TESTIMONY ON DEMOCRACY
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP90B01370R000801060012-4
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
U
Document Page Count:
17
Document Creation Date:
December 21, 2016
Document Release Date:
December 2, 2008
Sequence Number:
12
Case Number:
Publication Date:
July 31, 1984
Content Type:
CABLE
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UNCLASS1 F I ED
OLL/LD
INCOMING
STAT
IYE LIAISON
84 4810348 SUP PAGE 001 NC 4810348
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STAT
PP RUEAIIA
ZNR UUUUU ZOC STATE ZZH
PP RUEHC
DE RUEHC N4472701 2132028
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 3119422 JUL 84 ZEX
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL OECD CAPITALS PRIORITY
ALL AMERICAN REPUBLIC DIPLOMATIC POSTS
EUROPEAN POLAD COLLECTIVE
RUEDEHA7' USSOUTHCOM QUARRY HTS PN 8758
INFO RUEHIA7USIA WASHDC
BT
UNCLAS STATE 224472
E.O. 12356: N7A
TAGS:PREL, PGOV, EAID, PTER, SNAR, XG, XM
SUBJECT: TESTIMONY ON DEMOCRACY
1. FOLLOWING IS TEXT OF ARA ASSISTANT SECRETARY LANGHORNE
A. MOTLEY'S PREPARED STATEMENT ON 'DEMOCRACY IN LATIN
AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN" BEFORE THE WESTEM HEMISPHERE
SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE HFAC JULY 31. SUGGESTMNS FOR USE OF
THIS DOCUMENT -- AND SPANISH, FRENCH AND PORTUGUESE
TRANSLATIONS TO APPROPRIATE POSTS -- FOLLOW BY SEPTELS.
WE WILL ALSO FORWARD COMPLETE TEXT OF THE FEBRUARY 1984
MARIO VARGAS LLOSA ARTICLE IN THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, QUOTED
IN AMBASSADOR MOTLEY'S TESTIMONY.
MR. CHAIRMAN, SINCE NOVEMBER 1980, WHEN THE UNITED STATES
LAST WENT TO THE POLLS TO ELECT A PRESIDENT, OUR SOUTHERN
NEIGHBORS HAVE CAST MORE THAN 150 MILLION VOTES IN 33
ELECTIONS IN 24 COUNTRIES.
THAT IS MORE VOTES IN MORE ELECTIONS IN MORE COUNTRIES
THAN IN ANY PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS IN THE HISTORY OF LATIN
IN COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY, VOTER PARTICIPATION HAS
INCREASED, SOMETIMES DRAMATICALLY. RECENT TURNOUTS, IN
FACT, OFTEN DOUBLED THOSE OF 20 YEARS AGO IN RELATIVE AS
WELL AS ABSOLUTE TERMS.
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--MORE THAN 15 MILLION ARGENTINE VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS
LAST FALL. IN THE ELECTION THAT ENDED NEARLY A DECADE OF
MILITARY RULE, 9 OUT OF EVERY 10 ADULTS VOTED. RAUL
ALFONSIN BECAME PRESIDENT WITH THE LARGEST VOTE IN
ARGENTINE HISTORY, EXCEEDING EVEN JUAN PERON'S HIGHEST
TALLY.
--58.5 MILLION BRAZILIANS VOTED IN BRAZIL'S 1982
CONGRESSIONAL AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THIS WAS FOUR
TIMES THE 14.8 MILLION WHO VOTED IN THE 1962 LEGISLATIVE
ELECTIONS; EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE WAS THE PERCENTAGE OF ADULT
BRAZILIANS VOTING, WHICH WENT FROM 43 PERCENT IN 1962 TO
AN INCREDIBLE 97 PERCENT IN 1982.
--THE 1.5 MILLION VOTERS WHO MADE NAPOLEON DUARTE THE
WINNER OF EL SALVADOR'S PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF LAST MAY WERE
80 PERCENT OF REGISTERED VOTERS AND MORE THAN 60 PER CENT
OF ALL ADULT SALVADORANS. IN 1962, WHEN THERE WAS NO
GUERRILLA WAR, ONLY 400,000 VOTERS, ABOUT 34 PERCENT OF
ADULTS, WENT TO THE POLLS TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT.
--FINALLY, COMPARE TWO CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN
GUATEMALA:- TWENTY YEARS AGO, IN MAY 1964, 337,000 VOTES
WERE CAST, EQUAL TO 40 PERCENT OF THOSE REGISTERED.
