Welcome to "Ask the White House"
-- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions
to Administration officials and friends of the White House.
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the White House" archives to read other discussions
with White House officials.
November 2, 2005
Tom
Shannon
Thank you all for joining us today. As you may know, President
Bush will be traveling to Mar del Plata, Argentina, tomorrow
to attend the Summit of the Americas. This year's Summit,
with its theme, "Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and
Strengthen Democratic Governance," will build on the
great work of the past four Summits. President Bush will
work with 33 heads of state of the hemisphere to develop
a hemispheric vision of the challenges and priorities that
should guide regional cooperation efforts. I look forward
to answering your questions.
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Carolina, from San Paulo,Brazil
writes:
First of all I'd like to say that many people in Brazil
support the way President Bush is leading the War on Terror.The
press here didn't release the locations that he's going
visit..so I was wondering if he's coming to San Paulo. P.S:First
Lady We'RE YOUR FANSOur people'll like to welcome you and
your husband
Tom Shannon
President Bush is thrilled to be able to visit Brazil. Unfortunately,
due to his busy schedule he will only be able to visit Brasilia.
Thanks for being a fan of the First Lady. We are too.
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Marcelo, from Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil writes:
Is Mrs Bush coming over to Brazil?Does she have a extra
agenda with Mrs Lula da Silva?
Tom Shannon
Mrs. Bush will accompany the President to Brazil. She looks
forward to seeing the Brazilian First Lady.
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Ruben, from Argentina writes:
Para que le va a servir el ALCA a la Argentina, si EEUU
tiene mayor produccion que nosotros?
Tom Shannon
We want to expand our trade with Argentina, one of the largest
economies on the continent. Along with all other FTAA members,
Argentina stands to gain by access to a huge new market
for its goods and services. We expect the FTAA to deliver
increased trade, new markets for Argentine businesses and
new jobs for Argentina's workers, as well as increased choices
and lower prices for Argentine consumers.
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Courtney, from Medford,
MA writes:
Assistant Secretary Shannon,What does President Bush hope
to accomplish during his meetings with Latin American leaders
regarding his commitment to using trade as an engine for
economic growth and democracy?
Tom Shannon
Trade is a very important component of any country's efforts
to create jobs, spur economic growth, and better the lives
of its citizens. Latin America is no exception, where we've
seen important gains in trade-led growth during the past
few years. At the Summit, the President wants to join with
our partners in the region to re-emphasize the benefits
to the entire hemisphere of increased trade. He will focus
on the gains we've seen through the NAFTA and CAFTA accords,
and build momentum for the Free Trade Area of the Americas
and the upcoming Doha Round of trade talks .These important
multilateral initiatives will lead to increased opportunity
and job creation in this hemisphere to attack poverty head-on.
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Cliff, from Brimfield,
Ohio writes:
Sec. Shannon: This upcoming Summit. Is this just a meeting
of the minds or does the President have an agenda? And moving
on to Brazil and Argentina is this just a courtesy call
or a planned agenda meeting? Thank You
Tom Shannon
The Summit of the Americas process is based on an agenda
developed by all 34 democratically elected governments in
our Hemisphere. Leaders at the Summit will reaffirm the
hemisphere’s shared values on democracy and the best
ways to create jobs, reduce poverty, expand trade, and promote
growth. After the Summit, the President’s visits to
Brazil and Panama will focus on important trade and regional
issues.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John, from Alexandria,
VA writes:
What are the U.S. Govt's top priorities with respect to
Latin America?
Tom Shannon
Our priorities in Latin America include strengthening democracy,
promoting economic growth and prosperity, and bolstering
security. We focus on defending democracy throughout the
hemisphere by working to create a community of nations with
strong democratic institutions and high transparency and
accountability, where the people are heard and share in
the benefits of reform. We defend open markets throughout
the region by supporting expanded economic opportunity and
free trade agreements, providing assistance to countries
in crisis, and fighting corruption. We protect our borders
through new, innovative methods of cooperation with our
hemispheric partners. We fight terrorism and drug trafficking
throughout the region and stand up to tyranny in Cuba.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel, from Lakeville,
CT writes:
Hi Mr. Shannon. Is the trip going to resolve the battle
of words Venezuala and the U.S. are engaging in?
Tom Shannon
Our respective governments have very different visions for
the Hemisphere. We see a future of hemispheric cooperation,
anchored in the OAS Inter-American Democratic Charter and
the Summit process, to strengthen democratic institutions,
improve regional security and foster economic prosperity
and opportunity for all. This vision is an integral part
of the President’s global freedom agenda and builds
on the work of the previous four Summits. In contrast, the
Venezuelan government appears to advocate an economic model
rooted in the statist, protectionist policies of the past
that failed to deliver either prosperity or development..
