Bush in Argentina

[kolko]

Bush leaves domestic problems to confront troubles abroad
Protesters to greet president in Argentina

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush and the thousands of demonstrators protesting his visit to Argentina that begins Thursday have a common goal of reducing poverty, but the test for Bush will be whether he can convince others in the hemisphere to support his solution.

Bush says nations can band together to create jobs through free trade, but he needs to overcome tough resistance from other nations in the Americas. Working to resolve their differences will be a major thrust of his first trip to Argentina, Brazil and Panama.

It'll be a tough sell. He hasn't been able to achieve a Western Hemisphere trade agreement, thousands of anti-American demonstrators have gathered for his arrival Thursday, and leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is waiting to challenge him on the issue at the Summit of the Americas.

Bush, Chavez and leaders of 32 other nations are gathering in the seaside resort of Mar del Plata, Argentina, for the summit that begins Friday. Chavez has indicated he plans to lead a "final burial" of Bush's plan for a giant free trade area that would include all countries in the Western Hemisphere except Cuba.

Bush acknowledged this week the opposition to the Free Trade Area of the Americas, once one of his highest trade priorities. But Bush said he is still committed to free trade as a way to lift people out of poverty.

"Grants and loans pale in comparison to the amount of good that can be done as commerce develops at all levels of government, at all levels of society, as a result of trade," Bush said Tuesday in an interview with Latin American journalists.

While Bush appeared resigned to the obstacles stopping the FTAA, he said he is shifting his focus to world trade talks. Those negotiations also are being held up by thorny farm trade policies, which Bush acknowledged is a very difficult issue.

Chavez is trying to use his disagreements with Bush to boost his profile internationally. The constant critic of the "imperialist" U.S. government that he claims is plotting to kill him or overthrow his government has praised plans for massive anti-Bush protests that organizers hope will draw 50,000 to the streets outside the summit.

Chavez said the street marches will mark the demise of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. "I'm sure it will be a historic event because it's the final burial of the FTAA," Chavez told the Venezuelan TV channel Telesur.

Chavez said the United States is trying to include an article in a summit declaration to revive the FTAA. He said some other South American countries wanted to recognize the FTAA effort for diplomatic reasons, but he would object if they do.

Chavez and his close ally, Cuban leader Fidel Castro, contend Bush's proposal would help large U.S. companies at the expense of Latin American workers. They have instead proposed a trade pact based on socialist ideals.

"The left is back, and it's the only path we have to get out of the spot to which the right has sunken us," Chavez said. "Socialism builds and capitalism destroys."

National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said Wednesday that although differences between Chavez and Bush are getting attention from the press, they are nothing new and that "this summit is not about Hugo Chavez."

"The purpose of the summit is for democratically elected leaders to get together and reaffirm the fact that there is really a shared vision for the hemisphere that is based on democracy and free markets and free trade," said Hadley.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS....ap/index.html

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I hope Chavez gets assasinated man, I would do it myself but I don't have the money for the high powered rifle Anyone? Lets all chip in!

[Oh, Gee!!]

"Socialism builds and capitalism destroys."

Now, I'm starting to see Pat Robertson's point of view.

[Vashner]

Another leftist tainted article... trying to paint doom and gloom as always...

AP sucks the .