Living in Peru : your everyday companion

This visit to Peru marks President George W. Bush’s last official international summit meeting. Before leaving for Peru the President talked about the importance of free trade agreements, international relations with Latin America and the positive view he has of our country.

This will be your last time participating in the APEC Leaders Summit. What is your vision of the future or what do you imagine is to come with respect to commerce and the integration of nations in the Asia–Pacific Region? 

It is a very important Summit. It is a chance for a group of important nations to discuss problems and opportunities they all have in common.  I am very grateful that the Peruvian government organized this summit and also with the Peruvian people for the warm welcome they have given all the international leaders. This is just an excellent opportunity to speak about commerce, freedom and drug trafficking. It is also an important moment for the world to see that Peru is a great ally and friend of the U.S. and for the world to see the great nation that Peru is.

It is expected that the final declaration of the APEC will focus on various different significant aspects of the G-20 agreement signed last week. What do you think about that?

It is very important that the Peruvian people understand that I have taken the decision to expand the G-20 so that developing nations can sit at the same table with developed nations and discuss the economic crisis together. That would not have happened in the past. My decision makes it possible for the world to come closer together and for a base to be created to make sure a financial crisis such as this one never happens again. It was a very successful summit. From that stand point what the APEC Summit will do -what I hope it will do- is echo the aims of the G-20, which had good results. I consider that Peru plays an important role in all this.

Your presidency has been devoted to forming trade agreements. Do you consider you have been successful in fulfilling your objectives or do you think there is still considerable work to be done, work which your successor should continue?

I am a believer in free trade because it directly helps small businesses, agricultural producers and landowners. Free trade agreements help these folks especially. Countries with this system are able to sell their products, services and crafts on the world market. I consider it the best way to help developing countries. Free trade agreements allow both parts to be benefited. We have had several good experiences in the past, as is the case of Peru which has been a complete success. There are 13 other agreements that were very successful during my presidency. There are still some pending Congress’ approval such as the agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. It is very important for leaders who visit Peru to listen and express themselves openly seeing as free trade agreements are very beneficial.

Some people think that the U.S. often forgets about Latin America. What do you think can be done to improve relations between these regions?

Many mistakenly think that George W. Bush only cares about the danger that terrorists in the Middle East represent. I worry about our neighbors in Latin America, whom I have visited often during my travels to the region. For example, this is my second visit to Peru. Everyone must know that it is very important for the president to pay attention to his neighbors because their orderly and pacific progress is of great interest to the U.S. There are however more important things than travel and speeches, such as helping the implementation of social organizations, health care and good education. We have a relationship as partners and that is a very health thing.

Why do some people feel differently?   
 
I worry when I hear someone say that the U.S. is the big kid on the bloc and that it is always the one yelling orders as to what should be done in any specific country. That happens sometimes when we are dealing with governments that we are not on friendly term with, when they decide to take a different path. We are always amiable. On past trips we have always been devoted to meeting with people in need and those less fortunate to let our concern be felt by them. In two months I will be leaving the Oval Office with the strong belief that my administration did all it possibly could to increase and develop bilateral and regional relations, much more at least than what had been attempted in the past.   

What must be done to achieve a free trade agreement with Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia?

Ecuador and Bolivia have not solicited a free trade agreement with the U.S. We have been in negotiations with Colombia but Congress has not approved any agreement yet, which to me is a mistake. I hope the agreement is approved in future.   

During your government you gave your support to a law which reforms migration. Do you consider it important that the new Congress should find a definitive solution to help the thousands of immigrants?

We have worked hard to achieve migratory reform during my presidency but sadly nothing has been completely resolved. It is a very important and delicate political issue. We must recognize that our immigration system needs reform, better border control, and to make sure the laws are not broken. We also have to take into consideration that there are people trying to help their family members and thus they need to work and they need a plan to be able to do that work legally. That is why we have developed a temporary workers plan.

You visited Peru for the first time in March 2002. On that occasion you said Peru was a strategic partner of the U.S. Six years later what is your opinion on the state of bilateral relations between your country and Peru? 

I still think that Peru is a strategic partner. It is a country with notorious economical growth and development, with an open market and a very good system for investment. It is also a very cooperative country when it comes to the fight against illegal drug trafficking. Personally I have a good relationship with President Garcia. That is what I call good strategic partnership and that is a positive thing for both countries.

In 2007 the U.S. and Peru signed a Free Trade Agreement. Do you think that the necessary tools for such an agreement to develop efficiently exist so that both countries may develop diplomatically, economically and commercially?  

We have signed a free trade agreement with Peru it was approved so now all that is left is to work together during the final stages of its completion. Everything must be within the parameter of the law and both governments must collaborate on this. One of the first things I plan on doing once I arrive in Lima is talk to my friend President Alan García to check on different aspects of the completion of the agreement. Everything could be ready before January 2009.

In the last few years Peru has become an ideal place for investment. What is your vision of Peru’s economic future?

Peru has become the ideal objective for investment and that is important for the creation of employment. We must keep in mind that investment is a clear sign of trust. That investment increase in a country is an indicator of transparency and a good legal system. The people of Peru must know they are living in a stable country. Investment is larger than it was in the past according to President García and that is a good sign. People must look at everything with a positive perspective.

