President Bush Barack Obama at the Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, Santiago de Chile Monday, March 21, 2011
Good morning. It's a great honor to be in Santiago de Chile. And I am very glad that I accompany my wife, Michelle, and daughters. The people of Santiago, the people of Chile, thanks for your wonderful welcome. On behalf of the American people, thanks for your friendship and close ties between our peoples.
Throughout history, this country has been called "the end of the earth." But I come here today because in the twenty-first century, this country is a vital part of our interconnected world. In an era in which peoples are intertwined as ever, is proof that Chile is not necessary to divide us race, religion or tribe. Have welcomed generations of immigrants from all corners of the planet, while celebrating and proud of their indigenous heritage.
At a time when the people of the world seek his freedom, Chile shows that it is possible to make the transition from dictatorship to democracy, and do so peacefully. In fact, this wonderful place where we are today, a few steps from where Chile lost its democracy for decades, is testimony to the progress of Chile and its democratic spirit.
Despite the barriers of distance and geography, you have made to Chile the global economy by trading with countries around the world, and in this era of Internet, becoming the most digitally connected country in Latin America.
And in a world of pain at times heartbreaking, as we are seeing now in Japan, is the character of this country that inspires us. "Our primary star," said Pablo Neruda, "is the struggle and hope." But he added, "there is no hope solitary struggle." The Chilean people has proven time and again, including his recovery from a devastating earthquake a year ago.
Chile's success is due to the Chilean people, whose courage, sacrifice and perseverance turned this country into the leader he is. It is an honor for us to join us today four leaders who led this nation for years much progress, the presidents Patricio Aylwin, Eduardo Frei and Ricardo Lagos Sebastián Piñera. Thank you all for being here today.
So I can not imagine a more appropriate place to discuss the new era of alliances that the United States seeks not only to Chile, but throughout the Americas. And I'm grateful to join us leaders and members of the diplomatic corps from across the region.
In my first 100 days in office, one of my first trips abroad as president, I went to Trinidad and Tobago to meet with leaders throughout the hemisphere at the Summit of the Americas. There, I promised to try to forge partnerships of equality and shared responsibility based on mutual interests, mutual respect and common values. I know I'm not the first U.S. president to promise a new spirit of cooperation with our Latin American neighbors. I know that sometimes, the U.S. has taken for granted in this region.
Even now, I know that our headlines often monopolize other regions. But never forget, ever, that the future is being forged in countries and peoples of Latin America. For America America is not the old stereotype of a region in perpetual conflict and caught in endless cycles of poverty. In fact, the world must recognize that Latin America is the dynamic and growing region really is.
Latin America is at peace. The civil wars have ended. Insurgencies have been rejected. Old border disputes have been resolved. In Colombia, great sacrifices by citizens and security forces have restored a level of security not seen for decades.
And as the old conflict have faded, so have the outdated ideological struggles often fed. The old debates-between state's economy and rampant capitalism, between the abuses of the right-wing paramilitaries and leftist insurgents, between the image of an America that causes all the problems of the region and one that ignores all the problems- were false choices do not reflect the current reality.
Today, Latin America is democratic. Virtually all Latin American people have gone from living under dictatorship to live in democracies. Throughout the region, we see dynamic democracies from Mexico to Chile and Costa Rica. We have seen peaceful transfers of power from El Salvador to Uruguay and Paraguay. The work of perfecting our democracy never ends, really, but this is the democratic progress that is occurring throughout the Americas.
Today, Latin America is growing. After making difficult but necessary reforms, countries like Peru and Brazil are having an impressive growth. As a result, Latin America underwent a global economic slowdown better than other regions. Throughout the region, tens of millions of people have escaped extreme poverty. From Guadalajara to Santiago and São Paulo, a middle class is demanding more of herself and more of their government.
Latin America are uniting to confront challenges common. Chile, Colombia and Mexico share their expertise in security with countries in Central America. When a coup in Honduras threatened democratic progress, the countries of the Hemisphere unanimously invoked the Democratic Charter, which helped lay the foundations of a return to rule of law. The contributions of Latin American countries have been critical in Haiti, as has been the Latin American diplomacy in anticipation of yesterday's elections in Haiti.
