> As soon as I say that though, I wonder - what common > interests are there between Brazil and Zimbabwe? > > Doug
I don't know about Brazil and Zimbabwe but, apparently, Brazil and South Africa are trying to find an answer to your question, if you replace Zimbabwe with South Africa: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/EF12Dj02.html Sabri PS: Here is a related news piece. Brazil, India and South Africa forge strategic alliance ------------------------ Xinhuanet 2003-06-07 10:56:59 BRASILIA, June 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Brazil, India and South Africa on Friday announced they would create a strategic trilateral bloc to reduce commercial barriers and promote social development. This announcement was made by the foreign ministers of the three countries: Celso Amorim of Brazil, Yashwant Singh of India and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma of South Africa, after a meeting in Brasilia. At a joint press conference, Amorim said, "We organized this meeting, which is the first of its kind among the three countries,in order to intensify the South-South relations in a very practical and concrete way." Singh of India said, "When countries like India, South Africa and Brazil speak with one voice, that voice will be heard." Dlamini-Zuma said the three nations share many things and could face each other as strategic partners. This month, India will sign a framework agreement with the South American Common Market, or Mercosur, in order to initiate negotiations for a free trade agreement in the coming summit of the bloc on June 18, in Asuncion, Paraguay. Commercial exchanges between Brazil and India, in the last three years, went up from 500 million US dollars to 1.2 billion dollars. The ministers also highlighted the need to increase defense, transportation, science and technology cooperation.
