Paraguayan President Lugo speaks during a news conference at the presidential palace in Asuncion

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo speaks during a news conference at the presidential palace in Asuncion August 13, 2009. Paraguay's government on Thursday withdrew a bill that would let Venezuela join the Mercosur trade bloc, fearing a defeat in Congress that could hurt relations between the two countries. REUTERS/Rafael Urzua (PARAGUAY POLITICS BUSINESS)