WASHINGTON -- Working with our friends in the Americas is one of the first and highest priorities of President Bush's administration. If our neighbors are democratic and law-abiding, open to trade, and willing to cooperate with us on improving the environment, fighting drugs and stopping disease, we can make a vital difference in the life of every American. With this in mind, President Bush has already started to bolster our relationships in this hemisphere. He has met with the leaders of Canada, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Brazil and Chile and meets today with Fernando de la Rua, president of Argentina. Tomorrow, when he travels to Canada to attend the Third Summit of the Americas -- a gathering of 34 democratically elected heads of state -- he will promote this vision of a better life for all who live in the region.

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