On 24 September at NYFPC, Daniel Sullivan, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs; and Thomas Shannon, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, briefed journalists on the Bush administration's "Pathways to Prosperity in The Americas Initiative". Both Assistant Secretaries lauded the enthusiasm displayed by Latin American officials to the growing ties between the US and Latin America. In response to a question on the impact of the US fiscal crisis on its free trade initiatives in the region, both men reaffirmed the administration's commitment to its long term trade objectives, citing the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, and the strong economic ties that exists with Peru and Panama, among others.

The democratization and political transparency of Latin American countries were viewed as essential to the fruition of any viable economic plan. Improving infrastructure, overseeing national budgets, assistance in debt management, the establishment of a modern tax administration system, and the financing of small and medium enterprises by the Inter-American Development Bank, were all viewed as integral to this US sponsored initiative. Provisions to protect the rights of workers were said to be equally important.

And on whether this trade initiative was aimed at marginalizing the Chavez backed "Bolivarian Alternatives for The Americas" (ALBA), Mr. Shannon responded that the US initiative is "open and inclusive, and has attracted many Latin American nations, even members of ALBA."

*Glenville Ashby is a journalist based in New York, and a PhD candidate in Diplomacy and International Affairs at Euclid University (www.euclid.int)