2004 Speeches

America and the Caribbean – the Next Four Years

November 17, 2004

Dr. Roy Austin
United States Ambassador
Downtown Owners and Merchants Association

I thank Mr. Gregory Aboud and the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) for inviting me to address you today. Since coming to Trinidad as Ambassador, I have developed a good relationship with Mr. Aboud and DOMA. I admire the work they have done to improve the business climate in Port of Spain and in Trinidad as a whole. DOMA’s leadership and initiative have helped to make Port of Spain a vibrant and dynamic city; and they have not been shy about lobbying for effective anti-crime programs.

When Mr. Aboud asked me to speak about “America and the Caribbean – the next four years” he must have known that President Bush would be reelected. If his expectation had not been met, I would have really been going out on a limb trying to tell you what a new President and Administration have in mind for the Caribbean. Even with President Bush continuing in office, I must warn you that I have NOT been briefed on our administration’s plans for the Caribbean.

Fortunately, we have four earlier years’ policies and practices to guide us; I know that the President desires a relationship with the Caribbean that is beneficial to this region and to the United States; and I know a little about American economic and political ideals. This knowledge forms the foundation upon which my presentation is built. However, remember that a relationship between two entities is determined by actions and responses of both as well as by the environment in which they interact.

Perhaps I have said enough to alert you to how hazardous is the endeavor in which I am about to engage. In my discourse, I shall examine some of the accomplishments of President Bush’s first administration in areas of humanitarian assistance, trade, security, the spread of democracy, and espousing the cause of freedom around the world. As you must expect from my subject, I shall also address overtly or by implication my expectations of the next four years, a period I foresee as one of great promise for the U.S.-Caribbean relationship. Our tour will cover issues that hit very close to home, such as visa processes, as well as those of global importance, such as our efforts to bring peace and democracy to the Middle East.

President Bush’s policies concerning the Caribbean are based on the understanding that Caribbean people are our neighbors, sharing many of the same interests and values. There is no doubt that our policies always consider our best interest; but, surprisingly perhaps, our interests are often best served by policies that are beneficial to our partners. In any event, your business savvy must certainly tell you that transactions, commercial or otherwise, are most readily concluded and satisfying to all relevant parties when everybody gains. The gains to some parties are not always obvious and are sometimes intangible. For example, what does the United States gain by providing $120 million U.S. in emergency relief and rebuilding assistance to Caribbean countries devastated by this year’s hurricanes?

Certainly, helping people in need is a customary American practice that may be explained by American humanitarian values. Helping Caribbean peoples is a special case because humans often are especially concerned about the welfare of neighbors. Of course, American contributions to the rebuilding of these countries must remind us of the Trinidad government’s contributions for disaster recovery in the region. There is an element of altruism in both; and you can expect similar altruism from us in similar circumstances in the future.

In the event that you are interested in some of the details of the distribution of this assistance, Grenada is expected to receive U.S. $42 million (over TT $250 million), Haiti U.S. $38 million (Over TT $228 million), and Jamaica U.S. $18 million (over TT $108 million). Smaller amounts will be available to the Bahamas and other islands impacted by the terrible storms.

In what other ways has the U.S. provided economic assistance to the Caribbean? USAID provides grants to CARICOM for CSME preparation. On November 9th, the U.S. and CARICOM inaugurated a U.S. $81 million assistance strategy to help the region become globally competitive in trade. Additionally, USAID funds court improvement projects and environmental projects, among others, in the eastern Caribbean.

Due to its proximity and friendly ties of long standing with the U.S., the Caribbean will continue to receive attention in the economic and political policies of the United States. While safety and security are the dominant topics of the day in the U.S., when it comes to our maritime neighbors, free trade and consequent economic prosperity have typically driven the U.S.-Caribbean relationship in recent years. The promotion of democracy and the rule of law are, also, key interests of the U.S. in the Caribbean.

