Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva enters the final stretch toward the October 4 elections with three open diplomatic fronts and a message centered on defending national sovereignty. Lula called the measure irresponsible and unthinkable between two countries with more than two centuries of diplomatic relations, and said Brazil wants to be treated with respect. Paraguay’s foreign minister said the two presidents spoke by phone; CNN Brasil reported that Brazilian government figures deny any such conversation. “This is a unilateral decision by Brazil that we regret,” Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno told a news conference. Lula called in an interview with the Meteoro Brasil outlet, for setting aside ideological differences to strengthen Mercosur.