This is a reproduction of an March 24, 1996 letter from John Gregory Lambros
to the CEO of Wal-Mart Company regarding the boycott of Brazilian Coffee.


March 24, 1996

John Gregory Lambros
Reg. No. 00436-124
U.S.P. Leavenworth
P.O. Box 1000
Leavenworth, Kansas 66048-1000
America Online:
BrazilByct@aol.com
U.S.CERTIFIED MAIL NO. Z-209-886-161

David Glass, CEO
Wal-Mart Company
702 S.W. 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72712-6209
Tel. (501) 273-4000

RE: BOYCOTT OF BRAZILIAN COFFEE DUE TO TORTURE OF AMERICAN CITIZEN

Dear Mr. Glass:

Please consider participating in the current boycott against Brazilian coffee, or if business considerations prevent this, then please consider donating resources or funds in the investigation of torture to Minnesota businessman John Gregory Lambros by Brazilian Federal Police in Brasilia, Brazil.

I am cognizant of the issues here that bear on WAL-MART. Brazil is the worlds largest exporter of coffee, providing the US with something in excess of 400 million pounds yearly. WAL-MART is the worlds largest retailer and has had a relationship with Brazilian discount department store chain LOJAS AMERICANAS since 1981. It is also my understanding that WAL-MART has recently expanded in Argentina and Brazil with the announcement on June 6, 1994, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, by your international division president Bobby Martin, of Wal-Mart Supercenters, oversized stores that sell food as well as merchandise, and Sam's Club membership warehouse openings in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Therefore, a lot of factors that cannot be ignored. As I present my case, please keep in mind that I am aware of your concerns, and take them as seriously as you do.

My cause is concern about the out-of-control use of torture in Brazil, largely by the Government there, and bringing pressure on that Government to stop this practice. As time passes, I believe that the extensive use of official torture in Brazil will lead to a dictatorship worse than the one there now, and institutionalized genocide. I believe this may become a public issue in this country and generate public concern, which speaks to WAL-MART'S public image, since you would not want to appear to be supporting a nation perceived as a prime violator of human rights.

I realize that PROCTOR & GAMBLE'S flagship coffee product FOLGERS, may be exceptionally important to your bottom line, and if that is the case, I realize that pragmatic business considerations would prevent your boycott of FOLGERS COFFEE, as PROCTOR & GAMBLE is the nation's largest roaster of coffee and importer of Brazilian coffee. On August 22, 1994, in USA TODAY SNAPSHOT, the Specialty Coffee Association of America offered a bar chart of WHERE OUR COFFEE COMES FROM in pounds of unroasted coffee beans imported (in millions):

· Brazil - 445 million pounds

· Colombia - 390 million pounds

· Mexico - 389 million pounds

· El Salvador - 168 million pounds

· Thailand - 141 million pounds

Therefore, it is my unprofessional opinion that WAL-MART has valid options in supplementing Brazilian coffee with other countries coffee without doing injury to the commitment Sam Walton started in July 29, 1950 when he offered his first ad in the Benton County Democrat, promising a whole bunch of good stuff and supporting a commitment to a career in retailing which allows WAL-MART'S "PEOPLE GREETERS" to look every American in the eye and say "Hi! How are ya? Glad you're here. If there's anything I can tell you about our store, just let me know."

I would like to point out that as human rights in Brazil become worse, the American Government may attempt economic remedies, and your company then would be in a good position if you previously have shown concern, and made a stand in support of the cause of human rights in Brazil. In the case of public and institutional emotions turning against Brazil, as might well happen, again, your timely action now will put you in a favorable light later. This is the argument I planned to present to a number of the more important WAL-MART stockholders, when I realized that it was fundamentally unfair to appeal to stockholders before making my case directly to WAL-MART was the clincher -- my thinking now is that you are the only person I need deal with at WAL-MART, and I do have some confidence that you will make some kind of response, or have your staff respond to my concerns.

Enclosed for your review and file is the August 1995, PHOENIX LETTER, by Dr. Antony C. Sutton, formerly Hoover Institute of War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford University and U.C.L.A. as to the acts of torture to John Gregory Lambros in Brazil that carry forward to today. Dr. Sutton also reported updated facts in his October 1995, PHOENIX LETTER which is available with other supporting facts, upon request, via American Online: BrazilByct@aol.com or by contacting me.

Thanking you in advance for your thoughts and consideration in boycotting Brazilian Coffee in WAL-MART STORES, LOJAS AMERICANAS and SAM'S CLUB'S WAREHOUSE and please feel free to get back to me when you have a moment to do so. With much appreciation, I am...

Sincerely yours,

{signed}

John Gregory Lambros

c: Attorneys Robinson & Ceisel

Greek Church

Lambros family

Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President of Brazil,
c/o Ambassador of Brazil, 3006 Massachusetts Avenue,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008

Frederick C. Ribe, Deputy Division Chief,
Fiscal Affairs Department of the INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND,
Washington, D.C. 20431
Tel. (202) 623-4984 or Fax (202) 623-6249

Senator Jesse Helms, Foreign Relations Committee,
United States Senate, Dirksen Building, Room 403,
Washington, D.C. 20510

Coffee Intelligence,
c/o Coffee Publications, Inc.,
P.O. Box 1315, Stamford, CT 06904-1315
Tel. (203) 969-2107 or Fax (203) 327-5342

File


The address for the Boycott Brazil homepage is:
http://www.brazilboycott.org

Return to Boycott Brazil Homepage




For more information write (snail mail) JOHN GREGORY LAMBROS directly at:

JOHN GREGORY LAMBROS
Prisoner No. 00436-124
U. S. Penitentiary Leavenworth
PO Box 1000
Leavenworth, KS 66048-1000
USA

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE IN MY BOYCOTT OF BRAZILIAN PRODUCTS.