[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E164-E165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ON PRIME MINISTER CHRETIEN'S SPEECH TO THE OAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2001

  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I want to share with my colleagues the 
address delivered recently by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien 
before a special session of the Permanent Council of the Organization 
of American States. The speech outlined his vision for the upcoming 
Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, specifically how the 
nations of the hemisphere can ``move ahead on an agenda of human 
progress and shared prosperity'' to create ``La Gran Familia of the 
Americas.'' These ideas are likely to serve as the guideposts for the 
bilateral and multilateral relationships evolving throughout the 
Americas, and I urge all of my colleagues to take the time to read the 
following speech.

     Address to a Special Session of the Permanent Council of the 
           Organization of American States--February 5, 2001

       The first address by a Canadian Prime Minister to the 
     Organization of American States is an important milepost in 
     the embrace by Canada of our hemispheric identity.
       A path marked by our decision to join the OAS in 1990. By 
     our presence at the first two Summits of the Americas in 
     Miami and Santiago. By my leading two trade missions to Latin 
     America in 1995 and 1998. By our hosting the OAS General 
     Assembly in Windsor last June. By the meetings of hemispheric 
     ministers of finance, environment and labour that will take 
     place in Canada in the coming months. And by the inaugural 
     meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas in 
     Ottawa in just a few weeks.
       In a couple of months, we will take the most important step 
     on our journey, as we welcome the democratically elected 
     leaders of the Americas to Quebec City for the Third Summit 
     of the Americas.
       The steps we have taken on our journey have run in parallel 
     with the growing sense that there is more to the Americas 
     than geography. A sense that we are more than just neighbours 
     and friends. We are ``Una Gran Familia.'' Each a proud 
     individual nation to be sure. Secure in our unique identity 
     and sovereignty. But at a higher level, a family. Who share 
     aspirations and values. Who have embraced democracy, free 
     markets and social justice. Who have taken enhancing the 
     quality of life of all of our people as our common cause.
       Recently I have spoken to many of your leaders about how we 
     can move ahead on an agenda of human progress and shared 
     prosperity. I will talk to President Bush about it later 
     today. For those listening in Washington and beyond, I would 
     like to outline how Canada sees our agenda unfolding for the 
     Quebec City summit.
       Let me begin by acknowledging the serious problems and 
     challenges that stand between us and our goal. But I have 
     unshakeable confidence in our collective resolve to meet

[[Page E165]]

