S. American Leaders Aim for EU-Like Body
S. American Leaders Aim for EU-Like Body
By DAN KEANE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COCHABAMBA, Bolivia (AP) -
South American leaders agreed Saturday to create a high-level commission to study the idea of forming a continent-wide community similar to the European Union.
The presidents and envoys of 12 nations wrapped up a two-day summit of the South American Community of Nations, hosted by Bolivian President Evo Morales in Cochabamba, a city tucked between the Andes and the Amazon in the heart of the continent.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a former metalworker who was re-elected in October, assured his fellow leaders that the group could rise above its historical divisions to unite the continent - though the process would not be easy.
"We must have patience, and try to solve these issues with delicacy," Silva said. "The solutions are difficult. We're not just simple workers talking about a strike at the factory."
The result left fiery Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, long an agitator for the region taking a greater role on the world stage, pleased but impatient.
"We need a political Viagra," Chavez said. "Look, we make decisions and we don't have the power to execute them. They're stuck in these pyramids of paper."
In Saturday's forum, Chavez enthusiastically seconded Garcia's call for a continentwide effort to improve education - despite the Peruvian leader's subtle dig at Chavez's ambitious proposal to build a natural gas pipeline across the length of the continent.
"If we don't teach a faith in this integration, all is lost," Garcia said, adding that education reforms would "cost much less building an aqueduct or a great big highway to integrate our countries."
LinkHere
By DAN KEANE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COCHABAMBA, Bolivia (AP) -
South American leaders agreed Saturday to create a high-level commission to study the idea of forming a continent-wide community similar to the European Union.
The presidents and envoys of 12 nations wrapped up a two-day summit of the South American Community of Nations, hosted by Bolivian President Evo Morales in Cochabamba, a city tucked between the Andes and the Amazon in the heart of the continent.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a former metalworker who was re-elected in October, assured his fellow leaders that the group could rise above its historical divisions to unite the continent - though the process would not be easy.
"We must have patience, and try to solve these issues with delicacy," Silva said. "The solutions are difficult. We're not just simple workers talking about a strike at the factory."
The result left fiery Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, long an agitator for the region taking a greater role on the world stage, pleased but impatient.
"We need a political Viagra," Chavez said. "Look, we make decisions and we don't have the power to execute them. They're stuck in these pyramids of paper."
In Saturday's forum, Chavez enthusiastically seconded Garcia's call for a continentwide effort to improve education - despite the Peruvian leader's subtle dig at Chavez's ambitious proposal to build a natural gas pipeline across the length of the continent.
"If we don't teach a faith in this integration, all is lost," Garcia said, adding that education reforms would "cost much less building an aqueduct or a great big highway to integrate our countries."
LinkHere
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 11:52 PM
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