BBC20090418 Obama at the Summit of the Americas.docVIP

BBC Obama at the Summit of the Americas BBC news, Im John Shay. The United States President Barack Obama has arrived in Trinidad for a summit with leaders from across the Americas. United States policies are expected to come under renewed criticism at the gathering with the challenge likely to be led by President Chavez of Venezuela. Hes already said his country, along with Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Paraguay, has been preparing its ammunition. Speaking ahead of the gathering, Mr. Chavez said the summit could not meet the challenges faced by the region.? “We consider that the draft declaration of the 5th summit of the Americas is insufficient and unacceptable for the following reasons. First, it does not respond to the global economic crisis despite the fact that this is the greatest challenge which humanity has had to face in decades and the most serious threat to the well-being of our people. Second, it unjustifiably excludes Cuba without mentioning the general consensus that exists in the region to condemn the blockade.” The American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States policy towards Cuba has failed and that the Obama Administration welcomes overtures from Cubas President Raul Castro. Her comments come a day after the Cuban leader said he was prepared to enter wide-ranging discussions with Washington. In a major policy shift, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that carbon dioxide emissions pose a health risk. The Agency says the gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare. Justin Webber reports. This is another of those handbrake turns from the Bush route to the new course set by Obama, not an unexpected change of direction but nonetheless hugely significant. The Environmental Protection Agencys announcement contains the simple assertion that green house gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. This announcement is the first step towards a huge ne