Brazilian writer and journalist Barbosa Lima Sobrinho dead at 103

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazilian politician, writer and journalist Barbosa Lima Sobrinho has died at the age of 103 after a career that included a major role in helping to oust president Fernando Collor de Mello eight years ago over corruption charges.

Lima died on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro of multiple organ failure. His funeral on Monday was broadcast on television.

A long-time head of the Brazilian Press Association and author of more than 50 books, Lima was an ardent advocate of the freedom of press during many years of military dictatorship in Brazil and was also famous for his tough nationalist stance.

He is probably most remembered in Brazil for his leading role in starting a 1992 impeachment procedure against Collor on accusations he embezzled federal funds. Collor stepped down during the impeachment proceedings.

Lima, whose last name is Sobrinho, or "nephew," was often referred to in the press as "Brazil's nephew" for his long life and public career in which he saw many governments change.

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who was in Mozambique on Monday for a summit of Portuguese-speaking countries, declared three days of national mourning for Lima, calling him "a man of greatest importance for the Brazilian culture." Opposition politicians, who had been due to hold a meeting in Brasilia on Monday to discuss an embezzlement scandal that touches the highest echelons of power, canceled the meeting to attend the funeral.

Lima was born in the northeastern state of Pernambuco in 1897 and until 1921 worked in its capital Recife as a journalist. In 1935, he became a parliamentary deputy in the then capital Rio de Janeiro and in 1948 became the governor for his native state.

He criticized the 1964-1985 military regime and joined with leftist parties in a bid to return democracy to Brazil.

In 1974, he ran for vice president in support of an opposition presidential candidate in a campaign against the military-ruled Arena party.

A tough critic of Collor's government, Lima also accused Cardoso's administration of not doing enough to combat widespread poverty and took it to task over its support for privatization.

Lima is survived by his wife, Maria Jose, 92, three sons and grandchildren.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Barbosa Lima Sobrinho (in Portuguese)

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