20 April 2009

Ambassador Shapiro Discusses the Fifth Summit of the Americas

CO.NX webchat transcript, April 20

Ambassador Charles Shapiro, chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, answered questions in an April 20 CO.NX webchat on the fifth Summit of the Americas.

Following is the transcript:

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U.S. Department of State

Bureau of International Information Programs

Webchat Transcript

CO.NX Webchat: Future Engagement: Next Steps for Latin America

Guest: Ambassador Charles Shapiro

Date:  April 20, 2009

Time:  11 a.m. EDT (15:00 GMT)

CO.NX Moderator Kristin: Hello everyone! We are joined today by Ambassador Charles Shapiro, and we are taking your questions about the Summit of the Americas.

Comment [Santiago]: Thanks for talking with us today.

CO.NX Moderator Kristin: You are welcome! We are glad you are here today.

Question [Thomas]: Was U.S. embarrassed by Ortega and Chavez speeches?

Answer [Ambassador Shapiro]: President Obama welcomed the opportunity to meet with the 33 democratically elected leaders of the Hemisphere. While he may not have agreed with what all the leaders said, he wasn’t embarrassed. He said in his press conference that we can make progress when we break free from some of the stale debates of the past and focus on the future.

CO.NX Moderator Kristin: Welcome to all who have just joined us! Please submit your questions for Ambassador Shapiro now. Once submitted, your questions will appear in red. Please also feel free to submit your opinions on the Summit as well.

Q [Santiago]: Who are the U.S. biggest trade partners in the Americas?

A [Ambassador Shapiro]: Our biggest trade partners in the Hemisphere are Canada and Mexico. They are in fact our first and third most important trading partners respectively.

CO.NX Moderator Kristin: We see your questions coming in. The Ambassador is reviewing and answering now. Thank you for your patience!

Q [FJF]: What do you see as the main result of the summit for US policy in the region?

A [Ambassador Shapiro]: I think that the United States re-launched our relationship with the countries of the Americas through three days of very intensive discussion. President Obama emphasized that there are no junior or senior partners, simply partners committed to advancing a common agenda.

Q [Guarez]: Will Chavez and Obama now cooperate as leaders or was that talk for the cameras?

A [Ambassador Shapiro]: Presidents Obama and Chavez had a cordial exchange. But a handshake is just a handshake. We still have differences on matters of policy. That will be the focus of much hard work - to see if we can build upon that cordial handshake.

Q [Thomas]: Will Cuba be invited for the 6th Summit?

A [Ambassador Shapiro]: On Cuba, President Obama has taken significant steps. Now we are looking for concrete actions by the government of Cuba.

Q [Sal]: Did people just talk or did they pledge action? Always much talk; little done later.

A [Ambassador Shapiro]: I disagree with Sal. It’s not “just talk.” Serious dialogue between the leaders of our nations is much more important than the declarations we bureaucrats write for them to issue.

Q [Rolando]: Should we act in one economic block as EU does?

A [Ambassador Shapiro]: It’s up to the nations of South America to decide if they wish to move towards something more akin to the EU.

Q [Thomas]: What were the biggest accomplishments of the Summit?

A [Ambassador Shapiro]: The biggest accomplishments of the Summit were to get these 34 leaders to sit down together for a real exchange of views. The presidents and prime ministers met alone Sunday morning for two hours -- no staff, no foreign ministers. I think we need more encounters of this sort.

CO.NX Moderator Kristin: Ambassador Shapiro is working on your questions. Thanks for your patience.

Q [Santiago]: What are the next steps after the Summit? Will the U.S. do a free trade pact with South America like with Canada and Mexico?

A [Ambassador Shapiro]: A trade pact with all 34 countries is pretty difficult at this time. Some countries just aren’t interested, and that’s obviously their sovereign decision to make.

CO.NX Moderator Kristin: Please submit your last questions now! Ambassador Shapiro’s time is limited, and we will try to get to as many of your questions as possible.

Ambassador Shapiro: An observation: The Government of Trinidad and Tobago did a great job hosting this Summit on behalf of CARICOM. This was the first Summit to be held in the Caribbean and Trinidad & Tobago is the smallest nation ever to host a Summit of the Americas. They were outstanding hosts!

CO.NX Moderator Kristin: We want to thank Ambassador Shapiro for joining us this afternoon. If you would like to join us for future webchats please go to http://co-nx.state.gov and check out our future events listings

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): The Webchat is now closed. We wish to thank Ambassador Shapiro for joining us today. A transcript of today’s webchat will be posted to http://co-nx.state.gov and to http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html within two business days.

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