Brasília - The president of the Mercosur Joint Parliamentary Commission (presidente da Comissão Parlamentar Conjunta do Mercosul) (CPCM), deputy Doutor Rosinha (PT-PR), the vice president, senator Pedro Simon (PMDB-RS), and deputies Osmar Serraglio (PMDB-PR) and Oliveira Filho (PSDB-PR) are the Brazilian representatives who will join representatives from Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to discuss a definitive proposal for the creation of a Mercosur parliament. It is expected that the proposal will be ready by June.

"A Mercosur parliament is needed to give regional integration a political identification," declared one of the Brazilians.

One of the proposals under study would create an initial legislative body consisting of members of existing legislatures. At a later date members would be elected in direct elections.

"The important thing is balanced representation which reflects the desire of the people to move toward integration," declared Doutor Rosinha. (AB)