Amb. Gutierrez on U.S. Policy in the Western Hemisphere

(Outlines goals, challenges of post-Sept. 11 era)  (3690)

Despite heightened security concerns in the wake of the September 11
terrorist attacks against New York and Washington, "the fundamentals
of U.S. policy" in the Western Hemisphere "remain constant," says Lino
Gutierrez, acting assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere
affairs.

Addressing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on
December 17, Gutierrez acknowledged that the events of September 11
have "altered the context in which we operate," yet emphasized that
U.S. goals in the region are essentially unchanged. He outlined new
measures adopted by regional governments in response to the terrorist
threat, and praised the nations of the Americas for backing the U.S.
military campaign in Afghanistan.

The United States' "approach to the hemisphere continues to be based
on three critical pillars, each reinforcing the others," Gutierrez
said. "One pillar is to encourage sustainable development, including
increasing free trade and economic stability. Second, we seek to
strengthen democratization and rule of law, including human rights and
education. Third, we want to promote hemispheric security, including
combating terrorism and an aggressive but balanced counternarcotics
program."

Such problems as poverty and human-rights abuses must also be
confronted, Gutierrez observed. In addition, he voiced concern about
undue pressure on the media and on organized labor groups by
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and about oppression -- religious
and otherwise -- in Cuba. "Our policy is to encourage a rapid
transition to democracy in Cuba, characterized by strong support for
human rights and open markets," he explained. "The [Catholic] Church
will play an important role in any transition."

However, "perhaps the area of greatest hemispheric concern for us is
Colombia," he said. Gutierrez noted that Colombian authorities,
grappling with a decades-old insurgency conducted by guerrilla and
paramilitary forces "that fund themselves from drug trafficking,
kidnapping, and other types of extortion," have become all too
familiar with the horrors of terrorism.

He asserted that the United States will continue to assist Colombia
and its immediate neighbors by contributing funds to Plan Colombia,
the comprehensive strategy designed by Colombian President Andres
Pastrana to curb civil unrest, strengthen democracy and enhance
economic development in his country; and by funding the Andean
Regional Initiative, which aims to promote alternative development and
judicial reform in the region, among other objectives.

In conclusion, Gutierrez cited "democracy, functioning justice
systems, and economic stability" as "the greatest enemies of
terrorism, organized crime, and political violence and repression."
Together, the nations of the Americas will "continue on our path to a
hemisphere that is free, prosperous, and peaceful," he declared. "Not
even the attacks of September 11th can turn us from that goal."

Following is the text of his remarks, as prepared for delivery:

(begin text)

U.S. Policy in the Western Hemisphere

Ambassador Lino Gutierrez,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Remarks to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Washington, D.C.

December 17, 2001

Good morning. Thank you for inviting me to join you at your biannual
meeting. Before I discuss with you U.S. policy toward Latin America, I
want to comment briefly on the impact of the events of September 11 in
this hemisphere. Although the fundamentals of U.S. policy in the
region remain constant, September 11 has altered the context in which
we operate.

On September 11, I was in Peru with Secretary of State Powell to
attend the signing of the Organization of American States (OAS)
Democratic Charter and the following day we were scheduled to be in
Colombia. On the morning of the 11th, we were having breakfast with
the new President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo. It had been a pleasant
meeting -- the agenda with Peru's new democratic government was rich
and far-ranging. And then, the Secretary was handed the first of
several notes by his staff. Our lives would not be the same. As
Secretary Powell said, "We are in this worldwide campaign together for
the long haul. We have endured an enormous tragedy but we will
overcome. We will defend the rule of law against the lawless. We will
not allow murderers to destroy our democracies and devastate our
economies. We will never let our future be hijacked by terrorists."

After September 11th, the response of the entire hemisphere was
immediate, strong, and supportive. Prime Minister Ingraham of the
Bahamas summed up the feelings of many at a Caribbean Community and
Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) meeting by saying, "Contrary to the
pronouncements of the missionaries of death who promote such barbaric
acts among their young while themselves ensconced -- without risk --
in safe havens, terrorism will bring them neither victory nor glory;
rather, indelibly, they will forever be known and remembered as
purveyors of death, destruction, and evil." We have received messages
of support, condolence, and condemnation of the attacks from heads of
state, foreign ministries, legislatures, and leaders of civil society
throughout the hemisphere and around the world.

The Organization of American States acted immediately, convening a
Foreign Ministers' meeting just days after the attack. At the same
time, the foreign ministers of the states parties to the Rio Treaty,
led by Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, invoked the collective security
arrangements of that hemispheric pact. The OAS has also convoked the
hemisphere's counterterrorism apparatus and is developing a new
hemispheric counterterrorism treaty. The nations of the hemisphere
have offered military support, humanitarian assistance, and
collaboration on diplomatic and security initiatives. The support has
been broad-based and unwavering, with the usual exception of Cuba,
whose Foreign Minister, in his November speech to the United Nations,
levied the outrageous calumny that the U.S. and its allies were
"targeting Afghan babies and Red Cross facilities," and some comments
by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that raised concerns.
 
