NAFTA Partners Think South

Embassy ^ | February 21st, 2007 | Vladimir Torres

[hedgetrimmer]

Latin America is back on the North American radar. In 2006, most references to the region were circumscribed to the electoral processes that took place in many of its countries, with very little in the way of active policy-making. With the renovated political realities sinking in, and hemispheric trends becoming more apparent, it's time for revamping diplomacy and co-ordinating actions on critical issues of the Americas.

One increasing trend since the 2005 Summit of the Americas was a deepening North-South hemispheric divide. The collapse of the Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations seemed to leave the United States–and Canada–without an agenda for the region. This perception was heightened by the continued diversion of the U.S.'s attention to other regions, and by opponents of trade liberalization presenting the FTAA as a self-serving initiative impo sed by the North.

Fast-forward to 2007 and the three North American partners arrive at their renewed, shared interest in the Americas converging from three different angles and agendas.

On Feb. 2 in Ottawa, Canada's foreign minister, Peter MacKay, told the Latin American ambassadors of the government's intentions to renew and strengthen Canada's engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean, guided by the Americas Strategy. A few days later, Prime Minister Stephen Harper presented his agenda for a stronger, safer, better Canada, where he stated that: "Our neighbourhood doesn't end at the 49th parallel–and neither do our interests. That's why we will seek to re-engage relationships throughout the Americas, with our partners in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America."

The guidelines for Canada's re-engagement are centred on four issues: The consolidation of regional democratic advancement with a commitment to strengthen democratic governance; addressing security challenges from terrorism and crime to health and environmental concerns; trade and investment agendas; and enhancing the capacity of multilateral organizations–namely the OAS, the Summit of the Americas process, and the Inter-American Development Bank–to further the agenda of democracy, prosperity and equity. Another key issue for Canada–at the centre of this year's OAS General Assembly agenda–is energy.

The U.S. re-approaches the region with an increased sense of urgency that has been read in different ways. Many high-ranking officials have been visiting Latin America over the last few weeks, and President George W. Bush has announced a visit to five countries beginning March 8. Some analysts have been quick to point out the limitations of a president nearing the end of his tenure, with the Congress controlled by the Democrats and his popularity at an all-time low. Yet, the initiatives coming out of the U.S. could also be seen as transcending the Bush administration and as a potential redefinition of the relationship with Latin America.

The State Department's assistant secretary for western hemisphere affairs, Thomas Shannon, outlined the U.S.'s vision in a speech delivered last Jan. 23 at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Acknowledging the tendency to assume that the US's approach to integration is entirely driven by free trade, Shannon described how, as a consequence, those who have presented a competing vision have developed an understanding of integration that is only political and ephemeral.

Shannon made the case for recapturing Pan-Americanism, pointing out that the institutions, resources and political will are already in place, and it is a matter of fitting these all together. Integration, he asserted, goes far beyond free trade. He expressed the necessity to deepen the U.S.'s political and commercial engagement in the region as linked to the Summit of the Americas' agenda, which is not of purposes and processes of the U.S.'s own making, but of the manufacture of an entire hemisphere.

For Shannon, the key issue today is how the Western hemisphere's democracies address poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. In a passionate defense of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, he stressed the implications of the second clause–that qualifies democracy as essential to the social, political, and economic development of the Americas–adding, surprisingly, that this is a very propitious moment to restart the discussions of a Social Charter, as the logical complement to the Democratic one.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has expressed in many instances since coming to office last year, how his country would shift its attention and economy towards Latin America. Mexico's role in the hemisphere would stem from being the country that is at once part of the North and the South. In the effort to bridge the hemispheric divide, reasserting alliances and redressing the balances of power and influence to reflect the new realities, Mexico's role is increasingly relevant.

The three North American partners are looking south, each facing their own set of challenges. The U.S. neglect of the region, its past policies and agendas, and its current actions in other parts of the world all conspire against the success of its renewed good intentions. Canada has to reassert leadership–which peaked at the 2001 Quebec Summit–by acting in concert with the countries that share our principles and commitments. And Mexico, if it aspires to a leadership position in hemispheric integration, knows that further deepening of its North American ties cannot be at the expense of turning its back to Latin America.

On Feb. 23, in Ottawa, the Canadian ministers of foreign affairs, public safety, and industry will meet their Mexican and American counterparts. Although the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America fills the agenda, the rest of the hemisphere will again be beeping on the radar.

[hedgetrimmer]

In a passionate defense of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, he stressed the implications of the second clause–that qualifies democracy as essential to the social, political, and economic development of the Americas–adding, surprisingly, that this is a very propitious moment to restart the discussions of a Social Charter, as the logical complement to the Democratic one.

Would that our appointed bureaucrats defend the Declaration of Independence with such passion.

Is this the most corrupt administration ever?

[hedgetrimmer]

Friday PING

[hedgetrimmer]

INTER-AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CHARTER

Our old friends, the OAS.

[raybbr]

Latin America is back on the North American radar. In 2006, most references to the region were circumscribed to the electoral processes that took place in many of its countries, with very little in the way of active policy-making. With the renovated political realities sinking in, and hemispheric trends becoming more apparent, it's time for revamping diplomacy and co-ordinating actions on critical issues of the Americas.

It never left the radar. If it were not for 9-11 this would be much further along with the full energies of the Bush administration behind it.

Bush can now get back to the business of his "new America". He was peeing his pants with excitement the day after the pubs lost Congress.