And increasingly, Latin America is contributing to the prosperity and global security. As customary participant in peacekeeping missions of the United Nations, Latin American countries have helped to prevent conflicts from Africa to Asia., In the G-20 countries like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina now have greater influence on economic decision making at the international level. Led by Mexico, the world reached achievements in Cancun in our efforts to combat climate change. Countries like Chile have played a leading role in strengthening civil society around the world.
This is the Latin America I see today, a region that moves, proud of their progress and ready to assume a greater role in the world. For all these reasons I consider that Latin America is more important than ever for the prosperity and security United States. With any other U.S. region has many links. And in no other aspect is more apparent than in the tens of millions of Hispanic Americans living throughout the United States, and enrich our society, contribute to the growth of our economy and strengthen our nation every day.
Latin America will only become more important to America, especially for our economy. Trade between the U.S. and Latin America has increased significantly. Buy more of their products and services than any other country, and invest more in this region than any other country. For example, export Latin America more than three times what we export to China. Our exports to this region, which are growing faster than our exports to the rest of the world soon will support more than two million American jobs. In short, the more prosperous Latin America is more prosperous America.
But even more than interests, common values \u200b\u200bunite us. In the other path we see reflections of our own. The colonists who fought for empires to declare independence. The pioneers who opened new frontiers. Citizens who have struggled to bring the promise of our nation to all men and women, whites, black and brown. We are people of faith to remember that all of us, especially the more fortunate among us, we make contributions, especially for the needy. We are citizens who know that ensure that our democracies produce results for their people must be the work of all of us.
This is our story. This is our heritage. We are all Americans. We are all Americans.
Across the continent, parents want their children to run and play, and know you will come home safe. Young people want an education. Parents want the dignity that comes from labor, and women want the same opportunities their husbands. Employers want the opportunity to start a new business. And people everywhere just want to be treated with dignity and respect that every human being is entitled. These are simple but profound hope that house in the heart of millions across the Americas.
But let's be frank and admit that these dreams are out of reach for too many people, that the progress of the American continent is not fast enough. Not for the millions who suffer the injustice of extreme poverty. Not for children in the slums and favelas, they just want the same opportunities as others. Not for communities caught in brutal grip of the cartels and gangs, where the police have guns below those of their opponents, and too many live in fear.
And despite the region's democratic progress, vast inequalities persist. The political and economic power is too often concentrated in the hands of few, rather than serve the majority. Corruption is a barrier to economic growth, development, innovation and entrepreneurship. And leaders cling to stale ideologies to justify their own power and seeking to silence their opponents because they have the audacity to demand respect for their universal rights. This is also true we face.
We are not the first generation to face these challenges. Exactly 50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy proposed an ambitious Alliance for Progress. It was, even by today's standards, a huge investment: billions of U.S. dollars to meet the basic needs of people throughout this region. This program was appropriate for its time. But the reality of our times, and the new capacity and confidence of our Latin American neighbors, requires something different.
The challenge to President Kennedy continues: "build a hemisphere where all [people] can have the hope of a proper living standard, in which everyone can live their lives with dignity and freedom. "But a century later, we make sense of this work our way.
I think today in the Americas, there is no major partners and secondary partners, are equal partners. But equitable societies, in turn, require a sense of shared responsibility. We have mutual obligations, and today, the U.S. is working with countries in this hemisphere to meet our responsibilities in several important areas.
First, we are partnering to confront what people around the continent said he was concerned more: the security of their families and communities. Criminal gangs and drug traffickers are not only a threat to the security of citizens. They are a threat to scare off investment development because the economy needs to thrive. And they are a direct threat to democracy because they encourage corruption, undermining the institutions from within.
So, with our partners from Colombia to Mexico and the new regional programs in Central America and the Caribbean, we are making this challenge together, from all directions. We have increased our support-in equipment, training and technology border forces, police and security need "to keep communities safe. We are increasing coordination and exchanging information for those who traffic in drugs and human beings have fewer places to hide. And we are putting unprecedented pressure on the financial resources of the posters, including the United States.
but never eliminate the attractiveness of the cartels and gangs unless we are also facing social and economic forces that fuel crime. We need to reach vulnerable young people before resorting to drugs and crime. Therefore, we are joining with partners across the continent to enhance community policing, improve juvenile justice systems and invest in prevention of crime and drugs.
