[NYTr] Latin American Presidents Found Bank of the South Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:23:33 -0600 (CST) Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN) http://ainch.ain.cu/mailman/listinfo/ingles Latin American Presidents Found Bank of the South Havana, Dec 10, (acn) The Presidents of Brazil, Venezuela, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Argentina officially founded the Bank of the South on Sunday aimed to sponsor regional projects. The Bank of the South will open with an initial capital of seven billion dollars, coming from the seven member countries' international reserves, reports Granma newspaper. After the signing ceremony, Bolivian President Evo Morales highlighted the historic importance of the moment and said it is also a good step towards the creation of a single currency. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, called the event a decisive step towards regional integration to promote development in key areas such as infrastructure and social programs. Lula announced that Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez, who didn't attend the ceremony, would arrive Monday to sign the accord. Lula expressed his hope that the other countries of the region join to make the institution advance. He noted that it will be the first bank truly controlled by the countries of the region and will lessen the dependence on the US dollar for commercial transactions. Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said the bank's founding is a step towards making the utopia of one America, envisioned by liberator Simon Bolivar. He said a new financial institution is being born to reverse the selfishness and subordination to the international organisms. Nicanor Duarte, the Paraguayan president, said the Bank of the South opens a process of financial sovereignty, political liberation and cultural independence. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez noted the coincidence of the meeting to found the Bank of the South with the anniversary of the Battle of Ayacucho, 183 years earlier, when the independence heroes affirmed that unity is the only path to true freedom and self-determination. The host leader, outgoing President Nestor Kirchner, recounted his term in office and the relations established with his colleagues. He thanked each of them for the close ties established to consolidate Latin American integration. Among the main functions of the new bank will be financing development projects in key economic sectors to improve competitiveness and scientific and technological development. * ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us Our main website: http://www.blythe.org List Archives: http://blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/ Subscribe: http://blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr =================================================================