Opening toward American leaders criticized at home

By Imola Unger

The leaders of numerous states of the continent gathered to discuss policy and improve relations last Saturday at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. Relations indeed seemed to improve, as President Obama literally stretched out a friendly hand toward politicians with whom the US’s relations have been tense or practically nonexistent. Especially remarkable was the companionable and joking tone he found with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who even gifted Obama with a book on imperialist oppression in the region. Further to the talks, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton already conducted discussions on the persons of the future envoys that Venezuela and the US are going to exchange, a decisive step in diplomatic relations after the ambassadors were expelled from both countries. The US President rated the event as successful in terms of preparing the ground for “frank dialog” with the leaders of the region.

The majority of the South American leaders welcomed Obama’s efforts and deemed the situation was ideal for opening up and reevaluating relations. However, the reaction was less favorable on US soil. The President had to rebuff criticism and defend his friendly stance at the meeting against LINK voices suggesting it was “irresponsible” and dangerous of him to schmooze with ardent opponents of United States policy. Mr. Obama argued that there were no enemies present and said his friendly gestures hardly endangered national security, nor did they show weakness. Instead, in his view this could be a defining moment for strengthening ties and rewriting old wrongs with many of the nations.

Indeed, Cuban leader Raúl Castro’s suggestion that he and the US President should discuss the relation of their countries was a pleasant surprise and was warmly welcomed as an unprecedented event. President Obama’s measures to lighten the restrictions between transportation and flow of money between the two countries last Monday can be seen as the precursor of Saturday’s invitation for dialog. Raúl Castro apparently seeks to reset and rebuild relations with the US and in the current atmosphere both parties can be hopeful. The American President rejected, however, the idea of lifting the trade embargo that various South-American leaders suggested at the summit.

Not all participants were convinced by the President’s good intentions: Bolivian President Evo Morales remained skeptical and confronted Mr. Obama about an alleged assassination plot against him, which the President fended off. On the whole, nevertheless, all participants agreed that his actions show a definite shift from his predecessor’s more unilateral approach.