The Hindu : International : South American bloc to stand up to U.S.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 10, 2004

International

International

South American bloc to stand up to U.S.

CUZCO (PERU), DEC. 9. Presidents and high-ranking officials from 12 South American countries gathered in this ancient Inca capital to create a political and economic bloc that would give them a stronger voice in dealing with the United States, Europe and Asia.

``Today we have a new country with 361 million inhabitants,'' said the Peruvian President, Alejandro Toledo, on Wednesday in welcoming seven Presidents to the historic summit in the ancient Inca sun temple of Coricancho.

The Presidents of four of South America's 12 nations — Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Ecuador — sent representatives. Their absence raised doubts among critics of the new organisation, who questioned the firmness of the commitment to form a powerful regional bloc.

But Mr. Toledo was optimistic about what the bloc meant to the development of South America. ``The South American Community of Nations which is born today should help us to confront the challenges of globalisation so that it is fairer, more equitable. It will allow us to act jointly and united on the international stage to increase our negotiating capacity and take the leap to conquer markets in the U.S., Europe and Asia.'' After an all-day meeting, the 12 countries signed a declaration, creating the South American Community of Nations. It said the hope was that the bloc ``will achieve a greater weight and presence in international forums.'' — AP

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