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In what could be called as a diplomatic snub, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has called off her state visit to US in the aftermath of the revelations that America spied on her.
Statements issued by both the countries billed the decision as a postponement.
The visit had been scheduled for October 23 but was called into question after documents leaked by Edward Snowden, a former US intelligence technician, revealed the extent of American spying on its Brazilian ally.
The announcement in this regard came after Obama spoke with Rousseff on Monday night.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney urged Brazil to move beyond this issue. Obama, he said, understands the Brazilian concerns in this regard.
“He understands the concerns that have been raised. He regrets that those concerns have caused the tension that exists in the relationship. And that’s why he believes we ought to have these discussions and then move on,” Carney had said at his news conference yesterday.
The documents released by former CIA contractor Snowden revealed that the National Security Agency had snooped on emails, text messages and calls between the Brazilian President and her aides.
“Illegal surveillance practices intercepting the communication and data of citizens, companies and members of the Brazilian Government constitute a serious affront to national sovereignty and individual rights, and are incompatible with democratic cooperation between friendly nations,” the Brazilian Ggovernment said in a statement.
In the absence of explanations and a “commitment to cease such surveillance activities, the conditions are not in place for the visit to go ahead as previously scheduled,” the Brazilian Government said.
Carney said Obama and Rousseff talked about the Brazilian concerns on these issues.
“This one issue is a matter of intense focus, especially in the Brazilian media and obviously a concern for the Brazilian Government. And we are working with the Brazilian Government to discuss those concerns. And we’ll continue to do that. But the Presidents felt, and certainly President Obama felt, that it was the right choice to postpone the visit,” Carney said.
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