We will continue to speak out in favor of our vision—one
which reflects the values and aspirations of the hemisphere.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fernando, from Houston
Texas writes:
Just a comment.I am a NASA astronaut born in Argentina.
I was appointed in 2002 by President G. W. Bush to serve
in the Presidents Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence
for Hispanic Americans under the Presidents No Child Left
Behind Act." I'll be in Argentina for two weeks with
my 81 year old father starting this coming saturday visiting
family.
As an American and as a Argentine born I
am more than thrilled and happy to see our President visit
my country of birth. There is a lot of work to be done in
latin America and President Bush will surely carry a message
of hope.
Bienvenido a Argentina Mr. Bush
Tom Shannon
Thank you very much for your warm words. We are looking
forward to the President’s visit to Argentina, and
wish you and your father a very happy stay in the land of
your birth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcos, from Santiago,
Chile writes:
Many greetings from Chile and good luck to Mr. President
in this trip around Latin America. My question is about
the Argentine, a great, great country, but with big problems.
Political problems, social problems, corruption and drugs.
Could the US government help to Mr. President Kirchner in
this issues or the OAS? Thank you so much for this dialogue.
Tom Shannon
The United States will continue its already close and collaborative
relationship with President Kirchner and the people of Argentina.
The United States has a wide and deep relationship with
Argentina, and runs the gamut from people-to-people contacts
to trade, counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts,
to regional stability and science cooperation. You name
it, and Argentina and the United States are working together
on it. We acknowledge the unprecedented challenges that
Argentina has faced these last few years, worse than what
the United States went through during the Great Depression.
We will continue our deep cooperation in all these areas
to help Argentina.
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Pedro, from Salvador Brazil
writes:
Wich cities president Bush will visit in Brazil? Would he
mind talk with some of his fans? God Bless president Bush
Tom Shannon
Thank you for your kind remarks. President Bush will only
be visiting Brasilia on this trip. Although this is a short
visit, he hopes to meet with a variety of Brazilians to
exchange views.
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Krissi, from Berlin, Germany
writes:
Tom, thanks for taking my question. I wonder if you could
tell me a little bit about what the President hopes to accomplish
during his visit. Also, I would like to know if Latin American
countries in the Presidents view play a vital role in the
global war on terrorism. Thanks, and have a great day.
Tom Shannon
In a very real sense, all of our Latin American allies play
a vital role in the global war on terrorism by cooperating
with us on key concerns such as border security and the
war against illegal drugs, the illicit proceeds of which
may be used by some groups worldwide to fund terrorist activities.
Two countries in particular -- our southern neighbor, Mexico,
with which we share a long border, and Colombia, which has
long suffered from narcotics-fueled terrorism -- are especially
critical partners at this moment in time . We laud both,
and all our friends in Latin America, for their commitment
to hemispheric security.
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Aurelia, from miami writes:
Can you tell us what you think about President Kirchner
of Argentina?
Tom Shannon
President Bush thinks that President Kirchner is a fine
man. After all, he and President Bush have a lot in common:
both were “southern” governors, have two wonderful
children, and are married to strong and beautiful women.
(As you know, President Kirchner was the governor of the
Santa Cruz Province, in southern Argentina.) Presidents
Kirchner and Bush have an excellent personal relationship,
and stay in touch, including over the phone on occasion.
President Bush has great respect for the central role President
Kirchner has played in turning the Argentine economy around,
as it emerges from its economic and social crisis of 2001-02
and beyond, as well as for President Kirchner’s roles
in other areas, such as reinvigorating democracy, promoting
respect for human rights, and countering corruption and
crime.
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Richard, from Grasonville,
MD writes:
Will the President's trip to the Latin America Summit in
Argentina involve a presonal dialogue with Venezuela President
Chavez?
Tom Shannon
No meetings between President Bush and President Chávez
are currently scheduled. President Chávez has stated
publicly in recent days that he plans to go the Summit to
declare the Free Trade of the Americas "dead"
and denounce what he calls "U.S. imperialism."
The President, on the other hand, will be there to work
with his counterparts on a positive agenda to create jobs
and economic opportunities for all our citizens and help
the poor and traditionally marginalized groups fully join
the economic life of their countries. It is unfortunate
that the Venezuelan government has chosen not to take advantage
of this opportunity to work constructively with its neighbors.
