Chrétien lobbies for interim Americas summit this year

www.globeandmail.com By STEVEN CHASE

Wednesday, February 5, 2003 – Page A13

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is lobbying heads of state across the Western Hemisphere to hold a special Summit of the Americas this year to bring a dozen newly elected leaders into the fold, most notably Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The next regular Summit of the Americas is not expected to take place until 2005, in Argentina. Federal officials said Mr. Chrétien, chairman of the Summit of the Americas process until June, wants an extra meeting of leaders this year to rekindle enthusiasm for hemispheric co-operation and integration.

Twelve new leaders have been elected among the 34 member countries involved in summit talks since the last official Summit of the Americas in April, 2001.

"It's an occasion for the hemisphere to regroup because a lot of things have happened," a senior Canadian official said. "When we left Quebec City, the hemisphere was in good shape, but the year 2002 was a tough year for the hemisphere."

Argentina and, to some degree, Brazil have been buffeted by financial chaos, while Venezuela's economic downturn has been worsened by the battle between President Hugo Chavez and opponents.