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05/11/2005:

"Arabs, South Americans Back Iraq, Palestinians"

BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - South American and Arab countries gave support for the Palestinians in their fight for an independent state but condemned terrorism on Wednesday at the end of the first summit of leaders of the two regions.

A final summit declaration -- seen as having little serious effect other than showing symbolic unity between two regions of the developing world -- offered backing to the new Iraqi government led by Jalal Talabani in its struggle to rebuild the country and defeat insurgents.

Leaders also said the Middle East would only achieve peace and South America would only cut widespread poverty if developing nations resisted the supremacy and hegemony of rich countries and traded among one another.

``It's a declaration that points out the path we must follow if the relation between South America and Arab countries is to be changed forever,'' said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has led the gathering of 34 nations representing more than 600 million people.
Full:nytimes.com