Expectations Are Low for Progress at Americas Conference

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Jan. 11 — President Bush and 33 elected leaders of the Americas will meet here on Monday without a common vision for the future of the Western Hemisphere.

Expectations for great progress are low and friction on important proposals is high. The leaders of Brazil and Argentina do not see eye to eye with Mr. Bush on his free-trade agenda. President Vicente Fox of Mexico will press him to do more for migrants than his proposition of temporary work permits.

The national security needs of the United States are being viewed by some leaders as imperious demands on their sovereignty. American agricultural subsidies are seen by some as crushing small peasant farmers and stifling competition.

Government ministers from the 34 nations at this Summit of the Americas, who have met here since Thursday, had not even agreed on a common declaration to be issued by their leaders. An American official here said there were only "possibilities at the margins" for the United States' agenda of advancing trade, security and migration control.

more: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/12/international/americas/12LATI.html?ex=1074488400&en=7d546dc71b0e6d63&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE