The Problem With Riding A Tiger

In relative terms, riding a tiger is merely a matter of hanging on. The trick is in getting off, of course. It would be reasonable to expect that said tiger would be more than a bit indignant at having been used as a conveyance. With predictable, if messy, results.

WASHINGTON - New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton hit back at Secretary of State        Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday as the political fighting escalated over which president — Bill Clinton or George W. Bush — missed more opportunities to prevent the Sept. 11 attacks.

Clinton, D-N.Y., took aim at President Bush and Rice over their roles in 2001 before the attacks, part of the growing argument touched off after Bill Clinton gave a combative interview on "Fox News Sunday" in which he defended his efforts to kill Osama bin Laden.

"I think my husband did a great job in demonstrating that Democrats are not going to take these attacks," Hillary Clinton said. "I'm certain that if my husband and his national security team had been shown a classified report entitled 'Bin Laden Determined To Attack Inside the United States' he would have taken it more seriously than history suggests it was taken by our current president and his national security team."

The senator was referring to a classified brief given to Bush in August 2001, one that Democrats say showed the Bush administration did not do enough to combat the growing threat from al-Qaida.

When the brief was delivered, Rice was Bush's national security adviser, and Clinton's response was clearly designed to implicate her in the same criticisms that have been made of Bush.

Clinton's response came a day after Rice denied Bill Clinton's claim in the television interview that the Bush administration had not aggressively pursued al-Qaida before the attacks of 2001.

"What we did in the eight months was at least as aggressive as what the Clinton administration did in the preceding years," Rice said during a meeting with editors and reporters at the New York Post. "The notion somehow for eight months the Bush administration sat there and didn't do that is just flatly false, and I think the 9/11 commission understood that."

Now Hillary has to hang on to that tiger for all it is worth. Tigers have teeth, that has always been the problem with riding them. Frankly, on this one, she should have stayed out of it.

A Chain Of Events

The Anchoress puts together what looks increasingly like a massive miscalculation on the part of the leakers of the National Intelligence Estimate and the Democrats who tried to use the highly misleading cherry-picked part that came out initially as a club.

First someone leaks and the press runs to print.

The White House responds that the leak was misrepresentative and cherry-picked.

Writes John Hinderaker: Sadly, I don’t think the answers to these questions are much in doubt. The bureaucrat leakers are Democrats who wanted to advance their party’s interests, and the reporters at the New York Times and Washington Post were also Democrats, and were happy to oblige. The bottom line is that you just can’t get adequate information from these news sources. Their grotesque biases outweigh the resources that, in theory, they are able to devote to covering the news. They can’t even provide a balanced account of a single bureaucratic report, let alone of a war.

(insert sneers and guffaws and other cynical sounds here…)

Then, uh-oh…someone else leaks other parts not reported…which makes the initial report look…ummm…misrepresentative and cherry-picked.

The White House, tired of this non-stop game, says, fine, we’ll release the report.

There is a similar rule that both good lawyers and good poker players live by: lawyers say, “don’t ask a question unless you already know the answer.” Poker players say, “play your own close to the vest.”

And then Nancy Pelosi tries closing the doors for the first time since 1983:

Please, do go read the rest. It's actually quite an interesting little chain of events. But now that the cherry-picking and outright false interpretation given by the initial leaks have proved to be false, this one is rapidly coming back to bite some people very, very hard indeed. This is more like a cartoon every day. In this case, it features an exploding cigar and some very dazed individuals after the fact.

Because the released NIE (as opposed to the unsourced leaked NIE fragment) makes the reporters who got taken in by it and the people who tried to use it as a club look like liars, fools or both.

UPDATE: Others: Lori at Wizbang, Hyscience, Flopping Aces, Media Blog, Bullwinkle Blog, Say Anything, Belmont Club, Ann Althouse, Protein Wisdom (BEST Title for post), Seixon, Rick Moran, Irish Pennants,

UPDATE: Hugh Hewitt has one word for the reporters at the New York Times: Chumps. (Please keep in mind that that paper led the release, other papers followed them).

How Can You Be A Squatter….

…If you have no legs? Easy! Get several thousands of your equally legless buddies to come help out and take over the whole ranch! That's what a slithering horde of criminally inclined snakes did to a couple in Idaho. They have seized the property and refuse to leave. And the state of Idaho is cooperating in this land grab!

