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Three former presidents admit Mercosur has failed and has Uruguay ‘trapped’

Friday, May 25th 2012 - 07:01 UTC
Full article 60 comments

Three former Uruguayan presidents recommended the current administration that without abandoning Mercosur, it should look at major trade blocks associations but at the same time a strong self criticism is needed because maybe the problem is not in Mercosur but in Uruguay. Read full article

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  • TipsyThink

    All of EU,Nafta,... have failed not only Mercosur.

    May 25th, 2012 - 10:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Boovis

    You're confusing the Euro with the EU.

    May 25th, 2012 - 10:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Mercosur in effect will be gone and Uruguay an Brazil will have FTA with USA after the US elections.

    May 25th, 2012 - 10:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    The problem with Mercosur is that it was formed by right-wing politicians and the set of rules that comes with it are poorly compatible with the current politics that are being put forward by the SA governments. None of the current Presidents in the union are heavy followers of FTA agreements, and in order for Mercosur to survive, the whole setup must be reevaluated. So Mercosur in it's current form is doomed, and for all the good.

    May 25th, 2012 - 12:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Fido Dido

    You're confusing the Euro with the EU.

    No he doesn't. EU for European Union and it's a failure. Even if would confuse the EU with the Euro...it's a failure and it was designed to fail...you make more money out of chaos.

    EU, NAFTA, CAFTA, Mercosul/Mercosur are failures. After all, nations do not have friends, they have interests and their own interests comes first. The “bogus” free trade era is over and there will be no FTA/FTAA...its finished.

    May 25th, 2012 - 12:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    5. Explain how FTA w/ USA is a failure for Chile...

    May 25th, 2012 - 12:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    The very fact of having to get your country involved with anything that has to do with USA is a failure in itself...

    May 25th, 2012 - 12:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    7. Retard

    May 25th, 2012 - 12:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    I just gave you the trivial answer to your redundant question...

    May 25th, 2012 - 01:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    The problem with Mercosur is
    letting argentina and CFK interfear with it .

    May 25th, 2012 - 01:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Steve-32-uk

    Uruguay needs to stop worrying about upsetting their neighbours. Who cares if you upset Argentina or Brazil because you don't do exactly as they say! What will they do? nothing. They will get over it. Argentina in particular is using Uruguay for its own political ends.

    May 25th, 2012 - 01:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    At least Argentina contributes to the economics in our little nation, what does the EU do for us? USA? I tell you what they do, impose puppets to sack our country, to sell its few resources cheap and impose taxes on our production...

    May 25th, 2012 - 01:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    I wonder if Uruguay would be rocking like Chile if that old commie would have agreed to the USA FTA when he came into office instead trying to deal with an unstable bipolar mentally incompetent hysterical dictator .

    May 25th, 2012 - 02:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    He's no communist, yanqui. Actually, the Uruguayan communists are a bit soft to the touch, he's a Tupamaro, atheist and most probably an anarchist...

    May 25th, 2012 - 02:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Max

    & 5

    correct !

    May 25th, 2012 - 02:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • rylang23

    @ Guzz... Your comments are spot on regarding FTA, relations with the US, and Mujica. Has the MercoPress become a tool of the Capitolists? The conservative tone of recent articles and the bitterness of the comments from Brits and Yankees seems to say, “Yes”. Keep it up, Guzz!

    May 25th, 2012 - 03:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @12 Good ole argieland. Always supporting the small and weak. Like refusing to buy its currency back after argies had exchanged it for Uruguayan currency to buy things in Uruguay. Doesn't that actually mean that the argies got stuff for free? Then there were all the argie objections to a pulp mill on the grounds of expected pollution. Except that it has now been shown that the mill hasn't caused any pollution and that the growing water contamination in the area has been shown to be sewage discharge of the town of Gualeguaychu in argieland. And do I recall that argieland plays a considerable role in the Uruguayan education system? Doesn't Batlle refer to that as “a dreadful education system”?
    Lucky, lucky, lucky little Uruguay!

