MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Latinamerica condemns war and demands disarmament

All Mercosur members and most of Latinamerican countries are against military action in action and in spite of US President George Bush 48 hours ultimatum to Iraq, the region still expects a diplomatic solution to the confrontation including the full disarmament of the Baghdad regime.

Colombia and Bolivia are the only two countries that support the US decision arguing that the diplomatic process can't be kept indefinitely and because United Nations resolutions must be enforced. However they agree that all paths must be exhausted to avoid war.

Mexico and Chile, non permanent members of the Security Council reacted to the ultimatum demanding recognition of the letter and spirit of the UN chart and regretting that "we have been unable in the Security Council to find a solution".

In a rare intervention British Primer Minister Tony Blair praised in Parliament Chilean president Ricardo Lagos constructive efforts to muster a consensus in the Security Council, that apparently was quiet close to be achieved.

In Buenos Aires Chief cabinet minister Alfredo Atanasof met with French Ambassador Paul Dijou and revealed "permanent contacts" with Mercosur and Rio Group members to subscribe a joint Latinamerican declaration in the coming 48 hours.

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talked to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and other world leaders "trying to find a solution that could avoid the military conflict" said a presidential advisor in Brasilia.

Venezuela and Ecuador ratified their unconditional commitment to International Law and a peaceful solution to the Iraq conflict, adding that they only recognize Security Council resolutions.

Colombia in an official release supported the American-British-Spanish "Azores Declaration", but Foreign Secretary Carolina Barco said that "Baghdad still has time to completely comply with UN Resolution 1441 demanding full disarmament".

Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Saavedra stressed that "dialogue can't go on indefinitely otherwise no one will take the United Nations seriously".

In Spain, the country's main newspapers underlined the contrast between Mr. José Aznar who aligned the country behind Washington and London, and the Mexican and Chilean Presidents stances, resisting United States pressures, and even presenting a compromise solution.