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05/08/2005:

"South American, Arab Leaders Hold Summit"

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) -- Ministers from 34 South American and Middle Eastern nations on Sunday began preparing the groundwork for the first-ever summit of leaders from the two regions.

Their talks could lead to a commitment to negotiations for a South American-Arab free trade zone -- part of an effort to counter U.S. political and economic influence.

Brazilian media stressed Sunday that the leaders of key U.S. allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia will be absent. But Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is scheduled to attend. The United States' request to observe the event was denied.

While the stated goal of the gathering is to boost economic ties, the summit will bring together leaders from countries that resent America's forceful hand in everything from regime changes to globalization that critics say benefits only large multinational corporations.

''It's important for these countries to not be seen as being bullied by the West,'' said Amany Jamal, a Middle East political development expert at Princeton University. ''What better way to do that than re-establish dominance on another front?''
Full:aponline

They'll nuke 'em all before they allow this...