Free Trade Agreement Derailed By Chavez, Others

NEWSLINES
The United States says the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas, stretching from Canada to Chile, would open up new markets for Americans and bring wealth and jobs to Latin America.

The zone's main opponent, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, said it would enslave Latin American workers. He came to the summit vowing to "bury FTAA."

In the declaration, the five dissenting countries stated: "The conditions do not exist to attain a hemispheric free trade accord that is balanced and fair with access to markets that is free of subsidies and distorting practices."

NEWSBYTES
Summit Leaders Weigh New Free Trade Talks
(FOX News) Leaders from across the Americas, wrapping up a two-day summit overshadowed by violent anti-U.S. protests, considered a deal Saturday for negotiations sometime next year on creating a vast free trade zone, a top negotiator said.

Leaders Fail to Agree on Free Trade Talks
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (AP) - Leaders from across the Americas ended their two-day summit Saturday without agreeing whether to restart talks on a free trade zone stretching from Alaska to Chile.

Argentina summit turns violent
(AP) Leaders from across the Americas, wrapping up a two-day summit overshadowed by rampaging protesters, faced a deadlock Saturday over the future of a U.S.-backed free trade zone spanning the Western Hemisphere.

Americas leaders fail to end free-trade stalemate
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (Reuters) - Leaders from around the Americas failed on Saturday to resolve key differences over how to create a hemisphere-wide free trade zone during a regional summit overshadowed by violent anti-U.S. protests.

Trade Accord Stalled as Americas Meeting Ends
(NYT) The dream of creating a hemispheric free trade accord proved elusive as mistrust of the U.S. prevailed at a summit meeting.

No Free Trade Agreement At Summit
(CBS News) President Bush left the Summit of the Americas in Argentina without an agreement on the proposed hemisphere-wide free trade zone. After two days of political gridlock and anti-American protests, the president now heads to Brazil.

Also see: Argentine Protests Not Just About Bush, Polls, Rove

Political Tension: You can lead a horse to water....
Gravity: It flushes counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere

Topics: current events, politics, Bush, Rove, News, Republican, White House, Journalism, Media, online, FTAA, Argentina, Hugo Chavez