Nestor Kirchner is unanimously elected as UNASUR General Secretary
At the Sofitel Hotal, in Cardales, Buenos Aires province, seven of the twelve South American presidents gave their unanimous backing to choose as General Secretary of the Union of South American Nations to former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner.
The appointment will be for the next two years and Kirchner vowed before the heads of state, he will conduct office with “total loyalty”.
Meanwhile, speculation about the Uruguay president’s vote, by the conflict that this country has with Argentina over the Botnia company lasted until the last minute.
Finally Mujica’s vote was positive, but his speech left ambiguities concerning the appointment of Nestor Kirchner.
“With the Argentine people, who do not believe brother, but something more, we’ve had, we have an unresolved conflict. But bet on the good faith of the people of Argentina. We want to build in the Rio de la Plata everything we can for our societies, “he said.
“We decided to follow the consensus of the Latin American presidents to be able to take this step,” he said about the secretary general appointment. And he added: “With very strong contradictions in our country, to take this step is very politically difficult to this president. But governments do not do what they want, just do what they can. “
For his part, the Brazilian President Lula Da Silva, welcomed the designation of the current Argentine deputy and said the election of a General Secretary opens “a stage of transformation.”
Evo Morales, Bolivia’s president thanked the Argentine hospitality in the framework of the summit and said “this date will be unforgettable, for consensus to elect the new general secretary”. “I met a man who was in solidarity with the Bolivian people that man is Nestor Kirchner”, said to give positive feedback.
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez said: “I am very happy for this decision by consensus taken at last.” He added: “My government, our people, supports the designation. And the support is for many reasons. “
To argue his vote he recalled when Kirchner was President of Argentina, during the Summit of the Americas in 2005, held in Mar del Plata, and he told George Bush: “Do not come to bossy.” For this reason and for many other reasons, I fervently support Nestor Kirchner as general secretary, “he added.
Fernando Lugo, Paraguayan President stressed that “the secretary general of the Unasur need full time, opening an unknown figure on the bench that Kirchner has in the House of Representatives.
On the other hand, the brand new Chilean president, Sebastián Piñera, marked, “We must revitalize our democracy in a continent of peace.” He said there was “no reason for South America remains an underdeveloped continent.” He spoke specifically that Unasur times and targets should be “demanding and specific.”