Snakes, perhaps thousands of them, fell on Lyman Hepworth's head when he opened the door to a pump house near the small house the couple planned to buy.

"When it warmed up, we walked onto the yard and the whole yard moved," Jeanine Hepworth told the Rexburg Standard Journal.

One day, Lyman Hepworth reached to turn on a light and discovered the pull cord was actually a snake.

Last March, the Hepworths were having money troubles. Struggling to pay off their medical bills and make house payments, they sold their old home.

They planned to buy a home and a couple of outbuildings from an acquaintance on a few acres outside tiny Wilford.

Then they found the snakes — in the lawn, in the living room and in their hair.

Turns out the property was a winter snake sanctuary, likely a snake den or hibernaculum where snakes gather in large numbers to hibernate for the winter, said Lauri Hanauska-Brown, a biologist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

In the spring and summer the snakes fan out across the wilds of eastern Idaho, but as the days get shorter and cooler, the snakes return to the resting place — in this case, the Hepworth's new home — where they ball up for heat.

The snakes are likely a terrestrial garter snake, Hanauska-Brown said. Reptiles are a protected species meaning the Hepworths cannot bait them or kill them, she said.

The couple has not contacted Fish and Game to move the garters, Hanauska-Brown said. The department would attempt to move the snakes, but it could be difficult because if they move them too far they would die and if they move them close by the snakes would likely return to hibernate, she said.

"They are used to going there and kind of balling up," Hanauska-Brown told The Associated Press. "That sounds kind of Indiana Jonesish. But this is a natural thing."

The animal uprising at its very worst - with human enablers! The reptile hordes now have a secure base in Eastern Idaho from which to launch their next series of attacks! 

This Is A Pretty Sad Commentary

A portion of the National Intelligence Estimate has been released. I'm looking at the Associated Press and Reuters stories side-by-side. And Reuters has a better representation of the document while the AP article is an editorial that stresses the same negative tripe we've heard since this whole ruckus started. In other words, there is active suppression of the news here.

AP: WASHINGTON - A declassified government intelligence report says the war in Iraq has become a "cause celebre" for Islamic extremists, breeding deep resentment of the U.S. that is likely to get worse before it gets better.

In the bleak report, released Tuesday on President Bush's orders, the nation's most veteran analysts conclude that despite serious damage to the leadership of al-Qaida, the threat from Islamic extremists has spread both in numbers and in geographic reach.

"If this trend continues, threats to U.S. interests at home and abroad will become more diverse, leading to increasing attacks worldwide," the document says. "The confluence of shared purpose and dispersed actors will make it harder to find and undermine jihadist groups."

Reuters: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The war in Iraq has bred deep resentment in the Muslim world and provided Islamist militants with a "cause celebre" that allowed the global movement to cultivate supporters, according to excerpts of a secret intelligence report released on Tuesday.

….

"We assess that the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives," said the declassified segment of the report, titled "Trends in Global Terrorism: Implications for the United States."

"The Iraq conflict has become the 'cause celebre' for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of U.S. involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement," it added.

"Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight."

Democrats, hoping to take control of Congress in the November elections, have seized on media leaks about the report as evidence that Bush's Iraq policy has worsened the global terrorism threat.

But the declassified section, which contained 10 judgments about global terrorism including one on Iraq, reached no sweeping conclusion about the war's ultimate effect on global terrorism.

The AP is stressing one section out of 10 that were released. Reuters is much more even handed here. I need to get my hands on the full text. I do not trust any of the media to give a fully accurate account of this document at this point. That's pretty sad when you think about it.

UPDATE: Thanks to Bill for the link. An absolutely key part of the bit that AP quoted was left out - it completely negates their spin - which, I'm sure, is why it was left out. Note also the four factors quoted as reasons for spread of Jihad.

We assess that the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and
operatives; perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue the
struggle elsewhere.

• The Iraq conflict has become the cause celebre for jihadists, breeding a deep
resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for
the global jihadist movement. Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves,
and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry
on the fight.We assess that the underlying factors fueling the spread of the movement outweigh its
vulnerabilities and are likely to do so for the duration of the timeframe of this Estimate.

