It challenges us to be ever more creative in the policy directions we set. But some doubts remained. There is a lot to celebrate, but there is also a lot to lament. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday that few of the goals set out at the first Summit of the Americas, in Miami in 1994, have been met. Today there is more poverty than yesterday.
Today there are more children in the street than yesterday.
As the summit opened Friday evening, police protected by helmets and shields kept protesters at bay with volleys of tear gas that sent a burning mist to greet leaders as they arrived. Those opening ceremonies were delayed an hour after demonstrators tore down a section of the concrete blocks and chain-link fence that barricaded the heart of Quebec City where the summit is being held. Protesters hurled rocks, bottles, hockey pucks, stuffed animals and part of the destroyed fence at police. Officers advanced on demonstrators banging their shields with truncheons to beat out a menacing rhythm. The confrontation continued into the predawn hours Saturday, with protesters taunting police, blowing horns and beating drums and officers responding with salvos of tear gas.