[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 10 (Monday, March 15, 1999)]
[Pages 406-411]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

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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 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.

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    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 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

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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 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.

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    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 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

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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.