Nestor Kirchner to head South American bloc

[Judi Lynn]

Nestor Kirchner to head South American bloc
By RAUL O. GARCES and ALMUDENA CALATRAVA
The Associated Press
Tuesday, May 4, 2010; 12:00 PM

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- The leaders of South America named former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner as their secretary-general on Tuesday, setting aside their differences in hopes that the 12-nation Unasur group can consolidate into a regional force for unity, development and democracy-building.

The group was formed years ago, in part as a counterpoint to the Organization of American States and other regional organizations dominated by Washington, but the nations had failed to agree on a leader. Unasur's permanent headquarters near Ecuador's capital, and a parliament building planned for Cochabamba, Bolivia, remain on the drawing board.

According to Unasur's founding treaty, the secretary-general must focus solely on regional matters and not national politics during his two-year term. That may be problematic for Kirchner, a leader of his political party who has all but declared himself to be a candidate to succeed his wife, Cristina Fernandez, in Argentina's presidential elections next year.

Kirchner also will have to give up his job as a deputy in Argentina's Congress, either by quitting outright or by asking for a leave of absence, which would enable him to keep his congressional immunity from prosecution.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/04/AR2010050402529.html

[naaman fletcher]

1. There is a gorilla in the room.

That is the need for South America to repudiate the war on drugs.