MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

S. American Leader Faults Nations

Ecuador's president opened the second regional summit of South American leaders Friday, blasting the United States and other industrial nations for preaching free trade while practicing protectionism.

"Today it is clear that globalized trade benefits some, but not others," President Gustavo Noboa said in a speech to the gathering.

Ten South American presidents gathered for the two-day meeting, with an agenda devoted to economic integration, security and democracy. The first summit in September 2000 was convened by Brazil, the region's biggest nation, to discuss an ambitious proposal to bind together South American economies with joint transport and communications networks.

The tone of the gathering in this steamy riverport on Ecuador's tropical coast reflected a growing irritation with what South American nations see as U.S. protectionism. In the past decade, many of the countries have lowered their trade barriers and carried out other free-market reforms, hoping to generate economic growth and receive greater access to U.S. and European markets. But the reforms have not always paid off. "Latin America continues to be marked by its extreme vulnerability, today sharpened by the persistence of projectionist policies and subsidies in industrialized countries," Noboa said.

Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso also criticised what the region's leaders see as a hypocritical position on globalization by the United States and other developed nations. "They speak of integration (of our economies) as if we are the ones who don't want it, when it is we who most want a democratic integration that tears down trade barriers ? but of all of them, not just the ones that interest the powerful," he said.

In a meeting of regional foreign ministers the day before, Ecuador's foreign minister Heinz Moeller used even stronger language. South America "should expect nothing from the developed nations," he said. "We are fed up with up with rhetoric," Moeller said. "I have received so many slaps on the back from the United States government that it has begun to hurt. Offers are worthless. What counts is action."

In his address, Cardoso also referred to Colombia's expanding war against leftist guerrillas. He rejected any suggestion for a multinational military force to help Colombia's armed forces battle the rebels. He said Brazil supports the Colombian people in their struggle against drug trafficking and the country's rebel factions. "But ... the driving force in that process is Colombian, must be Colombian and will continue to be Colombian. Don't ask us to interfere. That is not our way nor the desire of the Colombian people."

Colombian President Andres Pastrana denied any knowledge of a plan for a multinational force to battle the guerrillas. The newspaper Jornal do Brasil reported last week that the United States was pushing for the formation of such a force. "We have the best prepared, best trained army in our history," he said. "Our forces are committed and we are capable of conducting the war."

Also Friday, police arrested 27 anti-globalization protesters who refused to disperse when ordered to. In all some 100 people, including Indians, union members and environmental activists, took part in the protest march, but were prevented by a police blockade from approaching the luxury hotel where the summit is taking place. More than 2500 police troopers are on duty to protect the visiting dignitaries.