MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Latinamerican “amigos” no longer US priority

United States Secretary of State Colin Powell confirmed before Congress the extended perception in the hemisphere, particularly since September 11that Latinamerica is not a priority for George Bush administration.

During a hearing last week before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lower House, New Jersey Democrat Representative Robert Menendez said he was "disgusted" with fund cuts for Latinamerica included in the 2005 budget, but Mr. Powell replied the US has "more urgent priorities".

Mr. Powell was referring to the US involvement in Iraq and the Arab world including an aggressive media campaign with satellite television, broadcasting stations and liberal press to counteract the strong anti Americanism among Muslims.

However Mr. Powell said he hoped the cuts could be compensated to a great extent with resources from the Millennium Challenge Fund, a President Bush proposal to help countries in extreme poverty and annual incomes below 1,400 US dollars per capita.

The Fund will benefit countries with democratic governments that promote transparency, good governance and economic development.

The Bush administration has warned that the US will punish "corrupt" regimes and reward those with good governance and transparency. President Bush has requested Congress 2,5 billion US dollars for the Millennium Fund.

"We're heard the president insist that Latinamerica is a US priority, but facts indicate otherwise", stressed Representative Menendez, adding that Latinamerican programs in the 2005 budget that begins next October have been trimmed 11%.

"Latinamerica is the only region in the world that has suffered cuts both for economic development, military aid and for combating narcotics trade", insisted Mr. Menendez.

"This is no way to treat an "amigo"", said the New Jersey representative recalling that when president Bush took office he said Latinamerica was "the priority".

However the seven Central American countries plus Colombia and the Dominican Republic that have supported the US alliance in Iraq, 5,7 billion US dollars will be available revealed Mr. Powell.