Setting a tone for an economic summit on his turf, President George W. Bush plans to tell world leaders that reforming financial markets alone won’t help if they abandon the free market and restrict trade.

The president plans to sell that message Thursday from the heart of Wall Street. At the venerable Federal Hall, home of the first Congress and within shouting distance of New York Stock Exchange, Bush was to frame expectations for the high-level gathering he’s hosting in Washington this weekend.
   
Bush is also going to New York to address a United Nations conference on religious tolerance and to meet with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
   
But the broader focus is on the deteriorating economy, which has millions of people grappling to keep their jobs, their homes and their hopes. The most severe economic downturn in decades threatens to end Bush’s tenure on the most sour of notes before President-elect Barack Obama takes over.
   
To rally a more coordinated world response, Bush is convening representatives of some of the world’s biggest industrial democracies, emerging nations and international bodies in Washington. He will host the leaders at a White House dinner Friday and review causes and solutions for the financial mess Saturday.
   
The president’s aides pledge the summit will produce thorough discussions and concrete results but warn there will be no sudden fixes.

(Source: 1010WINS)