THE "NEW AMERICAN"..........<

We are now one of the largest Spanish-speaking nations in the world. We're a major source of Latin music, journalism and culture.

Just go to Miami, or San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago or West New York, New Jersey ... and close your eyes and listen. You could just as easily be in Santo Domingo or Santiago, or San Miguel de Allende.

For years our nation has debated this change -- some have praised it and others have resented it. By nominating me, my party has made a choice to welcome the new America.

As I speak, we are celebrating the success of democracy in Mexico.

George Bush from a campaign speech in Miami, August 2000.

You can read the speech here.

Here is an excerpt of a good critique of that speech:

In equating our intimate historic bonds to our mother country and to Canada with our ties to Mexico, W. shows a staggering ignorance of the civilizational facts of life. The reason we are so close to Britain and Canada is that we share with them a common historical culture, language, literature, and legal system, as well as similar standards of behavior, expectations of public officials, and so on. My Bush Epiphany By Lawrence Auster

[R.W.Ratikal]

Thanks to Al Haige, Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon the U.S. has become the retail outlet for communist china. Anyway, how can a regional or intra-hemispheric trade agreement like NAFTA, CAFTA and FTAA be examples of "free trade?"

I try not to buy anything made in communist china, it's a full time job.

Even bulk commodities now come from chicom, such as cement, sand, concrete blocks and glass.

[A. Pole]

In 2006, most references to the region were circumscribed to the electoral processes that took place in many of its countries [...] With the [...] hemispheric trends becoming more apparent, it's time for revamping diplomacy and co-ordinating actions on critical issues of the Americas.

Elections are such a nuisance.

[hedgetrimmer]

Shannon made the case for recapturing Pan-Americanism, pointing out that the institutions, resources and political will are already in place, and it is a matter of fitting these all together. Integration, he asserted, goes far beyond free trade. He expressed the necessity to deepen the U.S.'s political and commercial engagement in the region as linked to the Summit of the Americas' agenda, which is not of purposes and processes of the U.S.'s own making, but of the manufacture of an entire hemisphere.

A federal bureaucrat espousing treason.

[Ben Ficklin]

Let me draw your attention to the 10th paragraph.

"Calderon.........would shift attention....towards Latin America"

Calderon has indicated his intent and proceeded to try to revive Plan Puebla Panama. Under PPP, southern Mexico(from Puebla southwards) would be integrated(infrastructure and economy) with Central America, instead if being integrated into NAFTA.

Meanwhile in South America. There are obviously conflicts there as to which organization(Mercosur or other) the economic integration will proceed under, but there is complete agreement that infrastructure integration will proceed under IIRSA.

[B4Ranch]

>Is this the most corrupt administration ever?<

Carter had it beat but not by much!

[Regulator]

Under PPP, southern Mexico(from Puebla southwards) would be integrated(infrastructure and economy) with Central America, instead if being integrated into NAFTA

At least it has historical precedent. The Central American Republic of the 19th century (post Mexican revolution of 1810-21) included the C.A. states and Southern Mexico. But it broke up into the existing states over the usual bickering.

Link

[Ben Ficklin]

From your link: "enriched by trade passing through it between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans"

The ultimate plane is for S. Mexico/Central America is a massive free trade zone and transportation hub serving both oceans.

[hedgetrimmer]

Whose making these plans, anyway?

[Ben Ficklin]

"Who's making these plans?"

The govts of those countries.

You can find much info on Plan Puebla Panama and IIRSA using google web and news search

[texastoo]

Carter had it beat but not by much!

I disagree. Carter was a weak president but not as corrupt as the Bushes. True he was a socialist and gave away the Panama Canal but he never opened our borders to illegals nor did he turn his head and approve sanctuary cities. The give away of welfare (taxpayer money) to a chosen class of people is unheard of. Now the Bank of America giving credit cards to illegals via the Patriot Act. What a joke. Jimmy Carter was not smart enough to be this corrupt.

[philetus]

To support increased trade and expedite secure processing of cross-border trade and travel between Mexico and the United States, six FAST/Express lanes are operating at the US-Mexico border, a new lane in Nogales will open soon, and we are working on a project for a lane in Matamoros. Exclusive lines and schedules will be implemented at nine crossings.

http://www.spp.gov/factsheet.asp

[philetus]

North American Trusted Traveler Program. All three countries have agreed to create a single, integrated program for North American trusted travelers by 2008. Individuals applying for trusted traveler status would be able to apply for the program and pay relevant fees in one transaction. Enrolled participants would have access to all established trusted travel lanes at land crossings, airports and marine programs. A single North American Trusted Traveler Program embodies the intent of the SPP to establish optimum security goals while accelerating legitimate cross-border trade and travel. The U.S. will also be working cooperatively to identify Western Hemisphere travel document standards required under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.

[outdriving]

"Is this the most corrupt administration ever?"

Yes.

I am amazed at the number of FReeper that cannot acknowledge reality.

Just think about it the next time you're waiting in line at an airport security check, while the borders are wide-freaking open.

[hedgetrimmer]

Just think about it the next time you're waiting in line at an airport security check

...which uses federal employees to act as security guards for presumably private corporations. Since when does a private corporation get its own security subsidized by taxpayers, and the free use of federal employees? Since the globalist Bush family came to power. And the abuses of freedoms this anti-American alliance has caused are legion.