Now that the Central American countries made a new regional security strategy in the United States are ready to do our part through a new partnership that pays attention to what it requires: the safety of our citizens. And with regional and international partners, we will ensure that our support is not only full of good intentions, but it is well coordinated and properly spent.
As President, I made it clear that in America we accept our responsibility for the violence generated by drugs. The demand for drugs, including those in the U.S., behind this crisis. So we formulated a new strategy for drug control which focuses on reducing drug demand through education, prevention and treatment. And I must emphasize that even during a difficult fiscal time in the United States this year alone we have proposed to increase to approximately $ 10.000 million of resources devoted to these efforts.
We are also doing more to reduce the flow of guns southward into the region. We inspect all cargo train headed south. We are thousands of other weapons confiscated way to Mexico and we are putting behind bars arms smugglers. And every gun and gun dealer we get out of the streets is one less menace to families and communities in the continent.
we strive to ensure the safety of our citizens, we are partnering in a second field: promoting prosperity and opportunity. With this trip, I strive to increase trade and investment. Across the region we are moving forward with agreements "open skies" for our people and businesses to have more contact. We are moving forward with the Trans-including Chile and Peru, to compete more with the fastest growing markets in the Asia Pacific region. I have given instructions my government to intensify our efforts to advance trade agreements with Panama and Colombia, according to our values \u200b\u200band interests.
We are encouraging the next generation of companies and entrepreneurs. We work with the Inter-American Development Bank to increase lending. We have increased the credit of Microfinance Growth Fund for the Americas (Microfinance Growth Fund for the Americas). We support reforms in tax systems, which are crucial for economic growth and public investment. We are creating new "Pathways to Prosperity" ("Pathways to Prosperity")-training microcredit and entrepreneurship, for those who should benefit from economic growth, including women and members of indigenous and Afro-Caribbean communities.
We're joining, as a hemisphere, to generate clean energy jobs and pursue a more secure and sustainable future. And if anyone doubts the urgency of climate change, just to look inside the American continent, from the severe storms of the Caribbean to the melting of glaciers in the Andes and the loss of forests and farmland throughout the region.
With the Alliance for Global Energy and Climate (Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas) I proposed, Several countries have offered to lend their expertise, all providing leadership and expertise: Brazil in biofuels, geothermal energy Chile, Mexico in energy efficiency. El Salvador is linking electricity networks in Central America to make energy supply more stable. This is exactly the kind of partnership we need, neighbors who join neighbors to unleash the progress that none of us can achieve alone.
is the same philosophy behind two additional programs that I am announcing today, that will help our country to educate and innovate for the future. We are launching a program to harness the power of the media online social networks to help students, scientists, academics and entrepreneurs to collaborate and develop new ideas and products that will help the American continent to remain competitive in a global economy. And I am proud to announce that the U.S. is working with partners in the region, including the private sector to increase by 100,000 the number of U.S. students in Latin America, and 100.000 the number of American students studying in the together.
Staying competitive also requires that we address immigration. As President, I have made clear that immigration strengthens the U.S.. We are a nation of immigrants, which is why I voted against the opposition to immigration. But we're a nation of law, why not flaquearé in my determination to solve the problems of our immigration system. I am committed to a comprehensive reform that secures our borders, ensure the enforcement of our laws and address the issue of the millions of undocumented workers living in the United States clandestinely.
However, this situation will continue as long as people believe the only way to keep your family is to leave and go north. Therefore, the United States will continue to partner with countries looking for more widespread economic growth that gives people and nations a way out of poverty. And as part of our new development strategy we are working with partners such as Guatemala and El Salvador, which are determined to develop their own capacities, from helping farmers increase production to help health systems to provide better care.