EARLIER THIS MONTH ON JULY 1, 1,856,000 PEOPLE VOTED, 73
PERCENT OF THOSE REGISTERED.
PERHAPS NOTHING IS MORE INDICATIVE OF POPULAR SUPPORT FOR
DEMOCRACY THAN THE CONSISTENT INCREASES IN THE USE OF THE
RIGHT TO VOTE REVEALED IN THE TABLE BELOW..
TOTAL VOTE ADULT POPULATION
COUNTRY - YEAR - (000). - VOTING 1/
1,L ESTIMATES BASED ON VOTES CAST AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
POPULATION AGE 20 OR OVER AS REPORTED IN THE UNITED
NATIONS DEMOGRAPHIC YEARBOOK FOR THE YEAR IN QUESTION.
-- ARGENTINA
1983
15,179
89
--
1963
9,326
71
1982
58,500
97
1962
14,474
43
1984
2,600
68
1962
709
33
EL SALVADOR
1984
1,524
62
--
1962
400
34
GUATEMALA
1984
1,856
43
--
1964
337
18
1980
4,030
49
1962
1,693
41.
VENEZUELA
1983
6,930
93
--
1963
3,.126
90
OPPORTUNITIES TO VOTE ARE ALSO ON THE RISE. IN ALL LATIN
AMERICA, NOT A SINGLE COUNTRY THAT WAS DEMOCRATIC FOUR
YEARS AGO HAS LOST ITS FREEDOM.
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--THE LAST SUCCESSFUL ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MILITARY COUP IN
LATIN AMERICA WAS IN JULY 1980 IN BOLIVIA. SINCE BOLIVIA
RETURNED TO DEMOCRACY IN 1982. IT HAS, WITH OUR HELP,
RESISTED SUBVERSION FROM BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT..
--DESPITE CUBA'S UNREMITTING EFFORTS, NOT ONE GUERRILLA
MOVEMENT HAS TAKEN POWER DURING THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
ARGENTINA AND BOLIVIA, MILITARY DICTATORSHIPS FOUR YEARS
AGO, ARE NOW DEMOCRACIES WITH ELECTED GOVERNMENTS.
GRENADA, WHICH FOUR YEARS AGO WAS A MARXIST-LENINIST
DICTATORSHIP, IS NOW IN TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY WITH AN
ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR YEARS END.
AS SECRETARY SHULTZ NOTED DURING HIS VISIT TO EL SALVADOR
LAST JANUARY, "ELECTIONS ARE A PRACTICAL YARDSTICK OF
DEMOCRACY. THEY ARE AN INESCAPABLE TEST OF PUBLIC
ACCOUNTABILITY." WHEN ELECTIONS LEAD TO COMPETITION
AMONG REPRESENTATIVE PARTIES IN FREE AND OPEN DEBATE
BEFORE AN EQUALLY FREE PRESS, AND ARE THEN FOLLOWED BY
THE TRANSFER OF POWER TO THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE. ELECTIONS
ARE THE BEST MEASURE OF FREEDOM.
TODAY, MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF ALL THE PEOPLE OF LATIN
AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN LIVE EITHER IN DEMOCRACIES OR
IN COUNTRIES CLEARLY IN TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY.
OUR NEIGHBORS DESERVE THE CREDIT, BUT WE ARE HELPING.
AND WE CAN BE PROUD OF THAT. FREEDOM IS NOT A ZERO-SUM
GAME. EVERYONE WINS WHEN DEMOCRACY IS STRENGTHENED.
DESPITE THIS EXTRAORDINARY PATTERN OF PROGRESS, DEMOCRACY
IN LATIN AMERICA STILL FACES MANY PROBLEMS.
COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS CAN HELP MEASURE SUCCESS OR FAILURE
IN DEALING WITH PARTICULAR PROBLEMS; THE PROBLEMS
THEMSELVES DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISAPPEAR AT THE BALLOT
BOX, REGARDLESS OF WHO WINS. DEMOCRACY REQUIRES
ELECTIONS; BUT ELECTIONS ALONE ARE NOT ENOUGH.
DEMOCRACIES MUST ESTABLISH A TRACK RECORD AS
PROBLEM-SOLVING MECHANISMS. IF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
CANNOT SOLVE PROBLEMS, THEY CANNOT SURVIVE. IF WE ARE
INTERESTED IN THE SURVIVAL OF DEMOCRACY. WE MUST HELP
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS -- EVEN
THOUGH IT IS THEY, NOT WE, WHO MUST SOLVE THEM.
INTERNAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE UNEQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION,
JUSTICE AND EMPLOYMENT; THE CLASH OF INDIGENOUS AND
IMMIGRANT CULTURES; GREAT DISPARITIES IN WEALTH;
GOVERNMENT INEFFICIENCY AND CORRUPTION; CIVILIAN
CAUDILLISMO AND MILITARY INTERVENTION. THESE PROBLEMS
DO NOT, OF COURSE, ALL EXIST IN EVERY COUNTRY. BUT THEY
DO PERSIST IN VARYING DEGREES IN THE REGION AS A WHOLE.
EXTERNAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE INCREASED COSTS FOR IMPORTED
OIL; THE DECLINE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY ACCOMPANIED BY
REDUCTIONS IN EXPORT EARNINGS AND FORCED RELIANCE ON
INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE BORROWED CAPITAL; AND ACTIVE
EFFORTS BY HOSTILE POWERS OUTSIDE THE HEMISPHERE TO
EXPLOIT LOCAL GRIEVANCES AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP. AGAIN
THE MIX CAN VARY GREATLY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY, BUT
THESE EXTERNAL PRESSURES ARE FELT THROUGHOUT THE
HEMISPHERE.
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DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICA TODAY:- POLITICAL EXTREMISM
AND ECONOMIC RECESSION. TO THEM MUST BE ADDED THE
GROWING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ILLICIT DRUGS, WHICH
DEGRADES THE RJLE. OF LAW AS WELL AS HUMAN DIGNITY.
POLITICAL EXTREMISM. THE ENEMIES OF DEMOCRACY OFTEN
POINT TO UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP TO
JUSTIFY VIOLENCE AND DICTATORSHIP. THE PROBLEM WITH
THEIR ARGUMENT IS THAT NEITHER LEFT NOR RIGHT EXTREMES
ARE STABLE OR PRODUCTIVE.
MARXIST-LENINIST REGIMES HAVE TENDED TO PERPETUATE BOTH
THE POLITICAL AND THE ECONOMIC BACKWARDNESS OUT OF WHICH
THEY GREW. WHEN FEUDING MARXIST-LENINISTS PLUNGED
GRENADA INTO MURDEROUS DISORDER, THE UNITED STATES AND
GRENADA'S EASTERN CARIBBEAN NEIGHBORS CAME TO THE
RESCUE. THE RESULT WAS RESTORATION OF LEGAL ORDER AND A
MAJOR DEFEAT FOR THE EXTREMISTS AND THEIR CUBAN
SUPPORTERS. BUT THE CUBANS AND THEIR MENTORS STILL
SUPPORT TOTALITARIANISM IN NICARAGUA AND OPPOSE THE
CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY IN EL SALVADOR.
LIKE LEFTWING EXTREMISM, EXTREMISM OF THE RIGHT IS
WEAKENED BY DEVELOPMENT. UNLIKE LEFT-WING EXTREMISM, IT
HAS FEW RELIABLE EXTERNAL SOURCES OF SUPPORT. BUT THE
CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRATIC POLITICS AND REFORM HAS
NONETHELESS BEEN HINDERED BY SUCH PHENOMENA AS DEATH
SQUADS AND DENIALS OF ELEMENTAL EQUITY.
ECONOMIC RECESSION. DURING THE LAST EIGHT OR TEN YEARS.
ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT AND PRESSURES FOR REFORM
CONTRIBUTED TO THE DECLINE OF SEVERAL UNREPRESENTATIVE
REGIMES. YET IF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS CANNOT PRODUCE
ECONOMIC RECOVERY, THEN THEY TOO CAN LOSE THEIR MANDATE.
TODAY, MANY DEMOCRACIES NEED TO RESTRUCTURE THEIR
ECONOMIES AT A TIME WHEN LIVING STANDARDS HAVE ALREADY
DECLINED.
THE COUNTRIES OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
CONSTITUTE THE DEVELOPING WORLD'S MOST INDEBTED REGION.
EXTERNAL DEBT EXCEEDED $330 BILLION AT THE END OF 1983.
IN 1982 AND 1983, INTEREST PAYMENTS ALONE ADDED UP TO
MORE THAN $40 BILLION PER YEAR. THESE PAYMENTS WERE
EQUIVALENT TO MORE THAN 35 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF THE
REGION'S EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES -- THE. WORLD'S
HIGHEST DEBT SERVICE RATIO. IN SOME INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES
THE RATIO EXCEEDED 100 PER CENT BEFORE DEBT RESCHEDULING.
