Dodd Delivers Keynote Speech at Andean Forum for Regional Security in Quito

Dodd Delivers Keynote Speech at Andean Forum for Regional Security in Quito

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, last Friday delivered the Keynote address to the Andean Forum for Regional Security to lay out a blueprint for how the United States can change course and take a new direction in regards to our Latin America policies by addressing issues of mutual concern: Public Security and the Rule of Law, Poverty and Inequality, and Energy Integration.

Dodd travelled in Latin America last week to continue to lay out his vision for a strategic partnership between the United States and Latin America. Earlier this year, Dodd laid out a blueprint for the future of hemispheric policy - a "Strategic Partnership in the Americas" - in remarks before the United States Naval Academy, the Organization of American States, and the World Affairs Council. Dodd believes that the United States should move forward toward a more comprehensive approach to Latin America, based on mutual respect, and a commitment to three key areas of interest: Strengthening Public Security and the Rule of Law; Reducing Poverty and Inequality, and Enhancing Energy Integration and Innovation.

Dodd delivered the speech in Spanish on Friday afternoon. The Spanish language version of Senator Dodd's remarks as delivered is available upon request, and the full English text is below:

REMARKS OF SENATOR CHRISTOPHER J. DODD
ANDEAN FORUM FOR REGIONAL SECURITY: TOWARDS A CONFIDENT ANDEAN AGENDA QUITO, ECUADOR

Thank you, for that introduction, for welcoming us here to Quito.

I particularly want to thank President Baki - for her friendship and for the outstanding leadership she offers this most critical institution. I've known President Baki for a very long time, since she was a first-rate diplomat representing this country in Washington. And I could not think of a better president to lead the Andean Parliament.

President Baki, members of the diplomatic corps, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen - it is an honor to celebrate with all of you this special occasion, and to do so at this pivotal moment in our hemispheric history.

Four decades ago, countries in the Andean region came together in common purpose - to forge a partnership known as the Cartagena Agreement to advance mutual economic and political interests.

A decade later, this Parliament was born - to promote and guide further Andean integration in coordination with other institutions within the Andean community.

Today we gather here for this conference to build a stronger foundation of trust among all of us in securing our common future.

Whether it is the workshops on the Mechanics of Conflict Prevention or on the Benefits of Multilateral Cooperation, I believe the questions we are all asking at this forum are the same:

How can we all work to prevent conflict?

And what is it about this institution that makes it so important at this moment to your people and mine?

I tell you that the people of the United States are intricately connected to the people of this region - politically, economically, and culturally.

And in this new century, I have great hope for the continuing progress we may achieve, strengthening these bonds, and building a more prosperous and secure future.

Today, our hemisphere is in a moment of great transition. Countries in the Andean Community and throughout Latin America stand on the precipice of a new era - of autonomy and hope, of individual rights and freedoms by which all societies can abide.

Today the Americas are closer than ever to completing the transition to stable, democracies with social contracts that respond to the demands of their people.

All but one nation in the Western Hemisphere has a democratically elected government.

At a moment when we find the region more self-sufficient, more capable of handling its own economic interests and own security, the need for strong multilateral institutions like the Andean Parliament could not be clearer.

It is time for the United States to fully recognize and understand how this region has changed and how we can build a foundation for renewed mutual respect and opportunities for partnership, which can strengthen the Andean Community.

That starts with moving beyond measuring progress almost entirely on the basis of three metrics:

Elections, trade, and anti-drug policies.

No one doubts that my country's focus on these policy prescriptions over the last few decades have advanced significant causes and achieved some important results.

But they have also been too narrowly focused on symptoms rather than the most profound socio-economic challenges we all face.

If we are truly serious about taking on all of the destabilizing forces threatening our peoples, then we must also tackle what is known as the "black market peso exchange." In this scheme, drug traffickers employ thousands of people in money laundering, thereby undermining entire economies. We must find ways to lift people out of poverty and employ them in legitimate businesses in legitimate economies.

We are finding time and time again, these problems do not respect national boundaries. Insecurity among our neighbors means insecurity for us as well.

That is why as important as any "war" we wage on drugs is - it must be so much more than providing military equipment to those in need.

