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Americas leaders head for summit Americas leaders head for summit
(about 4 hours later)
Leaders from across the Americas are gathering for a summit which will see most of them meeting US President Barack Obama for the first time.Leaders from across the Americas are gathering for a summit which will see most of them meeting US President Barack Obama for the first time.
The global economic crisis and US-Cuban relations are expected to dominate the summit in Trinidad and Tobago.The global economic crisis and US-Cuban relations are expected to dominate the summit in Trinidad and Tobago.
Many regional leaders say Cuba should be part of the Summit of the Americas.Many regional leaders say Cuba should be part of the Summit of the Americas.
Cuban President Raul Castro said he was ready to talk about "everything" with the US after it eased its long-standing embargo of the Caribbean nation.Cuban President Raul Castro said he was ready to talk about "everything" with the US after it eased its long-standing embargo of the Caribbean nation.
Speaking in the Dominican Republic, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed the offer and said the US was looking at how to respond.
She said current US policy towards Cuba had failed.
Economic focus
Mr Obama arrived in Trinidad for the summit in the afternoon after a visit to Mexico.
We are continuing to look for productive ways forward because we view the present policy as having failed Hillary Clinton Clinton admits Cuba policy failed
It is unlikely that the US president, after just three months in office, will be announcing any major policy shifts - even on Cuba - or new detailed proposals for US-Latin American relations, says the BBC's Latin America analyst James Painter.It is unlikely that the US president, after just three months in office, will be announcing any major policy shifts - even on Cuba - or new detailed proposals for US-Latin American relations, says the BBC's Latin America analyst James Painter.
The formal agenda is focused on the economic downturn which has affected the whole region and on energy and security needs.The formal agenda is focused on the economic downturn which has affected the whole region and on energy and security needs.
But Cuban-American relations are expected to feature, after conciliatory signals from the leaders of the two nations.But Cuban-American relations are expected to feature, after conciliatory signals from the leaders of the two nations.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has already said he will veto a proposed draft for the summit's final statement because Cuba is excluded from the gathering.Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has already said he will veto a proposed draft for the summit's final statement because Cuba is excluded from the gathering.
Other Latin American leaders have also been pushing for Cuba's reinsertion into the Organisation of American States. Its membership was suspended in 1962.Other Latin American leaders have also been pushing for Cuba's reinsertion into the Organisation of American States. Its membership was suspended in 1962.