MADAM PRESIDENT, SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I AM ADDRESSING THIS PLENARY SESSION, MAY I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY. YOU HAVE ALREADY DISTINGUISHED YOURSELF IN THE POSITION WITH YOUR GRACE, CHARM, WISDOM, PROFESSIONALISM AND ABILITY, ALL OF WHICH BODE WELL FOR THE EFFICACIOUS DELIBERATIONS OF THIS ASSEMBLY.

MADAM PRESIDENT, I WILL LIKE TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF GOVERNANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF A GLOBALIZED WORLD WHERE NATIONS ARE INCREASINGLY CHALLENGED TO ADJUST TO CHANGING REALITIES AND WHERE TECHNOLOGY HAS ENHANCED THE INFORMING AND EDUCATING OF OUR CITIZENS TO BE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNANCE AND NATION BUILDING. WE HAVE TO INCLUDE IN OUR PLANNING PROCESSES MECHANISMS FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF SUCH PARTICIPATION.

IN ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, WE ADHERE TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT GOOD GOVERNANCE IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTRY. WE BELIEVE THAT THE CORE ELEMENTS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE ARE A SOUND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR REPRESENTATIVE AND PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY; A MOTIVATED PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE; EFFECTIVE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL POLICIES; PRESERVATION OF THE SECURITY OF THE POPULATION; AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP WHICH ENCOURAGES THE FULL PARTICIPATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN FORMULATING AND REFORMING PUBLIC POLICY.

INHERENT IN GOOD GOVERNANCE IS RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND THE PRESERVATION OF THE DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WE SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOTION THAT THE MEDIA HAS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE PRACTICE AND INSTITUTING OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE BUT ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE ENORMOUS RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEDIA IN THE ASSUMPTION OF THAT ROLE.

MADAME CHAIR, THIS DISCUSSION, THEREFORE, OUGHT TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR THE PROMOTING AND STRENGTHENING OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE. WE ALREADY HAVE A SOUND, FUNDAMENTAL INSTRUMENT ON WHICH TO DO THIS. I REFER, HERE, MADAM CHAIR, TO THE INTER AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CHARTER. IT SEEMED IRONIC THAT ON SEPTEMBER 11TH 2001, WHILE THE WORLD WATCHED IN HORROR THE BEASTIAL AND DEMONIC ATTACKS NOT ONLY ON A MEMBER STATE BUT ON THE ENTIRE CIVILIZED WORLD AND ON OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, OUR OAS FAMILY WAS MEETING IN PERU TO RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO THE PROMOTION AND DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY. THIS NOBLE INITIATIVE WHICH RESULTED IN THE APPROVAL OF THE INTER AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CHARTER MUST BE CONTINUOUSLY COMMEMORATED WITH THE EFFECTIVE USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT. IT IS THEREFORE APPROPRIATE, AS WE ENGAGE IN DISCOURSE ON DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE, TO USE THE INTER AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CHARTER AS A CRITICAL REFERENCE.

THE OAS, THEREFORE, MUST REMAIN THE FORUM FOR RELATED HEMISPHERIC DIALOGUE, STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM DESIGN. IT MUST CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO MEMBER STATES WHO SEEK TO PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE. ST.VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES IS PRESENTLY RE-ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AIMED AT DECENTRALIZING THE GOVERNMENT´S OPERATIONS AND ENHANCING CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION. WE HAVE ALSO UNDERTAKEN A PROCESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. WE ARE PLEASED TO NOTE THAT BOTH OF THESE ENDEAVORS ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN WITH THE COLLABORATION OF THE OAS.

MADAME CHAIR, LET ME TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICLY THANK THE OAS FOR ITS FULL COLLABORATION IN OUR DRIVE TO STRENGTHEN WHAT WE CONSIDER AS A PILLAR FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE: A SOUND LEGAL AND POLITICAL FRAMEWORK FOR INSTITUTION AND CAPACITY BUILDING. WE ARE PREPARED TO SHARE THIS EXPERIENCE WITH ALL MEMBER STATES OF THE AMERICAS.

OF COURSE, MADAME CHAIR, WE CANNOT DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE WITHOUT HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY TO THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR DEMOCRACIES. LAST YEAR, AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HELD IN BARBADOS, WE DETERMINED THAT SECURITY WAS MULTI-DIMENSIONAL IN SCOPE AND NATURE AND THAT ISSUES LIKE HIV/AIDS, ECONOMIC MARGINALIZATION, AND POVERTY COULD UNDERMINE THE EFFORTS OF DULY ELECTED GOVERNMENTS TO GOVERN EFFECTIVELY. IN JANUARY 2003, THE OAS HELD ITS SECOND HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON THE SPECIAL SECURITY CONCERNS OF SMALL ISLAND STATES IN ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES. AT THAT MEETING THE OAS ADOPTED A MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR A COORDINATED APPROACH TO THE ISSUE. WE MUST CONTINUE WORKING TO FINALIZE THE MECHANISM FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT MANAGEMENT MODEL.

MADAM PRESIDENT, ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES REMAINS READY TO WORK WITH ALL MEMBER STATES TO ENSURE THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THE CHARTER OF THE OAS, THE ELIMINATION OF POVERTY, REMAINS A PRIORITY ON THE AGENDA OF THE OAS. INDEED, IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT EXTREME POVERTY GENERATES DEMOCRATIC INSTABILITY IN OUR COUNTRIES. WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS SCOURGE TO CONTINUE TO UNDERMINE OUR EFFORTS AT SOUND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND JEAPORDISE THE WELFARE OF OUR PEOPLE.