• Four underlying factors are fueling the spread of the jihadist movement: (1)
Entrenched grievances, such as corruption, injustice, and fear of Western
domination, leading to anger, humiliation, and a sense of powerlessness; (2) the
Iraq jihad; (3) the slow pace of real and sustained economic, social, and
political reforms in many Muslim majority nations; and (4) pervasive anti-US
sentiment among most Muslims all of which jihadists exploit.

The section of the NIE that the White House released today can be found here.

More Imaginary Woodpecker Sightings!

Well, except they can't actually produce a photo of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. They keep trying, though. This time they swear they have seen the bird, long thought extinct as many as 40 times. But oddly, nobody could get a picture of one of them.

But Auburn University ornithologists, who published their findings in Canada's Avian Conservation and Ecology journal online Tuesday, failed to capture a picture of the large woodpecker, which makes a distinct double rapping sound.

That lack of evidence means doubt about the bird's return remains.

The bird was thought to be extinct until 2004 when Cornell University researchers released recordings and an inconclusive grainy video after searching for it in the swamps of eastern Arkansas. The last confirmed ivory-billed sighting was in 1944.

Auburn ornithologist Geoffrey Hill headed the four-month Florida search that ended in April. He said his team would return to the Choctawhatchee River basin sometime around November with better equipment to try to get photographs.

"On 41 occasions different team members have seen the bird. We heard that double knock, it's a sound the ivory-billed makes that no other bird makes, but we didn't get a clear video of the bird," Hill said.

"I think people should be skeptical. I think they should demand clear photographic evidence. I might start to get skeptical myself thinking, 'I've seen this bird,' but how could I have seen a bird that it is impossible to photograph," he said.

It would be lovely if the bird is not extinct, don't get me wrong here. But this swearing up and down they have seen it but with no proof, no picture, no nests, not even a feather it begins to look an awful lot like wishful thinking.

“Should We Wait For Them To Come And Kill Us Again”?

The words of Afghan President Karzai responding to a reporters question. AllahPundit has the video. He is articulate, forceful and undeniably correct. He smacked this reporter down so hard that the video is a joy to watch.

UPDATE: Full transcript here.

A Shameful Strategy

Well, the Democrats are pretty open about what some of them are going to try to do to force the US to cut and run out of Iraq. Cut off funds for the war. If they win control of the house, some members of the Congress fully intend to try to make the war impossible to fight by cutting off money. In the worst example of double-speak yet, they say they won't cut off funds for the troops. Just for the war. You try and figure that one out.

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) will chair the powerful Ways and Means Committee if Democrats win control of the House next year, but his main goal in 2007 does not fall within his panel’s jurisdiction.

“I can’t stop this war,” a frustrated Rangel said in a recent interview, reiterating his vow to retire from Congress if Democrats fall short of a majority in the House.

But when pressed on how he could stop the war even if Democrats control the House during the last years of President Bush’s second term, Rangel paused before saying, “You’ve got to be able to pay for the war, don’t you?”

Rangel’s views on funding the war are shared by many of his colleagues – especially within the 73-member Out of Iraq Caucus.

Some Democratic legislators want to halt funding for the war immediately, while others say they would allocate money for activities such as reconstruction, setting up international security forces, and the ultimate withdrawal of U.S. troops.

“Personally, I wouldn’t spend another dime [on the war,]” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.).

Woolsey is among the Democrats in Congress who are hoping to control the power of the purse in 2007 to force an end to the war. Woolsey and some of her colleagues note that Congress helped force the end of Vietnam War by refusing to pay for it.

They care not one whit how deadly a precipitous pullout will be for the entire United States. Some of them cannot figure out why the nation keeps considering them weak on security. The complete lack of logic here is astonishing.

Battling the White House on the war would be challenging, Democrats say, but they would be emboldened by the election results and Bush’s standing as a lame-duck president with low approval ratings.

Abercrombie stressed that Democrats are not going to sever funding for the troops. Cutting off funding is “easy to say and another thing to do,” according to Abercrombie.

What’s more like likely, he said, is to fund the conflict in a way that will end the war by reallocating money to new initiatives.

“We’re going to continue to give the troops everything they need,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

A House Democratic leadership aide said, “The bottom line is that should Democrats regain the House, Democrats will leave no soldier left behind in Iraq. As long as there’s soldiers in the battlefield, funding will continue.”