Many of our neighbors have provided this support while simultaneously
dealing with their own sorrow as a result of the attack. More than 300
nationals from 30 Western Hemisphere countries were lost in the
attack, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic suffering almost half
of those casualties.

The September terrorist attacks have weakened prospects for economic
growth and the business climate throughout the hemisphere. As our
domestic economy was affected, so were the economies of our neighbors.
Countries with strong trade and tourism links to the U.S., such as
Canada, Mexico, [and those in] Central America and the Caribbean, are
particularly vulnerable to economic fallout from the attacks. The
World Bank says the Caribbean has been the most severely affected part
of the world -- primarily via the drop in tourism -- after
Afghanistan's immediate neighbors. The Bank predicts a 25 percent drop
in tourism earnings in 2002, as consumers defer spending or fear to
travel. Lower capital flows, due to higher investor risk aversion,
will affect a number of countries. Andean countries will also see
weaker growth. The high degree of uncertainty involved in the war on
terrorism and the path of global recovery could harm the business
climate throughout the hemisphere, reduce investment and other capital
flows, and affect business prospects. Of course, with economic
difficulties come other problems. Economic difficulties always
threaten to exacerbate social, political, and security problems.

Terrorism itself is an issue in the Western Hemisphere. Designated
Foreign Terrorist Organizations are operating in the hemisphere, most
notably in Colombia, Peru, and the tri-border region of Argentina,
Paraguay, and Brazil. Terrorist-support networks operating in the
latter area have connections to the Middle East and are suspected of
executing and/or supporting terrorist attacks, such as the bombings at
the Israeli Embassy and Jewish Community Center in Argentina that
killed over 100 innocent people in the early 1990s. We also suspect
that cells in the region are involved in financing terrorist
organizations in the Middle East. In Colombia, the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and
United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) continue to murder and
kidnap civilians, attack the country's economic infrastructure, and
fuel political violence. Elsewhere, there are concerns about
terrorists with international ties abusing the Caribbean financial
system to raise funds or launder money.

Now, more than ever before, the countries of the hemisphere recognize
we have a common interest in confronting terrorism and governments are
coming together to devise responses, rethink positions, and fix
problems. In response to the attacks, the United States government and
its allies have developed a four-part approach to address these
threats.

First, we have asked all countries to ratify the 12 international
counterterrorism treaties. Since the crisis began, many countries have
moved immediately to become parties to those to which they had not
already acceded. These treaties allow international cooperation to
work smoothly, enabling the exercise of universal jurisdiction over
terrorists. This is an important step to securing the hemisphere
collectively, empowering each country to help stabilize the whole. The
Organization of American States, through the Inter-American
Counterterrorism Committee, is using the treaties to develop a
hemispheric security program that will institutionalize the
collaborative structure being created.

Second, we are working with the nations of the hemisphere to ensure
the identification and seizure of the financial assets of terrorism.
All of the democratic nations of the region moved quickly to review
financial records. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is assisting
in the passage of anti-money laundering legislation in all countries.
Through FATF, Mexico, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Spain, the
United Kingdom and the United States assist nations in improving their
capacity to prevent the laundering of the proceeds of criminal
activity. Many nations have created or are now creating financial
intelligence units, some with the assistance of the United States.
Many nations of the hemisphere, together with others around the world,
are members of the Egmont Group, which works to create a global
network of Financial Intelligence Units to facilitate international
cooperation, in part through a secure Internet web site. The places
where terrorists can hide their assets are rapidly dwindling.

Third, we are working with countries to ensure that terrorism is
criminalized in all its forms. United States law enforcement and other
agencies are developing technical assistance to governments working on
such laws. Together with the universal jurisdiction created by the
treaties, this strips away the much of the appeal of using the
Caribbean or Central America as a pipeline. The terrorists and their
abettors will soon learn that there is nowhere to hide -- wherever
their attack was a crime, they can be tried or extradited, and it will
soon be a crime to be a terrorist, conspire with a terrorist, or help
a terrorist in every corner of the globe.

Last, and perhaps most importantly, we are working to improve border
controls. This is in all our interests. The Federal Aviation
Administration has suggested ways to improve airline security and
airlines throughout the hemisphere are complying with those
guidelines. The Immigration and Naturalization Service provides
training to immigration and airline personnel around the region to
increase airport security and border integrity, as well as to
establish ties to enable international cooperation on immigration
issues. This also helps reduce corruption. Secure, machine-readable
passports together with computerization of immigration systems would
also have an enormous impact on migrant flows and this is an area that
requires greater attention and resources. Many nations are
reconsidering the merits of economic citizenship. Information sharing
is rapidly on the rise.