    May 25th, 2012 - 03:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    Conqueror
    That trio of Presidents are the ones that drove the country into its misery 2002, very few in Uruguay pays attention to what they have to say as they have no credability left whatsoever, maybe you should do the same. I mean, if you feel the need to put a Bordaberry in charge of the party you represent, it's a major indication that you've messed up :) They all represent the unofficial “Partido Rosado” :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 03:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    They caused the 2002 mess and not Argentina? Wow do you like to live in fantasy world!
    Uruguay needs to get away from so much financial ties with Brazil and Argentina if it wants to survive. Being so dependent on those to countries will bring nothing but stagnation and depression as their economies continue to behave erratically.

    May 25th, 2012 - 03:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    Then tell me yanqui, by your logics, why is it Uruguay has skyrocketed after changing government? Argentina is still there, as far as I know,and even worse according to your measurements. The global economy is in a mess, and we still protect the Mercosur.
    I live in a fantasy world? Wake up and face reality...

    May 25th, 2012 - 03:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    21. Umm it is pretty simple Brazil and Argentina have both gone up the last 8 yrs. Uruguay rides on their coat tails. Now they are both (Brazil to a lesser extent) failing and Uruguay will fail right along with them unless it aligns itself with another trading block.

    You think that old commie has been good for Uruguay think again...

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    Seems erratically behaviour is good for ones economy then :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    When it is going up sure I guess so but it is the landing you have to watch out for and it is quickly approaching.
    Boom.

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    You mean like USA today?

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • THEMan

    Whoever said that the whole of the SAEU has failed is retarded. Only some of the eurozone members are failing miserably, and non euro countries are doing not badly. I would say that SA will soon be fucked if they don't kill CFK and Chavez.

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Uruguay could sell EVERYTHING IT HAS AND CAN MAKE to the USA and it wouldn't even register here. So yeah the stability of our laws and economy would be a great benefit to your country.
    You think it is bad here? It's nothing compared to what you are going to see shortly.
    In fact where I live the economy is tremendous! Financially I have had the best 2 years of my life. Although I expect it to get even better when we get a new Prez.

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    yanqui
    “You think it is bad here? It's nothing compared to what you are going to see shortly.”

    No, se te va a hinchar mucho mas :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    The only thing I can see having any truth in the article is the one about energy.

    In my own experience in industry UTE the national monopoly for the supply of electricity is bereft of anyone at the top of the business having an intellect comensurate with the function they are supposed to be doing.

    And the economics guy in government thought it great that UTE put it's prices up 'to get rid of excess costs'. I cannot say how much I am frustrated by these goons.

    The cost of electricity in Uruguay is obscene and a national disgrace. How working people with families can cope with this is utterley beyond me.

    And, like all national monopolies the world over the workforce couldn't give a damn. And given the management, why should they?

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    ChrisR
    The cost of electricity is skyrocketing all over the world, as a result of our abuse of the world's resources, don't use Uruguay as an example. That said, I might agree with your analysis on UTE :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    My rates have not gone up at all in fact nat gas is the lowest I have ever paid.

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    Bless Obama :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • British_Kirchnerist

    #18 Well said Guzz, thats the most important point about this front of 3 Presidents, that between them they represent in its entirety the old oligarchic order that took the country to ruin and was voted out

    May 25th, 2012 - 04:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Guzz, Nothing to so with Obama it was all planned/permitted during the Bush years! Obama will be gone in Jan thank goodness.

    Do you know nothing about the USA? Have you ever been here? Did you get sent home by ICE? is that why you are so bitter and jealous?

    May 25th, 2012 - 05:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    I would not set my feet on USA had the rest of the world been flooded!
    No, we got visited by the CIA here teaching our military how to use electricity to torture their own people. Actually, we got one of the bastards, Dan Mitrione :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 05:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    The CIA would only be teaching our enhanced interrogation methods if they were invited in...
    How can you be so opinionated about a place you have never seen? Most people that come to visit from SA love it and a lot stay even if they have to be illegal.
    Seems dis-ingeniousness to bash my country without having first hand knowledge of it!

    May 25th, 2012 - 05:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz‡

    All posters
    Regrettably someone has stolen my alias and been posting under false pretences. Trying to pass themselves off as me, as it is evident from “my” posts above, this imposter lacks my ability to think critically, so please disregard all the misguided drivel posted above.

