- Title: ARGENTINA: Mercosur leaders discuss ouster of Paraguay's president.
- Date: 30th June 2012
- Summary: MENDOZA, ARGENTINA (JUNE 29, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF HOTEL WHERE SUMMIT IS TAKING PLACE ARGENTINE PRESIDENT CRISTINA FERNANDEZ WAVING TO JOURNALISTS BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT DILMA ROUSSEFF ENTERING HOTEL AND GREETING FERNANDEZ VARIOUS OF ROUSSEFF AND FERNANDEZ TALKING AND SHAKING HANDS URUGUAYAN PRESIDENT JOSE MUJICA ENTERING HOTEL FERNANDEZ, ROUSSEFF AND MUJICA POSING FOR PICTURE FERNANDEZ AND ROUSSEFF SMILING VARIOUS OF PRESIDENTS WAVING TO JOURNALISTS FERNANDEZ, ROUSSEFF AND MUJICA LEAVING
- Embargoed: 15th July 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAD040LAFGLCF1TOAEKTYYBIND8
- Story Text: The Mercosur trade bloc, which includes regional heavyweights Brazil and Argentina, will discuss concerns over the ousting of the Paraguay's during on Friday (June 29) at a summit in Mendoza, Argentina.
Paraguay's Senate removed Fernando Lugo from office last Friday in an impeachment trial that lasted a matter of hours, prompting criticism in the region and beyond.
Mercosur responded by banning Paraguay from attending a summit in Argentina this week, but decided Thursday against sanctioning Paraguay.
The UNASUR group of South American nations will hold an emergency meeting in Mendoza on Friday to discuss Lugo's swift removal, which was sparked by clashes over a land eviction that killed 17 police and peasant farmers.
Brazil's Dilma Rousseff, Argentina's Cristina Fernandez and Uruguay's Jose Mujica were among the leaders who discuss suspending Paraguay from UNASUR on grounds Congress denied Lugo the right to a proper defence.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa had harsh words for the new Paraguayan government in a region where political instability and military rule have ravaged populations.
"Ecuador is not disposed in any way, not even remotely, to lend legitimacy to something that is impossible. I insist, we can't abet tall tales disguised in formality. The same events are happening in our America, where groups that can't win at the ballot box use dirty tricks to impede the process of change in South America," Correa said.
Many countries in the region have called their ambassadors back from Paraguay's capital Asuncion, permanently or for consultations. They want to send a stern warning about the consequences of removing a democratically elected leader, even if Lugo's chances of returning to power appear remote.
Lugo, a former Roman Catholic bishop, admitted it would take a miracle to get him reinstated. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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