[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
[March 11, 1999]
[Pages 350-354]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Declaration of Antigua
March 11, 1999
We, the Presidents of Costa Rica,
El Salvador, the United States of America,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the
Dominican Republic, and the Prime Minister
of Belize, meeting in Antigua, Guatemala, on March
11, 1999, welcome the special opportunity afforded by this meeting to
secure a prosperous future for our peoples after the devastation wrought
by Hurricanes Mitch and Georges.
Hurricane Mitch was the worst disaster in the history of our
Hemisphere, killing nearly 10,000 people, affecting at least 6 million
others, and causing property damage totaling approximately $6 billion.
Aware of the enormous impact on our countries of this disaster, we are
meeting to combine efforts to rebuild and transform the region in such a
way as to bring swifter development that will ensure the prosperity of
all our citizens.
For the first time in the history of our region, all our countries
are enjoying peace, stability, democracy, and freedom. Preserving these
achievements requires decisive, forward-looking action in order to avoid
jeopardizing the stability
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of our countries achieved through great sacrifice and to stay on the
course of progress.
In a spirit of solidarity, the Central American Presidents gathered
for a special, emergency meeting in Comalapa, El Salvador, on November
9, 1998, to appeal to the international community for solidarity and to
adopt joint decisions on how best to coordinate our efforts to help one
another in the task of rebuilding and transformation.
Despite the tragedy we face, we recognize that the current situation
also offers a unique opportunity to reconstruct our economies, transform
our societies, and lay the economic foundation for sustained growth to
prepare our nations to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
With our own efforts and with the staunch, sustained support of the
international community, we will overcome the challenges ahead.
The Central American nations and the Dominican Republic deeply
appreciate the strong show of support, generosity, and solidarity to our
peoples, and the valuable cooperation and emergency assistance provided
by the international community. We take this opportunity to express
particular gratitude for the speedy, timely response of the people and
the Government of the United States of America. The President of the
United States of America reiterates his commitment to contribute efforts
to transform and rebuild Central America and the Dominican Republic.
Reconstruction and Transformation
We welcome the opportunity this Summit offers to intensify the frank
dialogue we began in San Jose. We reaffirm the values we share as
peoples and nations, based on democracy, the free market, respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms, the effective rule of law, the
campaign against international crime, and our commitment to
environmental protection.
Based on these values, the Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador,
the United States of America, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and the Vice
President of Guatemala, met in Washington, D.C., on December 11, 1998,
to agree on mechanisms to rebuild and transform the region, and at that
time received encouraging support and solidarity from the people and the
Government of the United States of America.
Aware that our efforts should be complemented by long-term support
from financial institutions, the Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Honduras, and Nicaragua, and the Vice President of Guatemala, met in
Washington, D.C., on December 10-11, 1998, to report to the
international community, at the Consultative Group convened by the
Inter-American Development Bank, on the magnitude of the damage and to
establish mechanisms for effective coordination with donors, thereby
ensuring the resources necessary to begin the difficult task of
rebuilding and transforming our countries.
We agree that the effective, lasting transformation of the region
means enhancing democracy; promoting sustained economic growth as the
best antidote for poverty; strengthening the rule of law and national
reconciliation; ensuring the full effectiveness of human rights;
strengthening judicial systems and good governance; fostering
transparency; combating international crime; approaching in a humane
manner the issue of migration; expanding trade and investment
opportunities; supporting debt relief and financial cooperation; and
implementing a program of sustainable development that includes natural
disaster prevention.
The Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic, and the Prime Minister of Belize,
reaffirm our determination to achieve the rapid rebuilding and
transformation of our countries with a view to establishing prosperous
societies with equal opportunity for all.
We agree to underscore the importance of obtaining, during this
initial rebuilding phase, non-reimbursable funds and concessionary lines
of credit to finance programs in those areas most essential for
economic, agricultural, and industrial recovery and for the
reintegration of the people affected into the productive life of our
countries. To that end, the Presidents of Central America and the
Dominican Republic and the Prime Minister of Belize express appreciation
for the request for special funds for rebuilding Central America that
President Clinton sent to his Congress, and again call upon the
international community and international financial institutions to lend
their firm support to the efforts to rebuild Central America.
Debt Relief and Financial Cooperation
The Presidents of Central America and the Dominican Republic and the
Prime Minister of Belize welcome the commitment by the President of the
United States of America to provide debt relief to Nicaragua and
Honduras, whose
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economies were especially devastated by Hurricane Mitch. Debt relief is
critical to building a sustainable path to development for these
countries as they work to rebuild and transform their economies.
