Obama calls for joint efforts for better future in Americas

Source: Xinhua | 04-17-2009 08:38

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama urged countries of the Western Hemisphere on Thursday to join together to choose a better future in the Americas.

"My administration is committed to the promise of a new day. We will renew and sustain a broader partnership between the United States and the hemisphere on behalf of our common prosperity and our common security," Obama said in a statement issued by the White House on the eve of the Summit of the Americas.

Noting that the current financial crisis has hit the Americas hard, and there is no time to lose, Obama said that "The United States is working to advance prosperity in the hemisphere by jumpstarting our own recovery. In doing so, we will help spur trade, investment, remittances, and tourism that provides a broader base for prosperity in the hemisphere."

"To confront our economic crisis, we don't need a debate about whether to have a rigid, state-run economy or unbridled and unregulated capitalism -- we need pragmatic and responsible action that advances our common prosperity.

"To combat lawlessness and violence, we don't need a debate about whether to blame right-wing paramilitaries or left-wing insurgents -- we need practical cooperation to expand our common security."

Obama, who left here for Mexico earlier in the day, will travel to Trinidad and Tobago where he will attend the Summit of the Americas, which begins on Friday in Port-of-Spain. 　

Editor:Zhang Pengfei