting Macron’s apology (Image via: Deutsche Welle)

Bolsonaro to Reject Amazon Fires Aid Over Insult

Kirana Chandra Mumpuni Budiana
Politics & Economic
International
Aug 28, 2019
1666
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wants to reject $22m aid to help Brazil fighting the raging fires in Amazon. The aid was offered on Monday by G7 countries, which are U.S., Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Britain, and Canada. As for Britain and Canada they will donate $12m and $11m in aid respectively. Macron said that they will provide the fund immediately and as an addition, France offers military support for Amazon.

Brazilian Environment Minister Ricardo Salles gave positive response. He said that Brazil had welcomed the G7 aid to help the country handles the fire. However, Brazilian Government change the response after meeting with Bolsonaro and his ministers. The ministers stated they don’t need G7 money and accusing its members as wanting to control the Amazon.

Bolsonaro made a statement on Tuesday that Macron must withdraw the insults towards him. He was offended by Macron calling him a liar. Bolsonaro also said that Macron is questioning Brazilian sovereignty over the Amazon region. Then he added Brazil will accept anything from France and talking to it if Macron wants to take back the insults. The words that considered as insults were spoken by Macron last week. Macron said that Bolsonaro lied to him at a G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, in June. He referred to Bolsonaro’s failure to respect his climate commitments and to pursue biodiversity. Macron also stated France would not establish a huge trade deal with South American nations, unless Brazil did more in fighting Amazon fires.

Macron responded on the rejection by saying the money was aimed at nine countries in the region. It meant for a sign of friendship, not aggressiveness. He also said that even though the parts of Amazon are mostly Brazilian, the fires are world’s issues. Macron stated that he respects Brazil’s sovereignty, but he doesn’t allow Bolsonaro to destroy everything. Despite of the words from Brazil's Defence Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva who claimed that the fires were under control, the data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) showed the contrary.

There are 77,000 wildfires in Brazil since the beginning of 2019, which is a big increasement compared to last year. It is not limited to Brazil, but at least 10,000 square kilometers burning in Bolivia near its border with Paraguay and Brazil. The Amazon fires will affect global climate. Amazon is storing around 100 years worth of carbon emissions produced by humans.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/brazil-reject-g7-offer-22m-aid-fight-amazon-fires-190827060022860.html

Bolsonaro , Brazil , Macron , France , Amazon , G7 , global , climate