Cuzco (Peru) - In his closing address at the 3rd Meeting of South American Presidents, in Cuzco, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for greater South American involvement in the fight to rebuild Haiti. "Haiti's extreme suffering is not an act of fate but, rather, of a perverse union of spurious interests and collective disinterest," he affirmed.

According to the Brazilian President, this is the first time that the countries of Latin America have demonstrated a willingness to help the Haitian people. "In Haiti, we are not bearing stabilization on bayonet points. We are collaborating in the reconstruction of a country in which everything remains to be done," he added. He stressed the importance of making the United Nations and its Security Council more representative and efficacious in this battle.

During the 3rd Meeting of South American Presidents, the creation of the South American Community of Nations was announced officially. The Community is a free trade zone to integrate the countries on the South American continent. The war on poverty is one of the main reasons for its foundation. The intention of the Community's members is to promote income distribution through the region's economic development.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Ana Paula Marra
Translator: David Silberstein
12/09/2004