    May 25th, 2012 - 05:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    There he is again, my own little wannabe :)

    yanqui
    You are right, what can I say. I think my dislike of your country is inherited...
    But still you have made naught to proove me wrong yet...

    May 25th, 2012 - 05:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    What would I have to prove to you? You probably can't even get a tourist visa to visit anyway...

    May 25th, 2012 - 05:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    As a son of a Tupamaro, and the fact that they are considered a terrorist organization in the US, you are probably right there as well :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 05:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • KFC de Pollo

    Some of the Anti USA/EU stuff on here is laughable.

    “Its all the western worlds fault we elect corrupt officials!!!!!”

    Uruguay should follow Chile's lead.

    May 25th, 2012 - 05:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • THEMan

    Guzz Most people would rather live in the USA than Uraguay, just saying. Your country lost some rep, curteousy of Mr Suarez

    May 25th, 2012 - 06:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    Theman
    What do you base that fact upon? Maybe you asked “most” of the inhabitants of the world? Or is it a personal conviction? The case of Suarez is a typical case of western arrogance, taking a foreign word (negro) and translate into something racist. All fine you translate our words, but don't force your prejudices upon us. By the way, Evra said something to Suarez about his sisters genitals, check the FA report. Finally, the FA is no judging instance, and without any proofs, they chose to believe Evra's statement ahead of Suarez', stating he was “more reliable”. All in all, a British farce, just look at Terry :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 06:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Tobers

    Terry is extensively mocked in the UK football world for being an A1 twat.

    May 25th, 2012 - 07:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • THEMan

    Terry isn't a racist. Ferdinand has a history of making false accusations against people for racism. Also there was proof, because Suarez admitted it. As for the word 'negro', it was made racist across the world through the 60s and 70s. I suggest you keep up with the modern world, and stop thinking it's legal.

    May 25th, 2012 - 07:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    Theman
    You are wrong on so many levels... First off, Suarez admitted to have said “negro”, in spanish. In that language, it means black; “un gato negro” = “a black cat”, not “a nigger cat”. “Un sofa negro” = “A black sofa”, not “a nigger sofa”. Fair enough you've made every word related to Latin's Niger to something racist, but that is not the case with the rest of the world, again, don't project your prejudices on anyone but yourself. And before you mention it, yes, they were speaking spanish, Suarez AND Evra, well, according to Evra they were...
    You really need proofs to what Terry said? Just read his lips :)

    May 25th, 2012 - 07:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • THEMan

    Well Guzz you were right about him speaking Spanish with the word negro. here's what he said
    First phrase he said was this:“Porque tu eres negro”, meaning “Because
    you are black”.
    Second one was this: Mr Suarez replied “No hablo con los negros”, meaning “I don't speak to blacks”.
    This shows that he was in fact using this in a racist manner towards Evra.

    May 25th, 2012 - 07:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    Again, you are wrong. What you are stating is what Evra told the FA. According to Suarez, he said something entirely different. You might choose to believe who you want, but that does not change the fact that there are no proofs...

    May 25th, 2012 - 07:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • THEMan

    Guzz the fact is that Suarez admitted it on several sites that he said this, like the Liverpool FC fansite. and for the record, I believe Evra because he is the kind of man that never complains about anything, and would only do so if it was serious. Suarez on the other hand, has that kind of personality where he is a liar. You can just tell from his facial expressions after an incident. Hope you understand psychology, cos i most certainly do

    May 25th, 2012 - 08:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    Post me one (1) link prooving what you pretend me to believe Suarez admitted to have said. I can post you the FA report stating the contrary :)
    Didn't Evra get banned by the French Football Association for leading the players revolt against Domenech? Pretty active for a man that never complains about anything, don't you think?

    May 25th, 2012 - 08:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • THEMan

    Guzz I remember that. Maybe you should read into that more, and understand why they did a revolt (hint-World Cup performance and squad selection).
    As I said he never complains unless it's serious, and it was serious at the time.
    Finally, I'll just say that Suarez is in the wrong because he came to the UK knowing that he can't use the word negro as it is deemed racist, or offensive. He deserves to be punished for calling him a negro, end of.

