Argentina, because of the Summit of the Americas that is about to begin there. First, something somewhat light-hearted (though unfortunate for those involved):
The massive security force deployed by Argentina for an Americas-wide presidential summit this week suffered its first glitch on Wednesday -- food poisoning.At least 70 federal police officers guarding the beach resort hotel where U.S. President George W. Bush and others will meet were overcome by diarrhea and vomiting after dining on lasagna at a nearby hotel late on Tuesday, police commissioner Daniel Rodriguez told local radio.
CNN.com - Bad lasagna fells security forces at Americas Summit - Nov 2, 2005
On a more serious note, though, there is some concern surrounding planned protests before and during the summit:
As leaders from 34 nations prepare to go to Argentina for the Summit of the Americas, a coalition of groups opposed to free trade and other measures backed by President Bush is holding a "People's Summit" in the resort town of Mar del Plata. The gathering will end with marches and protests Friday, blocks away from where heads of government will be meeting to discuss ways to boost employment and fight poverty in the hemisphere. Local residents are worried that demonstrations could turn violent.Meeting at a basketball stadium, socialist political groups, union leaders, and an assortment of leftist activists are denouncing President Bush as well as the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas that would allow goods to transit tariff-free from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.
VOA News - Opponents of Globalization Protest Ahead of Hemispheric Summit
Meanwhile, Hugo Chavez continues his openly anti-US sentiments. First of all, there are his thoughts on the Summit of the Americas and the involvement of the US in South America... though he is certainly not alone in that. Meanwhile, though, he is strengthening ties with China, who are building a satellite and launching into space for Venezuela:
China to develop Venezuela satellite
By Zhao Huanxin (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-11-03 05:48
A satellite developed by China for delivery in 2008 to Venezuela will guarantee the South American country's autonomy in telecommunications, the Venezuelan Embassy said yesterday in Beijing.
Under an agreement signed by the two countries late on Monday, the China Great Wall Industry Corp was contracted to design, manufacture, test and put into orbit the VENESAT-1 for Venezuela.
The satellite will help Venezuela develop its telecommunications, film and TV industries, culture and education, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said at a signing ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Caracas.
China to develop Venezuela satellite
Chavez has also "threatened" to give fighter jets to China and Cuba:The Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, said his government may give its US-made F-16 fighter jets to Cuba or China and replace them with Chinese or Russian aircraft after he accused Washington of blocking purchases of US military parts.
Any exchange of military hardware to those countries would break an agreement with the US Government on the transfer of technology without Washington's permission and further strain fraying ties between Venezuela and the US.
A fierce critic of the Bush Administration, Mr Chavez has rattled Washington by strengthening ties with anti-US states like Cuba and promoting his self-described socialist revolution as a counterweight to US regional influence.
US and Venezuela in aircraft dogfight - World - smh.com.au
Despite all of this, though, Bush doesn't seem very perturbed at the idea of Venezuela developing nuclear power:
Despite tense relations with Venezuela, President George W. Bush says it might be OK for the South American nation to have a nuclear reactor for peaceful energy uses.Bush acknowledged he had not heard about Venezuela's request for a reactor when asked about it Tuesday in an interview with Latin American reporters in advance of his five-day trip to the region. But he didn't reject the idea, even though he has had numerous disputes with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
CNN.com - Bush appears open to Venezuela nuclear power - Nov 2, 2005
And that's the wrap-up. Sorry I'm not doing this daily always, and sorry also if I miss anything. The amount of time I have to devote to this varies, so some days I may only post if I see something really big happening.
Roberto Iza Valdés said...
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Roberto Iza Valdés said...
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Roberto Iza Valdés said...
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Roberto Iza Valdés said...
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