At Summit, Obama Offers Partnership, Humor

(CBS/AP)  President Barack Obama extended a friendly hand to America's hemispheric neighbors on Saturday at a summit in the Caribbean where he offered a new beginning for U.S.-Cuba relations and sought out Venezuela's fiery, leftist president for a quick grip and grin.

At the Summit of the Americas in this island capital, Mr. Obama signaled he was ready to accept Cuban President Raul Castro's proposal of talks on issues once off-limits for Havana, including the scores of political prisoners held by the communist government.

Mr. Obama also shook the hand of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez (a leader who once likened the president's predecessor to the devil) and casually exclaimed, "Como estas?"

Responding to the overture, Chavez walked over to President Obama at a meeting, patted the president on the shoulder and handed him a book, "La Venas Abiertas de America," [or, "The Open Veins of Latin America"]. The book by Eduardo Galeano is an essay on five centuries of exploitation of Latin America by North American and European interests.

An English paperback edition is available on Amazon.

CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller caught Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, sitting behind Mr. Obama, laughing at Chavez's stunt.

Saturday was the first full day of meetings in the two-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, just off Venezuela's coast. Mr. Obama was taking part in a series of plenary sessions, group gatherings and one-on-one meetings that the White House hoped to squeeze into a busy schedule. He hoped to make time for individual sessions with leaders from Canada, Colombia, Peru, Haiti and Chile, aides reported.

At his first meeting with South American leaders, President Obama waited several minutes while security officers and members of the media pushed noisily into the room. Somebody accidentally hit a light switch, prompting Mr. Obama to ask: "Who turned off the lights, guys?"

He said he hoped events would go more smoothly during the meeting where he said he would talk to the leaders about energy, security and other topics. "I have a lot to learn and I'm very much looking forward to listening," the president said.

In an opening speech to the 34-nation gathering on Friday, the president promised a new agenda for the Americas, as well as a new style.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

"We have at times been disengaged, and at times we sought to dictate our terms," Mr. Obama said to loud applause. "But I pledge to you that we seek an equal partnership. There is no senior partner and junior partner in our relations."

Mr. Obama also extended a hand to a leader Ronald Reagan spent years trying to drive from power: Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega. The Sandinista president stepped up and introduced himself, U.S. officials reported.

Yet soon after, Ortega, who was ousted in 1990 elections that ended Nicaragua's civil war but who was returned to power by voters in 2006, delivered a blistering 50-minute speech that denounced capitalism and U.S. imperialism as the root of much hemispheric mischief. The address even recalled the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, though Ortega said the new U.S. president could not be held to account for that.

"I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old," President Obama said, to laughter and applause from the other leaders.

But perhaps the biggest applause line was his call for a fresh start in relations between Washington and Havana.

"I know there's a longer journey that must be traveled to overcome decades of mistrust, but there are critical steps we can take toward a new day," he said.

On Tuesday, Mr. Obama ordered an easing of travel and remittance restrictions for Americans with relatives in Cuba. Within hours, Castro - who took over from his ailing brother Fidel a year ago - responded with an offer of talks on "everything" that divides the two countries.

The White House welcomed the offer, but suggested actions would be better, such as releasing some of Havana's scores of political prisoners.

Added Mr. Obama: "I am not interested in talking for the sake of talking. But I do believe that we can move U.S.-Cuban relations in a new direction."

Cuba became a dominant issue even though the summit was taking place amid the worst global downturn since the Great Depression.

To Latin American nations reeling from a sudden plunge in exports, Mr. Obama promised a new hemispheric growth fund, an initiative to increase Caribbean security and a new regional partnership to develop alternative energy sources and fight global warming.

But most of all, he offered an end to old hemispheric arguments.

"I didn't come here to debate the past," President Obama said. "I came here to deal with the future ... We must learn from history. But we can't be trapped by it."

[bumpedoff1]

obamabots keep up the good work you will put republicans back in office

[SueziQ]

The Germans use that description to describe that period of their history. You can whine about the new direction the country is taking all you want. But the American people kicked you nuts and your failed ideology out of power because we'd had enough. If nuts like yourself had any ability whatsoever to govern competently, you'd still be in power.

Again, you can always join a radical right wing group and worship your failed leaders there.
Posted by SueziQ

I was hoping you would be able to "control" yourself....insults...insults. Once again, you don't know me....we just don't agree and you don't have the ability to deal with that without spewing insults. It's very likely that I've been voting longer than you've been on this earth...I just voted in my 10th Presidential election. And during that period I have...depending on their position on "things" I thought important, voted for members of both parties. I also served in the Armed Forces of "our" country for 30+ years....protecting the rights of "citizens" like yourself who very likely have done little to insure our freedoms. Isn't this country great !! I love it in spite of people like yourself.....no need to respond....I don't know 'who" you are, but I certainly know "what" you are.....you have a good day...
Posted by whosaid1 at 11:45 AM : Apr 19, 2009




It's a shame that in all your years on the planet you've gained as little wisdom as you now have. "My country right or wrong" has been the mantra of dictators and their blind, stupid followers from the beginning of human history. It has been used as an excuse and justification for the most evil acts that human beings are capable of and it is the poison that allows entire nations to go mad.

