Three days ago (10/7) we have been taken aback on realizing a letter sent by Bill Clinton, as president of the USA, to the then president of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, looks as if it were reporting today's world senario. The date on the epigraph is October 23, 1998.
It is an one-and-a-half-page long and is part of a reasonably 'permanent' exhibition at the institute named after the former Brazilian president whom the letter is addressed. Clinton made use of an envoy, identified in it. Most of the content of the document is reproduced below.
The White House
Washington
October 23, 1998
Dear Mr. President:
I have asked Export-Import Bank chairman James Harisson to travel to Brazil and personally deliver this letter to you. I have also asked him to see what more Ex-Im Bank can do to support greater trade in goods and services between our two countries.
[...]
You were missed at our September discussions in New York with Tony Blair, Peter Stoyanov and Romano Prodi. That exchange confirmed my belief that we have an opportunity and a responsibility to join together to deal with the current financial turbulence in a manner that maintains broad public support for continued openness and strengthens the financial architecture to prevent further crises. As you note, we must find ways to complement the undeniable wealth-creating power of the market with government efforts to address basic social needs in the area of education, health care, nutrition and the environment.
I welcome further exchanges with you as we explore ways to revamp the international financial intitutions. As you know, I have asked the finance ministers and central bankers of the industrialized and emerging nations to recommend to their heads of state by the end of the year the next steps we should take. I am heartened by the progress they have made so far, as evidenced by the working group reports discussed at the October 6 meeting.
I commend you on your fiscal reform package. Implementation of the final program will, of course [sic (comma missing)] be critical for reviving market confidence. We are working closely if your governmnet, the IMF and bilateral contributors to structure meaningful participation in a program to support your reform agenda.
I remain, as always, most interested in your views and counsel. You will have my full support as you move ahead.
Sincerely,
(signs Bill Clinton)
His Excellency
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Brasília
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The small part we omit refers to the reelection of FHC, as the former Brazilian president is usually addressed by the press in his country.
