Post by Okwes on Jul 24, 2007 10:14:58 GMT -5
Bush visit angers Guatemalan Mayans
George Bush, the US president, has faced further protests on his South
America tour as he visited Guatemala for talks on immigration.
Following demonstrations during his trips to Brazil, Uruguay and
Colombia, Bush is now being urged not to visit the Iximche Mayan ruins
which indigenous Guatemalans consider a holy site.
Indigenous Guatemalans staged an overnight vigil near Iximche, 90km west
of the capital, saying Bush's visit would "sully" the site.
In Tecpan, near the ruins, protesters set up banners that read: "out
with Bush, the murderer, invader, fascist, criminal."
Site to be cleansed
Tight security has surrounded Bush's trip, with armed troops patroling
the streets and F-16 fighter jets flying overhead.
How trade in infants to US is booming
ush is to visit the ruins and a farm co-operative later on Monday and
Mayan leaders have promised to spiritually "cleanse" the site afterwards.
Brief scuffles broke out earlier in the day between riot police and
indigenous farmers opposed to the visit.
Jorge Morales Toj, an indigenous leader, said: "We are protesting
against the world's biggest murderer stepping onto our sacred place. For
us it is painful and an enormous offense."
Illegal immigrants
More than a million Guatemalans live in the United States, many of them
illegally. About 2,500 of them have been expelled so far this year.
Bush is scheduled to hold discussions with Oscar Berger, the country's
president, in Guatemala City for talks expected to be dominated by trade
and immigration.
Berger is likely to press for a temporary moratorium on deportations of
Guatemalans who enter the US illegally, while the Bush administration
and congress are trying to work out a more lasting solution to
immigration issues.
Meanwhile, Chavez has shadowed Bush for much of his trip and as Bush
arrived in Guatemala on Sunday, the Venezuelan leader was in Nicaragua.
"His tour has not been really applauded, rather it has turned out to be
an embarrassment"
Sohail Gil, Pakistan
Send us your views
Daniel Ortega, the country's president, joined him in criticising US
policies, saying US funds that could be invested in the region were used
to fund the Iraq war.
Otega said: "If US policy does not change, we won't be able the believe
the message the US president is trying to deliver to Latin America,"
said Ortega.
During the visit, Chavez announced a $2.5bn project to build an oil
refinery in Nicaragua.
Chavez flew on to Haiti on Monday, while Bush was scheduled to travel
later in the day to Mexico, the last leg of his five-nation tour.
The Venezuelan president, who will also visit Jamaica, is expected to
pledge $20m in aid during his Haiti trip and take part in a rally in the
capital, Port-au-Prince.
George Bush, the US president, has faced further protests on his South
America tour as he visited Guatemala for talks on immigration.
Following demonstrations during his trips to Brazil, Uruguay and
Colombia, Bush is now being urged not to visit the Iximche Mayan ruins
which indigenous Guatemalans consider a holy site.
Indigenous Guatemalans staged an overnight vigil near Iximche, 90km west
of the capital, saying Bush's visit would "sully" the site.
In Tecpan, near the ruins, protesters set up banners that read: "out
with Bush, the murderer, invader, fascist, criminal."
Site to be cleansed
Tight security has surrounded Bush's trip, with armed troops patroling
the streets and F-16 fighter jets flying overhead.
How trade in infants to US is booming
ush is to visit the ruins and a farm co-operative later on Monday and
Mayan leaders have promised to spiritually "cleanse" the site afterwards.
Brief scuffles broke out earlier in the day between riot police and
indigenous farmers opposed to the visit.
Jorge Morales Toj, an indigenous leader, said: "We are protesting
against the world's biggest murderer stepping onto our sacred place. For
us it is painful and an enormous offense."
Illegal immigrants
More than a million Guatemalans live in the United States, many of them
illegally. About 2,500 of them have been expelled so far this year.
Bush is scheduled to hold discussions with Oscar Berger, the country's
president, in Guatemala City for talks expected to be dominated by trade
and immigration.
Berger is likely to press for a temporary moratorium on deportations of
Guatemalans who enter the US illegally, while the Bush administration
and congress are trying to work out a more lasting solution to
immigration issues.
Meanwhile, Chavez has shadowed Bush for much of his trip and as Bush
arrived in Guatemala on Sunday, the Venezuelan leader was in Nicaragua.
"His tour has not been really applauded, rather it has turned out to be
an embarrassment"
Sohail Gil, Pakistan
Send us your views
Daniel Ortega, the country's president, joined him in criticising US
policies, saying US funds that could be invested in the region were used
to fund the Iraq war.
Otega said: "If US policy does not change, we won't be able the believe
the message the US president is trying to deliver to Latin America,"
said Ortega.
During the visit, Chavez announced a $2.5bn project to build an oil
refinery in Nicaragua.
Chavez flew on to Haiti on Monday, while Bush was scheduled to travel
later in the day to Mexico, the last leg of his five-nation tour.
The Venezuelan president, who will also visit Jamaica, is expected to
pledge $20m in aid during his Haiti trip and take part in a rally in the
capital, Port-au-Prince.