The Presidents of Central America and the Dominican Republic and the
Prime Minister of Belize view with approval the support provided by the
United States of America within the Paris Club to extend a moratorium on
debt servicing for Honduras and Nicaragua over the next two to three
years, which will free up vital resources for reconstruction and
transformation efforts. The President of the United States of America
reiterated his commitment to play a leadership role in providing
comprehensive external debt reduction for Honduras and Nicaragua under
the Paris Club and consideration of eligibility under the Highly
Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. In addition, the President of
the United States has requested authority for a $25 million contribution
to the Central America emergency trust fund in order to help pay debt
service to the international financial institutions.
The President of the United States of America expressed his
determination to support and contribute to both bilateral and
multilateral initiatives, in order to obtain the maximum additional
resources needed on an urgent and concessionary basis at the May 1999
meeting of the Consultative Group in Stockholm, Sweden. That meeting
will be a pivotal event in donor coordination and in confirming pledges
of resources for the reconstruction and transformation of the region.
The Presidents of Central America and the Dominican Republic and the
Prime Minister of Belize expressed their appreciation for the
determination by the United States of America to increase substantially
bilateral aid programs for the reconstruction of their countries.
Trade and Investment
We recognize that the formulation of a comprehensive program of
reconstruction and economic recovery for the region in the wake of
Hurricanes Mitch and Georges would be incomplete without the
consideration of trade and investment as essential components for
economic development, regional integration, and prosperity. It is
through commercial opportunities generated by better and more secure
markets that sustainable development, long-term political and economic
stability, and, therefore, widespread human development in the region
can be achieved. We recognize that creating incentives for increased
trade and investment will be advanced by our adherence to commitments
agreed upon in multilateral trade negotiations such as in the World
Trade Organization.
Two-way trade between the United States of America and its neighbors
in Central America and the Caribbean has grown rapidly in this decade
and has been highly beneficial for both sides. This reflects the
continued success and relevance of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)
in promoting greater trade flows and investment and generating
employment in the United States of America as well as in the region.
Free market economies and private sector participation are essential to
rebuilding our countries, consolidating democracy, and promoting closer
economic relations. As we approach the new millennium, we are determined
to rededicate our commitment to open markets and to strengthen even more
this mutually beneficial relationship.
We are aware of the importance of strengthening relationships that
have developed in the areas of textiles and clothing, not only because
of the enormous benefits for the United States of America and the
nations of the Caribbean Basin, but also as a way of ensuring our mutual
competitiveness in the context of the world market as we approach the
year 2005.
President Clinton expressed his determination to work actively with
the United States Congress to enhance the Caribbean Basin Initiative in
a manner that responds effectively to the needs of the countries of the
region. These enhancements should help prepare for the creation of a
region of shared prosperity among Central America, the Dominican
Republic, and the United States of America.
We welcome President Clinton's commitment to send the Bilateral
Investment Treaties with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua to the
United States Senate for ratification. These treaties send a positive
signal of the region's openness to foreign investment and its
determination to protect property rights and to forge a partnership with
business to rebuild and transform the economies victimized by Hurricane
Mitch.
The leaders praised the excellent beginning to the negotiations for
the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The governments of the
United States of America, the Central American
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countries, and the Dominican Republic affirmed their commitment to work
together to achieve concrete progress in the FTAA negotiations,
including by implementing a series of business facilitation measures.
For this purpose, the governments will consult on cooperative efforts
they can undertake to help the countries of the region to advance in
this direction. In this regard, we highlight transparency as an
important element of the FTAA process. We, therefore, look forward to
the ongoing work of the Committee of Government Representatives on the
Participation of Civil Society.
Migration
We recognize that the effects of Hurricanes Mitch and Georges on
Central America and the Dominican Republic have caused suffering for
their population and have further complicated social and economic
conditions for an adequate reintegration of their repatriated citizens.
In this regard, the Presidents of the Central American countries and the
Dominican Republic and the Prime Minister of Belize express appreciation
for the temporary measures already taken by the Government of the United
States of America aimed at mitigating the adverse impact of
repatriations to the region, and we reaffirm our commitment to
maintaining dialogue at the highest level with a view to finding humane
and permanent solutions to the problems of migration.
Taking into account the origins, manifestations, and social,
economic, and political effects of migration, and bearing in mind the
interdependence of our countries, the Government of the United States of
America will consider initiatives to address the disparities created by
the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA). We
recognize that migrants contribute to the development and prosperity of
their region of origin and of their new country of residence and also
recognize that, in order for these benefits to be realized, migration
should be orderly. We will also cooperate to address disorderly
emigration and its consequences. We affirm our belief that long-term
reconstruction, investment, trade, and assistance should include joint
efforts to create sustainable employment opportunities that would
provide alternatives to the need for future emigration.
