ON TARGET--MOSTLY

Congratulations for the article “Fighting for the Soul of Brazil” (by John Powers, March 27). Having as its main focus the presidential candidacy of Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, the article was an excellent analysis of the consolidation of democracy in Brazil. It confirms the strength of democratic values in my country in that all Brazilians, including those of working-class origins, have an opportunity to influence the nation’s future. In how many other countries would it be possible to succeed in the “personal odyssey” described by Powers that has brought Lula “from a peasant’s shack to the threshold of the presidential palace”? And in how many other countries can voters take pride in the fact that their political future is not being determined by the power of money?

Some absurd characterizations of Brazil disappointed me, though. Powers called Brazil “psychotic” and “permanently on the verge of a nervous breakdown.” He also writes that there was an “almost-demented quality” to the 1989 presidential campaign, claiming that Brazilian voters were “filled with a sense of inferiority.”

Another matter: Children are not “routinely murdered” in the streets of Rio de Janeiro. The murder of children in Brazil is anything but “routine.” These are crimes that have shocked Brazilian society and have received the full attention of and action from government authorities.

Brazil is a poor country with many social problems, but as Powers indicated, Brazilian society has learned that the only way to solve them is through the use of democratic institutions. Democracies are in the long run far more stable and efficient in securing sustained economic development and a high standard of living for its citizens. This is currently being proven by Brazil’s democratic free-market economy. Powers’ emphasis on this point outweighs in importance the minor inaccuracies referred to above.

PAULO-TARSO FLECHA DE LIMA

AMBASSADOR OF BRAZIL

Washington

Upon my return recently from a week in Sao Paulo, I realized that Brazil was as much of a mystery to me as it was before my visit. Granted, one week is hardly enough time to get to know any place, especially where a language barrier exists, but in Sao Paulo I felt that I had encountered a vast city that either had no soul to expose or more soul than I could comprehend. It left me puzzled.

But thanks to Powers’ revealing feature on Brazilian politics and candidate Lula, a lot of pieces fell into place. Reading about Lula’s battles against his country’s political and cultural elite strengthened my understanding of the causes behind Brazil’s rampant poverty and the seemingly irreversible decline and decay that I witnessed during my visit.

Muito obrigado!

WILLIAM CAMPBELL

Sherman Oaks