MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bielsa upbeat on Mar del Plata summit

The IV Americas Summit declaration to be issued November following the meeting in Argentina's South Atlantic sea resort of Mar del Plata will “satisfy all parties, be concise and have concrete consequences”, said Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Rafael Bielsa.

The announcement was done in Buenos Aires Government House, Casa Rosada, minutes after President Néstor Kirchner received United States Ambassador Lino Gutiérrez to discuss the preparations for the Mar del Plata summit and US President George W. Bush's visit to Argentina.

"The text for the final declaration is practically finished and it will be very satisfactory for everybody" said Mr. Bielsa. "There are just a few phrases yet to be agreed on. "The statement will be concise and have concrete consequences" added Bielsa.

For months there has been speculation that President Bush would possibly cancel his visit to South America at the last minute, largely because of security concerns but also because differences have reportedly arisen between the Argentine and US governments over the wording of the final statement of the summit.

But the White House confirmed two weeks ago that President Bush will attend the summit scheduled for November 4-5 in Mar del Plata, 400 kilometres south of Buenos Aires.

Ambassador Gutiérrez said that President Bush will be accompanied by "a large group" including aides and security staff.

"I don't have the exact number of people but it will be quite a large group," said the ambassador.

Press reports in Argentina have said the US government is expected to fly 2,500 security officers to guard Bush in Mar del Plata.

President Bush will be arriving in Argentina on November 3 and will hold a private meeting with Kirchner at 10.30am on November 4, just before the summit starts.

Following the summit, Bush is scheduled to visit Brazil on November 5-6 and Panama on November 6-7. (BAH)