     them head on. That is, after all, what brought us together in 
     Miami and Santiago, and will sustain us as we move ahead.
       The gap between our rich and poor remains too large. And in 
     the new economy, we face the added challenge of preventing a 
     digital divide. Our emerging democracies lack strong 
     institutions. Our social policies have room for improvement.
       Many look upon the powerful forces of economic 
     globalization and technological change as the source of these 
     profound problems. But Canada looks upon them as the key to 
     solving them. To creating untold opportunities and shared 
     prosperity from Tierra Del Fuego to Baffin Island.
       We should neither fear the challenge of globalization, nor 
     become blinded by its allure. Rather, we must develop the 
     tools so that all of La Gran Familia can reap its full 
     potential. We must, in short, adopt an agenda that puts 
     people first. That recognizes that our citizens can reach 
     their full potential only when their safety is guaranteed, 
     their rights are respected and their access to economic and 
     social opportunities is assured.
       In Quebec City, we will do just that. We have taken as our 
     themes three complementary areas: strengthening democracy, 
     creating prosperity and realizing human potential. And we 
     want to harness the information highway to support this 
     agenda. To foster ``connectivity'' throughout La Gran 
     Familia.
       Democracy and the effective rule of law are the guardians 
     of human security. But such security is unlikely to be 
     sustained in conditions of poverty and unequal opportunity. 
     Realizing human potential through effective social policies 
     is the guarantee that will allow democracy and prosperity to 
     flourish.
       Democracy has clearly been on the rise in the Americas over 
     the past decade. But its progress has been neither constant 
     nor equal. And in many countries it remains fragile. Canada 
     wishes to see a clear and forceful commitment to 
     strengthening democracy and fostering social inclusion in 
     Quebec City. Which extends to our democratic institutions, 
     our electoral machinery, and the impartiality of justice. To 
     protecting human rights and freedom of expression. To 
     fighting drug trafficking and corruption.
       It will mean empowering local governments and safeguarding 
     the rights of minorities, indigenous peoples, migrants and 
     the disabled. And making the strongest possible pledge to 
     promoting the legal, economic and social equality of women 
     and men.
       In Santiago, we formally launched negotiations on the Free 
     Trade Area of the Americas. And we challenged ourselves to 
     achieve it by 2005.
       The goal of achieving an FTAA by 2005 is one to which 
     Canada is deeply committed--by temperament and history. We 
     understand the connection between freer trade, prosperity and 
     social progress. And we see an FTAA--with increased 
     transparency and clearer rules--as the best way of forging 
     that same connection throughout the hemisphere. For big 
     nations and for small.
       By the same token, we understand that it cannot be about 
     trade alone. It is not just a contract among corporations and 
     governments. First and foremost, it is an agreement among--
     and about--people. It must be holistic in nature. It must 
     include improving the efficiency of financial markets, 
     protecting labour rights and the environment, and having 
     better development cooperation. It must include engaging the 
     private sector, international financial institutions and 
     civil society in a dialogue directed at encouraging greater 
     corporate social responsibility.
       These are the sorts of challenges we will be addressing in 
     Quebec.
       Canada also believes that progress in strengthening 
     democratic institutions and increasing prosperity in the new 
     economy must go hand in hand with actions to enhance social 
     and economic inclusion. That will increase access to 
     education and skills development. Promote life-long learning. 
     And broaden access to quality health care and effective 
     disease-prevention programs.
       And we must achieve this in a way that respects the value 
     of the diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious 
     strands that, woven together, make up the fabric of La Gran 
     Familia.
       Canada is also very much focused on bridging the digital 
     divide in the Americas. As the information revolution 
     continues, governments have a pivotal role to play in 
     determining how these new technologies evolve. And in 
     ensuring that their ability to bridge vast distances, expand 
     access to knowledge and increase economic productivity is 
     shared equitably.
       In Canada we have taken great strides in this area by 
     forming creative partnerships that have allowed us to connect 
     all of our public schools and communities at relatively low 
     cost.
       In many ways, our meeting in Quebec City will be about 
     coming to terms with an increasingly engaged civil society 
     and its concerns over the powerful forces that are shaping 
     our modem world.
       Canada believes that openness and transparency are vital to 
     building public acceptance and legitimacy for our 
     undertakings. In preparing for the Summit, Canada has engaged 
     civil society organizations at the national level. We have 
     also promoted regional consultations with committed and 
     serious organizations, including meetings here at the OAS, 
     and establishing web-sites for the sharing of information.
       Canada worked hard to make the OAS General Assembly in 
     Windsor a more open event, allowing our citizens to see an 
     historic discussion on the nature of democracy and its status 
     among our membership. We must commit ourselves to working 
     with patience, persistence and reason to build a hemispheric 
     future full of promise. A future that takes account of the 
     concerns expressed by our peoples and the impact that the new 
     forces at work in the global economy are having on our 
     citizens. As host of the first Summit of the Americas in the 
     new millennium, Canada will do its utmost to promote openness 
     and transparency, while ensuring productive discourse among 
     governments.
       I wish to conclude today on a note of strong support for 
     the OAS. We can all be proud of its accomplishments. The 
     leadership of Secretary General Gaviria has been inspired and 
     responsive to the wishes of our membership.
       The past year has illustrated the relevance of the OAS. 
     From helping to shore up democracy to resolving complicated 
     border disputes. From ensuring electoral fairness to 
     promoting technical cooperation.
       More than any other single institution, the OAS will be 
     charged with acting upon the mandates we endorse at Quebec 
     City. To do this it will require a tangible expression of our 
     political will and a commitment to its fiscal health. Our 
     foreign ministers should actively address this issue at this 
     year's OAS General Assembly in Costa Rica.
       My friends, working with you to make our vision of La Gran 
     Familia of the Americas a reality is a cornerstone of 
     Canadian foreign policy. For many years, the Maple Leaf flag 
     did not hang in this historic room. Canadians felt that our 
     national journey was taking a different path than that of the 
     Americas. Those days are gone . . . forever.
       Let us now journey together into the new millennium. With 
     shared conviction, strength and purpose.
       Obrigado.
       Muchas gracias y hasta pronto en Quebec.

       

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