Belize participates in Americas summit

While the Minister of National Security prepares to meet the generals, the Prime Minister has returned from his meeting with the commanders in chief. The three-day Summit of the Americas held in Quebec City, Canada, was, according to a government release, successfully concluded despite the violence in the streets. Prime Minister Musa spoke on the issues of disaster management and environmental protection, telling his colleagues that “free trade is not a license to raid the environment.” With December, 2005 set as the target date for the implementation of the Hemispheric Free Trade Agreement, government has decided to appoint a National Trade Negotiating Commission to help Belize in the critical bargaining leading up to the creation of the F.T.A.A. While in Quebec City, Musa held bilateral talks with U.S. President George W. Bush and World Bank President James Wolfensohn, among others.