August 18, 2007

Ben Feller/AP whitewashes Bush Canada trip (SPP)

Ben Feller of the Associated Press offers what's called here "Bush to Tighten Ties With Mexico, Canada". After an initial smackdown, it reads a bit like a Commerce Department press release:

Never fond of interrupting his Texas vacation, President Bush is doing it this year to bolster ties with the leaders of Canada and Mexico, two friendly neighbors and vital partners.

Bush joins Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Montebello, Quebec, on Monday [at the North American Leaders' Summit] in hopes of expanding cooperation among their countries, which enjoy the largest trading partnership in the world.

...Instead, the broad theme is economic prosperity, built around several topics: border security, competitiveness with India and China, product safety and energy solutions.

..."What's really important is that they continue to reflect the significance of North American integration -- the fact that there are post 9/11 problems, but they aren't going to undermine trade and investment," said Charles Doran, a scholar at John Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies.

At least he admits it, but perhaps Feller could have spelled out what "integration" means. Then:

...Still, many people in Mexico are wary of U.S. intervention [relating to drugs], fearing it could threaten their sovereignty. That is a common worry in cross-border efforts.

Tell us more about that. Oops, he didn't.

Protests are expected, although the resort will be under tight security and access is limited.

Why there would be protesters isn't explained, nor does he discuss the curious security cordon they'll establish.

Then, an offhand reference to the SPP (spp.gov):

The first meeting, in Texas, launched a partnership in which the countries have tried to harmonize their security and economic programs.

Posted to NAU at August 18, 2007 12:10 PM