Brazilian officials rejected an ultimatum from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez seeking to push his country's bid to join the Mercosur trade alliance, local media reported Wednesday, according to dpa. Internet site G1 reported that Brazilian legislators were to meet later Wednesday to discuss the matter, after Chavez said on Tuesday he would not wait beyond September for Mercosur members' national parliaments to ratify Venezuela's membership in the regional trade bloc. "We are going to make the most of the words of President Hugo Chavez - we are not parrots of the United States, and neither are we parrots of Venezuela," said legislator Fernando Coruja, an ally of Lula's leftist government. Brazilian lawmakers had criticized Chavez's government for not renewing the broadcasting license of popular television channel RCTV. The move drew widespread criticism within Venezuela and from the international community, with allegations the move was meant to silence criticism of Chavez. Chavez had accused the lawmakers of repeating "like parrots" the dictates of Washington. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's Chief of Staff Dilma Roussef also warned Caracas not to push Brazil for a decision. "Nobody sets deadlines for us, and neither do we set deadlines for anyone," she said. Opposition Senator Arthur Virgilio called Chavez's ultimatum "great news." "Now I know I have to resist with the (conservative party) PSDB until September and then demand that (Chavez) keep his word and not join Mercosur," Virgilio said in an ironic tone. Venezuela applied in mid-2006 to join the Mercosur trade alliance of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, but its full membership is still pending the approval of the national parliaments of Brazil and Paraguay. The other legislatures have already approved it. "I am willing to wait these few months. If entry is not approved, we will withdraw the request," Chavez said Tuesday. The Venezuelan president noted that his country is "not desperate to join Mercosur."
