MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lula exerts Brazil's leadership.

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is pressing Mercosur partners to “revive the block's spirit” and strengthen “a joint position in international trade negotiations”.

In a letter sent last week to his presidential counterparts in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, Mr. Lula da Silva emphasizes the need for a joint position regarding discussions with the European Union, the Free Trade Association of the Americas sponsored by the United States and in the World Trade Organization.

Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Celso Amorim is currently touring Mercosur capitals in support of President Lula's proposition who on taking office last January publicly committed Brazil to Mercosur, described as the "main objective" of his administration's foreign policy.

President Lula da Silva has repeatedly stated that the FTAA in its current definition is "but an annexation to the United States instead of a free trade platform".

After meeting with Minister Celso Amorim, Paraguay's caretaker president Luis González Macchi remarked that "Mr. Lula is a leader who seems convinced of the need to put order into Mercosur".

Mr. González Macchi added that the Paraguayan government and the chair of Mercosur (Paraguay currently holds the post), "are most satisfied and pleased to hear that Brazil is committed to Mercosur and urging solidarity from its member countries".

However president González Macchi also pointed out that Paraguay and Uruguay are concerned about the need of some kind of balance given the overwhelming presence of the Argentine and Brazilian economies.

In Montevideo, Mr. Amorim interviewed President Jorge Batlle who was invited to visit Brazil in the second half of May. Presidents Lula and Batlle have a good personal relation but Mr. Batlle has an even better rapport with US president George Bush who he will be meeting in Washington in late April, a scenario that the Brazilians look at with certain suspicion.

Analysts believe the letter and back-up round has several purposes: line up Mercosur members for crucial political and trade talks following the Iraq conflict; exert Brazil's natural leadership in the region and to remember the incoming administrations of Argentina and Paraguay, (both countries are holding presidential elections April 27); that the main economy of Latinamerica is undoubtedly committed to the regional block and questions Unites States "hegemonic plans".

The message is particularly timely in Argentina where candidates are divided as to the full commitment of the country to Mercosur.

It is believed Mr. Celso Amorim a former Ambassador in London is also reminding Mercosur members, including Chile that none of them supported the coalition's military intervention and the ingoing debate in the Bush administration indicates there could be consequences.