Yeah. Great idea. I'm sure my son and his fellow soldiers are highly comforted by words like this. We're going to cut off funds, but magically the soldiers won't be affected by that. This is shameful and shows the worst America has to offer.

They care not one whit how deadly a precipitous pullout will be for the entire United States. Some of them cannot figure out why the nation keeps considering them weak on security. The complete lack of logic here is astonishing.

Battling the White House on the war would be challenging, Democrats say, but they would be emboldened by the election results and Bush’s standing as a lame-duck president with low approval ratings.

Abercrombie stressed that Democrats are not going to sever funding for the troops. Cutting off funding is “easy to say and another thing to do,” according to Abercrombie.

What’s more like likely, he said, is to fund the conflict in a way that will end the war by reallocating money to new initiatives.

“We’re going to continue to give the troops everything they need,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

A House Democratic leadership aide said, “The bottom line is that should Democrats regain the House, Democrats will leave no soldier left behind in Iraq. As long as there’s soldiers in the battlefield, funding will continue.”

Yeah. Great idea. I'm sure my son and his fellow soldiers are highly comforted by words like this. We're going to cut off funds, but magically the soldiers won't be affected by that. This is shameful and shows the worst America has to offer.

Echoes Upon Echoes

The rhetorical echoes continue. After all, Hugo Chavez got lots of press over his remarks at the UN. So why not repeat his words? If they're good enough for Chavez, they're good enough for the deranged dwarf that runs the massive concentration camp known as North Korea.

UNITED NATIONS - North Korea on Tuesday rejected further talks on its nuclear program and blamed the breakdown in negotiations directly on the United States, claiming Washington wants to rule the world.

In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly that was peppered with anti-American rhetoric, Deputy Foreign Minister Choe Su Hon said U.S. financial sanctions, imposed shortly after a joint statement was issued at six-nation talks on the North's nuclear program on Sept. 19, 2005, had convinced Pyongyang that the negotiations were not worth pursuing.

"It is quite preposterous that the DPRK, under the groundless U.S. sanctions, takes part in the talks on discussing its own nuclear abandonment," Choe said, referring to North Korea's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Choe echoes Chavez echoes Ahmadinejad. Still doubt that there is an axis of egos at work here?

Agam Hits The Big Time

My blogging friend from Thailand, Agam, has just had one of his pieces about the recent coup in Thailand published over at The Guardian's opinion site. Congratulations, Agam! (He's even got a bio page.)

Hopeful Blasts Arizona “9/11 Memorial”

Arizona Republican Gubernatorial candidate Len Munsil blasted the "tribute to moral relativism" that supposedly honors 9/11. In the usual double-speak that is becoming all too common, Arizona's Democratic Governor, Janet Napolitano accused Munsil of "politicizing 9/11". (That being one of the left's newest shiny little talking points).

The monument was "supposedly put in place to remember the losses of 9/11, an evil attack on our nation that killed thousands of innocent Americans," Len Munsil said Monday at a rally near the capitol. "Instead it reminds us of American failings and American mistakes, real and imagined before and after 9/11. This memorial is a tribute to moral relativism."

The 54 laser-etched inscriptions on an arc that circles the structure include many from a Sept. 11, 2001, timeline, while others trace events following the terrorist attacks. Topics range from the deployment of 216 Arizona firefighters to the World Trade Center to questions of whether the federal agencies could have uncovered the plot.

….

"Only in the relativistic context of left-wing protesters holding 'Bush is a terrorist' signs do such inscriptions make any sense," said Munsil, the former head of a conservative Christian advocacy group who won the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the Sept. 12 primary.

"It explains why despite the outpouring of public prayer and the bipartisan singing of 'God Bless America' on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, there is not a single mention of God in this memorial. It explains why there are inscriptions raising conspiracy theories, like questions about whether the U.S. knew of these attacks and didn't prevent them."

Munsil said some parts of the memorial are fine but that the structure should be torn down and replaced with a new one that includes the phrases "Let's roll," "United We Stand" and "God Bless America."

The monument was sanctioned by the state but funded from private sources. It was dedicated Sept. 11, the five-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano defended the memorial as a tribute to 9/11 victims and first-responders and said some inscriptions were being taken out of context.

