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Bush promotes trade at Americas Summit
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-04 20:45
President Bush, greeted Friday by thousands of anti-American protesters, is
making his call for liberalized trade and increased entrepreneurship in
Argentina, a country that adopted such reforms in the 1990s and saw its economy
collapse.
U.S. President Bush, center right, and
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, center left, meet with leaders of the
Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) nations on the sidelines
of the 4th Americas Summit in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Friday, Nov. 4,
2005. [AP] |
Supporters of free trade say those policies aren't to blame for the financial
crisis and resulting bloody riots four years ago. Instead, they point to other
mistakes, chief among them government corruption and Argentina's heavy
borrowing.
An estimated 10,000 demonstrators, shouting "Get out Bush!" and marching in
the streets of this seaside resort, illustrate the skepticism that many South
Americans have toward U.S.-led negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the
Americas that would from Alaska to Argentina.
Bush, who met Friday with national leaders who signed the recently passed
Central American Free Trade Accord, says open trade among nations in the Western
Hemisphere and beyond would help alleviate poverty. He's pushing that agenda
with the 34 nations gathered at the two-day Summit of the Americas.
Demonstrators poured into Mar del Plata for Friday's opening day. Police with
riot shields redoubled security, and navy ships patrolled offshore as
helicopters clattered over the luxury hotel where leaders will meet.
"We're going to say 'No to Bush' and 'No to FTAA,'" said Argentine labor
leader Juan Gonzalez. "We don't have any confidence in anything he might propose
here. Whatever it is will only prolong hunger, poverty and death in Latin
America."
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