Chavez: MERCOSUR, New Time Shield
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez asserted that the Southern Common Market "constitutes the shield of our new time," to defend regional identity and unity against neoliberal policies.

Chavez addressed the MERCOSUR presidential summit on Friday, thanking participants for "opening the door" to Venezuela´s entry into the bloc, which he has wanted for seven years.

Referring to the historic struggle of independence fighters Simon Bolivar, Jose Artigas, and San Martin, he said what happened to them in their time cannot happen now.

"It is time to unite, because unity is strength," he told the presidents of member nations, associate states and international bodies.

The leader of the Bolivarian Revolution said MERCOSUR should be the driving force behind regional economic and social integration, since "some people in the past sought to ignore politics and only prioritize economy."

Chavez said that talks are in motion to build a gas pipeline connecting Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay; the gas and oil prospects in Paraguay and important Bolivian reserves were also highlighted by the Venezuelan president.

He urged MERCOSUR to become a zone free of poverty, hunger, homeless children, and abandoned women.

The Venezuelan president also suggested to set up a Bank of the South, as part of southern unity and endeavors of the South