NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AMERICAS SOCIETY. COUNCIL OF THE AMERICAS
July 2006


Highlights:

In Our Words

Regional Leaders In Depth

Events and Analysis

Viewpoints Americas

Hemispheric Updates


In our words

Recast Labour Law to Rescue Latin America's Youth
By Chris Sabatini and Eric Farnsworth
22 June 2006, Financial Times

The choice is stark for democratically elected leaders in Latin America: deal head-on with the need to improve labor markets at the cost of triggering a potentially destabilizing wave of protest, or do nothing significant and watch a political time-bomb develop of disaffected, unemployed youth.
Full Article


Regional Leaders In Depth

Interview with Ecuadorian Presidential Candidate Cynthia Viteri

On October 15, Ecuadorians will vote in the first round of a presidential election presently featuring over 15 candidates. To understand some of the complex issues facing the country, AS/COA speaks with Cynthia Viteri of the Social Christian Party, one of the leading candidates in the polls.
Full interview - English
Full interview - Spanish Original

Peruvian President-Elect Alan García on Economic Growth
In an exclusive, wide-ranging speech opening our Lima 2006 Latin American Cities Conferences, Alan García highlights his vision for Peru and administration priorities. García explains his plans to strengthen regional relations, increase investment, ensure stability and bring greater social justice. He will assume office on July 28.
Full Speech - Spanish

President of Peru Alejandro Toledo Looks at Poverty and Democratic Governability
Giving the keynote address at our Lima conference, Alejandro Toledo speaks about the need to reduce poverty with social inclusion. Taking stock of his government's achievements while looking forward, Toledo outlines the importance of domestic and foreign private investment for continued growth.
Full Speech - Spanish

Andean FTAs: Chief Peruvian Negotiator Assesses Trade Agreement with the U.S.
Pablo de la Flor analyzes the future of the U.S.-Peru FTA and its implications for both countries and the region. Ratified in Peru, De la Flor notes that 60% of the population thinks the agreement will be beneficial to the country's interests and urges passage in the U.S. Congress.
Full Speech - English
Full Speech - Spanish Original

Chilean Minister of Finance Andres Velasco Outlines Plans for Increasing Prosperity
Speaking before nearly 200 private sector and policy leaders at the Santiago meeting of our 2006 Latin American Cities Conferences, Andres Velasco charts a course for economic advancement. Velasco looks towards better structural balance, greater public savings and stronger institutions.
Full Presentation - Spanish


Events and Analysis

Testimony on the Future of Democracy Delivered in the House of Representatives
AS/COA Senior Director of Policy, Chris Sabatini, offers a comprehensive assessment on the status of democracy in the Western Hemisphere, testifying before the House International Relations Committee. He emphasizes that democratic stability is provided for when countries link up to the global system in ways that bring broad-based benefits for all citizens.
Full Testimony

Council of the Americas Provides Testimony on Energy Security to US Senate
In a written statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, COA Vice President, Eric Farnsworth, highlights the importance of increasing U.S. partnership in hemispheric energy matters. He concludes that competitiveness hinges on the development and utilization of energy resources, including alternative fuels.
Full Testimony

President Toledo and President-Elect García Address Annual Lima Conference
Over 200 high-level private sector representatives and decision makers attended the Lima meeting of the AS/COA 2006 Latin American Cities Conferences. Peru: Investment and Development with Social Equity focused on the country's economic outlook and prospects for increasing private investment.
Full Summary

Council Urges Passage of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
COA Vice President, Eric Farnsworth, notes the Council's support for expanded trade and investment before both the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Ways and Means. His statement calls for Congressional approval of the trade agreement.
Full Testimony


Viewpoints Americas

The Future of Global Trade Liberalization: A Bleak Winter Ahead
Shanker Singham, a Partner at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP, sees a need for Doha negotiators and others to rethink how trade negotiations are approached, moving away from the zero sum mentality that currently dominates trade negotiations.
Full Article

The Asia - Latin America Technology Gap
AS/COA Senior Director of Policy, Chris Sabatini, and Policy Program Officer, Jason Marczak, look at the divide between Asia and Latin America in technical innovation, a key factor for increasing competitiveness.
Full Article


Hemispheric Updates

Brazil Election Update
As the October election approaches, AS/COA looks at issues currently dominating Brazil's presidential campaign. One of the primary topics will be the violence that is currently plaguing São Paulo.
Full Update

Mexico Post-Election Update
While the country awaits the decision of the Federal Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch on the presidential election, AS/COA provides an update on the process and results from congressional and state elections.
Full Update

Ecuador Election Update
Our Andean Updates series turns to the October elections in Ecuador. With former President Lucio Gutierrez prohibited from running, the field of candidates remains wide open, with only a few registering significant support in the polls.
Full Update

Bolivia Country Update
The AS/COA Andean series provides an overview of recent Constituent Assembly elections and the referendum on regional autonomy in Bolivia.
Full Update

Latin America - Asia Trade Review
We hear a lot about Asia-Latin American trade. But who is trading with whom? This update provides an overview on the status of trade agreements between some of Latin America's largest economies and their Asian partners.
Full Review

Brazil Energy Policy Review
Brazil is less vulnerable to the rise in global oil prices thanks to advancements in ethanol production, offshore drilling and other refining techniques. AS/COA provides an update on recent developments.
Full Review