Chapter 38

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UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations accused Brazil of following a "reckless and dangerous" path by not allowing the Brazilian Jesus to travel to the U.S. "Given the degree of civil strife now unfolding in the U.S., violence which could conceivably be resolved through open public access to the Brazilian Jesus, it is unconscionable for the government of Brazil to continue on its present course. It is as if they have chosen to use their control over this man as a weapon against the U.S." said UN Ambassador Neils Stafford. "The administration views Brazil's continued intransigence as a grave development."

WASHINGTON, D.C. The State Department today placed in effect a complete ban on all travel to Brazil from any point of departure in the U.S. In an unprecedented move, all consular staff in Brazil have been recalled. U.S. citizens en route to Brazil aboard cruise liners have been instructed to remain on board during calls at any Brazilian ports. Americans presently in that country have been urged to depart for neighboring states at once.

WASHINGTON, D.C. Six members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee opened hearings yesterday concerning the personal safety of the man, Jesus, while He remains under de facto house arrest by the Brazilian government in Rio De Janeiro. Capitol Hill insiders attribute the action to the large numbers of Neo-Apostolics in the Districts of the Congressmen. Recent polls (Smith-Abner) report majorities as high as seventy per cent among some of these constituencies. Any rescue attempt for Jesus will require a full floor debate if and when the legislation is released from the Committee.

LOS ANGELES AM Radio Minister Buck Stratton in his daily message yesterday made note of the satellite photo published in London this week as he asked his audience, "There you have it. Would the real Jesus swim naked like some fallen libertine? Right out in the open where he could be photographed like some movie star? Running around naked pretty well solves the divinity question. This man, if it indeed is a man, ain't even actin' like a Christian, much less like the Son of God. It's the anti-Christ."

RIO DE JANEIRO Brazil increased the level of its state of alert as of midnight last night. All units of the Brazilian Army, Air Force and Navy are now on full alert status. President Georges Falau spoke to the Brazilian people yesterday afternoon. "Brazil is an independent, autonomous nation. We have a right to defend our national territory and people from invasion by any state. Because the United States has illegal and insurmountable influence with the United Nations we no longer look to that imperfect body for assistance. Your government has made requests from our loyal friends in South America for military assistance. Many have agreed. Our good friends in Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile are, at present, standing by to render any assistance possible. We are in high level discussions at this time which would provide for Cuban troops and weapons systems to be flown to this country. I invite the people of Brazil to join me in a prayer of gratitude for the solidarity of our friends at this difficult time."

WASHINGTON, DC A Pentagon spokesman announced in a news conference this afternoon that no planning for an invasion of Brazil was under consideration. The Joint Chiefs, present at the conference, insisted that the presence of two carriers and support ships on station off Guantanamo Bay Naval Station was required to quarantine Cuban foreign adventures. The State Department repeated its position that the US would not allow Cuban forces and arms to be moved to destinations in South America. The Joint Chiefs also reiterated the position that the isolation of the Cuban island would be maintained with any military force required.

WASHINGTON, DC President Haskill today asked all parties in the growing confrontation to step back, vowing that the US would reexamine its own position. Presidential sources say the President intends to do some "soul searching" before proceeding. Meanwhile, two Aegis class guided missile frigates and support ships remain about one hundred miles off the Brazilian coast.