Reply #22: Thank you for that comment! It was very helpful. I asked my question before

[Peace Patriot]

you posted it.

South America is heading onto the EU path--with a meeting of 12 countries a few weeks ago, to form UNASUR--the foundation of a South American "Common Market," a cooperative political/legal structure, and (proposed by Brazil) a common defense. They've been moving this way for some time--among the first items being the Chavez-inspired Bank of the South (anti-U.S. dominated World Bank/IMF), also the Mercosur and ALBA trade groups (anti-U.S. dominated "free trade"), and the Rio Group (for settling disputes without U.S. interference)--spurred by the election of leftist (some center-left) governments in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Guatemala and more to come (El Salvador next year)--a leftist near-sweep of the continent, spreading north. It was Simon Bolivar's dream to form a "United States of South America" (but U.S. "Manifest Destiny" and brutal interference for the next century brought that to a halt). That dream now seems very much alive.

Do you know any details about how UNASUR compares with the EU--legally, politically, etc.? Is the EU advising/observing UNASUR meetings?

I know that EU election monitoring groups have been active in South America--along with the Carter Center, the OAS and others (and local civic groups)--transparent elections being a VITAL--nay, ESSENTIAL--component of resurgent democracy in South America and the triumph of the leftists (majorityists). I just wonder how much UNASUR is modeling itself on the EU. I don't know--nor do I know what the pluses and minuses of that might be.

-----

Some basic info:

5. South American Nations Form New Regional Grouping: UNASUR

At a summit in Brazil’s capital last Friday, 12 South American countries formally constituted the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez described UNASUR as the culmination of the region’s search for unity since South American independence two centuries ago. He said, quote, "Only in unity will we later have complete political, economic, cultural, scientific, technological, and military independence." Temporary UNASUR president, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, said the new group will help the region “contribute to the construction of this new 21st century.” The countries that make up UNASUR are Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, and Uruguay, with a total population of 380 million inhabitants. Nevertheless, Brazilian President Luis Inacio “Lula” da Silva assured that UNASUR is open to other Latin American countries in the region. One of the more important issues on the table of the new group is a South American Defense Council. The presidents at the summit agreed to form a commission that will come up with a council proposal within 90 days. The countries will then meet by the end of this year to officially form the council.

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/audio/3497