Secretary Powell accompanied President Bush to the Summit of the Americas in Monterrey, Mexico on January 12-13, 2004.
On Monday, the President and the First Lady traveled to Monterrey, Mexico for the Special Summit of the Americas. There, the President met with the other democratically elected leaders from the region to build on the progress made in strengthening democracy and promoting greater prosperity in the hemisphere.
The leaders discussed their commitment and support to economic growth, especially as it pertains to the private sector and small businesses; ways to reduce the level of poverty in the hemisphere; how to improve the lives of citizens, specifically focusing on education; and also, how to address critical health issues, such as the pandemic of AIDS.
In a hemisphere where only one country, Cuba, remains uncommitted to the principles of democracy, President Bush will have an opportunity to remind his fellow leaders of the benefit of free and open markets and open societies, and the importance of transparent elections. He will also emphasize the need for countries to fight corruption and to consider concrete actions against those corrupt individuals who seek safe haven in their countries. Efforts to fight corruption will help strengthen democracy in the hemisphere.
The President began the official work of the summit by a meeting with President Vicente Fox of Mexico. Among other topics, they discussed immigration, initiatives to make the borders more secure, and the economic relationship between Mexico and the United States.
Following the meeting with President Fox, the President met with President Lagos of Chile, and then attended the inauguration ceremony of the Special Summit. At the inauguration ceremony, the President delivered remarks addressing the strategic areas outlined above. The inauguration ceremony was followed by a plenary session. And later in the day, the President met with President Lula of Brazil. That evening, the President and Mrs. Bush attended a dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Fox.
Tuesday morning, the President had a breakfast meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Prime Minister Martin. They discussed a wide range of issues important to both our countries. The President attended the second plenary session on Tuesday morning, and later met with President Kirchner of Argentina.
The President concluded his work in Monterrey with a final plenary session and a meeting with President Mesa of Bolivia. The President and Mrs. Bush then departed Monterrey for Washington, D.C. [photo galleries: day1 day 2 ]
Remarks by President Bush
01/13/2004: Remarks by President Bush and Prime Minister Martin of Canada
01/12/2004: President Bush, President Fox Meet with Reporters in Mexico
01/12/2004: Remarks by President Bush at Inauguration Ceremony of the Special Summit of the Americas
01/12/2004: Remarks by President Bush and President Lagos of Chile
Remarks by Secretary Powell
01/12/2004: Op-Ed 'Summit Will Make Life Better'
Other Remarks
01/12/2004: Interview of First Lady Laura Bush by Univision
01/12/2004: Interview of First Lady Laura Bush by Telemundo
01/09/2004: Dr. Rice Briefing on President's Trip to Mexico
01/06/2004: Ambassador Noriega Remarks on the Bush Administration’s Western Hemisphere Policy
Related Information
Summit of the Americas
Other Releases
Fact Sheet: U.S. Accomplishments at the Special Summit of the Americas
Fact Sheet: Lowering the Cost of Remittances
