Summit Ending On Hopeful Note For Obama

(CBS/AP)  President Barack Obama is wrapping up a summit with other leaders in the Western Hemisphere on Sunday the same way he began it: Pledging to reshape the image of the U.S. as a humble partner in addressing problems throughout the region.

Mr. Obama had entered the Fifth Summit of the Americas hopeful he could make the United States "an effective partner" with other nations in the region by listening to the concerns of other leaders.

In a written statement the White House said President Obama used his first meeting with Latin American and Caribbean leaders "to start engaging in a new relationship," focusing on efforts to "forge partnerships and joint approaches to work on common challenges."

As the summit drew to a close, the White House said leaders have agreed to cooperate in addressing a number of important problems, such as the financial crisis, food security, energy and climate change, but notes, "much more needs to be done," reports CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer.

On security issues, the White House admitted the U.S. must do more to reduce the flow of firearms to Latin America and the Caribbean, Maer said.

The president also held out the possibility of future increased U.S. financial aid to deal with crime, illegal trafficking, and shipping and aviation security.

At the meeting held on the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, the president was hopeful that he'd boosted the image of the U.S. among its friends in the region - and perhaps even made some new ones. Among those seemingly charmed by the president's promise of a new, more equal partnership was Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, the fiery leftist who famously likened former President George W. Bush to the devil.

After several friendly encounters with President Obama, Chavez approached Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton about restoring normal diplomatic ties, officials said. The two countries expelled each others' envoys last September.

"I think President Obama is an intelligent man, compared to the previous U.S. president," Chavez told reporters during the summit.

Mr. Obama was also cautiously optimistic about Cuba's offer of comprehensive talks, including previously off-limits subjects like political prisoners and freedom of the press. Cuba's overture followed Obama's move to ease some travel and remittance restrictions.

(AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

(St. Lucia's Prime Minister Stephenson King asks President Obama for an authograph as other heads of state look on before the official photo is taken at the Fifth Summit of the Americas, Saturday, April 18, 2009.)

However, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs stressed Washington would like actions as well as talk.

"We're anxious to see what the Cuban government is willing to step up to do," he said.

Some relations may still remain frosty. Maer reports that President Obama also greeted Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega (who delivered a 52-minute anti-American speech at the opening of the summit) with a very business-like "How are you, sir?" before quickly moving on to greet other Central American leaders.

As the 34-nation meeting drew to a close, the White House called it a productive one.

"We are confident that we'll go home with some very robust commitments on energy and climate, on ... public security, and a renewal of the region's commitment to democracy," Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough said.

If anyone's fortunes may have risen coming out of the summit, it may be those of Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano, author of the book, "The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent."

The 1971 book documents how foreign interests have dominated and afflicted Latin America since the Spanish conquest.

On Saturday the paperback edition was ranked 54,295 on the online retailer Amazon.com before Chavez gave Mr. Obama a Spanish-language edition of the book on Saturday.

It had jumped to No. 5 by Sunday.

The English hardcover edition is listed as out of print.

[TPS2]

Its wondeful to see a genuine intelligent charimsatic man as president.
with a simple handshake and a smile he can open doors of communication.
and be humble and genuine about it.
i would rant about SHRUB, but Obama has eclipsed him already in 3 months.
by TeabagBandit
Smiles and handshakes are nice, substantive results are better. Lets see what becomes of the pleasantries before we get warm and fuzzy.

[spiritwalk]

What hopeful note?

Is it a hopeful note that Obama couldn't even get in the front row of the group photo?

Mr. Obama was also cautiously optimistic ...is political rhetoric for Mr. Obama is actully pessimistic about his chances in Latin America.

For decades the US has been the big bully terrorizing the little kids on the block. Now the little kids are growing up and the big bully isnt so big anymore.

What happened to the big bully in your neighborhood when the little kids started to catch up to him?

A beat down is coming.

[TryTakingMyMoney]

Lucky Hugo Chavez...he's like a kid in a candy store...If you defy America, attack American leaders, support policies that hurt America, support drug trafficking, support and fund Iranian terrorism, encourage installation of Russian rockets into our hemisphere, what do you get? You get a "brother" hand shake, hugs, and a pat on the back from Bill Ayers buddy. New US policy?...if you can't beat'em join'em.

[boandco]

A few years ago, Venezuela would be expected to bow and scrape in supplication to the mighty US. Today, Chavez and Venezuela are treated as equals. Not because Obama has gracefully condescended to grant equality, but because they are seen as equals in the eyes of their fellow Americans. Chavez has seized the forefront as a representative of indigenous people throughout America and is recognised as the champion of the people. Whatever faults people may raise, he demonstrates a sincere concern for the common man. Obama, on the other hand still leaves questions of who is actually controlling the White House from behind the scenes. Oil companies and Zionist influences still seem to be shaping his foreign policy.

[reasoned1955]

Latin America gets poorer by the day and less free by the day
Posted by Strukovv at 5:58 PM : Apr 19, 2009
====================
And your point is? What's going on in Latin America and Cuba is no concern of ours. The only rights that matter are the ones we enjoy as Americans. The main thing is that we have a President who makes us feel good.

[fishintxs]

I looked for an intelligent comment, none. obama has proven thus far to be the worst president that these united states have ever had. when obama is finished we will be left with a second rate socialist country.

[Strukovv]

Yes and the US economy continues to plunge and Latin America gets poorer by the day and less free by the day. The funny part about all you lefties is that you cry and moan if there is even a hint of one Democrat, especially a black one, not getting to vote. But if Fidel Castro runs an 11 million person plantation denying millions of blacks the right to vote, you all respond with how great the free healthcare is in Cuba.

[reasoned1955]

Let's admit it...the trip was a diplomatic triumph. The Prez and Chavez at least connected on some level and communications between the two countries will improve as a result. There has to be some good to come of that. I really think we need to stop trying to tell other nation's how to conduct their affairs. I believe this is the direction we're heading and I fully support it. If Chavez wants to keep power by force and employ death squads...why should we care? It makes no sense for the U.S. to embroil itself in all that stuff. If the people don't like it in any given country, either cause a change or leave. We've gotta stop riding in on our high horse and talk about human rights, democracy, and so on. Barry knows this and I endorse his agendas in this regard.

[jgunther7]

Clarifying the botched assassination plot against Morales was major turning point. The foreign nationals that were killed trying to kill Morales were employed by a US "Security" company. A "Security" company that keeps changing its name and its identity as if it were playing some kind of shell game. Only the dumbest and most uneducated of coach potatoes would fail to see through the subterfuge. While the CIA pretends that its ploy is working and allows it to act with impunity, the rest of the world sees through the charade and is holding the US and the CIA and all of its subcontractors responsible for their actions. Obama did the right thing in coming clean and renouncing these practises. The rest of the world and certainly world leaders know the game that is being played by the CIA, and without this renunciation, Obama would have not have any credibility at all.

[eclecticman1]

IN THEIR DESPERATION TO TARNISH OBAMA, THE REPUBLICANS ARE EDGING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO LOONEY LAND.