Cyrus Ramsey
11-03-2005, 06:03 PM
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/03/bush.latin.america.ap/index.html
Anti-Bush protesters head to summit site
U.S. president, other leaders to meet in Argentina
Thursday, November 3, 2005; Posted: 5:24 p.m. EST (22:24 GMT)
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Hundreds of anti-American demonstrators rallied in Argentina's capital Thursday before heading in buses and cars to the beach resort of Mar del Plata, where a 34-nation Americas Summit was to be held this weekend.
Demonstrators opposed to everything from the U.S.-led war in Iraq to free trade toted backpacks and sleeping bags, some coming from as far as Argentina's northernmost border with Bolivia to participate in massive marches scheduled for Friday.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was expected to speak before Friday's march.
Three protest groups mobilized in the capital's main square, fronting the president's offices in the Casa Rosada. Some waved banners and chanted leftist slogans against President Bush. One held a poster depicting Bush wearing a swastika armband.
"We have a very low opinion of him on the basis of Iraq alone," said Cecilia Vera, a 59-year-old unemployed masseuse heading to the summit that was to begin Friday.
Santiago Zamora, a 30-year-old biology student from Jujuy in Argentina's north, sported a red "Che" Guevara shirt and spoke about opposing free market economics.
"We are going to fight against all forms of imperialism," Zamora said, voicing complaints against programs some here blame for enslaving poor Latin American countries.
Thousands of other protesters already have been gathering for days in Mar del Plata, 250 miles (395 kilometers) from the capital, where a so-called "People's Summit" was being held.
In Mar del Plata, police with riot shields redoubled security Thursday as leaders from 34 nations were arriving. Navy ships patrolled offshore as helicopters clattered over the luxury hotel where leaders will meet.
Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez, in charge of Argentine security preparations, said more than 8,000 police were on duty in Mar del Plata, and authorities were poised to confront any challenges elsewhere.
Jitters about the summit, meanwhile, led to a warning by Buenos Aires subway workers that they would walk off the job on Buenos Aires subway lines Friday and Sunday amid fears there was not enough security to operate safely. Protesters set fire to several subway cars Tuesday.
Subway officials said they had no plans to curtail service on the four main lines, which carry more than 1 million passengers daily.
Showdown over free trade expected
Bush and the demonstrators have a common goal of reducing poverty, but the test for the U.S. leader will be whether he can convince others to support his free-trade 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.
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 remains 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 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 the massive anti-Bush protests.
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.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Anti-Bush protesters head to summit site
U.S. president, other leaders to meet in Argentina
Thursday, November 3, 2005; Posted: 5:24 p.m. EST (22:24 GMT)
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Hundreds of anti-American demonstrators rallied in Argentina's capital Thursday before heading in buses and cars to the beach resort of Mar del Plata, where a 34-nation Americas Summit was to be held this weekend.
Demonstrators opposed to everything from the U.S.-led war in Iraq to free trade toted backpacks and sleeping bags, some coming from as far as Argentina's northernmost border with Bolivia to participate in massive marches scheduled for Friday.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was expected to speak before Friday's march.
Three protest groups mobilized in the capital's main square, fronting the president's offices in the Casa Rosada. Some waved banners and chanted leftist slogans against President Bush. One held a poster depicting Bush wearing a swastika armband.
"We have a very low opinion of him on the basis of Iraq alone," said Cecilia Vera, a 59-year-old unemployed masseuse heading to the summit that was to begin Friday.
Santiago Zamora, a 30-year-old biology student from Jujuy in Argentina's north, sported a red "Che" Guevara shirt and spoke about opposing free market economics.
"We are going to fight against all forms of imperialism," Zamora said, voicing complaints against programs some here blame for enslaving poor Latin American countries.
Thousands of other protesters already have been gathering for days in Mar del Plata, 250 miles (395 kilometers) from the capital, where a so-called "People's Summit" was being held.
In Mar del Plata, police with riot shields redoubled security Thursday as leaders from 34 nations were arriving. Navy ships patrolled offshore as helicopters clattered over the luxury hotel where leaders will meet.
Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez, in charge of Argentine security preparations, said more than 8,000 police were on duty in Mar del Plata, and authorities were poised to confront any challenges elsewhere.
Jitters about the summit, meanwhile, led to a warning by Buenos Aires subway workers that they would walk off the job on Buenos Aires subway lines Friday and Sunday amid fears there was not enough security to operate safely. Protesters set fire to several subway cars Tuesday.
Subway officials said they had no plans to curtail service on the four main lines, which carry more than 1 million passengers daily.
Showdown over free trade expected
Bush and the demonstrators have a common goal of reducing poverty, but the test for the U.S. leader will be whether he can convince others to support his free-trade 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.
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 remains 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 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 the massive anti-Bush protests.
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.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved