[NYTr] Brazil's Lula Seeks to Ease Tensions w/Chavez over MERCOSUR Membership
 
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 17:51:53 -0500 (CDT)

Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
See earlier coverage:

Chavez May Withdraw MERCOSUR Entry over Brazilian Conditions, 7/4/2007:
http://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/Week-of-Mon-20070702/065217.html

Venezuelan Parliament Backs Chavez Position on MERCOSUR, 7/4/2007:
http://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/Week-of-Mon-20070702/065219.html

AP via International Herald Tribune - July 4, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/05/business/LA-FIN-Brazil-Venezuela-Mercosur.php

Brazil's president to ease tensions with Chavez over Mercosur trade bloc

The Associated Press

BRASILIA, Brazil: Brazil's president said he hopes to ease rising
tensions with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez over that country's bid to
join South America's Mercosur trade bloc.

Chavez angered Brazil and Paraguay this week by demanding their
lawmakers approve Venezuela's membership into Mercosur by September.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told reporters in Lisbon, Portugal,
on Wednesday that his country and Venezuela have an "extraordinary
relationship." He said he would talk with Chavez, but did not say when.

Chavez ? a self-described socialist ? sees Mercosur as a means for
South American nations to unite against U.S. economic and political
influence in the region. But he said Mercosur member countries appear
unwilling to break with U.S.-style capitalism.

Silva, in Portugal to meet with European Union leaders, said he
eventually wants all Latin American nations to join Mercosur because
the bloc represents "an extraordinary chance" for the region to ensure
economic growth.

Silva's top aides repeatedly insisted that Brazil would not accept a
timetable to approve Venezuela's entry into the bloc.

Mercosur leaders have approved Venezuela's entry, but the deal must
still be approved by Brazilian and Paraguayan lawmakers. The
legislatures of Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuelan already have given
their approval.

Sen. Sergio Zambiasi, president of Brazil's Mercosur Parliamentary
Committee, said lawmakers in Brasilia are unlikely to approve
Venezuela's entry before September.
       
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