CALGARY (voa) – Leaders of eight major powers have ended the first day of their two-day summit in western Canada. The leaders from North America, Japan, Europe and Russia discussed terrorism, the world economy and trouble spots in the Middle East and south Asia.
There was considerable discussion of the war on terrorism. The summit agreed to an action plan for transportation security that will coordinate the screening of cargo on ships, airplanes and trucks that cross borders. President Bush sought support for his policies on Iraq and the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
The leaders reached what they call an historic decision permitting Russia to take its place in the rotating chairmanship and to host the annual summit in 2006.
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien says development in Africa remains the centerpiece of the meeting. “On Africa, it is still the main item of the agenda. And we discussed some element of it today in preparation for tomorrow. So far so good,” he says. “We’ve been on schedule and the mood is very good.”
Mr. Chretien says the leaders are concerned about the latest corporate accounting scandal in the United States. He says there is worry about investor confidence and that the problem is global and not just American.
The summit is taking place with smaller than usual delegations at a small resort in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
