Expulsion of journalist gives Brazil a headache

What started last week as a news story that was almost universally derided had by Thursday become a diplomatic incident between Braslia and Washington.

By expelling a New York Times journalist who had claimed that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's fondness for alcohol was a national concern, the Brazilian government has been accused of bungling political management, paranoia and authoritarianism.

Last Sunday, the Times published an article by Larry Rohter, its Rio de Janeiro bureau chief, quoting Leonel Brizola, Mr Lula da Silva's political arch-rival, and unnamed sources to support the notion that the president's drinking was "affecting his performance in office".

Lula da Silva

The story was derided by the government, the opposition and almost everyone else in Brazil, and the Times published an angry letter from Brazil's ambassador to Washington.

Many felt the matter should have ended there, but Mr Lula da Silva decided to get tough. With his advisers reportedly divided over how to respond, the president expelled Mr Rohter from Brazil.

He could not have shot himself more resoundingly in the foot.

"Unbelievable", "cretinous" and "pathetic" were three words used to describe the decision by Otavio Frias Filho, editor of the Folha de São Paulo, Brazil's leading daily newspaper, in a column published on Thursday.

Opposition leaders who at first rallied round the president, and many leading figures in his own Workers party (PT), rushed to denounce the expulsion as an infringement of press freedom that recalled the dark days of Brazil's military dictatorship.

The president himself seemed to bear out that view. "If no steps had been taken, any journalist from any country could do the same thing without worrying about the consequences," he said. "This case serves as an example."

The New York Times stood behind Mr Rohter and said it would oppose his expulsion.

Mr Rohter, who has assumed a low profile, is understood to be in Chile. If so, he will be refused admission to Brazil should he try to return.

Richard Boucher, the State Department's spokesman, said: "The article. . . does not represent the views of the US government. But the government of Brazil's decision. . . is not in keeping with Brazil's strong commitment to freedom of the press."

In a meeting with Senate leaders on Thursday, Mr Lula da Silva opened the possibility of backing down, telling them he would revoke the expulsion if The New York Times published a retraction.

The New York Times declined to comment on Mr Lula da Silva's proposal , and stood by its reporter.