MADAME CHAIR, WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE PRESENT HEMISPHERE-WIDE THRUST TO ACHIEVE FULL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND ARE COMMITTED TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS NOBLE, WORTHWHILE AND ESSENTIAL OBJECTIVE.

MADAM PRESIDENT, WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY AND WILL DO SO AGAIN TOMORROW AROUND THE RED DRAPED, HORSE SHAPED TABLE GIVING UTTERANCE TO THE NOBLE IDEALS OF DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE. WE ARE SOME OF THE PRIVILEDGED CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTRIES WHO HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RESHAPING OUR SOCIETIES SO THAT ALL OF OUR PEOPLE CAN ENJOY A BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING. BUT WHAT DO THE WORDS “DEMOCRACY” AND “GOOD GOVERNANCE” MEAN TO THE MASSES OF POOR PEOPLE? OF WHAT VALUE ARE THESE WORDS TO OUR CITIZENS WHO ARE CHRONICALLY UNEMPLOYED; OR THOSE WHO HAVE NO HOMES; NO HEALTHCARE; THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY; OR WHO LACK ACCESS TO CLEAN POTABLE WATER; THOSE WHO HAVE NO ACCESS OR OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR MINDS THROUGH EDUCATION; OR THOSE WHO DAY AFTER DAY LIVE THEIR LIVES IN MISERY AND FRUSTRATION WITHOUT FAITH IN THE SYSTEM WHICH GOVERNS THEM OR IN THEIR LEADERS – NO HOPE FOR THE FUTURE?

MADAM CHAIR, TELL ME – WHEN I RETURN TO MY COUNTRY FROM THIS COUNTRY, WHAT DO I SAY TO THE POOR? DO I TELL THEM THAT I CAME TO CHILE AND SPENT A WEEK IN LUXURY AND COMFORT WHILE THEY WERE HURDLED IN SUBSTANDARD HOUSING? DO I TELL THEM THAT I ATE SUMPTIOUSLY, WHILE THEY SUFFER STOMACH CRAMP BECAUSE OF HUNGER? DO I TELL THEM THAT I LISTENED TO SOME ELOQUENT, SCHOLARLY SPEECHES ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THE POOR AND THE BENEFITS OF DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE? THESE WILL BE COLD COMFORT TO THE POOR. IS THIS MEETING GOING TO BE LIKE THE UMPTEEN OTHER MEETING WHERE WE FEEL RELIEF BY UNBURDENING OUR CONSCIENCES MAKING PIOUS RESOLUTIONS AND LOFTY SPEECHES AND FEEL SATISFIED THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR DUTY BY THE POOR.

MADAM CHAIR, THE GREATEST CAUSE OF ALIENATION OF OUR PEOPLE AWAY FROM POLITICS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES IS THE INABILITY TO MEET THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC NEEDS OF THE POOR.

MADAM CHAIR, DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE MUST BE MORE THAN THEORETICAL CONSTRUCTS; MORE THAN MERE ABSTRACT CONCEPTS TO THE POOR. DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE DO NOT OF THEMSELVES PRODUCE PORSPERITY. IF THEY DID, THEN THE CARICOM COUNTRIES WITH A LONG HISTORY OF DEMOCRACY AND A RICH EXPERIENCE IN GOOD GOVERNANCE WOULD BE SOME OF THE RICHEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.

DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ARE NOT PANACEAS FOR THE ILLS OF SOCIETY; BUT THEY CAN CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT, WITHOUT WHICH, SOCIO-ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT WILL BE DIFFICULT IF NOT NIGH IMPOSSIBLE. DISCUSSION ON THESE ISSUES ARE GOOD BUT WE SHOULD NOT TREAT THEM AS IF WE WERE ENGAGED IN AN ACADEMIC DEBATE OR A SOCRATIC DIALOGUE THAT GOES ON AND ON.

WE ARE NOT ONLY TO BE THE VOICE OF THE POOR, BUT THEIR EYES, IN ORDER TO CATCH A NEW VISION TO ALLEVIATE THEIR CONDITION. WE MUST BE THEIR HANDS TO FASHION A NEW WORLD IN WHICH THEY CAN ENJOY THE FRUITS OF DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE. WE MUST BE THEIR FEET TO BE ALWAYS ON MISSIONS TO SEEK HELP FOR THEM. WE MUST NOT ONLY COMMIT OUR HEADS AND OUR HEARTS BUT OUR TOTAL BEING, NOT TO BRING IN A NEW UTOPIA, BUT TO LIFT THEM OUT OF THEIR MISERY.

FOR TOO LONG, AND FOR TOO MANY PEOPLE, DEMOCRACY HAS BEEN A MIRAGE, A NEVER ENDING, EVER RECEDING QUEST THAT CAN NOT BE REALIZED.

IT IS NOT FOR THE LACK OF RESOURCES, WORLDWIDE WHY POVERTY PERSISTS, WORLDWIDE. IT IS BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION, GREED, SELFISHNESS, INSULAR THINKING AND MISGUIDED POLICIES. BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE SPENT ON SECURITY MATTERS – THE IMPLEMENTS OF WAR AND MAKING WAR. THESE SUMS ARE SPENT TO KILL AND DESTROY WHEN FAR LESS IS SPENT ON SAVING LIVES.

MADAM PRESIDENT, DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE A SHINING LIGHT BECOMING THE MASSES FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE; FROM DOUBT; CYNICISM AND SKEPTICISM TO FAITH IN THE FUTURE THROUGH SPECIFIC CONCRETE, PRATICAL, TANGIBLE BENEFITS WHICH THE POOR CAN SEE, FEEL AND ENJOY.

I TRUST THAT THIS 33RD REGULAR SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE OAS WILL BE A HISTORIC ONE AS WE MOVE FROM RHETORIC TO ACTION.

I THANK YOU.