Mr. da Silva (LULA) chillingly hinted on September 13 that Brazil should resume its quest for atomic weapons. Speaking at the Air Force Club in Rio de Janeiro, he criticized Brazil's compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"I imagine this would make sense only if all countries that already have [nuclear weapons] also gave them up," the former metalworker said. As O Globo On Line reported the next day, Mr. da Silva added: "It is not fair that developed countries, who have nuclear weapons technology, demand that others not have them or deactivate what they have. All of us developing countries are left holding a slingshot while they have atomic bombs."
If we cave with the North Koreans it is going to be tantamount to giving Lula a green light.