Bush backs human rights; protesters call him 'fascist'

[gldstwmn]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americ...mit/index.html

Argentina hosts 34 leaders, thousands of protesters

Friday, November 4, 2005; Posted: 1:20 p.m. EST (18:20 GMT)

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (CNN) -- As thousands of protesters demonstrated against him outside the Summit of the Americas on Friday, President Bush said he viewed his participation as an "opportunity to positively affirm our belief in democracy and human rights and human dignity."

Bush said he already had met with leaders of several Central American countries, which he described as "young democracies" eager to implement a free trade agreement.

The Central America Free Trade Agreement was narrowly approved by Congress in July after a intense push by the White House.

Earlier, thousands of protesters had greeted a train bringing a group of fellow demonstrators from Buenos Aires -- including Bolivian presidential hopeful Evo Morales and Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona.

Chanting "Fascist Bush! You are the terrorist!" the protesters massed along the sides of the train, trying to shake hands with those inside.

No comment on leak scandal
Bush began his day with praise for Argentine President Nestor Kirchner. Neither leader took questions at a brief media appearance together.

In an apparent reference to his unpopularity in the region, Bush said to Kirchner, "It's not easy to host all these countries -- particularly not easy to host perhaps me. But thank you for doing it."

Kirchner, speaking through a translator, said the two had "a very important meeting" and were "quite candid" in discussions on numerous issues "related to our bilateral relations."

Later, speaking alone with reporters, Bush deflected questions about political problems at home. It was the first time he had taken questions since the indictment of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Cheney's top aide.

Bush said he would not talk about the indictment, or the future of political adviser Karl Rove.

Economics on the agenda
One of the top economic issues for Friday's host nation involves the International Monetary Fund.

Argentina is seeking a new IMF loan agreement. The fund helped the country out of a major economic crisis in 2002. But Argentine leaders have complained that they're not getting the kind of deal they need now.

"The president was quite firm in his belief that the IMF ought to have a different attitude toward Argentina," Bush said.

He did not express support for Argentina's position, instead sticking by previous assertions that he would leave that between Argentina and the IMF.

Bush said Kirchner has made "wise decisions" that helped Argentina's economy change "in quite dramatic fashions." He added that Kirchner's economic track record makes it possible for him to "take his case to the IMF with a much stronger hand."

Chavez rift downplayed
Bush will come face-to-face at the summit with a man his administration has criticized as a menace to hemispheric stability -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a left-leaning populist who routinely denounces Bush as "Mr. Danger" and refers to the United States as "the Empire."

Among the ways Chavez has chosen to tweak Washington's nose is by embracing Cuban President Fidel Castro, who was not invited to the summit because he is not democratically elected.

U.S. officials downplayed any Bush-Chavez subplot at the proceedings.

"This summit is not about Hugo Chavez," U.S. national security adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters Wednesday. "We've had some long-standing concerns about the policy for his government. This is not news."

Bush said when he encounters Chavez "I will of course be polite. That's what the American people expect their president to do, be a polite person."

Bush, who had not been to Argentina, will also make stops in Brazil on Saturday and Panama on Sunday.



Soccer star Maradona, left, and Venezuela's President Chavez rally against Bush.