MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazilian Senate leader reiterates opposition to Venezuela in Mercosur

Former Brazilian president Jose Sarney and currently head of the federal Senate, reiterated his opposition to Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur because of differences over interpretations of democratic governance with the regime of President Hugo Chavez.

Interviewed by a broadcasting station in Asuncion, Paraguay, Sarney recalled he was one of the promoters and sponsors of the “democratic clause” which is demanded from all Mercosur country members, currently made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, plus Chile and Bolivia as associate members.

The “democratic clause” was adopted by Mercosur in 1998 and demands the full abeyance of democratic institutions as an “essential condition” for any country to participate in any of the group’s bodies for the development of the integration process.

“We can’t possibly think of inviting a country which is not democratic or is in the path to dictatorship or some form of authoritarian rule”, because it is against the essence of that principle and can lead to “an unnecessary politicised Mercosur and a great disappointment for all of us”, said Sarney without mentioning Venezuela.

Sarney who ruled Brazil from 1985 to 1990 insisted that the “democratic clause” is the essence of the political Mercosur: “no democracy, no integration”. Venezuela’s incorporation was approved at a Mercosur summit in July 2006 by all four full members. However the Incorporation Protocol is still pending in the legislative branches of Brazil and Paraguay.

Argentina and Uruguay’s congresses have approved Venezuela’s membership.

Brazilian president Lula da Silva has said he expects the Brazilian Congress will give its approval “soon” in time for Venezuelan president Chavez official state visit to the country in late May.

Sarney also talked about the current Paraguay/Brazil presidential summit saying that President Lula da Silva “has a great sensitivity” and is willing to find a solution to the ongoing differences over the shared Itaipu hydroelectric dam.

“We must find a good solution for Paraguay which does not impair Brazil’s rights” said the former Brazilian president Sarney.