Israel's Peres says Brazil can help curb Iran
By Fernando Exman
BRASILIA, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Israeli President Shimon Peres has urged Brazil to use its growing voice on the international stage to help curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and support for militant Palestinian groups.
Peres attacked Iran as a "global danger" that is bent on destroying Israel in a speech to the Brazilian Congress on Tuesday, two weeks before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to visit Brazil.
"I know Brazil rejects threats of destruction and terror, and if Brazil speaks out clearly it would echo all around the world," Peres said.
The Israeli president said the South American powerhouse has a role to play in international efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at producing weapons, which Iran denies.
"I don't want to argue about the president of Iran on Brazilian soil, but we think his policies are a global danger," Peres said. "I cannot ignore that Iran makes weapons and wants to destroy Israel."
Ahmadinejad is scheduled to visit Brazil on Nov. 23.
Jewish leaders in Brazil have criticized Brazil's plans to receive Ahmadinejad.
Brazil, a rising diplomatic power that is campaigning for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, has adopted a more conciliatory line toward Tehran than Western allies, including the United States.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged Western leaders in September to stop pushing Iran over its nuclear program and called for dialogue and engagement with Iran to foster peace. (Writing by Luciana Lopez; editing by Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Anthony Boadle)
