Brazil communique signed

BRASILIA, SEPT. 2. South American leaders signed a sweeping `Brazil communique' calling for the full physical integration of the continent by 2010 into a `community of nations.'

Brazil's President, Mr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso, yesterday compared the final goal to the creation of a `U.S.A. of the south' as a tool to combat drugs, promote democracy and dismantle trade barriers.

Meeting for the first time at a continent-wide summit in Brasilia, the 12 leaders began deliberations on Thursday amid fears of an escalated drug war and `Vietnamization'' of South America high on their unofficial agenda.

But they were able to agree on more intensive cooperation in helping Colombia fight the twin scourge of drugs and violence that would be part of an overall push for more democracy, improvement of infrastructure and exchange of technology.

- DPA

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Section  : International
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