NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AMERICAS SOCIETY. COUNCIL OF THE AMERICAS
June 2006
Highlights:
In Our Words
Regional Leaders In Depth
Events and Analysis
Viewpoints Americas
Hemispheric Updates
World cup Special
The tournament offers an opportunity for Latin Americans to play, and win, on the world stage.
Full Article
In our words
Jeb Bush Would Be Ideal U.S. Envoy By Eric Farnsworth
24 March 2006, The Miami Herald
With many new, democratically elected leaders, the appointment of a special envoy would strengthen hemispheric relations.
Full Article
Our Hemisphere's Entrepreneurial Challenge
By Susan Segal
5 June 2006, Viewpoints Americas
The best tactic for governments to help people out of poverty is to create an environment where small and large businesses can flourish. To do so requires a massive reduction of red tape, greater labor flexibility, and more predictable enforcement of laws.
Full Article
Regional Leaders In Depth
PSDB President Tasso Jereissati Discusses the Brazilian Election
Tasso Jereissati outlines the PSDB vision for reigning in fiscal expenditures while lowering the tax burden and bringing social program spending in line with GDP. Jereissati sees coalition building as fundamental to post-election governability.
Full Interview
Andean FTAs: Chief U.S.-Colombia Negotiator Analyzes the Agreement's Implications
Hernando Jose Gomez highlights the benefits of increased market access and explains the domestic and international reaction to the agreement. He points out that opening an economy to international markets brings greater growth and a reduction in the income gap with richer countries.
Full Interview - English
Full Interview - Spanish Original
Events and Analysis
Private Sector Leaders to Help NAFTA Countries Compete Globally Fifteen years after the beginning of NAFTA negotiations, governments and private sector leaders launch the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC) to spur North American global competitiveness by first addressing internal challenges. On June 15, the Council of the Americas joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to become the U.S. Secretariat for the NACC.
Full Summary
Asia-Latin America Conference Explores Trade and Economic Growth
Our first Asia-Latin America Conference, hosted with the Asia Society, brought together policymakers and private sector leaders to analyze inter-regional trade, investment and improvements in economic growth. Since 1999, Latin American trade with China alone has soared over 500%.
Full Summary
Economic Advisors of Mexico's Leading Presidential Candidates Debate at our Mexico Election Series
On May 25, representatives from the PAN, PRI, and PRD engaged in a lively debate on the economic and energy priorities of their respective candidates. Robust growth, poverty alleviation and competitiveness were among the themes discussed.
Full Summary
Viewpoints Americas
Peru: Back from the Brink
9 June 2006
Richard Feinberg of the University of California, San Diego paints a comprehensive picture of the challenges confronting the new Garcia administration. He outlines a five point plan for what the United States can do to assist Peru, including supporting anti-corruption and transparency initiatives.
Full Article
Latin Americas: Respecting the Rules of the Game is the Basis for the Development of its People
13 June 2006
Manuel Alvarez-Tronge of Telefonica International looks at the importance of respecting the basic rules of the game. Just like competing in soccer on the international stage requires compliance with the sport's institutional norms, participating in the global market rests on adherence to the rule of law.
Full Article - English
Full Article - Spanish Original
Hemispheric Updates
Brazil Election Update
The presidential contest is shaping up with the PMDB deciding against putting forward its own candidate. Party alliances and issues of security and energy are some of the concerns facing Lula and Alckmin with polls showing the gap between the two candidates continuing to widen.
Full Update
Mexico Election Update
With two weeks before an election where leading presidential candidates are separated by less than four percentage points, AS/COA analyzes recent debates, polls and trends, and the recent agreement among political parties that seeks a post-election dialogue. On July 2, AS/COA will be in Mexico City to cover the elections.
Full Update
Peru Post-Election Update
The second round of voting in Peru has placed Alan Garcia back in the Presidential Palace, after defeating Ollanta Humala by a margin of just five percentage points. This month's Peru update features a summary of President-elect Garcia's recent statements concerning regional politics, along with a geographical breakdown of election results and a look at free-trade agreement prospects.
Full Update