Do you believe the time has come to explore new areas of cooperation and integration between the U.S. and Peru?

My time as president has ended but I will be able to tell my successor that we have explored new areas. The relationship between the U.S. and Peru is built on a solid foundation and that is important. The next president will be able to build on that foundation. I will be able to tell President Garcia and the Peruvian people that it has been a great experience to be able to work with Peru. We hold the Peruvian people in a position of very high esteem and I know the history of their country. I remember the way in which they faced the terrorists and how difficult it was to restore freedom. Peru is the result of everyone’s hard work.  

News source: El Comercio

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We Americans don't care about George Bush anymore, and neither do the trade conference people/nations....so why should you bother to post his interview---George Bush has been a thorn in the side of American progressives and progressives throughout the world for eight years. Enough already, and good riddence! It would be far more interesting and helpful to us Peru travelers if you would give us the real report on the resurgence of Sendero Luminosa in Peru, and what Alain Garcia is doing about it.

Sorry Carolyn... can't resist.  I am tempted to say that the Sendero are necessary to allow American progressives a target for their anger and disgust now that George is no longer going to be available.  But I won't. 

But I will ask where the progressives were when President Bush was doing something concrete about AIDS in Africa, signing free trade agreements with Third World nations and trying to stop world wide sex trafficking.  I presume they are lining up to fill in the very large void that will be left as he leaves office.

I am not an American and perhaps that allows me the perspective to see that the constant Bush bashing of the "progressives" has little to support it other than spleens needing venting.  And I am reminded that it was the "progressives" who despised President Lincoln and referred to him as the great baboon.

So thanks for the interview with President Bush.  Agree or disagree, as leader of the free world, what he has to say is important.  Too bad it wasn't more "progressive".

As a peruvian-american living now in the US I have a good perspective of both countries politics.

I was there when the "Chino" erased all the good things he did with all the corruption in his last term. Hence, I tend to concentrate on the bad things he did instead of some of the good things he did, I think this is something most people do.

Similarly, this happens with George Bush. I consider myself a center-left person so I vote Democrat but it's true that ALL George Bush did is not bad. I think probably his best legacy will be in Africa where he has put a lot of US funds to do good. The free trade agreement with Peru was also great (although maybe I'm biased).

So you see I can accept that that man isn't all bad. Nevertheless, Murray as someone who lives here and has "seen" all the bad that he has done (and it was a lot) it's hard to think of him in a positive light.

In my opinion, when you take all of his two terms into account, the balance is negative, and he will be remembered as one of the worst presidents in US history (by popularity it is right now). People won't remember the good things he did, which is unfortunate but it happens.

Likewise, in my opinion Fujimori was a horrible president and I hope he is convicted as the criminal he is. It is funny the parallels there are between Fujimori and Bush. Both are seen as some sort of puppets of other people. For Fujimori it was Montesinos, for Bush "Dick" Cheney. Both are hated by most of their countries citizens (although Fujimori has more support). Both administrations were full of corruption with the aim of getting almost dictatorial powers in the executive level. Finally, both were suceeded (or will be) by a strong racial leader (Toledo and Obama). I do hope Obama does better though.

Point taken Jaime and I appreciate a return to some balance, the lack of which prompted my post.  History will judge George Bush and I would bet on a more favourable result than you but the truth is no one knows at this point in time.  It just seems to me that leaders must be judged on their full extent of their tenure and things shouldn't be cherry picked simply to satisfy an ideological bent. 

I lived in Peru during the first term of Mr. Fujimori and he was my hero.  That he succumbed to corruption is unfortunate and for that he should be judged and punished as appropriate.  However, the fact remains that today Peru is Peru largely due to his significant heroism.  I interviewed him in 1995 and he told me that the biggest problem he had in forming a government in 1990 was finding people who were willing to serve in cabinet positions.  Maybe he lied to me or maybe there is a tendancy to forget just how terrible were those days.  So Mr. Fujimori remains my hero although with a tarnished halo and if he goes to jail for corruption it will be sadly necessary.

And being something of a student of the American Civil War I will say that George Bush has many more and much stronger parallels with Abraham Lincoln than Alberto Fujimori - although I hesitate to carry this too far.

The Peruvian congress had better pass the requested Intellectual Property protection law as required by the FTA with the US or I am 100% sure that on 21 January the FTA with Peru will get thrown under the bus by Prez Obamba and the Democratic congress. 

I'm observing from long distance:
What George has done for Peru - a country he obviously likes a lot - is fantastic. I don't agree with his politics all the time. But two visits to Lima while in office - Wow! 
He came to Sweden (Suecia), my country which is one of the most advanced countries in the world, only once during eight years in office.
Bill Gates, by the way, has been here a handful times. Last time a week ago for a celebrity wedding.
Peru should be very proud. The United States is still the most powerful country in the world and I KNOW it will bounce back. Just like after the Big Depression.
I love Peru. So much has changed after my first visit in 1978. I visit Peru every three or four months.
Viva el Peru!
Now I will go to my supermarket and pick up some green espárragos from Trujillo.
Best regards,
Stephan, Journalist, Stockholm