An Agenda for The Americas: Otto Reich Takes the Reins of U. S. Policy

America diplomat. President Bush appointed him recently to the crucial post while Congress was in recess. That bypassed the need for Senate approval and set aside a 10-month feud with Senate Foreign Relations Committee members, who refused even a hearing for Mr. Reich.

Now assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, Mr. Reich must hit the ground running. The region is in turmoil, and his plentiful critics are poised to see him fail. But the issues and U.S. interests at stake are far too important to be derailed by partisan games. Freedom, democracy and human rights will triumph only after corruption, tyranny and grinding poverty are tamed.

Mr. Reich has the full confidence of President Bush. Congress must respect the president's choice and work in good faith with the new appointee to strengthen democratic governments and build stability and prosperity across the Americas -- a region that remains a top priority, Sept. 11 notwithstanding. The president made that clear in a speech to the Organization of the American States last week.

Argentina is reeling from default and devaluation, its ruinous economy no more stable than the government of its fifth president since December. President Bush rightly has offered to back the country, but only if it hews to a sustainable free-market plan. Little will work, however, unless Argentina cleans up the pervasive corruption that has eroded the people's faith in the political class.

Doubts about free trade fueled by Argentina's woes must be extinguished. It's critical that the U.S. Senate approve trade-promotion authority, so that the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas may be realized.

In Colombia, fruitless peace talks with leftist guerrillas may yet break off, and narco-fueled violence continues. The State Department already considers both FARC and ELN guerrillas and AUC paramilitaries to be terrorist groups. It should press Colombia's government to sever all military ties with the paramilitaries, perpetrators of human-rights atrocities. A thornier question is whether to cut strings that tie U.S. military aid to counter-narcotics activities alone.

Conditions in Haiti are disintegrating. Fortunately, the OAS is sending a new permanent mission there. The United States should intensify its work with the OAS, not only to create space for political participation by opposition parties but to rebuild law enforcement, courts and other institutions now in shambles.

Challenges remain in Cuba, where a 43-year totalitarian dictatorship hangs on in a death grip. And Venezuela, one of our biggest petroleum suppliers, is now ruled by an increasingly authoritarian president.

(April 17, 2001)-- Remarks by the President to the Organization of American States The Organization of American States Washington, D.C.

President George W. Bush speaks to the World Affairs Council National Conference at the headquarters of the Organization of American States in Washington, January 16, 2002. Bush pledged to support more international financial assistance for shell-shocked Argentina if it commits to a 'sound and sustainable economic plan.' (Larry Downing/Reuters)

(January 16, 2002)-- Bush Remarks to the World Affairs Council -- [Excerpt] A new member of my team is Otto Reich, Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere. I appreciate Otto being here. (Applause.)

And, of course, I want to thank members of my National Security Council who are here, Condi Rice and John Maisto, for their sound and solid advice. Thank you all for coming. (Applause.)

In September of last year, I welcomed my good friend, the President of Mexico, to the White House. Standing together on the South Lawn, President Fox and I spoke of building a hemisphere of freedom and prosperity and progress. That was five days before the terrorists attacked the peace and security of the world -- murdering thousands of citizens from over 80 nations, including almost every nation in this hemisphere.

Since the attacks, the United States has received incredible sympathy and support from our neighbors and friends. I've been in close contact with democratic leaders such as Prime Minister Chretien, and President Fox, and President Cardoso, President Lagos and President Toledo, to name a few. We've been talking on a regular basis about our common interests. Democratic leaders throughout the Americas have offered help and wisdom, friendship, and even peacekeepers, and for that this country is very grateful.

The nations of the Western Hemisphere are resolved. We refuse to live in fear, so we will fight terror wherever it is exists. And we're committed to building a prosperous and free and democratic hemisphere. Nothing will distract us, nothing will deter us, in completing this great work.

We meet, however, at a time when there are some who question the path to prosperity and stability. Some wonder whether free market reforms are too painful to continue. Some question the fairness of free and open trade, while holding out the false comfort of protectionism. And there is even greater danger -- that some may come to doubt democracy itself.

Our answer to these questions and doubts must be clear and it must be consistent: The hopes of all our peoples, everybody who lives in this hemisphere, no matter where they live --lie in greater freedom. Free markets and open trade are the best weapons against poverty, disease and tyranny. And democracy is the non-negotiable demand of human dignity.

The future of this hemisphere depends on the strength of three commitments: democracy, security and market-based development. These commitments are inseparable, and none will be achieved by half-measures. This road is not always easy, but it's the only road to stability and prosperity for all the people -- all the people -- who live in this hemisphere.

…..Snip…..

This hemisphere is on the path of reform, and our nations travel it together. We share a vision -- a partnership of strong and equal and prosperous countries, living and trading in freedom. Together, we will defend that vision against lawlessness and violence. We will assert it against terrorism and protectionism. Especially in times of adversity, we'll maintain our vision, because it unleashes the possibilities of every society and recognizes the dignity of every person. Together -- and I mean together -- we will build and defend this hemisphere of liberty. [End Excerpt]

(January 16, 2002) -- Fact Sheet U.S. - Central America Free Trade Agreement (Today's Presidential Action)--- Today I announce that the United States will explore a free trade agreement with the countries of Central America. My Administration will work closely with Congress towards this goal. Our purpose is to strengthen the economic ties we already have with these nations 'to reinforce their progress toward economic, political, and social reform ... and to take another step toward completing the Free Trade Area of the Americas. -- President George W. Bush, January 16, 2002

(January 21, 2002) Miami Herald Cuban torture suspect's citizenship targeted

(January 21, 2002) Miami Herald Group studying U.S. policy toward Cuba ends visit to island nation

(09-22-01) U.S. Defense Analyst Accused of Spying for Cuba

(10-19-01) Movements of Cuban dictatorship diplomats will be severely restricted in Washington and New York

(11-30-01)-- U.S. Rejects Cuban Compensation Plan--The United States maintains that the principle of compensation for expropriated properties is embedded in international law. It rejects any linkage between the compensation issue and the embargo. The U.S. government has certified 5,911 property claims by U.S. citizens against the Cuban government. It does not accept Cuba's demand for damages resulting from the embargo.

(12-09-01)-- U.S. embargo of Cuba remains strongly in place, U.S. official says--[Excerpt] Gutierrez said the Bush administration's mission is ``to see a rapid, peaceful transition to a free and democratic Cuba,'' and that the embargo is a key component of U.S. strategy to do that. ``The United States has not changed any rules . . . or moved in any way to encourage these sales,'' Gutierrez said. Gutierrez's statements were part of a Bush administration effort to dispel speculation that the food shipments scheduled to begin arriving in Havana this month could lead to more permanent trade relations between the two nations. [End Excerpt]

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