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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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7

Chilly Reception Awaits Obama at Summit

Odds are, summit will be full of awkward moments

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(Newser) – President Obama got a warm welcome on his recent Europe trip, but he shouldn't expect the same from Latin America, the Washington Post reports. At the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, the new president is likely to face some tough questions, and potentially awkward moments, as he meets leaders from a region battered by the economic crisis.

"Latin Americans, who are experts in crisis after creating many of their own, will say 'We didn't create this one,'" warned the OAS secretary-general. They're ready to turn their ire toward the people Brazil's president recently called the "white, blue-eyed bankers" who, he charged, caused the current mess. But expect the proceedings to be mostly civil: "On many items on the global agenda, we will agree," said the former president of Chile.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has long espoused his beefs with the United States, and recently proclaimed that Beijing has replaced Washington as the new center of the world.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has long espoused his beefs with the United States, and recently proclaimed that Beijing has replaced Washington as the new center of the world.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Bolivia's President Evo Morales kicked the US Drug Enforcement Administration out of his country. He'll be at the Summit of the Americas.
Bolivia's President Evo Morales kicked the US Drug Enforcement Administration out of his country. He'll be at the Summit of the Americas.   (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega fought a US-led contra insurgency force in the 1980s. He's another Latin American leader President Obama will meet at the Summit of the Americas.
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega fought a US-led contra insurgency force in the 1980s. He's another Latin American leader President Obama will meet at the Summit of the Americas.   (AP Photo/Carlos Hernandez)
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You have to be willing to accept that Latin Americans, who are experts in crisis after creating many of their own, will say 'We didn't create this one. - José Miguel Insulza, secretary general of the Organization of American States

He is not going to Trinidad with a plan for the hemisphere. He is going to Trinidad with the intention of listening, discussing and dealing with his colleagues as partners. - Jeffrey Davidow, former ambassador to Mexico and special adviser for the summit.

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7 comments
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Timinator2K
Apr 15, 09 9:41 AM CDT
Time to totally normalize relations with Cuba, we lost that politica gamel and moral high ground long ago. Let Cuban capitalism eat communism alive for lunch on their own soil. Reply
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Lula
Apr 15, 09 9:44 AM CDT
Have no fear, Obama can handle it. He is not ole Smirk Bush. Reply
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kokuaguy
Apr 15, 09 10:12 AM CDT
Yes, Tim, it will be interesting to observe the kind of society that evolves as democratic principles and human rights protections are introduced in Cuba, once the paranoia created by the trade embargo. the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro are overcome. No doubt it will always have many "socialist" features, including the best health care systems in Latin America. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Rob
Apr 16, 09 6:02 AM CDT
You have a skewed vision of history, my friend.
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kokuaguy
Apr 15, 09 10:55 AM CDT
I think his demeanor will be very different from Europe. He will do more listening than speech making I bet. And without our Super-star First Lady there the adoration will be far less prevalent. Reply
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