Castro employs guerrilla tactics

The world's leaders began to arrive in Monterrey yesterday against a turbulent backdrop that has become almost traditional for global summits: noisy protesters in the streets, a US-European rift, a self-promoting host and a surprise appearance by Fidel Castro.

The Cuban leader confirmed his attendance at the last minute yesterday, throwing the organisers into a panic to avoid any chance encounters with President Bush.

Mr Castro has perfected a form of guerrilla warfare for summits. He rarely gives much notice of his arrival, uses his time at the lectern to snipe at his fellow leaders, and has a knack of appearing suddenly from the shadows to confront western leaders. In September 2000 he popped up in front of Bill Clinton, forcing a handshake that the White House at first tried to deny, and then spent days playing down.

Mr Castro is expected to arrive for a brief appearance at a plenary session of the summit today. Mr Bush is due in later tonight, and it is not clear if their paths will cross.

Mr Bush has other critics to worry about, including a former US president, Jimmy Carter, who lambasted the current administration for its aid budget. "With President Bush's commitment carried out, we'll be giving 12 parts out of 10,000 of our gross national product," he said. "That's a tiny bit."

One third world leader who was delighted by the summit was its Mexican host, Vicente Fox, who hopes it will help boost his fading popularity.

"We've never had anything like this in Mexico and I think we are going to be a great host," he promised, adding that the summit "will succeed in achieving a true harmony".