Special Report: Global Financial Crisis
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, April 18 (Xinhua)
-- Leaders of the Americas on Saturday called for coordinated steps to tackle
the economic crisis now gripping much of the world.
At a plenary session of the Fifth Summit of the
Americas in the capital city of the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, the
leaders exchanged views on the designed theme of human prosperity, though some
touched on other topics like Cuba, said summit spokesman Felipe Noguera.
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Heads of state and government to the
Fifth Summit of Americas pose for an official photo in Port of Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, April 18, 2009.(Xinhua/Presidencia Mexico/Alfrodo
Guerrero)
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Chilean President Michelle Bachelet called for the
need to invest in green technology, to promote decent employment, lamenting that
fact that the cost of the economic crisis is being borne by the poorest members
of the society.
"You have to put the people first," Noguera quoted
Bachelet as saying. "The existing status quo cannot be maintained."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada warned
against resorting to protectionism, promising to help increase the
Inter-American Development Bank's lending by about 4 million dollars.
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U.S. President Barack Obama addresses
the opening ceremony of the Fifth Summit of Americas in Port of Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, April 17, 2009.(Xinhua/David de la Paz)
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U.S. President Barack Obama, for his part, stressed
that Washington's message in moving out of the crisis to global economic growth
means "shared prosperity and equal partnership" to invest in education, health
care, and increased shared progress both within the United States and with
regard to its foreign policy.
"It doesn't mean growing an economic pie that
benefits only a few," Noguera quoted Obama as saying.
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Presidents of Chile Michelle Bachelet,
Argentina Cristina Fernandez, the U.S. Barack Obama and Brazil Inacio Lula
da Silva (L-R) talk before the opening ceremony of the 5th Summit of the
Americas in Port of Spain April 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo)
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President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil urged a
universal involvement of the global community in combating the economic woes,
not just the major industrialized countries, or even the Group of 20, which he
said achieved a significant advancement by discussing the democratization of the
multilateral financial institutions.
"Everyone is now more humble, less arrogant, because
nobody knows what should be done exactly," the spokesman quoted Lula as saying.
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (R) and
Bolivian President Evo Morales Ayma smile during the official photograph
session of the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago, April 18, 2009.(Xinhua/Pool/Celso Junior)
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On Cuba, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez suggested
that the next summit of the Americas be held in Havana, capital of Cuba.
"He said it would not be impossible. It's a process,
but it has to begin," Noguera said.
Cuba was suspended from the Organization of American
States (OAS) in 1962. For Havana to become the venue of an Americas summit, the
country needs to be reinstated in the regional body first.
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gives
U.S. President Barack Obama a copy of "Las Venas Abiertas de America
Latina" by author Eduardo Galiano during a meeting at the Summit of the
Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad April 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo)
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During
the summit's opening ceremony on Friday, Obama had promised to offer Cuba a "new
beginning."
The amity between Obama and Chavez, who shook hands
and greeted each other Friday, continued Saturday.
The Venezuelan president addressed Obama, and said in
English: "I want to be your friend," Noguera said.
Obama smiled, but didn't acknowledge, or speak in
response, the spokesman said.
Earlier in the day, during a meeting between Obama
and his counterparts from 12 South American countries, Chavez gave Obama a
Spanish-language book on foreign exploitation of Latin America during the
colonial years.
The 1971 book, by Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano
and entitled "The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of
a Continent," has a handwritten dedication from Chavez, "Para Obama con afecto"
(To Obama with love).
At 5th Summit of the Americas 
