Thread: Argentina Readies for Regional Summit FTAA

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Argentina Readies for Regional Summit

Buenos Aires, Oct 26 (Prensa Latina) Argentina is putting final details on next week's fourth Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, with the signing of the Final Declaration and Action Plan slated for November 4-5.

Subsidized agriculture in rich countries, the US sponsored Free Trade Area for the Americas, and current international financial policies, are the main obstacles for consensus.

These have become the most controversial issues among the 34 participant countries, given Washington's refusal to compromise on either subsidies or the FTAA.

Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Latin American Policy, Leonardo Franco, called the FTAA the "hottest item" on the agenda because its implementation this year was prevented by differences between the US and MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.)

Franco added that national coordinators will try to reach consensus at a meeting of the Summit Revision and Implementation Group next Friday in Buenos Aires.

The undersecretary noted Argentina's official stand is that economic growth is a key condition, although insufficient to generate dignified jobs to be in line with the Summit slogan "Create jobs to face poverty and strengthen democratic governability."

Franco recalled the failed neoliberal model implemented in the 90s, which is challenged by President Nestor Kirchner and other countries in the region because, in addition to private investment and economic growth, generating new jobs demands state policies.

hr/ccs/emw/edu

Stop this Madness.

Tell the Wackident WE don't want no FTAA.

Tell the Wackident to remain in his Home/Office and do nothing until he is IMPEACHED.

so much for protecting our nation.