Meanwhile, we have not abandoned our hemispheric agenda. Now, more
than ever, it must continue. Our approach to the hemisphere continues
to be based on three critical pillars, each reinforcing the others.
One pillar is to encourage sustainable development, including
increasing free trade and economic stability. Second, we seek to
strengthen democratization and rule of law, including human rights and
education. Over 40 percent of our assistance funding for the region
goes to support democracy programs. Third, we want to promote
hemispheric security, including combating terrorism and an aggressive
but balanced counternarcotics program. President Bush has a deep
understanding of and interest in this region and has voiced his
intention to work with our hemisphere partners to create a "Century of
the Americas."

Despite the attention rightly placed on events in Afghanistan, we are
actively advancing our Western Hemisphere agenda. With Mexico, we
remain committed to close cooperation on a host of bilateral issues,
including migration. In the Andean nations, our proposed 2002
assistance package contains funding for an Andean Regional Initiative
to continue strong counternarcotics activities while promoting
economic development and improved public institutions. Addressing the
problem of poverty in Central America remains a major concern; in the
Caribbean, we envision reinvigorated engagement through our Third
Border Initiative.

In particular, I want to emphasize our continued commitment to freer
trade and economic growth. As U.S. Trade Representative Bob Zoellick
put it, "Earlier enemies learned that America is the arsenal of
democracy; today's enemies will learn that America is the economic
engine for freedom, opportunity and development." The ultimate goal is
the Free Trade Area of the Americas, which has the potential for
dramatically increasing trade flows among the countries of the
Americas within a decade. All 34 democratic leaders of this hemisphere
remain committed to free trade, which was reaffirmed at the Quebec
Summit of the Americas in April. The President recognizes that the
economic integration of the hemisphere is an important element to the
United States' future prosperity and the well-being of the hemisphere.
Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) remains a critical step if we are to
make good on the commitment made by President Bush and the
hemisphere's leaders at the Quebec Summit to move the timetable for
the Free Trade Area of the Americas up to 2005. We were pleased that
the House overcame one of the hurdles for TPA with its passage earlier
this month.

I want to address the situations in three countries that I know
concern you -- Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia. In the wake of the
September 11 terrorist attacks, our historically strong relationship
with Venezuela has experienced difficulties. President Chavez's
October 29 criticisms of the U.S. and the coalition military response
to international terrorism caused serious strains in our bilateral
relationship. In response to Chavez's remarks, we asked our Ambassador
to Venezuela to return to Washington for consultations. In the wake of
those consultations, it was decided to continue with our policy of
engagement with Venezuela whereby we measure the state of our
relations by deeds, not words. However, should Venezuelan officials
mischaracterize U.S. policy or actions, the U.S. will respond.

Measuring Venezuela by its deeds and not Chavez's words, it should be
noted that the U.S. has been generally satisfied by cooperation
offered by Venezuela in its support for the war on terrorism. For
example, Venezuela has promised to surge its oil production in the
event of an energy supply disruption. The Venezuelan Superintendent of
Banks has provided excellent assistance searching for possible
terrorist assets, and the investigative support provided by Venezuelan
law enforcement and security services has been well received. These
successes demonstrate that there are practical areas in which we can
cooperate in the war on terrorism.

The Catholic Church has an important role to play in Venezuela. In the
wake of the December 10 general work stoppage, it will be important
for institutions such as the Church to remain engaged. The Church
contributes by urging moderation and dialogue, and, as one of the most
respected institutions in Venezuela, has considerable influence -- the
Church's moral voice resonates clearly in Venezuela.

The human rights organizations of the Catholic Church have been
important monitors of Venezuela's human rights situation. Overall,
though human rights difficulties such as deplorable prison conditions
and excessive use of force by security forces persist, Venezuela has a
generally good human rights record. There are, however, growing
concerns about threats against freedom of expression and of the press
and undue pressure on organized labor. We appreciate the efforts of
these Catholic human rights observers in closely monitoring
developments.

In the case of Cuba, Cuban government intransigence and refusal to
abide by its commitments mean that the expectations raised by the
Pope's historic 1998 visit to Cuba have not been met. In a remarkable
indictment of Cuban government control, Cuba continues to have an
"Office of Religious Affairs" to approve any church activity. That
office has prohibited dioceses from taking basic steps to meet
pastoral obligations, such as expanding and repairing church
facilities, setting up programs to minister to the poor and elderly,
training new clergy and bringing foreign clergy onto the island.

Even more disturbing is the existence of a document prepared by the
Havana Communist Party earlier this year suggesting ways that the
Party should counter "illicit [Church] activities." Cardinal Ortega
publicly referred to this document as "anti-religious" and a throwback
to the pre-1992 constitution, before religious activities were
recognized by the Communist state.

Despite this environment, the Catholic Church remains the most
powerful and influential non-governmental civil society organization
on the island. The Church and Caritas devote great efforts to meeting
the needs of the Cuban people. Led by Cardinal Ortega, the Cuban
Catholic Church has been an outspoken force for truth and morality on
an island with a notable need for both. Other bishops, especially
Bishop Gonz��ez of Pinar del Rio, Archbishop Meurice of Santiago, and
Archbishop Rodriguez of Camaguey, have demonstrated their special
commitment to protecting their flocks in the face of government
repression.
Our policy is to encourage a rapid transition to democracy in Cuba,
characterized by strong support for human rights and open markets. The
Church will play an important role in any transition.

In the meantime, Cuba is dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane
Michelle, a category-four storm that hit the island in early November.
Immediately afterwards, the United States offered to send a team from
the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to assess the damages and
make a determination about the need for International Disaster
Assistance. We made this offer to Cuba, as well as to all the other
Caribbean nations affected by the hurricane. Cuba rejected the offer,
explaining that it had passed through the relief phase of the crisis,
and was moving on to reconstruction. Cuba noted its desire to purchase
food and medicine to restock supplies run down in the crisis. Since
such sales are permitted by law (medicine sales since 1992, food sales
since last year), the U.S. government's role has been to ensure that
all applicable laws and regulations are adhered to.

We do not know how much food and medicine Cuba will ultimately
purchase from U.S. sources. We do know that Cuba's decision appears to
be political in nature, and not based on humanitarian need. Indeed,
Cuban officials from Castro down had loudly proclaimed Cuba's
unwillingness to buy even a single grain of rice from the United
States until U.S. financing was available for these purchases.

But perhaps the area of greatest hemispheric concern for us is
Colombia. Colombia has a 40-year-old insurgency, with groups that fund
themselves from drug trafficking, kidnapping, and other types of
extortion. Colombia has more than 3,000 reported kidnappings a year
and 4,000 lives lost annually to political violence.

The conflict continues to generate a huge number of serious human
rights violations including massacres and torture. Most human rights
abuses in Colombia are committed by illegal armed groups. The United
States is deeply concerned about reports of collusion between the
Colombian military and right-wing paramilitary forces. We have
consistently pushed President Pastrana's government to sever any
links, including disciplining officers suspected of such ties and
allowing them to be subject to civilian prosecution. The High Command
understands the need to break any links, but some collusion continues
at lower levels. Still, the military has dismissed almost 700 members
over the last 2 years, many for human rights violations.

President Pastrana launched peace efforts with two of Colombia's three
armed groups in 1998. The United States, with President Pastrana, has
sought support for comprehensive efforts to address Colombia's deeply
rooted problems. His policy, Plan Colombia, is focused on helping the
Colombian people combat the illicit drug trade, strengthen democratic
institutions and protection of human rights, and foster socio-economic
development. Our assistance supports all aspects of Plan Colombia.

We recognize that negotiations are the only way to end internal
conflict in Colombia, but have left management of the peace process to
President Pastrana. We do not engage in talks with illegal armed
groups since the FARC killed three U.S.-citizen indigenous rights
activists in March 1999. As I noted earlier, we have designated all
three groups -- the FARC, ELN and AUC -- as Foreign Terrorist
Organizations under U.S. law.

U.S. assistance under Plan Colombia was approved in July 2000 and
provided $938 million for Colombia and $382 for the region. The
assistance to Colombia included $710 million for counternarcotics
activities and $228 million for institutional development and human
rights, alternative development programs and displaced persons, and
administration of justice reforms. The next stage in this process, the
Andean Regional Initiative, includes $625 million to sustain Plan
Colombia programs and assist Colombia's neighbors, of which 50 percent
will go to alternative development and justice programs.

On September 11th, after receiving the terrible news from New York and
Washington, Secretary Powell knew he had to cut his trip to the region
short and return home. But before leaving Lima, he made it a point to
stay for the opening of the OAS special session. In addressing the
delegates, after accepting their condolences, the Secretary urged that
the OAS Democracy Charter be adopted by acclamation, which it was.
There could have been no more powerful message about the importance of
democracy to the hemisphere.

The greatest enemies of terrorism, organized crime, and political
violence and repression are democracy, functioning justice systems,
and economic stability -- these are the best means to defeat
terrorists, criminals, and every other threat we face. We continue on
our path to a hemisphere that is free, prosperous, and peaceful. Not
even the attacks of September 11th can turn us from that goal. Thank
you.

(end text)

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Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)