Monday, April 20, 2009

Summarizing the Summit of the Americas


As the Summit of the Americas ends, a brief wrap up:

President Barack Obama urged nations to work together for peace and endorsed the United Nations.

He said the U.S. could learn a lesson from Cuba and send doctors elsewhere to help others. He also alluded to "steps we can take" to build a better relationships with Cuba, the only country not invited to the Summit after U.S. urging in the 1960s.

Obama also tried to counter some of the anti-American or "imperialist" sentiment exhibited in speeches.

"It's a reminder for us in the United States that if our only interaction with many of these countries is drug interdiction, if our only interaction is military, then we may not be developing the connections that can, over time, increase our influence," Obama said.


He also told the Summit that by admitting when its policies are wrong, the U.S can set a stronger moral standard.

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega called Obama "president of an empire" and said he hoped Obama meant what he said about working together.

Bolivian leader Evo Morales remains unswayed in his distaste for America, saying he still sees "policies of conspiracy."

Finally, Obama is still receiving flack for grinning alongside Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the above picture.

Sources: Wash Post, Bloomberg, Seattle Times

Photo: AP via Seattle Times

2 comments:

  1. Here's some good analysis on the summit, as well, courtesy of Bloggings by Boz:
    http://www.bloggingsbyboz.com/2009/04/meeting-successful-declaration-failure.html

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  2. Anonymous4:19 PM

    'He also told the Summit that by admitting when its policies are wrong, the U.S can set a stronger moral standard.'

    Bullshit. After the U.S. abismal record in Latin America, the assumption that the U.S. has the moral higher ground is unwarranted and irks most latin americans. The 'Latin Americanist' should know.

    Pepito

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