International   

Battle ahead of Americas summit

Jamie Wilson

Maradona to lead "say no to Bush" protests at the meet in Argentina

Washington: U.S. President George W. Bush has left his problems at home only to find himself flying into a whole new world of hurt at the Summit of Americas in Argentina, where tens of thousands of protesters, led by the football star and broadcaster Diego Maradona, were due to greet the President in a ``say no to Bush'' march.

Mr. Bush can expect an equally unfriendly welcome from some of the leaders and top officials attending the summit in the seaside town of Mar del Plata. Among those he can expect to come face to face with is Hugo Chavez, outspoken President of Venezuela, who has accused the Bush administration of attempting to orchestrate a coup against him and last week said the U.S. was planning to invade his country.

Last weekend small bombs were thrown at several American bank branches and chain store branches. Mr. Maradona has urged viewers of his popular television show to join him in a protest outside the meeting. Argentina's ``piquetero'' movement — made up of protesters known for blocking roads and confronting authorities — has promised to descend on the resort in force.

Cuba, the only country in the hemisphere not invited to the summit hosted by the Organisation of American States, will be attending a People's Summit in Mar del Plata set up by leftwing groups to counter the official version. Family members of fallen U.S. soldiers in Iraq as well as Iraqi civilians who have suffered at the hands of U.S. troops will also be there.

Mr. Chavez, an important ally of Cuba's President Fidel Castro, is due to visit the People's Summit and give a speech at a basketball stadium timed to coincide with the start of the Summit of Americas. Before flying there he said Venezuela would object to any attempt by the U.S. to revive proposals for the creation of Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which would overtake the European Union as the world's largest tariff-free zone. Mr. Bush has been a forceful proponent of the idea, but talks have repeatedly stalled, with opponents fearful it would allow corporations to dominate the poor.

— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Libby pleads not guilty in CIA name leak scandal
Italy warned U.S. on Iraq war intelligence
Battle ahead of Americas summit
Russian move to ease Iran standoff
Trial of British soldiers collapses
Quake: Pakistan to delay F-16s' purchase
Aim is to establish peace, says Rajapakse
Rioting spills out of Paris
South African firm takes legal steps against Volcker panel
US Senate votes in favour of increasing H-1B visas

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu