[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 3 (Monday, January 19, 2004)]
[Pages 62-64]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Special Summit of the 
Americas in Monterrey

January 12, 2004

    Mr. President, I thank you for your wonderful hospitality. First 
Lady, thank you as well. Please thank the people of this gracious city 
for hosting such a distinguished group of leaders, spouses, citizens of 
the world.

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    Two years ago in this city, world leaders formed the Monterrey 
Consensus. We pledged to work for government that is responsive to the 
basic needs of every human being and for policies that promote 
opportunity for all. At this year's summit, we are embracing the 
challenge of implementing that consensus to bring all the hemisphere's 
people into an expanding circle of development.
    To advance these goals, my Nation revolutionized the way we provide 
aid, and we substantially increased our aid to developing countries. 
Under our new Compact for Development, U.S. assistance is linked to good 
governments, investment in people, and economic freedom. Development 
assistance should light a path to reform and economic growth, rather 
than perpetuate the need for further aid.
    The nations of this hemisphere must identify concrete steps to 
implement the noble ideas of the Monterrey Consensus. We must work to 
provide quality education and quality health care for all our citizens, 
especially for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. We must also chart a clear 
course toward a vibrant free market that will help lift people out of 
poverty and create a healthy middle class. We must increase the credit 
available to small businesses that generate the majority of jobs in all 
our economies and reduce the time that it takes to start a business. We 
must strengthen property rights so that land can be leveraged as a 
source of capital to start businesses or hire new workers. And we must 
lower the cost of sending money home to the families of hard-working men 
and women who are earning a living abroad.
    Over the long term, trade is the most certain path to lasting 
prosperity. The openness of our market is the key driver of growth in 
the region and a testament to the United States' belief in the mutual 
benefits of trade. Last year, about 83 percent of Latin America's 
exports to the United States, roughly $176 billion worth of goods, 
entered my country duty-free. My country is committed to free and fair 
trade for this hemisphere through the Free Trade Area of the Americas 
and through the growing number of bilateral free trade agreements we 
have completed and are negotiating. Our NAFTA partners have been vital 
free trade allies for 10 years now.
    Our free trade agreement with Chile entered into force on the first 
of this year. We're completing a free trade agreement with our Central 
American partners. This week we'll launch negotiations with the 
Dominican Republic, and soon we'll begin negotiations with Panama and 
some of our Andean friends. Once completed, these free trade agreements 
will cover more than two-thirds of the GDP of America's neighbors.
    The essential foundations of prosperity and progress remain 
democracy and the rule of law. All nations must prevail in the fight 
against corruption. We must deny safe haven to corrupt officials and 
create a culture of transparency in the Americas. Today I signed a 
proclamation denying corrupt officials entry into my country. I urge 
other countries to take similar actions.
    At past summits, we resolved that democracy is the only legitimate 
form of government in this hemisphere and that the peoples of the 
Americas have an obligation to promote it and defend it. Those 
governments in our hemisphere that have responded by supporting 
democracy can be proud. Our unity and support of democratic 
institutions, constitutional processes, and basic liberties gives hope 
and strength to those struggling to preserve their God-given rights, 
whether in Venezuela or Haiti or Bolivia.
    And through our democratic example, we must continue to stand with 
the brave people of Cuba, who for nearly half a century have endured the 
tyrannies and repression. Dictatorship has no place in the Americas. We 
must all work for a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba. 
Together we will succeed, because the spirit of liberty still thrives, 
even in the darkest corners of Castro's prisons.
    We have great opportunities to work together to improve the quality 
of life for all the people of this hemisphere. To realize our common 
vision, we must set goals that are specific and measurable. In doing so, 
we will affirm our determination to succeed and to give hope to 
millions.
    Together we will implement the Monterrey Consensus, lift all our 
nations, and show the world that free societies and

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free markets can deliver real benefits to our citizens.
    May God bless you all.

Note: The President spoke at 6:12 p.m. at the Parque Fundidora. In his 
remarks, he referred to President Vicente Fox of Mexico and his wife, 
Marta Sahagun de Fox; and President Fidel Castro of Cuba.