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A new U.S. policy toward Latin America takes shape

When Ronald Reagan and Mexican President Jóse López Portillo shake hands this week at Camp David, they will do so warmly, for the two got along quite well last January during the President-elect's visit to the border city of Ciudad Juárez. But as soon as the two leaders sit down and begin talking policy, the warm feelings may cool. As one U.S. diplomat observes, "Their basic positions evolved separately and are in conflict. Frankly, I wish they would just agree to disagree."

The two nations are at odds over a number of issues: the...

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