Posted on 04/13/2009 9:24:21 PM PDT by anniegetyourgun
The global financial crisis will dominate the agenda at this week's Summit of the Americas in Trinidad, which also serves as U.S. President Barack Obama's coming-out party in the region.
After eight years of George W. Bush, there is excitement among the 33 heads of state and government, most of whom are meeting Mr. Obama for the first time, as well as hope for a new era of civility and co-operation.
While Latin America hasn't been as badly affected by the recession as Canada, the United States and Europe, the region needs renewed investments and capital loans.
“Latin America's financial systems and banks are healthy and do not hold toxic loans, so the body is healthy,” said José Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States. “But in the economic system, blood is money flow, and if there isn't blood flowing, then there are still problems.”
The recent G20 summit approved a $1-trillion funding package to assist developing countries, with Latin America a leading beneficiary.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper will attend the April 17-19 meeting in Port of Spain, which has as its official themes security, prosperity, energy and the environment.
Though Cuba is barred from participating (lacking the requisite democratic credentials), others will lobby for the interests of the Caribbean island, as almost all leaders in the region support an end to the 47-year-old U.S. economic blockade.
“Why does Cuba continue to be left out of the Summit of the Americas, if Cuba is a friend of Latin American and Caribbean countries?” Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, said during a weekly television address last month. He stopped in Havana on Friday to co-ordinate pre-summit strategy with Cuban President Raul Castro and his ailing brother Fidel.
(Excerpt) Read more at theglobeandmail.com ...
BREAKING: FIDEL CASTRO SAYS CUBA IS WILLING TO TALK WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA AND TO “NORMALIZE RELATIONS” WITH THE UNITED STATES.
Why should we expect anything more than yet another sham show from the Castros?
Good if they are so healthy maybe they can begin to pay us back for all the money we have loaned them.
He's a communist dictator, by the way what was Chavez doing there?
The Marxist meetup should be fabulous!
“Hey, Rahm! Work me up a few lines so I can wow ‘em in Latin.”
“Latin America’s financial systems and banks are healthy and do not hold toxic loans, so the body is healthy,” said José Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States. “But in the economic system, blood is money flow, and if there isn’t blood flowing, then there are still problems.”
Translation: More dinero from Tio Sam, por favor.
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