This brings me to my final topic for which we continue to work: strengthening democracy and human rights. For over 60 years, our countries joined the Organization of American States and declared that "representative democracy is an indispensable condition for stability, peace and development in the region. " A decade ago, we reaffirm this principle, Inter-American Democratic Charter declaring, "The American people have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it."
Across the continent, many generations have fought and sacrificed to give meaning to those words, anonymous men and women who dared to express their views, new movements organized activists, religious leaders who preached social justice, mothers of the persons who demanded the truth, the political prisoners who became presidents and even now, Ladies in White march in silent dignity.
The American people have shown that there is no substitute for democracy. As governments, we are obliged to defend what has been gained. So as we approach the 10 th anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter this year, we reiterate the principles which we believe.
ourselves to defend democracy and human rights in our own countries, to strengthen the institutions that democracy needs to flourish: free and fair elections in which people choose their own leaders, legislatures provide dynamic monitoring; independent judiciaries uphold the rule of law, a free press that promotes free debate, professional armed forces under civilian control, strong civil societies that make their government accountable and transparent government that meet the needs of its citizens. That is what constitutes a democracy.
And as we stand for democracy and human rights within our borders, let us recommit ourselves to defend the entire hemisphere. Every country will follow its own path, and no nation should ever impose their will on the other. But surely we can agree that democracy demands that the majority decides, that simply having the power does not give a leader the right to deprive others of their rights, and that leaders should retain power through consent, not coercion.
never wavered in our support of the right of peoples to determine their own future, and that includes the Cuban people. Since I took office, I announced the most significant changes in decades to the policy of my country to Cuba. We have made it possible for Cuban Americans to visit and support their families in Cuba. We are allowing Americans to send remittances to give some economic hope to people across Cuba, as well as more independence from the Cuban authorities.
In the future, continue to seek ways to increase people's independence Cuban, who is entitled to the same freedom as everyone else in this hemisphere. At the same time, Cuban authorities must take considerable measures to respect the basic rights of Cuban people, not because the U.S. insists on it, but because the Cuban people deserve it.
Finally, the lessons of Latin America can serve as a guide for the people in the world to start their own journeys to democracy. There is no single model for the transition to democracy. But as you know this region, successful transitions have certain ingredients. The moral force of nonviolence. An open dialogue that includes everyone. The protection of basic rights such as freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Accountability for past wrongs. And political reform pace of economic reforms, because democracy must meet the basic needs and aspirations of peoples. Since
has decades of experience, Latin America has much to share: how to develop political parties and hold free elections, how to ensure the peaceful transfer of power and explore the winding paths of reform and reconciliation, and when inevitable setbacks occur, they can remind people to never lose sight of the stars of struggle and hope you mentioned Pablo Neruda.
Safety for our citizens. Trade and development that creates jobs, prosperity and a clean energy future. Defense of democracy and human rights. These are the partnerships that we can build together here in America and around the world. And if anyone doubts that this region has the capacity to address these challenges have only to remember what happened here in Chile, a few months ago.
Her determination and faith inspired the world: "The thirty-three." Not all will relate his saga. You know the story well. But what is also worth remembering is that this whole country was united. All government, civil and military, national and local levels. All private sector, large enterprises and Small business owners who donated supplies. And all segments of Chilean society supported those men down there and their families at Camp Hope. It was a miraculous recovery and was a tribute to Chilean leadership. And when he finally emerged Luis Urzua, spoke for the entire nation when he said, "I am very proud to be Chilean."
But something else happened during those two months. The people and governments of Latin America came together to support a neighbor in need. And with a Latin American country to the fore, the world was proud to play a secondary role in sending workers from the United States and Canada, equipment rescue from Europe, communication equipment from Asia. And the process of uploading to the miners and bring them safe for those joyful reunion was a truly international moment, seen and celebrated by more than one billion people.
If you ever need a reminder of humanity and our shared hope was that time in the desert. When a country like Chile are proposing, there is nothing out of reach. When Latin American countries come together and focus on a common goal, when the U.S. and others in the world do their part, there is nothing they can not accomplish together.
This is our vision of America. This is the progress we can achieve together. Y this is the spirit of partnership and equality to which the United States are committed. Thank you very much.