The Bush Administration's trade and economic development objectives in the Caribbean gave birth to the Third Border Initiative (TBI). Through TBI, we seek to broaden our engagement with the Caribbean based on recommendations by the region's leaders on the areas most critical to their economic and social development. The initiative is centered on economic capacity-building and on leveraging public/private partnerships to help meet the pressing needs of the region.

TBI programs support our strategy for FTAA and build on the substantial gains made in the region through the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI). Twenty years after its introduction, the CBI through the US-Caribbean Trade Partnership Act of 2000 has helped raise living standards in many Caribbean and Central American countries while offering attractive prices to U.S. consumers through duty-free treatment of Caribbean Basin products.

In Trinidad, Caribbean Safety Products is a leading beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative. This company has established a firm niche for supply of safety products both inside the USA and to American and other international companies operating in T&T. Also, Universal Foods in Point Lisas has a significant export business of cereal products to the United States. Additionally, revisions to the CBI program in the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act of 2000 allow petroleum and petroleum products to enter the U.S. under CBI. Concerning petroleum products, Angostura Ltd. has recently announced plans to construct a plant to produce fuel ethanol for export to the U.S.

At the same time, the CBI boosts U.S. exports in the region by creating more robust markets for the United States. As U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick has stated, "The CBI remains one of the best examples of the positive power of trade."

The United Stated has long been a staunch supporter of free trade. We have tried to extend this trading principle throughout the Western hemisphere, including the Caribbean. In fact, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans said earlier this year that the Western Hemisphere is currently enjoying one of its “most productive periods” for trade ever. With the reelection of President Bush, I expect this era of productivity to be extended.

When people speak about the success of free trade, they naturally look to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since its inception in 1992, NAFTA has proven to be a boon to the economies of the United States, Canada and Mexico, creating thousands of jobs and stimulating economic growth throughout the North American continent. Because of this success, the United States has concluded additional bilateral free trade agreements, creating economic benefits for other countries in the hemisphere. And we have even more expansive goals when it comes to free trade throughout the Caribbean.

We recently negotiated the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement, and, as you are all aware, we are pushing for an even larger, more ambitious Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The FTAA will establish a free market for some 800 million people in the hemisphere and produce $13 trillion in economic activity and $3.5 trillion in trade. To help achieve this goal, the United States actively participates in the Hemispheric Cooperation Program, contributing $150 million to trade-capacity building in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2003. This support will lead to what President Bush has termed “a hemisphere that trades in freedom.”

In addition to working for the expansion of free trade, the United States is also dedicated to programs that will contribute to the growth of business and jobs in the region. One of the most important routes to maintaining a strong and healthy economy is diversification, and an integral component of a diversified economy is the existence and support of small and medium sized enterprises, otherwise known as SMEs. John Maisto, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States and also the U.S. Coordinator for the Summit of the Americas, recently commented on the progress made in expanding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the hemisphere.

According to Maisto, the United States is working to reduce the start-up times and costs for SMEs in the Americas’ a goal of the 2001 Summit of the Americans, and to increase the funding available to SMEs through the Inter-American Development Bank. Also, to further strengthen SME growth throughout the hemisphere, the United States has joined with other governments to create the SME Congress of the Americas to promote greater participation of SMEs in international trade.

Additionally, Jamaicans will benefit from U.S Government programs to reduce transfer costs and improve access for remittance receivers to financial services. Haitians will benefit from a U.S Government program to link the efforts of U.S immigrant groups with development projects in their home countries. Guyanese will benefit from U.S Government support for research and policy development related to remittances. And Haitians also benefit from a U.S Government supported non-profit organization, Aid-to-Artisans, that helps microenterprises to sell to U.S. buyers.

While the attacks of September 11 necessitated our reexamination of our border security policies, the United States understands that we still need a free flow of goods and ideas into our country. For this reason, we are constantly examining ways to accommodate foreign business activity in the U.S. market, and the Embassy is willing to work closely with business organizations like DOMA to improve the business climate for both American and local companies in Trinidad.

