G7 Amazon money???

Brazil rejects G7 Amazon money

‘We refuse because we see interference,’ the country’s ambassador’s to France says.

By ANCA GURZU

The Brazilian government rejected an offer for a fund from the G7 members to help fight fires in the Amazon rainforest.

G7 leaders, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Biarritz, France, agreed Monday to set up a $20 million fund to help Brazil tackle the ravaging fires, which have sparked international concern and condemnation.

Brazil Ambassador's to France Luís Fernando Serra said on French TV on Tuesday that his country is rejecting the aid because the decision was taken without involving his country and the "language is ambiguous."

“We refuse because we see interference. [It’s] help we didn’t ask for," he said. "The G7 help was decided without Brazil.”

Reacting to the G7 aid offer, Onyx Lorenzoni, chief of staff to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro told Globo news website Monday evening: "Thanks, but maybe those resources are more relevant to reforest Europe."

Lorenzoni added: "Macron cannot even avoid a predictable fire in a church that is part of the world's heritage, and he wants to give us lessons for our country?" He was referencing the fire that hit Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in April.

Since his election last year, Bolsonaro has been accused of accelerating deforestation by weakening Brazil’s environment ministry, blocking indigenous land rights claims, deregulating rainforest protections and encouraging farming and mining expansion in the Amazon.