Chavez's statements may hinder vote on Venezuela's accession to Mercosur

[Zorro]

Whoops! Don't think Hugo expected this!

<snip>

The call by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to the country's military on preparing for a war against Colombia may hinder the Brazilian Senate's vote on the Protocol of Venezuela Accession to Mercosur, warned some Brazilian senators on Monday.

In the weekly Venezuelan program "Alo Presidente," broadcast last Sunday, Chavez urged people to defend the country against possible invasion by American and Colombian military, from the installed base in Colombia.

The government leader deputy in the Brazilian Senate, Gin Argello (PTB), said that the act of Chavez will be a complicating factor "for voting the document on Wednesday (Nov. 11)," as agreed between Senate President Jose Sarney (PMDB) and some leaders last week.

Some parties are already taking action this week to try to derail the vote on the matter. The Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) chairman, Demosthenes Torres (DEM), intends to ask his party leader, Jose Agripino Maia, to talk to Sarney to suspend the Wednesday vote.

"We will show that once again Hugo Chavez attempts to ignite the continent," said Torres.

<snip>

More at: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6808185.html

[rabs]

1. Update -- Sarney says remarks won't hinder the vote

The opinions by the senators in the OP were shot down today by their boss.

(My paraphrasing)

Senate President José Sarney today said Chavez's remarks were "foolishness" but would not influence the holding of the vote, the results of the vote, and should not be taken seriously.

Sarney would not confirm the vote would be scheduled his week.

Sarney minimized the effects of Chavez's remarks.

Sarney: There is no indication of a war and any quarrel over frontiers will be submitted to the hemispheric organizations already in place such as the OAS.

Sarney: "I think that (Chavez's) remarks are so out of proportion that it is difficult to take them seriously."


Declarações de Chávez são uma insensatez, diz Sarney

Agência Brasil

BRASÍLIA - As declarações do presidente da Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, não devem influenciar na aprovação do protocolo de adesão do país ao Mercado Comum do Sul (Mercosul). Para o presidente do Senado, José Sarney (PMDB-AP), a convocação que Chávez fez no domingo, no programa Alô, Presidente, aos venezuelanos para uma possível guerra contra a Colômbia é uma insensatez e não deve ser levada a sério.

Sarney não confirmou se a proposta de adesão da Venezuela ao Mercosul será pautada esta semana para votação.

O senador minimizou o efeito das palavras de Chávez:

- Não há nenhum vislumbre, nenhuma hipótese de guerra no continente e qualquer atrito que tenhamos nas fronteiras será submetido aos organismos que hoje temos e funcionam muito bem, como a OEA Organização dos Estados Americanos.

- Acho que são tão despropositadas essas declarações, que dificilmente elas serão levadas em consideração - acrescentou o presidente do Senado.

More (Portuguese)

http://jbonline.terra.com.br/pextra/2009/11/09/e091122087.asp