    May 25th, 2012 - 09:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • UruguayBR

    Argentina wants to raise mercosur's common tariff again. Uruguay is the lone country resisting. Will they prevail?

    http://uruguaybr.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/uruguayan-government-believes-raising-mercosur-tariff-on-imports-is-not-ideal-for-uruguay/

    May 25th, 2012 - 10:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jerry

    These comments about using negro do not explain the facts to those not really familiar to SA. Both Argentina and Uruguay often use the term “negro” as a friendly greeting or comment to a friend, team mate, etc. Such as “hello negro, how´s it going today?” Especially, it is used if one is dark haired, dark complexioned, etc. Everybody is making a mountain out of a molehill.

    May 25th, 2012 - 10:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • BLACK CAT

    Guzz #12 “At least Argentina contributes to the economics in our little nation, what does the EU do for us? USA? I tell you what they do, impose puppets to sack our country, to sell its few resources cheap and impose taxes on our production..”

    Guzz a great historical recount of how the white settlers (of which you are obviously one of the descendants of) trashed the local inhabitants of SA and stole there land?! that is what your talking about is it not?

    May 26th, 2012 - 09:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    No, Black Cat, I'm talking about much more recent history, up to present time, actually...

    May 26th, 2012 - 10:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    I am not at all convinced that the balance in trade between Uruguay and Argentina favours Uruguay: in fact, given the recent brake on exports from Uruguay it is patently NOT the case, but the figures are not yet out.

    One thing however IS crystal clear. Uruguay needs to get from under the skirts of The Mad Bitch of Argentina asap. We do not need the collateral fall-out when she finally manages to crash the economy big-time.

    May 26th, 2012 - 11:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Guzz

    ChrisR
    What we don't need is to sell the cow cheap and buy expensive meat...
    We need to get our own production going, and take control of our own natural resources. Finally, we need to stop complaining and bloody start working.

    May 26th, 2012 - 12:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    56 Guzz

    I totally agree but would add that the fiscal drag caused by the plethora of 'civil' servants (who do their best to ignore you - much like the UK ones under New Labour) needs to be addressed.

    There should be an immediate stop to the government employees who only turn up one day a week or when they are 'phoned at home but collect a full wage. Even though I have only been here 12 months even I know of one personally at a very high level in the Intendencia. I am informed that this is endemic.

    Then, there should be a strict review of whether the job is necessary or can they be made redundant.

    THEN these people need retraining to actually do useful, productive work. The money saved by termination should be ring fenced and offered to small businesses to encourage them to grow or come to Uruguay to start a business thus employing the now productive ex-civil servants.

    These people then pay taxes and the goverment is in a win-win situation.

    BEFORE ANY LATAM PERSON SAYS THEY PAY TAXES ANWAY: yes they do, but who ACTUALLY pays for them, who fronts the money up? Think about it: clue 1 - it's NOT the civil servant! WHERE does the governments money come from: clue 2 - see clue 1.

    May 26th, 2012 - 03:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    No, the problem is not Uruguay,
    it is Mercosur,

    and - specifically - Argentina's anarchic behaviour within Mercosur which is destroying it ... and consciously destroying Uruguay (and Paraguay) along the way.

    May 26th, 2012 - 08:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • British_Kirchnerist

    #57 Of course the mass sackings you suggest would transfer a lot of people from spending their money in shops (good for the economy) to having to live off benefits (not so good for the economy). Thats not to say I'm in favour, if its true, of people being payed to do nothing, but in my experience here these stories are usually old wives tales in the right wing press, and there is a lot, especially in a poor country, that the state should be doing

    May 26th, 2012 - 11:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    @59

    I notice you have not answered the question though. If you knew the answer you would not have posted the drivel that you have.

    The civil service 'work' for their money (what a joke) but they do not EARN the money, so in effect when they go to the shops as you put it they are spending OTHER PEOPLES MONEY.

    That was another clue.

    I would have thought better of your post if you had pointed out that my suggestion is conditional on timing. Otherwise, yes, there would be people out of work looking for a job or on the training courses necessary to enable them to do real PRODUCTIVE work and it is THESE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE SUPPORT, not the hangers on.

    You just cannot move further forward than your Old Labour nonsense can you?

    May 27th, 2012 - 12:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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