http://www.plenglish

Farmers and Activists Protest in Paraguay

Asuncion, Jun 20 (Prensa Latina) Paraguayan rural unions and social groups are rejecting Monday neoliberal policies and the FTAA, during the 28th Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) Summit taking place in this country.

Some 2,000 people will march from Plaza Italia to Excelsior Hotel to raise the President´s awareness on how damaging the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) could be, and how it will only benefit the United States.

Unions will surround the MERCOSUR meeting, voicing their disagreement with privatizations, criminalization of social struggles and absence of agrarian reform.

Convened by the National Front for Sovereignty and Life, the protest is also aimed against the recent measures implemented by Nicanor Duarte´s government.

According to Rural Organizations Coordinator Luis Aguayo, the idea is to make participants feel uncomfortable for injustices committed in the country, or measures taken to change the existing situation.

Besides Paraguay´s President Nicanor Duarte and Uruguay´s Tabare Vazquez, the high level meeting will be attended by Chile´s Head of State Ricardo Lagos, Ecuador´s Alfredo Palacio, Colombia´s Alvaro Uribe and Venezuela´s Hugo Chavez.

The MERCOSUR is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and associated nations Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela.

mh/iff/cm/mf