MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguayan Senate “freezes” Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

President Chavez loquacity, his worst enemy

The Paraguayan Senate is also turning its back on Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez Mercosur incorporation request. A leading Senator from the ruling coalition said that under current circumstances, and Chavez latest statements makes it “virtually impossible” to decide on the issue.

The Paraguayan Executive withdrew the bill that included Venezuela’s Adhesion Protocol last August 13 because there were insufficient votes to approve it.

So far only the legislative branches of Argentina and Uruguay have approved Venezuela’s incorporation.

The Brazilian senate after months of negotiations and arm twisting by President Lula da Silva’s administration was this month on the verge of the crucial vote when President Chavez begun calling on the military and the Venezuelan people to “prepare for war” with Colombia over the US bases; since then, the situation remains frozen and with no vote schedule.

“There are no conditions for the Senate to consider and approve the incorporation of the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela to Mercosur”, said Senator Alberto Grillon vice president of the Foreign Affairs Upper House committee.

Grillon also recalled that a similar situation has occurred with the Brazilian Senate.

“President Chavez with his statements is not helping; sometimes it seems he is not interested in Venezuela’s integration to Mercosur given his repeated contentious attitude”, added Grillon.

The Paraguayan executive approved Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur last August and had the intention of immediately sending the initiative to Congress but desisted when the necessary votes were not anticipated.

Foreign Affairs minister Hector Lacognata said the initiative would be sent to the Paraguayan senate next year.