It’s thus hard to imagine a productive dialogue when
the Venezuelan government has repeatedly made clear its
negative intentions with respect to the Summit and its personal
animosity toward the President. This is especially regrettable
given our traditionally friendly relationship with the Venezuelan
government and our continued close ties to the Venezuelan
people.
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Eliana, from Buenos Aires
writes:
Hi, I'd like to ask how would you describe the relationship
between the U.S. and the Argentine government of Nestor
Kirchner and if you think Kirchner's relationship with Chavez
as a concern. Thanks
Tom Shannon
President Kirchner, like President Bush, follows events
in Venezuela, and wants this great country to succeed. We
were pleased to see that on his two visits to Venezuela
over the last couple of years, he met with Venezuelan opposition
leaders each time. President Bush is deeply grateful for
the outstanding and professional job that the 600 Argentine
peacekeepers have done in Haiti, as part of the effort to
help out a neighbor in need.
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Daniel, from Tampa, FL
writes:
I think the president should visit other countries other
than the usual ones. Such countries like Ecuador are friendly
to the U.S. and have a lot to offer. It would also let small
countries know the U.S. cares about them and show the rest
of the world that we not only stand with the big countries,
but also with the less bigger ones. God Bless America and
Keep Up The Good Work President Bush
Tom Shannon
The United States and Ecuador have a long history of friendly
relations and we share a common vision of a democratic and
prosperous hemisphere that provides opportunities for all
its citizens. We want to assure the government and people
of Ecuador that the United States remains engaged in reinforcing
our hemispheric commitment to constitutional democracy,
strong democratic institutions and respect for the rule
of law.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rahul, from San Francisco,
CA writes:
America is troubled by drugrelated problems. Do you think
the president is going to discuss this to leaders so that
a way can be found to stop the drugs getting into America?
Tom Shannon
Illegal drugs impose a staggering toll on the United States,
killing over 20,000 Americans annually and costing more
than $160 billion in law enforcement, drug-related health
care, and lost productivity. The drug trade also threatens
the other countries in the hemisphere by corrupting officials,
subverting democratic institutions and the rule of law,
and supporting terrorism. A top priority of ours in the
Hemisphere is to protect Americans from international crime
and illegal drugs and to support cooperative governments
in the region. The counternarcotics programs run by the
U.S. government strive to improve the capacity and will
those governments through programs that eradicate drug crops,
interdict illegal drugs, dismantle trafficking organizations,
advance the rule of law and build international cooperation.
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Ernesto, from Panama City,
Panama writes:
We Panamanians are very concerned about USPanama security
cooperation arrangements. Is there any contingency plans
from the US in order to address any terrorist threat to
the Panama Canal in the context of the neutrality treaty
signed with Panama? If the US would consider that Panama
does not have the capacity to confront any assimetrycal
threat to the canal, would the US act unilaterally?
Tom Shannon
Panama has done an outstanding job managing the Panama Canal
-- including its security -- and we value the close cooperation
we have enjoyed with the government of Panama and the Canal
Authority. Almost two thirds of the cargo transiting the
Panama Canal is either traveling to or from a U.S. port,
so the security of the Canal is a high priority for the
U.S., just as it is for Panama. We will continue to work
in partnership with Panamanian authorities to ensure the
continued security of Canal operations.
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Pedro, from NL writes:
¿Cuál considera usted será la proyección
que tenga la visita del presidente Bush a Panamá
en relación a temas sensitivos de interés
americano como lo sería la anunciada proyección
de la ampliación del canal, el blanqueo de capitales
y la lucha contra el terrorismo?
Tom Shannon
Los Estados Unidos y Panamá tienen una relación
excelente, basada en una visión compartida, apoyando
a la democracia, el libre comercio y la lucha en contra
del crimen transnacional. El Presidente Bush viene a Panamá
para tratar estos temas con el Presidente Torrijos y recalcar
la relación de amistad y apoyo mutuo que tiene Panamá
con los Estados Unidos.
(Translation)
The United States and Panama enjoy an excellent relationship,
based on a shared vision of support for democracy, free
trade, and the fight against transnational crime. President
Bush is coming to Panama to discuss these issues with President
Torrijos and to underscore the special friendship and partnership
between Panama and the United States.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Shannon
This has been a great session. Thank you for all the wonderful
questions. I know there are many more questions out there
and I suggest you check out the Summit’s website at
www.summit-americas.org,
or the State Department’s Summit site at www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/fs/2005/55614.htm.
Thank you, again.
Editor's Note: To learn more about the 2005
Summit of the Americas and the President's Trip to Latin
America, click
here.
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