NEWS: Preview of Obama's Meeting With Lula

[M.Capestro]

This was posted on the U.S. Department of State site:
 
Preview of President Barack Obama's Meeting With Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
 
Thomas A. Shannon, Jr.
Assistant Secretary to
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
On-The-Record Briefing
Washington, DC
 
QUESTION: I would like to know how does the Sean Goldman case issue fit into the conversation between the two countries? And the second thing is, what kind of cooperation do you expect from Brazil in terms of a coordinated stimulus – global stimulus package going towards the G-20 meeting?
 
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHANNON: Right. Well, in regard to the case of Sean Goldman, obviously, we’ve made it very clear that from our point of view, this is a case that falls within the purview of the Hague Convention and that Sean Goldman should be returned to his father. The Government of Brazil believes the same thing and has said so publicly. Currently, this case rests with the federal courts of Brazil.
 
We are hopeful that the appropriate decision will be rendered. And this is an issue of great importance to us. The President’s aware of the issue. The Secretary raised the issue when she met with Foreign Minister Celso Amorim recently. And the Secretary spoke with David Goldman last night and underscored how important this case is to the United States and how hopeful we are of a positive resolution as quickly as possible.
 
QUESTION: Is the President going to raise the issue?
 
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHANNON: Well, I can’t say what the President’s going to say or not. That’s his decision. But obviously, he’s aware of the issue. He knows – he understands it’s important – that it is important. And as I said, the Secretary has made it very clear, both publicly and in our conversations with the Brazilians, that this is an issue that should be resolved quickly and positively in favor of Mr. Goldman under the Hague Convention.
 
This is all that applies to David and Sean - here's the link for full text for those who are interested: http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/rm/2009/120337.htm

[tenorplus]

Thanks for the update and we'll certainly hope it is raised, along with a LOT of emphasis!!!

[joey2051]

Where did you find that, I think a video will be up in a little bit, apparently he talked right before Woods did his daily briefing.

[M.Capestro]

Where did you find that, I think a video will be up in a little bit, apparently he talked right before Woods did his daily briefing.

Google Search

[mfer]

Thanks M. Capestro.  I wonder who the awesome reporter is.  I am so glad he/she brought this up.

[Nicholasberger]

Both Obama and Lula can tallk about it, but that would be weird.
 
They have something in common:
 
Obama was nicely raised by his grandparents, and was in touch mostly with his mother. Saw his father once. Probably has a personal opinion about "fathers".
 
Lula never saw his father. Was raised by his lovely mother and relatives. Stated several times that "fathers" are not trustable, drink much more then mother, and do not care about family. When the government builds homes to poor people in Brasil, these homes are registered with the mothers names, the father name is not registered, cause he´s not trustable.
 
Are both the right people to talk about this?

[momofthree]

Both Obama and Lula can tallk about it, but that would be weird.
 
They have something in common:
 
Obama was nicely raised by his grandparents, and was in touch mostly with his mother. Saw his father once. Probably has a personal opinion about "fathers".
 
Lula never saw his father. Was raised by his lovely mother and relatives. Stated several times that "fathers" are not trustable, drink much more then mother, and do not care about family. When the government builds homes to poor people in Brasil, these homes are registered with the mothers name, the father name is not registered, cause he´s not trustable.
 
Are both the right people to talk about this?

Oh please, let's just stick to the Hague Treaty and yes, I do believe these two men can have an unbiased conversation about the matter.

[Sandra]

I just read it here: http://www.ansa.it/ansalatinabr/notizie/notiziari/brasil/20090313160434841679.html

WASHINGTON, 13 MAR (ANSA) - O presidente dos Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, conversará sobre a custódia do menino norte-americano Sean Goldman durante o encontro que terá amanhã com o presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, na Casa Branca. A informação é do Departamento de Estado norte-americano.
    O subsecretário de Washington para a América Latina, Thomas Shannon, afirmou que a secretária de Estado, Hillary Clinton, conversou na quinta-feira à noite por telefone com o pai da criança, o norte-americano David Goldman. Segundo o diplomata, o assunto deverá "ser resolvido rapidamente e de maneira positiva para o pai".

It says that Obama will talk to Lula about Sean Goldman tomorrow. Thomas Shannon confirmed that Hillary Clinton called David by fone assuring him that it will be solved favorably. Lets just hope.

[mfer]

Both Obama and Lula can tallk about it, but that would be weird.
 
They have something in common:
 
Obama was nicely raised by his grandparents, and was in touch mostly with his mother. Saw his father once. Probably has a personal opinion about "fathers".
 

 
Are both the right people to talk about this?

IMHO Obama is perfect to discuss this matter.  Precisely because of the lack of a father & his dedication to be completely involved in his own children's lives.

[Ceilli]

Thanks M. Capestro. I wonder who the awesome reporter is. I am so glad he/she brought this up.

Possibly Andrea Mitchell?

[mfer]

Possibly Andrea Mitchell?

I suspected it might be her.  Would love to know for sure.

[KarmaGirl]

Obama believes and has stated that fathers are SO important, just exactly because he missed out on time with his father.  He absolutely states how important a father is to a child, and I'm sure he totally supports David.  No question there!  
 
Besides, there is no mother involved, so this isn't a mother vs. father argument, it is stepfather vs. father.
 
 
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Both Obama and Lula can tallk about it, but that would be weird.
 
They have something in common:
 
Obama was nicely raised by his grandparents, and was in touch mostly with his mother. Saw his father once. Probably has a personal opinion about "fathers".
 
Lula never saw his father. Was raised by his lovely mother and relatives. Stated several times that "fathers" are not trustable, drink much more then mother, and do not care about family. When the government builds homes to poor people in Brasil, these homes are registered with the mothers names, the father name is not registered, cause he´s not trustable.
 
Are both the right people to talk about this?

[Bindlerkids]

That's horrible Nicholasberg....
house only in the mother's name...can't believe that....

[liesl78]

Obama believes and has stated that fathers are SO important, just exactly because he missed out on time with his father. He absolutely states how important a father is to a child, and I'm sure he totally supports David. No question there!
 
Besides, there is no mother involved, so this isn't a mother vs. father argument, it is stepfather vs. father.
 
 
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Well, these 2 men are fathers and I imagine they used the negative experience with their fathers as an example to be the best one their children can have.
 
One of my friends and her brother were abandoned by their mom. She met a new guy after her divorce and took off. She used to see her mom here and there, but hasn't seen her for the past 12 years. She gets an email now and then. She has 2 kids and her Mom has never met them. So what? She vowed to be the best mom she can, totally the opposite her mom was.
 
So if we go by your theory, she probably thinks all moms suck too.
 
I know there are deadbeat dads out there. I also know David is not one of them.

[sue]

Both Obama and Lula can tallk about it, but that would be weird.
 
They have something in common:
 
Obama was nicely raised by his grandparents, and was in touch mostly with his mother. Saw his father once. Probably has a personal opinion about "fathers".
 
Lula never saw his father. Was raised by his lovely mother and relatives. Stated several times that "fathers" are not trustable, drink much more then mother, and do not care about family. When the government builds homes to poor people in Brasil, these homes are registered with the mothers names, the father name is not registered, cause he´s not trustable.
 
Are both the right people to talk about this?

What is your problem?