Chile: Obama recognizes Chile's extraordinary progress

The Santiago Times

Obama Praises ‘Outstanding Progress’ In Chile, Latin America
Written by Alison Silveira
Tuesday, 22 March 2011 00:05

Declaring ‘We are all Americans,’ U.S. President announces initiatives for regional cooperation in energy, education, technology, security

United States President Barack Obama heralded the success of Chile’s renewed democracy while outlining his plan for a “new era of partnership” across the Americas in a speech made at Chile’s La Moneda presidential palace Monday afternoon. The U.S. president called on nations across the Americas to join together as equal partners bound by “a shared responsibility” to one another.

Fifty years after U.S. President John F. Kennedy announced his Alliance for Progress, Obama highlighted the many peaceful transitions to democracy and advancements in social and economic development in the region.

“Latin America is not the old stereotype of a region in perpetual conflict, trapped in endless cycles of poverty," he said. "The world must now recognize Latin America for the dynamic and growing region that it truly is. Latin America is at peace. Civil wars have ended. Insurgencies have been pushed back. Old border disputes have been resolved.”

Yet in a press conference before his speech, Obama sidestepped questions regarding the role of the United States in the darker years of Latin America's recent history.

“It is important that we're not trapped by our history,” Obama told members of the press just minutes before the speech, choosing instead to recognize Chile’s “extraordinary progress” over the last 20 years, which was “not impeded” but “fully supported by the United States.”

“I know there have been times where perhaps the United States took this region for granted," he conceded minutes later in his speech. But since then, “Virtually all the people of Latin America have gone from living under dictatorships to living in democracies. This is the outstanding progress that’s been made here in the Americas."

Emphasizing the growing role Latin American trade is playing in the U.S. economy, Obama said, “Latin America is more important to the prosperity and security of the United States than ever before.”

Addressing initiatives for future growth and development, Obama mentioned the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, efforts to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership for trade, and a new Microfinance Growth Fund for the Americas.

He renewed his commitment to the Organization of American States and to continued support of democracy and human rights throughout the region.

Though there are many paths nations could take to achieve democratic rule, Obama added, the recent history of Latin America has nevertheless shown “there is no substitute for democracy.”

Dubbing Chile “the most digitally connected country in Latin America,” Obama proposed a new social media initiative to link scientific, academic and entrepreneurial ventures to support innovation.

The president also set a goal of sending 100,000 students from the United States to Latin America, and 100,000 students from Latin America to the United States.

In a nod to his Chilean audience, Obama called on the words of famed poet and politician Pablo Neruda, who said, “Our original guiding stars are struggle and hope."

Singling out those policy issues that present greater struggles, Obama discussed gun control, drug trade, crime, and regional security.

With respect to more controversial U.S. policies, like the continued embargo of Cuba, Obama celebrated his administration’s successes in increasing access for family members. Yet he called on Cuban authorities “to respect the basic rights of their own people - not because the United States insists upon it, but because the people of Cuba deserve it.”

Obama also recommitted himself to immigration reform in the U.S., saying “We are a nation of immigrants,” but “we’re also a nation of laws.”

The president finally discussed the major role Chile has played in the international spotlight, both in recovering from last year’s 8.8-magnitude earthquake and through rescuing “Los 33” trapped miners last October.

Lauding the successful rescue effort, Obama explained the importance of partnerships: “This entire nation came together, across government, civilian and military, national and local; across the private sector, with large companies and small shopkeepers donating supplies; and across every segment of Chilean society.”

And right there behind the Chileans, Obama added, was the involved cooperation and support from the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

By Alison Silveira

http://www.santiagotimes.cl/news/other/21024-obama-praises-outstanding-progress-in-chile-latin-america