In his first overseas trip since his reelection, President Bush arrived in Chile on Friday to use what he calls his "new capital" to press the 21 nations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to help with North Korea, terrorism and opening up regional trade. But Bush's Latin American trip sparked a violent backlash before he arrived. Chilean police in armored vehicles used tear gas and water cannons during the day to break up demonstrations against U.S. policy in Iraq, Bush's presence in Chile and a summit that protesters called a rich man's club. On the fourth day of anti-American and anti-APEC protests, a crowd estimated at 25,000 to 70,000 marched through downtown Santiago. Some hooded demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails. Many shouted chants or held signs saying "Terrorist Bush" and "Bush: Fascist, thief, murderer." White House officials said the most important aspect of Bush's attendance at the summit would be separate meetings Saturday with the leaders of China, Japan, South Korea and Russia, the other members of six-party talks with North Korea. [more]
- Pictured above: Demonstrators angry over U.S. policy in Iraq protest in Santiago, Chile, as world leaders attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. President Bush, who arrived Friday, is expected to press for cooperation on North Korea, the battle against terrorism and regional trade.