It is why as important as elections are, our efforts to support civil society must move beyond simply promoting elections - especially given that such a policy may allow some politicians to manipulate populist sentiment and exploit fears that in attacking the illicit drug trade we are also attacking a "way of life."

It is also why we must stop suggesting that trade is a panacea to all of our problems in the hemisphere - particularly when the "black market peso exchange" is showing how an illicit commercial enterprise can distort the very benefits we hope to achieve through economic development.

I believe the moment has arrived to start fresh - to forge a new "strategic partnership in the Americas," based on mutual respect and a commitment to three key principles:

* First, Public security and the rule of law.

* Second, The reduction in poverty and inequality.

* And Third, Energy integration and innovation.

Achieving this is within our reach. But it will only be possible with strong multilateral institutions such as the Andean Parliament.

Public Security and the Rule of Law:

No one can deny our public security depends on physical security from crime, political violence, and narco-trafficking.

But our long-term security is immutably linked to the Rule of Law.

Safeguarding civil society requires reliable and effective civilian institutions that can serve as critical stabilizing forces.

Latin America will need well-trained and equipped military forces to confront the most violent criminals. But the hemisphere will also need to become much smarter about securing a prosperous collective future.

To tackle unique challenges such as the black market peso exchange, we must improve our financial intelligence cooperation and build adequate protections against money-laundering. What better institution is there than the Andean Parliament to facilitate greater cooperation across this region to confront this issue?

Equally important to addressing these systemic challenges, the Andean Community must empower its own diplomats to address regional disputes among its own member-states.

The episode along the Colombia-Ecuador border demonstrated the importance of this mission just months ago.

I applaud the Andean Parliament for its Lima Declaration-- trying to promote a serious dialogue to dispel this conflict. And I supported President Baki's proposal to create a commission led by the Organization of American States, to investigate the events that led to the recent tension.

Latin American diplomats should take the lead in defusing tensions that otherwise could boil over into serious regional conflicts, while also working to solve common threats to all of our security.

The bottom line is this—Colombia´s security is Ecuador´s security, and vice versa. It is time that we all recognize this simple truth. We can not ignore the dire security challenges that our neighbors face from transnational threats such as the FARC.

Tackling Poverty and Inequality:

Poverty and inequality continue to be among the most destructive forces in the region.

Unfortunately, my country's focus has remained almost exclusively on trade - on bilateral agreements that too often have the effect of pitting neighbors against one another rather than working in partnership toward regional economic solutions.

Income and wealth disparities in Latin America are the worst in the world. Social and economic exclusion are rampant, fostering conditions in which political radicalism thrives and crime rates soar to six times greater than the rest of the world.

As a result of these debilitating conditions, millions of Latin Americans have emigrated from the region in search of better opportunities—nearly 100 million have left since World War Two.

But migration within the Americas can actually prove beneficial for our peoples. And in this regard, the Andean community is taking an important lead in facilitating the integration of labor within the region. One such case, is the Community´s efforts to develop a complimentary social security system so that workers may work in multiple countries without sacrificing their social security benefits.

But to more fully address issues of poverty and inequality afflicting this region, we must find ways to collectively address other contributing factors, such as rising global food prices.

The soaring cost of food is an issue of enormous regional concern - it affects countries large and small, rich and poor. The Andean Parliament should provide a forum in which the region can debate, discuss and resolve matters relating to trade, tariffs, imports and export bans.

As I know you recognize, no country can solve this crisis on its own - each of our country's actions affects the other. What better role for the Andean Community to play than that of an intraregional facilitator?

These problems are not going to be solved overnight. But it is important that members of the Andean Community recognize that only through close comprehensive coordination can we truly begin to overcome these profound challenges.

Energy Integration:

And last, such coordination must also be pursued in meeting our 21st century energy needs. Many of the Andean nations are a lifeline to the region for energy.

We must develop technological innovations that utilize alternative energy resources for the betterment of entire hemisphere.

Here, the Andean Parliament can work closely with the Inter-American Development Bank which has been helpful in supporting both the import and export of our energy resources.

And so, my friends, this conference comes at a critical moment - not only for your countries but for mine as well. On January 20th, 2009, my country will have a new President - who I hope will recognize these new realities I have just described.

I believe it is possible for us to forge a new partnership to create lasting change in our hemisphere. Thank you.

Source