– as UNASUR Leaders adopt historic ‘democracy clause’
IN the aftermath of the action by a mutinous section of the Ecuadorian police to topple President Rafael Correa from power a few weeks ago, South American leaders who met in Guyana for the IV Regular Summit of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)  have adopted a ‘democracy clause’ which empowers the bloc to seriously sanction any attempt to disrupt a democratic government in the region.

The consensus democratic clause document, which was adopted by the  South American Presidents participating in yesterday’s UNASUR Summit in Guyana,  contemplates closing borders, suspension of trade, air traffic and supplies with the country where a destabilisation of the democratic system takes place.
Speaking at a post-Summit press conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre, President Bharrat Jagdeo – who assumed the Chairmanship of UNASUR during yesterday’s Summit – explained the new democratic clause in UNASUR.
President Jagdeo said the additional protocol to the treaty provides that, if there is any disruption of democracy and the constitutional order of any country in the grouping, it will be equipped in its constitution with methods and rules to deal with such occurrences.
He said these measures involve both consultations and sanctions. “It is empowering UNASUR through the treaty to intervene when we have any interruption of democracy in the region. Take, for example, the case of Ecuador. We must not only support the Ecuadorian government but we must also find out what happened,” he said.
He added that the addition of the protocol would allow for UNASUR’s new Presidency to investigate what took place in October 2010 in Ecuador.
President Jagdeo co-hosted the news conference with President Correa – from whom he received the rotating Chairmanship of UNASUR .
Speaking through an interpreter, President Correa said the clause would address attempts at disruptions by prescribing rules and measures to be applied to those who seek to violate democracy. Himself the target of an attempt, Correa said he hoped this is never repeated in the region.
According to Article 1 of the protocol, it shall apply in the event of a breach or threat of breach against the democratic order, a violation of the constitutional order or any situation that jeopardises the legitimate exercising of power and the application of the values and principles of democracy.
Article 2 said that in such a case, the Council of Heads of State and Government or, in its absence, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall meet – in an extraordinary session – convened by the Pro Tempore Presidency: ex officio, at the behest of the affected State or at the request of another UNASUR Member State.
“The Council of Heads of State and Government or, in its absence, Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, meeting in an extraordinary session, shall consider by consensus, the nature and scope of the measures to be applied, taking into account the relevant information gathered based on the provisions of article 4 of this Protocol and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the affected State,” Article 3 of the protocol stated.
According to Article 4, the Council of Heads of State and Government or, in its absence, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs may establish, in the event of a breach or threat of breach against the democratic order, the measures outlined below, for the purpose of re-establishing the democratic institutional political process. It said that the measures shall enter into force on the date on which the respective decision is adopted.
The measures are:
** (a) Suspension of the right to participate in the various bodies and branches of UNASUR, as well as the suspension of the rights and benefits enjoyed under the Constitutive Treaty of UNASUR;
** (b) Partial or complete closure of land borders, including the suspension and/or limitation of trade, air and maritime traffic, communications and provision of energy, services and supplies;
** (c) Advocate the suspension of the affected State in the ambit of other regional and international organisations;
** (d) Promote, with third countries and/or regional blocs, the suspension of the rights and/or benefits enjoyed by the affected State under the co-operation agreements to which it is party; and lastly
** (e) Adoption of additional political and diplomatic sanctions.

UNASUR  – A TRACK RECORD OF ACTION
President Jagdeo also told reporters at yesterday’s post-summit news conference that UNASUR, from its inception and from the very first meeting in 2000 in Brazil at which he was present, the grouping has a ‘track record of action’.
“I was there at that meeting when the ideas were spoken about…and to move from there to where we are today…to have a constitutive treaty, several councils functioning, UNASUR taking positions when there is a disruption of constitutional order, specific plans to integrate infrastructure and energy…we have come a long way. And so, while I am very concerned about meetings which people just speak without acting, UNASUR has demonstrated a track record of action, moving from just a concept to a reality to carve a bigger space for South America in the world,” he said.
“So I am very pleased with the progress made so far, and I must say, I need to repeat it once again, the tremendous work done by Ecuador, the energy put in by Ecuador…the troubles that they had when these undemocratic forces tried to overthrow President Rafael Correa’s Government and yet they never faltered. They continued working towards the integration of South America. We are very grateful for their support too for this summit,” President Jagdeo said.
“[We are all] working towards creating a bigger, more integrated South American space, stronger political ties, coordinated foreign policies…taking common positions around the world on various issues, creating more opportunities for goods and services and flow of people across our borders and, of course, breaking down the colonial and the historical barriers between our countries,” the Guyanese Head of State said.

REGION ECONOMICALLY STRONG
President Jagdeo also said the global financial crisis has had an effect on the region, but the impact has been less than in other places in the world.
“Look at what’s happening in Europe today. Europe has had economic turmoil. The next period of development will be one of low growth, stagnation. Right across Europe you see governments and protests now because they are reducing welfare, raising pension age, cutting wages and salaries, laying off people,” he said.
President Jagdeo said that fortunately for the region, outside of the initial problems, most of the countries have been able to continue growing and expanding welfare – it is not just in Brazil, but in Guyana and many other countries right across our region.
“This is very important; it shows that Latin America and South America have been marshalling their resources better than most other regions…that it is developing its home grown policies. The challenge for us in the future is to be able to consolidate this gain, to reform the global institutions so that when we work hard, when we develop our societies, there is a sympathetic international economic and financial environment that allows us to prosper. So that is the challenge before us collectively, to create that kind of international architecture,” President Jagdeo said.
Speaking on the issue, President Correa said the UNASUR member states are growing and creating jobs.
“Members which decreased last year are recovering very fast,” he said.
Giving an example, he said that this year Brazil has created two million jobs. “And why are we doing so well? Because we are not anymore following the economic policies [of the US and Europe],” he said.
“[We are not following] IMF and World Bank recipes. We are looking for our own answers; own solution to our problems. For instance, economic policies based on our internal market, so the region in general is doing very well in the face of the global crisis,” said the Ecuadorian leader.