[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E430-E431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CHALLENGES FACING CARIBBEAN REGION AS IT FACES INTEGRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record the 
first part of an eloquent speech made by the Prime Minister of Jamaica, 
the Honorable P.J. Patterson, March 9 to the Protocolary Session of the 
Permanent Council of the Organization of American States on the theme 
of ``Caribbean Integration In Emerging Hemispheric Relations''.
  The Caribbean region is a breathtaking area. The rich people, culture 
and natural resources make it a jewel of the global community. But as 
Mr. Patterson outlines in his remarks, more must be done to promote the 
countries' political and social prosperity. He warns, ``Unless we focus 
in a meaningful way on the intrinsic link between democracy, good 
governance and international security on the one hand, and development 
on the other, our goals for peace, stability and political and economic 
security will always remain elusive.'' Patterson continues, ``We must 
therefore address the development agenda with the same energy and 
commitment as we have sought to strengthen the democratic agenda, 
giving each equal dedication, in order that the benefits of democracy 
can be widely felt to improve the quality of life for our peoples.''
  One key to further development, according to Patterson, is 
integration. ``Smaller units operating on their own can no longer be 
viable counterweights in this rapidly changing world,'' maintains 
Patterson. The plight of the people of the Caribbean can only be 
enhanced through greater national and international commitment in 
addition to empowerment among national leaders. Not only must Caribbean 
leaders, ``broaden the boundaries of our collaboration beyond the OAS 
and the United Nations,'' and look towards the World Trade 
Organization, as Patterson recommends, but a greater commitment must be 
made to principles such as education, justice and the rule of law, 
inclusion, and integrity in order to make the region stronger.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise again to strongly support the words spoken by Mr. 
Patterson in an effort to bring to light challenges facing the region 
and his proposals for what actions need to take place to secure a 
brighter future for the Caribbean nations.

        Caribbean Integration in Emerging Hemispheric Relations


                              Introduction

       It was indeed with great pleasure that I accepted the 
     invitation extended by the distinguished Secretary General to 
     address this august body. I consider it a distinct honour to 
     be doing so in this prestigious Hall of the Americas. Most 
     importantly, the opportunity afforded me at this time, takes 
     on added significance as it comes at the juncture when I am 
     about to take formal leave from the ``field'' of active 
     politics. In a few weeks, my involvement in regional and 
     hemispheric developments henceforth will be from the vantage 
     point of the spectator's stands.
       As one who has participated in these two processes from 
     very early in my political career, I have been asked to share 
     a few thoughts on my vision for the Caribbean and the 
     Americas, bearing in mind the current global realities and 
     our shared commitment towards advancing the political, 
     economic and social development of this hemisphere.
       As such, I propose to focus on the nexus between 
     developments in the regional integration process, 
     particularly within CARICOM, and developments taking place at 
     the hemispheric level. How do I see these two processes 
     coalescing to bring about a partnership that will meet the 
     needs of every member state, regardless of their size or 
     wealth and one that will improve the quality of life for our 
     peoples, our most important assets?


                       The International Scenario

       In order to fully appreciate where our countries are going, 
     we must first understand the milieu in which they are 
     operating. This will affect the vision we all have for a 
     hemisphere in which we can enjoy peace, stability and 
     prosperity on a sustained basis.
       Some sixty years ago when the OAS was created, no one would 
     have thought that we would have experienced such rapid and 
     radical shifts in the international environment, propelled by 
     marked transformations in the global economy. These, together 
     with the emergence of new threats to international peace and 
     security, now challenge the very survival of many of our 
     countries.
       As the twin forces of globalisation and liberalization have 
     become more pronounced, new demands were thrust upon the 
     countries of the hemisphere forcing, in varying degrees, 
     modifications to our national objectives and priorities. 
     Increased vulnerabilities to the vagaries of these two 
     phenomena have led to the abandonment of traditional economic 
     policies and the adoption of new models of economic 
     development as we seek to secure a greater space in the world 
     economy and a more participatory role in international 
     economic relations.
       There is no doubt that both globalisation and 
     liberalization, especially in the last decade, have been the 
     driving force behind the integration of the global economy. 
     Despite the potential benefits of this process, we have to 
     acknowledge that the long-term survival of many of our 
     countries continues to require adjustment to the new 
     realities of an international environment which has become 
     increasingly hostile and unpredictable.
       Notwithstanding improvements in global economic prospects 
     and the potential benefits to be derived there from, we have 
     to admit that inequities still remain, putting a number of 
     countries at economic risk, including those in Latin America 
     and the Caribbean.
       The quest for sustainable growth, particularly for small 
     economies, has become even more elusive as traditional 
     support mechanisms are gradually eroded. There continues to 
     be increased pressure to move more rapidly to reciprocal 
     trade rules as we bear the brunt of rising energy prices and 
     the weakness in non-oil commodity prices.
       All of these are occurring simultaneously, as investors 
     become increasingly risk averse

