Americans Away From Home

President Obama's on a four-day Latin America tour. He arrived in Mexico City yesterday afternoon.

After meeting with President Felipe Calderón, he met U.S. Embassy employees. Last night, he attended a reception and working dinner at the Museo Nacional de Antropología.

Here's the flavor of his comments at the dinner:

"Let me begin by expressing my deepest thanks to President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala for their gracious welcome. And thank you for the spectacular setting. I can't imagine a more magnificent evening. This is my first trip as President to Mexico, and it's one that I will always remember fondly for the hospitality and the warmth that has been provided to me during my brief visit.

"More than 60 years ago, at a moment when our world was consumed with war, one of my predecessors came here to Mexico to reaffirm the relationship between our two nations. In a speech to the people of Mexico, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, '[Our] peoples are finding that they have common aspirations. They can work together for a common objective. Let us never lose hold of that truth.'

"That was President Roosevelt's message then. That is my message now."

On the agenda in Mexico: immigration (of course) and stopping illegal weapons trafficking.  (NY Times story here).

Next stop: Trinidad and Tobago for The Summit of The Americas.

Carole


President Barack Obama bids farewell to the family of Mexican President Felipe Calderon following their
meeting in Mexico City, Thursday, April 16, 2009. (White House Photo/Peter Souza)