MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Keep Bush out of the country”

Opponents of US President George W. Bush yesterday staged a protest to urge court authorities to keep him from attending a November summit in Argentina, arguing his presence would raise security concerns.

Lía Méndez, a candidate for the Lower House in the October 23 midterm elections, rallied with other members of the small Humanist Party outside the central courthouse in downtown Buenos Aires where they sought a court order barring Bush from the Summit of the Americas.

Although analysts said the opposition drive had little chance of success, the protesters gained attention by handing out leaflets on the courthouse steps.

"Bush puts our lives in danger," said the leaflets. "Ask the courts to keep him out."

Ms Méndez said she was afraid potential copies of the terrorist attacks in New York, London, Madrid and elsewhere would make it too dangerous to have Bush here.

Some 34 heads of state, including Bush, are expected for the fourth Summit of the Americas in the South Atlantic coastal city of Mar Del Plata, about 400 kilometres south of Buenos Aires.

"If Bush makes it to Mar del Plata, no place in Argentina will be safe," said Méndez.

Security plans for the summit are in the making, according to Jorge Taiana, the deputy Foreign Minister, who scoffed at the petition as "not very serious."

News reports three weeks ago indicated that the Bush administration was worried about security in the upcoming Summit. The Argentine government, however, insisted yesterday that no such concerns have been officially presented by the US authorities.

"Nothing of the kind has been said to us," said Interior Minister Aníbal Fernández.(BAH)