DATE=3/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH-LATAM TRIP (S overnighter)

NUMBER=2-287799

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: The President departs the White House at 8:55 a-m ///

INTRO: President Bush leaves Washington today (Thursday) on a four-day trip to Mexico, Peru, and El Salvador. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports he plans to focus on aid, trade and the war on drugs.

TEXT: The president's first stop in the region will be in Monterrey, Mexico where he will attend a U-N Conference on aid to developing countries.

Mr. Bush has promised a substantial increase in U-S assistance to nations that implement economic and political reforms. On the eve of the trip, White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice defended his approach.

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If you just focus on development dollars you are condemning countries to dependency. If you focus on good policies and development dollars you are giving countries the ability to become self-sufficient.

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On Saturday, President Bush will go to Peru for consultations with President Alejandro Toledo and talks on Andean trade with regional leaders. Trade is also likely to dominate the agenda Sunday when Mr. Bush finishes his trip with a stop in El Salvador's capital, San Salvador. (signed)

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