Latin American leaders pursue poverty agenda to renew Rio Group

from The Jamaica Observer

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) - Latin American leaders called for greater attention to poverty and social problems at the 20-nation Rio Group summit yesterday, in a largely symbolic declaration that was light on specific remedies.

An agenda devoted to alleviating hunger, poverty and other social ills was considered more likely to establish common ground than divisive issues such as trade that have dominated previous gatherings.

"We have to identify areas in which we are all in agreement, such as the social question that we've been discussing," Chilean President Michelle Bachelet told The Associated Press. "We're sharing valuable experiences in the fight against poverty and for health."

The summit's host, Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo, said the Rio Group has potential to boost its global influence as an advocate for the poor in developing nations.
In the declaration, the group expressed a commitment to help the region's most vulnerable populations - but did not offer any remedies.

Analysts questioned the capacity of the Rio Group to make headway on social issues, noting that
they are traditionally handled domestically.
"It's not clear at this stage in time that the nations of the Americas are interested, let alone ready to reach agreement on any social issues," said Robert Pastor, a Latin America expert at American University in Washington.

Formed in 1986 to help end armed conflict in Central America, the group has struggled to attract many top leaders at recent gatherings; only eight heads of state of the 20-nation group attended this summit.

Venezuela's leftist President Hugo Chavez cancelled his trip to the summit because he wasn't feeling well.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who has traded barbs with other Caribbean leaders over a Venezuelan programme to provide them with oil on preferential terms, said he was invited to Caracas for energy talks on March 20.
"We extended a hand of friendship to Venezuela and an offer to partner with Venezuela for the energy security of the region," said Manning, whose nation is the top supplier of liquid natural gas to the United States.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who has had testy relations with Chavez, also spoke of mending fences. "It is our goal to respect and establish constructive relations with all the countries of Latin America, without exception, including Cuba and Venezuela," he said.