"I'm just sorry that they're trying to politicize 9/11. That's just wrong," she said.

It is, of course, the "memorial" that is firmly politicized. Munsil, in pointing that out, is not the one doing the politicizing.

White House Considers Releasing NIE

The White House is seriously considering the release of the National Intelligence Estimate, portions of which have been leaked for partisan political purposes. Releasing the document would show, presumably, that the information leaked to partisans is fragmentary and taken out of context.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said officials were "giving serious consideration" to releasing the National Intelligence Estimate on the U.S. terrorism threat to demonstrate that the section being seized on by Democrats is only one part of the overall picture.

The report, part of which was leaked to the media, has become an issue in the runup to November 7 mid-term elections when control of both houses of Congress is at stake.

Part of the report said U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded the Iraq war has made the worldwide threat from Islamist extremists more dangerous.

It has inspired their growing militant movement and created a ready source of anti-American rhetoric, current and former intelligence officials familiar with the document say.

Perino said one paragraph in the lengthy report was "wildly taken out of context" and that some officials believe the whole document, provided to the U.S. Congress in April, should be released to put that paragraph in context.

It should be very troublesome to people in this country that the rest of a classified document has to be released to counter the ill effects of an illegally leaked portion of that document. Is this really how we want this country operated? We want rogue elements in the government, unelected officials, to intervene in partisan politics with selective leaks?

Do the Democrats really want to operate the government this way? Are they really that unprincipled and so desperate to seize power? This is a horrible way to run this country, folks. Those on the left should be extremely careful what they are wishing for. For the precedents that are being set in this election cycle do not bode well for the future. You are bringing about that which you say you fear.

UPDATE: I no sooner hit the publish button when this popped up from the AP. President Bush HAS ordered the release of portions of the NIE, specifically to counter the out of context information that partisan elements released to the press.

UPDATE: Others: In From The Cold, Political Pit Bull, A Blog For All, Sister Toldjah, Mac's Mind, Security Watchtower,

Absolute, Irrefutable Proof That God Exists

If this actually happens, that is: rumors are beginning to be circulated that George Clooney may run for president. Clooney denies them - in phrasing that sounds exactly like a politician keeping his options open.

The actor-director skillfully deflected a barrage of questions from reporters about a potential Clooney candidacy, after appearing at an event where Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation aimed at helping stop genocidal violence in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Told that fans are clamoring for the "Syriana" star to run for office, he said with a subtle head shake, "Believe me, you don't want me in politics."

When asked what he thought about people wearing T-shirts urging Clooney to seek the presidency in 2008, he added, "I think they're probably kidding."

Asked again if he would try to get his name on a ballot, Clooney said, "That's a bad idea."

This would be the greatest thing since sliced bread! The photoshop opportunities! The opportunities for ridicule! The movie sequels!

That Didn’t Quite Work Out

Although the Democrats that held their "hearing" yesterday are spinning mightily, the retired generals they got to speak did not exactly perform as they wished. The Dems got their denunciations of Rumsfeld, but they also got told that pulling out of Iraq was not the answer. In fact, they got told that more troops is the right one.

 Batiste, who retired in protest rather than accept a three-star promotion, was a persuasive witness — and Democrats were joyous. "Your statement, I believe, defines the word 'courage,' " Sen. Byron Dorgan (N.D.) gushed. Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) pumped his fist and gave Batiste and his colleagues pats on the biceps. And Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) proclaimed, giddily: "This hearing today could change our country."

Perhaps. But Democrats, while celebrating Batiste's criticism of the administration, exercised some selective listening at the hearing when Batiste and his colleagues offered their solution: more troops, more money and more time in Iraq.

"We must mobilize our country for a protracted challenge," Batiste warned.

"We better be planning for at least a minimum of a decade or longer," contributed retired Marine Col. Thomas Hammes.

"We are, conservatively, 60,000 soldiers short," added retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, who was in charge of building the Iraqi Security Forces.

…. 

The questioners skillfully directed the witnesses toward past failures rather than their expansive prescriptions for the future. A notable exception was the relatively hawkish Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), who, as the last questioner, invited the officers to comment on the effect of a specific withdrawal date.

"The result will be a civil war of some magnitude that will turn into a regional mess," Batiste said without hesitation.

