American president Barack Obama described his Chilean peer Michelle Bachelet as "one of the most compelling leaders" of Latinamerica and together with Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva they are an "example" of the kind of relations Washington wants with the region.

"I find her one of the most compelling leaders that we have, not just in the hemisphere but around the world," said Obama during the press conference Tuesday afternoon with Ms Bachelet following her first official visit to the White House

"I look to President Bachelet for good advice and good counsel in terms of how the United States can continue to build a strong relationship with all of Latin America, and I think the good progress that we began to make at the Summit of the Americas can be built on with some very concrete steps in the months and years to come," said the US president.

"We consider Chile to be one of our most important partners in that process. And so I expect that in the months to come we'll be working very closely together."

President Bachelet praised President Obama's administration for "understanding the world, its challenges, and how to build relations with all countries of Latinamerica. We feel very close to this approach."

"Everybody in Chile was very enthusiastic about today's meeting with President Obama. And that is because of real reasons, because we understand that the way you are developing your leadership is one who inspire us and makes us feel very comfortable and very confident, too," added the Chilean president.

Even though the US and Chile can have foreign-policy differences, Obama said, there is a high level of cooperation between the two countries on issues such as trade and cancer research. "It's a respectful relationship," he said and a cooperation "which is a model and I would like to see with the rest of the region."

Obama added that Brazil, like Chile, "is leading by example." Brazil's president, Lula, offers an example of someone who - on paper - may seem difficult to work with, he said.

"President Lula da Silva came up through the trade union movement, he was perceived as a strong leftist. Turns out, he was a very practical person who maintains relationships across the political spectrum in Latin America and has instituted all sorts of market reforms that have made Brazil prosperous."

"That points the way for other countries where the Democratic tradition is not as embedded as we would like it to be: respect for property rights, rule of law, all those things can lead to greater prosperity."

President Obama also underscored that the US could learn a "good lesson" from the way Chile has managed its finances and the world crisis.

"I think Chile is to be congratulated on having managed their economy and their fiscal surpluses during good times in such a way that they have now been able to manage the bad times in a good way. And I think that it's an example for all of us that good fiscal policy, good economic policy, ultimately allows for prosperity through good times and bad times."

President Obama also side tracked a question from the Chilean press when he was asked if he wanted to apologize for CIA involvement in Chilean elections.

"I'm interesting in going forward, not looking backward" said Obama. "I think that the United States has been an enormous force for good in the world."

"I think there have been times where we've made mistakes, but I think that what is important is looking at what our policies are today and what my administration intends to do in cooperating with the region," added Mr. Obama.

Mercopress

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written by João da Silva, June 25, 2009

Lula is a natural born leader and it is wonderful that Obama has acknowledged the fact. He has plenty of things to learn from his Brazilian counterpart and hopefully in the coming years, the two great leaders will work together for the benefit of the common folks of the Americas.

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soulmates
written by sage, June 25, 2009

God bless both Lula & Obama, soulmates, both extraordinary individuals who came from nothing.

Joao - let's pray & drink to that!

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written by João da Silva, June 25, 2009

Joao - let's pray & drink to that!

As I am accustomed to obeying the "Sages", rest assured I shall follow your orders.

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God bless Lula...an extraordinary individuals who came from nothing ?????
written by ch.c., June 25, 2009

Come on, come on !
Robbing Hook is part of the epicenter of the corruption practices in Brazil. He just continues what his predecessors had done !
In reality corruption is on the rise, not on the decline, since You Brazilians elected and re-elected Robbing Hook.
Corruption is part of your genes. You cant live without it anymore. And every Brazilian dreams to be part of the gangs so that they too will benefit from the corruptions practices one way or another. Even your bureaucrats in various adminstrations are
well known for their red tapes.....to increases their comparatrively already high wages...somewhat higher and not pay any tax from these red tapes revenues...of course !

And your tax collection is dilapidated that way too !

End result ? Very poor education for the majority of Brazilians, very poor healthcare and a DECREPITATED infrastructure...because not enough money available at the end ! Money already spent for the well being of the minority !

Here is a simple example stated in a recent article in the Guardian :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8563749

And you could multiply the examples such as Brazil has 5 % of paved roads. A rate much lower than most Africans nations and much poorer than Brazil !

Sorry...sorry but Chile is an example that Brazilians should follow. Already with a better education, better healthcare, better infrastructure and much much much lower interests rates than Brazil !
And.. and...wealthier than the addicted navel carressing Brazilians...until proven otherwise !

hmmmm....hmmmm !

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written by João da Silva, June 25, 2009

Here is a simple example stated in a recent article in the Guardian :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8563749

Maybe Obama doest read the Guardian or Paulo Protasio is not in touch with him to keep him informed about the delapidated infrastructure. Regardless, Obama is impressed and so are we.

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Lead by the nose rather than by example,I fear...
written by DU 48, June 25, 2009

80% popularity in the opinion polls? If so,why does the President need to carry on supporting the Sarney clan,Agaciel,Jader Barbalho,Edson Lobao,Renan Calheiros and Garibaldi Alves.Good example,this is not!

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