I cannot speak about encouraging trade and developing business in the region without touching on the always important subject of visas and travel to the U.S. The Embassy’s Consular Section has a number of programs in place to accommodate business travelers, including reviewing and granting many early appointment requests every week to those business people truly in need of going to the U.S. on urgent business. Furthermore, we are constantly examining ways of improving the visa process. At the same time, businesses need to understand that we remain committed to upholding the security and safety of the borders of the United States, and sometimes this results in inconveniences to us all, including U.S. citizens.

While the economy will continue to drive our relationship with the Caribbean, one of the keys to sustaining growth and prosperity in a region is the establishment of strong, democratic governments dedicated to upholding the principles of rule of law and respect for human rights. How do you encourage countries to follow these principles? The Millenium Challenge Account (MCA) seems designed to do just this.

The MCA was created following President Bush’s commitment at the 2002 International Conference on Financing for Development. The goal is to provide development assistance to countries that rule justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom. In May of this year, Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua were among 16 countries deemed eligible for the first U.S. $1 billion in MCA assistance. President Bush has pledged to increase funding for MCA to U.S. $5 billion a year starting in 2006. Many Caribbean countries must have relatively just rule, investments in their people, and economic freedom. Perhaps, some qualify for MCA assistance.

With its 216-year history of democratic governance, the United States has always been a steadfast supporter of democratic rights throughout the world. Unfortunately, the emergence of terrorism coupled with religious fundamentalism over the past few decades threatens our peaceful and democratic existence. With the reelection of President Bush, the world can be assured that the United States will continue to lead the fight against terrorism, and will be a beacon of hope for all of the freedom loving people in the world.

On November 11th, President Bush stated rather clearly that he believes “all people desire to live in freedom.” I know that there are some Trinidadians who disagree with this belief. However, I doubt that such people will willingly accept a reduction in the freedoms they enjoy in this country.

Over the past 4 years, the United States has actively pursued improvements in security for Caribbean ports and borders against illegal activities. Perhaps, we are most aware of how these efforts might impact upon the reduction of guns and illegal drugs entering the region’s countries. Equally important is the reduction of likely terrorist activities that may be unrelated to the money obtained from guns and drug-trafficking. In order to aid countries concerned about security breaches, the U. S. provides training and equipment to members of a country’s protective services and to protective agencies.

On November 4th, President Bush stated that “if we are interested in protecting our country for the long-term, the best way to do so is to promote democracy and freedom.” He also said that his vision of a better tomorrow was based “upon a great faith that people do want to be free and live in a democracy.”

Our involvement in the Middle East and Central Asia exemplifies our commitment to the establishment of peaceful, democratic nation states. The United States took action in Afghanistan and Iraq to address the growing security threat of terrorism not only to America, but also to all of the countries in the free world. Even with the fighting and frustrations that have followed in the wake of the wars, the United States remains committed to establishing healthy, democratic societies in these countries.

It is true that much remains to be accomplished. However, significant progress has already been made. For example, the Afghan people held their first free elections a little over a month ago, and it turned out to be a rousing success. Approximately eight million of the ten million registered voters in Afghanistan – forty percent of them women – braved violence and hardship to cast their votes. On November 3rd, the State Department released a statement calling the elections a “milestone on the Afghan people’s road to a democratic government and vibrant civil society.” With the completion of elections in Afghanistan, we now turn our focus to Iraq to ensure that democracy and the elections scheduled for January next year are also ultimately successful.

Peace between the Israeli’s and Palestinians, too, has for a few been on President Bush’s agenda. His statement on November 11th, following the passing of Palestinian leader Yesser Arafat is just one indication of the President’s concern. In addition to expressing condolences to the Palestine people, President Bush expressed the hope that the future will bring them peace and “the fulfillment of their aspirations for an independent democratic Palestine.”

Why should Caribbean peoples be concerned about U.S. intervention in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Arab/Israeli conflict? Because terrorist actions in Spain, Bali, Kenya, Tanzania and elsewhere should warn us that we are not immune from terrorist violence. While Caribbean peoples pursue economic and social development, without security success at attaining these other goals may have no ultimate benefit.

Remaining close to home, with the exception of a few nations, democracy and respect for human rights is strong and growing in the countries in the Western Hemisphere. Trinidad and Tobago is a shining example of how a country with a strong sense of democratic governance and respect for human rights can thrive. However, there are Caribbean countries in which “protection of fundamental human rights, including core labor rights needs continued strengthening.”

Under the President’s leadership, the United States has taken concrete steps to advance democracy and the rule of law in the Caribbean. For example, in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1529 and the CARICOM Prior Action Plan for Haiti, the United States quickly established an interagency coordinating group to support the reconstruction of democracy and the criminal justice system, promote the rule of law and respect for human rights, strengthen and restructure local government, and promote reconciliation and social reintegration.

In the Dominican Republic, we have worked with the government to reduce extrajudicial killings, torture, and unwarranted violence by the police by providing funding for NGOs and new Police Abuse Reporting Centers. At the same time, we have sought to strengthen law enforcement by helping the police academies to better train their officers.

In Jamaica, we have worked closely with the Government to battle lawlessness by providing a U.S. $3.5 million grant to develop a community-based anti-crime program in the once embattled Grants Pen neighborhood of Kingston. The U.S. is also involved in training the Jamaica Constabulary Force in community policing and in methods to promote safe encounters with citizens.

In a relatively wealthy country such as Trinidad and Tobago, our efforts are more limited, but still important. Over the past year, we have helped to finance delinquency reduction efforts through programs such as the Ambassador’s Verse and Song Contest for school-age children, funded training for local police and military personnel, and provided supplies to help automate the judicial system. Trinidad and Tobago also participates in the USAID-funded program creating Centers of Excellence in Teacher Training.

The U.S./T&T relationship benefits both nations. In 2003, T&T supplied more than two-thirds of U.S. imports of LNG. During 2004, that market share rose as high as three-quarters. U.S. consumers have their energy needs satisfied, and T&T obtains export revenue. T&T exports to the U.S. also include nitrogen, methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, non-farm tractors and parts, and fish and shellfish. This strong T&T economy helps to maintain the country as a stable democracy.

Another activity area that is vital to healthy democratic societies is the promotion of religious tolerance. The United States will continue to stress religious tolerance and freedom throughout the world. We will use tools like the annual International Religious Freedom report to promote religious freedom, and to pressure those countries, which suppress religious freedom, to stop the persecution of people based on faith.

In his first press conference after the recent elections, President Bush stated that one of the great traditions of America is that “people can worship the way they want to worship,” and “if they choose not to worship, they’re just as patriotic” as the next person. He pledged to be the President of Americans regardless of their faith, adding, “if you are a Jew, a Christian or a Muslim, you’re equally American.”

Trinidad and Tobago, with its plethora of cultures and religions, understands the need to avoid having a nation divided by religion, and should stand as an example to other nations in the region of how people of different races and religions can live together in harmony.

As suggested earlier, the fight against terrorism remains the number one priority for the United States, and will continue for some time. However, the United States will not to turn its back on its important neighbors and friends. We shall continue to push for strong democratic governments based on the protection of all human rights and religious tolerance. We shall continue to work toward creating a common trading space where goods and ideas will flow freely between all nations, especially those in the Western Hemisphere.

President Bush has shown his commitment to these activities by his actions and statements. On November 4th, he promised to work with U.S. allies on HIV/AIDS; on the Millennium Challenge Account, which provides “development assistance to countries that rule justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom; and on relief of global hunger. You should, therefore, understand why I believe that the U.S. and the Caribbean will enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship in the next four years.

May the Almighty grant the peoples of the world the kind of peace that will allow a bright and friendly future for America and the Caribbean. Of course, we wish the same for all other nations.

I am grateful for the attention you have given my discourse. Thank you!