As he stood to leave, Batiste worried that this last point — the need to stay in Iraq — might be overlooked. "The hard part," he told reporters, "is moving forward."

Did he detect any enthusiasm for making a bigger effort in Iraq?

"God help us if there's not," the general said.

(I am firmly on record as believing that retired general officers have no business meddling in civilian politics. I still believe that. I post this only to show that political theater doesn't always work out the way people plan.) The left will only publicize the criticism of Rumsfeld, and by extension, Bush. They will ignore the fact that these people also vigorously called for the exact opposite of the precipitous withdrawal that the left wants.

Billy Gets His Stripes Back

We brought you the story of lance corporal William "Billy" Windsor of the 1st battalion of the Royal Welsh Regiment and his fall from grace back in June. He lost his stripes after a disgraceful performance during a parade honoring the Queen's 80th birthday. He refused to stay in step during the parade. You'll be happy to know that Billy has redeemed himself, has regained his stripes and is no longer the goat.

He is, however, still A goat.

William (Billy) Windsor, was demoted to private after refusing to keep in step with a marching band marking the Queen's 80th birthday on June 16, at Episkopi garrison near Limassol on the Mediterranean island's south coast.

Billy — attached to the 1st battalion Royal Welsh — spent three months in the wilderness before his shot at redemption.

And it was on the same Happy Valley parade field where Billy regained the respect of his fellow soldiers.

Billy — Army Number 25232301 — regained his rank after "turning heads" during last week's Alma Day parade to celebrate a Royal Welsh victory in the Crimea War, 1854.

"Billy was honoured to receive his promotion of Lance Corporal by the Colonel of the Royal Welsh Regiment, Brigadier Roderick Porter," British Forces Cyprus spokesman captain Crispin Coates told AFP Tuesday.

"He marched proudly and with his head held high," he added.

The goat was a popular member of the 1st Battalion before his lack of decorum got him into hot water during the birthday bash.

Moreover, the British army in Cyprus had received a protest letter from a Canadian animal rights group demanding the army reinstate Billy as he was "only acting the goat" during the Queen's ceremony.

"Billy performed exceptionally well, he has had all summer to reflect on his behaviour at the Queen's birthday and clearly earned the rank he deserves," said Captain Simon Clarke.

As an NCO, the goat can now enjoy the privileges his rank entails.

"This will include soldiers standing to attention and having membership of the Corporals' Mess," said Crispin.

So, remember to salute Billy. He's a terror on proper etiquette.

Right Again

I have been writing fairly frequently about what has been going on down in Mexico with the leftist losers who refused to concede the election and now refuse to recognize the winner. One thing I asked, time and time again, was where was the money coming from for all the antics the leftists were pulling? It seems Mexico has a pretty good idea. It is exactly who I speculated might be behind it.

Hugo Chavez.

In a rather pointed diplomatic slap at Chavez and those governments who have aligned themselves with the would-be dictator, Felipe Calderon, president elect of Mexico is making visits to many countries in Latin America. Except Venezuela and its allies.

Conservative Calderon, 44, will take in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile and Brazil on the trip, but will not visit Venezuela and other countries like Bolivia whose leftist leaders are aligned with Chavez.

Calderon has said he wants Mexico to play a more active role in regional politics to balance the influence of Chavez, who is trying to reduce U.S power over Latin American affairs.

Last week the rambunctious Venezuelan president angered the Mexican government by saying he did not recognize Calderon's victory, backing fraud claims by leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who narrowly lost a hotly contested July presidential vote.

Calderon's trip will be his first visit to Latin American leaders since a top election court ratified his election win, which was disputed legally and in the streets by leftists.

"This trip will be fundamental to establishing the first initial contact and express our disposition to establish a relationship of respect with all countries in the world, without exception, especially in Latin America," said Calderon, from President Vicente Fox's National Action Party.

Chavez says it is impossible to maintain good relations with Calderon, who used the Washington-baiting Venezuelan's image in television campaign ads to attack Lopez Obrador.

Calderon also accused Chavez of funding the leftist's election campaign.

It was pretty obvious there was money coming from somewhere for all the demonstrators to be able to even eat. Things were just too professionally organized to be spontaneous. I would imagine that the same source of funding is enabling teachers in Oaxaca to remain out on strike for the better part of a year now as well.