You'd do well to read a little history Skippy.

[whosaid1]

The Germans use that description to describe that period of their history. You can whine about the new direction the country is taking all you want. But the American people kicked you nuts and your failed ideology out of power because we'd had enough. If nuts like yourself had any ability whatsoever to govern competently, you'd still be in power.

Again, you can always join a radical right wing group and worship your failed leaders there.
Posted by SueziQ

I was hoping you would be able to "control" yourself....insults...insults. Once again, you don't know me....we just don't agree and you don't have the ability to deal with that without spewing insults. It's very likely that I've been voting longer than you've been on this earth...I just voted in my 10th Presidential election. And during that period I have...depending on their position on "things" I thought important, voted for members of both parties. I also served in the Armed Forces of "our" country for 30+ years....protecting the rights of "citizens" like yourself who very likely have done little to insure our freedoms. Isn't this country great !! I love it in spite of people like yourself.....no need to respond....I don't know 'who" you are, but I certainly know "what" you are.....you have a good day...

[SueziQ]

"ultra-nationalist stupidity "
Posted by SueziQ

"ultra-nationalist stupidity " Interesting....you should have given credit for its use....I've seen it used in lots of "far-left things" that criticize our country....

You really should stop ?obsessing? over Bush??.it's a real illness....
Posted by whosaid1 at 10:24 AM : Apr 19, 2009



The Germans use that description to describe that period of their history. You can whine about the new direction the country is taking all you want. But the American people kicked you nuts and your failed ideology out of power because we'd had enough. If nuts like yourself had any ability whatsoever to govern competently, you'd still be in power.

Again, you can always join a radical right wing group and worship your failed leaders there.

[whosaid1]

"ultra-nationalist stupidity "
Posted by SueziQ

"ultra-nationalist stupidity " Interesting....you should have given credit for its use....I've seen it used in lots of "far-left things" that criticize our country....

You really should stop ?obsessing? over Bush??.it's a real illness....

[SueziQ]

You and your failed ideology lost the election Skippy. We're entering a new era where the U.S. looks for ways of ending old hostilities and forges mutually beneficial relationships with countries around the world. Perhaps you can join a radical right wing militia and blow things up in protest? Or maybe you can go back to burning crosses and dancing around in your hood and robe?
Posted by SueziQ

Is is possible for you to write a sentence without....insult??? Maybe not.....at any rate, don't assume that you KNOW me.....you don't know who I am or what my "core" beliefs are. Now having said that, there are ways a President can forge new relationships without allowing "enemys" of this country to criticise us for our actions over the last 50-60 years.....a period of time that includes Presidents from both parties. "My country....right or wrong".
Posted by whosaid1 at 9:19 AM : Apr 19, 2009




"My country...right or wrong" is exactly the kind of ultra-nationalist stupidity that gave rise to and supported Hitler no matter what insane, destructive path he led the German people on. If the leaders of any nation have a legitimate beef with how the U.S. government has conducted itself in their country or their region in the past then so be it. We've done a lot of shameful, anti-democratic things in Central and South America and it does us no harm whatsoever to acknowledge and learn from those mistakes. In fact it shows that we are determined to set a new course going forward. If you don't like it, tough. Get over it.

The Bush era of F-You Diplomacy is over.

[whosaid1]

You and your failed ideology lost the election Skippy. We're entering a new era where the U.S. looks for ways of ending old hostilities and forges mutually beneficial relationships with countries around the world. Perhaps you can join a radical right wing militia and blow things up in protest? Or maybe you can go back to burning crosses and dancing around in your hood and robe?
Posted by SueziQ

Is is possible for you to write a sentence without....insult??? Maybe not.....at any rate, don't assume that you KNOW me.....you don't know who I am or what my "core" beliefs are. Now having said that, there are ways a President can forge new relationships without allowing "enemys" of this country to criticise us for our actions over the last 50-60 years.....a period of time that includes Presidents from both parties. "My country....right or wrong".

[SueziQ]

TRANSLATION: "No we can't.....waaaaaaaaa!"


Do you need some cheese to go with that whine?
Posted by SueziQ

And while we're at it, ....you are the typical liberal.....no response without a classless attempt at an insult.....carry on.....
Posted by whosaid1 at 8:57 AM : Apr 19, 2009




You and your failed ideology lost the election Skippy. We're entering a new era where the U.S. looks for ways of ending old hostilities and forges mutually beneficial relationships with countries around the world. Perhaps you can join a radical right wing militia and blow things up in protest? Or maybe you can go back to burning crosses and dancing around in your hood and robe?

[whosaid1]

TRANSLATION: "No we can't.....waaaaaaaaa!"


Do you need some cheese to go with that whine?
Posted by SueziQ

And while we're at it, ....you are the typical liberal.....no response without a classless attempt at an insult.....carry on.....

[SueziQ]

"I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old,"

Typical response of a true narcissist .....as long as HE is not blamed, these dictators can say what they want to about America. I personally, can think of no other President in our history who has allowed that to happen and go "unchecked". I'm sure all his "new" friends really like him....
Posted by whosaid1 at 8:40 AM : Apr 19, 2009




TRANSLATION: "No we can't.....waaaaaaaaa!"


Do you need some cheese to go with that whine?