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INSULZA: FIFTH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE INTER-AMERICAN RELATIONS

“The Fifth Summit of the Americas will provide a unique opportunity for dialogue between the new President of the United States and his colleagues from the rest of region and, in the spirit of multilateralism, to demonstrate his stated commitment to discussing policies “with them” and not “for them,” Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza told a conference at The George Washington University.

Addressing the conference entitled “The Future of Democracy Initiative: The New Administration and Latin America's Rising Powers,” Secretary General Insulza noted that so far hemispheric relations have not been a priority on the United States foreign political agenda. The conference was held at The George Washington University’s School of International Relations in Washington, D.C.

The head of the leading hemispheric organization cited some examples showing that the region has changed dramatically and has made significant strides in its democracy and economic development over the past few years. He stressed the role of Latin America as a key U.S. trading partner, noting the historical background of important bilateral trade relations with such countries as Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil.

Insulza suggested ways the new hemispheric multilateral agenda could change, taking advantage of the Fifth Summit of the Americas that will be held in April in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He also highlighted that all the leaders who will participate at the Summit represent democratically-elected governments.

The Secretary General acknowledged that even though Latin America and the Caribbean have not been a priority on the United States’ agenda, issues such as immigration, drug trafficking, energy and organized crime have become part of the U.S. political debate and are closely linked to the priorities of the rest of the Hemisphere. He said there are opportunities for improving hemispheric relations, but warned that there is not enough time to craft a new agenda for the Trinidad and Tobago Summit that opens in only 90 days.

“Three months is not enough time to radically change all the existing policies, but there are signs that can show that the new US government is willing to consider the perspective of Latin Americans in formulating its new policies,” he observed. Additionally, Insulza believes that the leaders who will participate in the Summit will want to discuss hemispheric cooperation issues in which they share common concerns, and from his standpoint the effect of the global crisis on the region will be a priority in those discussions.

In his presentation, Insulza identified six basic issues that define relations between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean: trade, immigration, energy, global warming, crime and relations with Cuba. In that regard, he insisted that it is important for the US to take steps to improve relations with the region—such steps as advancing in the approval of pending free trade agreements; taking leadership in the discussions on global warming; cutting tariffs for ethanol imports; changing deportation policies; acting forcefully to stop the sale and smuggling of all kinds of guns on the country’s southern border; easing restrictions on Cuba; and normalizing relations with Bolivia and Venezuela.

He warned that the Summit cannot provide all the answers to the issues raised. “The real expectations of countries indicate that after a number of years of unilateral policies, our leaders will be able to seat down and talk frankly about common priorities and how to make progress on them, how to cooperate,” he stated. “No one expects President Obama to get to Port of Spain with all the solutions to the issues described. They expect him to go there with an open attitude and willing to listen to the points of views of others in shaping the policies,” he said.

The conference at The George Washington University also drew participation from scholars, experts, and representatives of think-tanks engaged in analysis of the United States, Latin America and Caribbean relations.

Reference: E-015/09