The Internationalization of the Amazon Forest

During a debate at a university in the United States, the native of the great State of Pernambuco, former governor of the Federal District, former minister of education and current Senator Cristóvam Buarque, was asked what he thought of the internationalization of the Amazon forest.

The youngster asserted that he expected a response of a humanist and not a Brazilian.

These are excerpts of the response of Mr. Cristóvam Buarque:

"In fact, as a Brazilian I would simply speak against the internationalization of the Amazon .. Even if our governments have not given the attention that this treasure deserves, it is ours."

"As a humanist, knowing the risk of environmental degradation that threatens the Amazon Region, I could imagine its internationalization, as well as everything else that is important for humanity."

"If the Amazon, as a humanist, should be internationalized, also the oil reserves from across the world should be internationalized. As we know, oil is as important to the welfare of humanity as the Amazon Region is for our future. However, the owners of oil reservations feel they have the right to increase or decrease the extraction of oil and raise or lower the price at will."

"Similarly, the financial capital of the rich countries should be internationalized. If the Amazon is a reserve for all human beings, it can not be burned by the will of an owner or a country. To burn the Amazon is as serious as to cause unemployment by the arbitrary decisions of world wide speculators.
We can not have the financial reserves of a few countries serve the world in a frenzy of speculation to benefit just the few."

"Before considering this, I'd like to see the internationalization of all the great museums of the world. The Louvre should not belong only to France. Every museum is the guardian of the most beautiful works of art produced by the human genius. It is clear that the cultural and natural heritage of the Amazon belongs to all. Not long ago, a Japanese millionaire decided to be buried with a painting of a great artist. Prior to that sad decision, the painting should have been internationalized."

"During this meeting, the United Nations convened the Millennium Forum, the presidents of several countries had difficulties in attending due to U.S. border rules and regulations. So I think New York, as United Nations headquarters, should be internationalized as to allow all leaders of all nations to attend UN meetings.
At least Manhattan should belong to all mankind. Like Paris, Venice, Rome, London, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Recife, each city, with its unique beauty, its history of the world should belong to the world."

"If the U.S. wants to internationalize the Amazon, due to the 'risk of leaving it in the hands of Brazilians', internationalize all the nuclear arsenals of the USA. Since they have already demonstrated that they are able to use these weapons, causing destruction thousands of times greater than the unfortunate burning of the forests of Brazil."

"I support the idea of internationalizing the world forest reserves in exchange for debt forgiveness. Let us use this debt to ensure that every child in the world is able to eat and go to school. Internationalize the children treating them all alike, no matter where their birthplace is in the world."

"As a humanist I accept to defend the internationalization of the world. But as the world treats me as a Brazilian, I will fight for the Amazon is ours. Only ours!"