Thirst Comes First

For years politicians have thought that criticizing Brazil's government oil monopoly, Petrobrás. was a quick route to private life. But last week Sáo Paulo's often demagogic Governor Jánio Quadros—who wants the presidency in 1960—pointedly censured the ineffectual, foot-dragging state enterprise.

"This nationalism, and especially this statism, is a big farce and a big blackmail," he said at a conference with a dozen high-ranking fellow politicians. "If there were a plebiscite, Petrobrás would be voted down in ten minutes—and by the workers themselves, once they were properly informed. If I were president, the first thing I would do would be to revise Petrobrás."

The nationalists howled lustily, but Jánio ignored them. The significance was that a shrewd and ambitious politician can now say out loud in Brazil that nationalism is better served by whatever means will get Brazil the petroleum the country thirsts for.