We recognize the difficulties some repatriated citizens face as they
reintegrate into their countries of origin and the socioeconomic
implications this may entail for their countries. For this reason, we
will pay special attention to the matter and will explore and encourage
the adoption of new and comprehensive cooperative measures to ensure
that they are treated appropriately, such as the signing of prisoner
transfer treaties and memoranda of understanding on deportation
procedures, to facilitate the reintegration of repatriated persons, with
special emphasis on their well-being and on respect for their dignity
and human rights.
We reiterate that illicit trafficking in persons is an affront to
human dignity and reaffirm our commitment to increase cooperation in
order to combat and punish this abominable practice. We commend the
adoption of new laws in several countries against illicit trafficking in
persons and urge other countries to implement similar measures. Our
governments will continue multilateral cooperation in the Regional
Conference on Migration and in other fora in order to exchange
information and coordinate actions on migration matters in our
countries. We will seek to establish mechanisms to share information and
mutually collaborate to stop the organized smuggling of persons.
Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights
We applaud the achievement in the region of peace with harmony,
mutual cooperation, and full respect for human rights. The end of
internal conflicts in Central America has opened the way to
reconciliation and the establishment of just, equitable societies that
provide better opportunities for our peoples.
At this time of challenge and renewal, we reaffirm our commitment to
continue the process of profound transformation, meeting the needs of
our pluralistic democracies, based on strict respect for human rights,
the effectiveness of the rule of law, mutual respect, the strengthening
of local governments, and a more equitable and participatory civil
society. We will continue doing our utmost to achieve economic well-
being and the comprehensive development of our countries, and to
preserve social peace, progress, and stability. We will also continue
observing and promoting the rights of workers, including the elimination
of any exploitative forms of child labor, in accordance with our
respective Constitutions and with the Conventions of the International
Labor Organization, as respectively ratified by our governments. In
addition, working together within the Summit
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of the Americas process and the Organization of American States, we will
endeavor to strengthen democracy and to increase prosperity throughout
the Hemisphere.
We will work together to restore and create greater opportunities
for the population affected by the hurricanes and to meet their needs
with alacrity in order to prevent regional security from being
threatened by the establishment of criminal networks. We will continue
enhancing cooperation among our countries in the campaign against drug
trafficking and organized crime.
We reaffirm our determination to bolster mutual legal assistance and
information sharing arrangements that will deny safe haven to criminals.
We support the modernization of extradition treaties and their vigorous
application, within the legal framework of each country, to prevent
impunity and to ensure that criminals are severely punished, in
accordance with the severity of the crime committed. We will continue to
modernize our laws against drug trafficking and money laundering and
jointly seek opportunities to assist one another, through education,
training, and technical support to prevent drug abuse. For these
purposes, we are intensifying our efforts to execute the plan of action
developed from the San Jose Summit.
Sustainable Development
The economic reconstruction of Central America and the Dominican
Republic must address basic priorities such as reducing poverty,
ensuring human development, and satisfying basic human needs with a
sustainable management of natural resources. The region's sustainable
development depends on overcoming obstacles such as imbalances in
patterns of production, consumption, and human settlement; accelerated
population growth; and high levels of poverty.
We have before us an unprecedented opportunity to rebuild the region
and create jobs through domestic and foreign investment. We also have
the opportunity of investing wisely, using sustainably our natural
resources to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.
We recognize that global climate change has the potential to cause
more frequent and severe natural disasters and thus recognize the need
for all Parties to meet their responsibilities under the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change. Industrialized countries should
reduce their emissions and developing countries should participate
meaningfully in global efforts to address climate change.
We underscore the continuing leadership of Central America in
advancing implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change
and in the evolution of the Clean Development Mechanism for
implementation of climate-friendly projects, including clean energy
development and the enhancement of carbon sinks. Building on the
commitment of the San Jose Declaration, we recognize the importance of
the actions that are being developed in Central America with the
participation of our private sectors, especially those that will permit
the concession of credits and other initiatives that will mitigate
greenhouse gas emissions.
Recognizing the impact of climatic disturbances in the region, we
agree that key components in the mitigation of disasters and in
sustainable development include improved management of watersheds,
reforestation, preservation of coastal wetlands, and efforts to prevent
soil erosion through improved farming practices. It is, therefore,
important to strengthen mechanisms of cooperation in the areas of
natural disaster prevention and mitigation through education, training,
institutional strengthening, and the transfer of technology.
We, the Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, the United States of
America, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic, and the Prime
Minister of Belize, express our sincere gratitude for the hospitality
shown to us by the people and Government of Guatemala during our sojourn
in this historic city.
Note: The joint statement was made available by the Office of the Press
Secretary but was not issued as a White House press release. An original
was not available for verification of the content of this joint
statement.