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Bush Continues Free Trade Push

President Bush challenged Latin American leaders on Sunday to choose between competing visions, one that would ensure social justice through democracy and free enterprise and another that would reverse progress by eroding democratic institutions and heightening fear. In his remarks to an audience that included university students, businesspeople and diplomats, Bush continued to push for the stalled Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Bush called on the Inter-American Development Bank, which promotes economic growth in the region, to focus more closely on encouraging private investment and supporting small business. "The private sector is the engine of growth and job creation in this region," he said. His speech came on the heels of his participation in the Summit of the Americas in Argentina, which concluded Saturday with the 34 member countries still divided over creation of the regional free trade zone.

In the days before Bush arrived in Brazil, thousands of demonstrators stood outside the U.S. Embassy chanting and holding signs labeling Bush "Public Enemy No. 1." During Bush`s visit to Argentina, some even larger demonstrations turned violent. After his speech, Bush left for Panama City, where he was scheduled to meet with President Martin Torrijos and visit the Panama Canal.