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MIAMI, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Bolivian President Carlos D. Mesa and other key U.S. and Latin American leaders addressed the Eighth Annual Miami Herald Americas Conference today. Speeches and panel discussions focused on the potential effects of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, the need for strengthening political and economic ties and other important issues facing the countries of the Western Hemisphere.

President Uribe discussed the current political, social and economic landscape of Colombia. He called on the U.S. government and its people to continue their support for Plan Colombia in order to entirely eradicate the cultivation of illicit drugs. He went on to say "we must work with political will in order to defeat terrorism. This involves simultaneous restoration of public order and economic growth for Colombia."

President Mesa followed with an address that focused on his country's current political stability and the impact that the new natural gas regulations will have on future economic prosperity. He also talked about Bolivia's need for access to Pacific sea ports. "The need for peace and polarization of opinion on two national issues -- natural gas regulations and access to seaports in the Pacific Ocean -- are the most important challenges confronted by my government," noted President Mesa.

"We are proud that we are able to promote the kind of dialogue through this conference that is needed to continue the growth and prosperity of Latin America," said Alberto Ibarguen, publisher of The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, sponsors of the conference.

The first panel of the conference explored the policy consequences of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Nelson Cunningham, senior advisor, Kerry campaign and managing partner at Kissinger McLarty Associates, outlined the four pillars of John Kerry's Latin American foreign policy. These included economic development, support of stronger democracies, free and fair trade, and immigration reform. Otto J. Reich, former director of Western Hemisphere Affairs for the National Security Council under the current Bush Administration, highlighted the advancements made in the region by George W. Bush. He noted the support of leadership in the pursuit of social and political stability and ongoing economic growth have made this possible.

In his principal address, Roger Noriega, Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, discussed the importance of supporting and protecting democratic values to help the region raise the living standards of its citizens. "The U.S. helps search for peaceful solutions to institutional problems by being an active partner to other countries in Latin America. We have done much, but we can do more," Noriega concluded.

Day 1: Americas Conference

In the panel "Venezuela: What Next?," Dr. Jennifer McCoy, director of the Americas program for The Carter Center, and Maria Corina Machado of the Venezuelan NGO Sumate, debated the Venezuelan political process. McCoy noted "the government of Venezuela must ensure it governs for every citizen and not only for a certain partisan group." Machado emphasized greater cooperation as a clear path toward improved democratic dialogue among all sectors.

Another panel explored the 2006 Mexican presidential elections with Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of the Mexican Congress; Felipe Calderon, former Mexican Energy Secretary; and Amalia Garcia, gubernatorial candidate for the Mexican state of Zacatecas. The panelists agreed Mexico was still awakening from the 70-year spell of the PRI's rule, and current Mexican President Vicente Fox's election was only the beginning of changes that would continue in that country.

Tomorrow's schedule will include Florida Governor Jeb Bush; former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Marta Lagos, president of Latinobarometro; Susan Segal, president and CEO of the Council of the Americas; Perry Gladstone Christie, prime minister of the Bahamas; and Gerard Latortue, prime minister of Haiti, among others. Topics to be featured in the conference tomorrow include "Globalization: Is Latin America Prepared to Compete in a Global Market?"; "Does Mercosur have a Chance?" and "Caribbean Single Market and Economy: Towards a Perfect Union."

The Miami Herald Americas Conference is presented by General Motors in association with Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management and the Council of the Americas. The event's official sponsors include Samsung Electronics and the Stanford Financial Group. Greenberg Traurig, DHL and Language Speak are the event's corporate sponsors, and Merck is an associate sponsor. American Airlines is the official airline of the conference. Among the conference's media partners are: Burson-Marsteller, America Economia, Latin Trade, Radio Caracol, and Revista Competencia.

About Miami Herald Americas Conference

The Americas Conference is an annual forum that provides an arena for discussion and interaction with government and business leaders interested in Latin America. This year's conference will be held September 30 and October 1, at the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida. Those interested in learning more about the conference, its speakers and topics may do so online at http://www.americasconference.com/ -- the official website of the Eighth Annual Miami Herald Americas Conference. The Miami Herald Americas Conference

Web site: http://www.americasconference.com/