[[Page E431]]

     and restrict capital flows, and as the fiscal positions of 
     our economies weaken and debt increases.
       While we welcome international commitments to the Global 
     Partnership for Development as outlined in the Millennium 
     Declaration, Monterrey Consensus, and Johannesburg Plan of 
     Implementation, we are discouraged by the limited progress to 
     date. This means that priority projects which form the core 
     of our development agenda such as poverty eradication and 
     improvements in health and education will continue to lag in 
     implementation. We remain hopeful but by no means certain, 
     that the UN General Assembly's Outcome Document of last 
     September will spur renewed action with a greater degree of 
     political will.
       If this scenario were not daunting enough, emerging 
     security concerns have brought added uncertainties resulting 
     in new changes in objectives and priorities, causing even 
     further delays in implementing national agendas, as we seek 
     to be ``reliable partners'' in implementing international 
     security objectives.
       Against this backdrop, the current international situation 
     poses a number of challenges to regional integration, 
     notwithstanding the fact that the popularity of regionalism 
     evolved from this very same process in the early 1970s as an 
     effective response to the onset of globalisation.


                       The Hemisphere's Challenge

       In this present scenario, how do we reduce our 
     vulnerability to external shocks, achieve sustainable 
     development, strengthen governability, promote democracy and 
     at the same time, comply with our international, regional and 
     hemispheric obligations?
       Jamaica and indeed CARICOM, has always maintained that 
     there is an urgent need to make this process of global 
     economic governance and integration more inclusive and more 
     beneficial to the interests of developing countries.
       By so doing, there would be greater prospects for tangible 
     signs of development and strengthening democracy in our 
     countries and societies around the world.
       We are reminded everyday of the sense of unease and 
     restlessness which emerges when the people we lead are not 
     given meaningful opportunities for self-expression and self-
     actualisation. We regard these as fundamental elements of 
     democracy and civil society. In order to meet the challenges 
     which militate against peace and stability, we must provide a 
     truly enabling environment.


                         The Hemispheric Agenda

       It is not surprising, therefore, that we in this hemisphere 
     share a wide range of similar problems and concerns. Our 
     regional and hemispheric agendas are inextricably linked and 
     have therefore become inseparable. This is reflected in both 
     our interdependence and the elements of globalisation that 
     today characterizes international relations and which 
     ultimately leads to a myriad of interlocking issues. Within 
     this context, both the OAS and our respective regional 
     integration movements have a salient role to play.
       From its creation in 1948, the OAS was envisaged as the 
     primary political forum in the hemisphere to maintain peace 
     and security, to promote and consolidate democracy and 
     advance cooperation for integral development. The OAS has 
     undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the settlement of 
     disputes and in bringing solutions to various political 
     crises within the hemisphere as we have seen through the 
     important role it has played in dealing with the political 
     situation in Haiti. We welcome and applaud the return of 
     President Rene Preval as the duly elected Leader of Haiti.
       Today, we are confronted by new threats and challenges 
     which our Governments are simultaneously obliged to address 
     and surmount. The hemispheric agenda has expanded 
     significantly over the years to address issues such as 
     corruption, the fight against drug abuse and drug 
     trafficking, transnational organized crime, terrorism, money 
     laundering, children's issues, women's affairs and the 
     protection of human rights.
       The pursuit of these programmes at the level of the OAS, 
     complements the important initiatives on which we have all 
     embarked at the national and multilateral leve1, as we seek 
     not only to come to grips with, but also to overcome these 
     problems. The multidimensional nature of many of these issues 
     requires a comprehensive, cooperative approach.
       Today, the OAS has also assumed additional responsibilities 
     for the implementation of the mandates of the Summit of the 
     Americas, aimed at creating prosperity through economic 
     integration and trade, eradicating poverty and discrimination 
     and protecting the natural environment. Moreover, within this 
     process, we have adopted a shared vision to consolidate 
     democracy and security in the hemisphere, and to create 
     conditions to advance prosperity, a multitude of items for an 
     ever-increasing agenda.
       The adoption of other mechanisms and instruments, including 
     the Inter-American Democratic Charter, have served to 
     concretize our adherence to the tenets and principles of the 
     democratic agenda. These commitments have brought tremendous 
     impetus to what we are doing at the regional level. Our 
     citizens at all levels have become involved in every aspect 
     of governance; more women are running for political office 
     and being appointed to high positions and I can certainly 
     attest to that! An increasing number of civic organizations 
     are actively monitoring transparency and accountability; the 
     exercise of the undeniable freedom of expression and of the 
     press is widely enjoyed; and access to information 
     legislation has been passed in many countries, including my 
     own.
       While the foregoing is laudable, however, are we satisfied 
     that in this dynamic process of globalization, the OAS is 
     fulfilling the economic development aspect of its mandate?

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