THE REGION'S REAL PER CAPITA GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAS
DROPPED BY OVER 10 PER CENT FROM ITS 1980 LEVEL (.8Y FAR
MORE IN SOME COUNTRIES( AND THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT
PER CAPITA REAL ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL AGAIN BE NEGATIVE IN
1984.. IN NEARLY ALL COUNTRIES, UNEMPLOYMENT AND
UNDEREMPLOYMENT ARE AT LEVELS NOT SEEN SINCE THE GREAT
DEPRESSION.
I HARDLY NEED TO POINT OUT HOW DANGEROUS SUCH CONDITIONS
ARE TO ANY GOVERNMENT THAT HAS TO FACE ELECTIONS..
THE DRUG TRADE. ILLICIT NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING AND
CONSUMPTION ALSO THREATEN DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT BY
FOSTERING DISREGARD FOR THE LAW AND CORRUPTING
INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS.. IN SOME REMOTE
VALLEYS, THE LURE OF EXTRAORDINARY PROFITS AND THE
ABSENCE OF PRODUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES HAVE BROKEN DOWN
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ORDER; LAWLESSNESS PREVAILS AND DRUG
KINGS HOLD SWAY,. SOMETIMES IN SYMBIOSIS WITH GUERRILLAS.
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IN THE PAST, MANY LATIN AMERICANS CONSIDERED ILLICIT
DRUGS A "U.S. PROBLEM". SOME EVEN WELCOMED THE INCREASED
EMPLOYMENT AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS BROUGHT BY THE
DRUG TRADE. TODAY. THEY ARE INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE
ENORMOUS THREAT NARCOTICS POSE TO THE MORAL FIBER OF
THEIR OWN SOCIETIES AND TO THE LEGITIMACY OF THEIR OWN
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. DEMOCRACY REQUIRES A COLLECTIVE
VICTORY OVER THE TRAFFICKERS AND THEIR ALLIES.
IT IS U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY AND
DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. THIS APPROACH IS NEITHER
INTERVENTIONIST NOR A MINDLESS EXPORT OF IDEOLOGY. IT IS
LEGITIMATE, IT IS IN OUR ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST. AND
IT WORKS -- NOT OVERNIGHT OR IN SIX-MONTH INCREMENTS, BUT
OVER TIME.
--DEMOCRACY IS THE BEST GUARANTOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS. A
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE TO ITS PEOPLE CANNOT ABUSE THEM
WITH IMPUNITY.
--DEMOCRACY IS ALSO THE BEST LONG-TERM GUARANTOR OF
STABILITY. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS DO NOT DRIVE THEIR
PEOPLE INTO ARMED OPPOSITION NOR DO THEY THREATEN OR
ATTACK THEIR NEIGHBORS.
AMERICAN OFFICIALS FROM THE PRESIDENT ON DOWN HAVE MADE
CLEAR OUR UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES.
DURING HIS TRIP TO LATIN AMERICA IN 1982. PRESIDENT
REAGAN INSISTED THAT:
- THE FUTURE CHALLENGES OUR IMAGINATION, BUT THE ROOTS
- OF LAW AND DEMOCRACY AND OUR INTER-AMERICAN SYSTEM
- PROVIDE THE ANSWERS ... TOGETHER WE WILL WORK TOWARD
- THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY THAT CAN ONLY BE
- ACHIEVED BY FREE MEN AND WOMEN. WE WILL PROMOTE THE
- DEMOCRACY THAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FREEDOM, AND
- STAND TOGETHER TO ASSURE THE SECURITY OF OUR PEOPLES,
- THEIR GOVERNMENTS, AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.
SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACY CAN MEAN EVERYTHING FROM A PUBLIC
ABRAZO FOR A NEW PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA TO SENDING
QUALIFIED ELECTION OBSERVERS IF REQUESTED BY A
GOVERNMENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA. IT CAN MEAN ENCOURAGEMENT
OF POLITICAL D,ALOGUE AND COMMUNICATION, TECHNICAL
EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, SPECIALIZED CONFERENCES, EVEN
ANALYTICAL PUBLICATIONS. IT CAN MEAN SUPPORT FOR A
STRENGTHENED ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
DURING THE LAST FOUR YEARS, IT HAS MEANT ALL OF THESE
THINGS -- AND MORE. WE ENCOURAGED THE OPEN AND
COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS THAT TOOK PLACE IN HONDURAS, EL
SALVADOR, AND GUATEMALA. WE URGED THE SANDINISTAS TO
HONOR THE DEMOCRATIC PROMISES THEY HAVE ABANDONED AND
BETRAYED. WE WELCOMED THE RETURN TO DEMOCRATIC RULE IN
ARGENTINA. WE MADE CLEAR OUR SUPPORT FOR RESTORATION OF
DEMOCRACY IN CHILE AND URUGUAY. WE MANIFESTED OUR
SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY WHEN PRESIDENT SILES
WAS KIDNAPPED IN BOLIVIA. WE LET THE GOVERNMENT OF
PARAGUAY KNOW WE WERE UNHAPPY AT THE CLOSING OF THE
INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ABC COLOR. WE LET THE GOVERNMENT
OF HAITI KNOW OF OUR CONCERN AT THE ARREST AND
MISTREATMENT OF OPPOSITION LEADERS.
COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA AND
THE CARIBBEAN, U.S. EMBASSIES ARE TODAY CORRECTLY
PERCEIVED AS SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY. LOCAL OFFICIALS AND
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CITIZENS RECOGNIZE IN GROWING NUMBERS THAT OUR
REPRESENTATIVES ARE PATIENTLY FOSTERING DEMOCRATIC
DIALOGUE., CONSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURES, AND RESPECT FOR
POLITICAL DIVERSITY.
WE HAVE ALSO RECOGNIZED THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE NOT
ALONE IN HAVING A ROLE TO PLAY IN PROMOTING DEMOCRATIC
VALUES AND TRADITIONS. PRIVATE CITIZENS ARE ULTIMATELY
THE BACKBONE OF DEMOCRACY, AND WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO
CATALYZE BROADER PRIVATE COOPERATION. THE WEST GERMAN
POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS, THE POLITICAL INTERNATIONALS, OUR
OWN AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR FREE LABOR DEVELOPMENT, AND
MANY INDIVIDUAL LEADERS HAVE LONG PROVEN THAT POLITICAL
COOPERATION AMONG LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE AND GROUPS GETS
RESULTS.
THE DEMOCRATIC TIDE HAS MADE IT EASIER TO BUILD ON THESE
EXPERIENCES. WE HAVE STRENGTHENED THE ABILITY OF USIA TO
SPONSOR PRIVATE EXCHANGES. THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR
DEMOCRACY AND ITS CONSTITUENT INSTITUTES ARE
STRENGTHENING OUR NATIONAL CAPACITY TO DEVELOP MUTUAL
SUPPORT NETWORKS AMONG DEMOCRATIC LEADERS AND PARTIES
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
IN LATIN AMERICA. THE. CENTER FOR ELECTORAL ADVICE AND
PROMOTION IN SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA IS A NEW EXAMPLE OF HOW
A REGIONAL INSTITUTION CAN HELP NATIONS TRANSLATE
DEMOCRATIC THEORY INTO THE NUTS.. BOLTS AND BALLOT BOXES
OF AN OPEN POLITICAL SYSTEM.
DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES HAVE A PARTICULAR OBLIGATION TO
REACH OUT AND ASSIST EACH OTHER AND THOSE ON THE PATH TO
DEMOCRACY. IF THEY DO NOT, THEY LEAVE THE FIELD TO THOSE
WHO ARE OPPOSED TO DEMOCRACY. AS PRESIDENT EISENHOWER
SAID ON RETURN FROM HIS 1960 SOUTH AMERICAN TRIP, "ALL
NATIONS -- LARGE OR SMALL, POWERFUL OR WEAK -- SHOULD
ASSUME SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF
HUMANKIND COOPERATION AMONG FREE NATIONS IS THE KEY
TO COMMON PROGRESS."
WITH ECONOMIC RECESSION CHALLENGING SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
STABILITY IN SEVERAL HEMISPHERE COUNTRIES, ECONOMIC
ADJUSTMENT IS NOT A MATTER OF CHOICE, BUT OF NECESSITY.
IF ECONOMIES ARE TO GROW, THEY MUST DO SO IN ACCORDANCE
WITH MARKET FORCES, NOT IN OPPOSITION TO THEM. STABLE
AND EQUITABLE GROWTH IN THE FUTURE REQUIRES ECONOMIC
ADJUSTMENT NOW.
WE IN THE U.S. HAVE LEARNED THAT LESSON OURSELVES. THE
DECISIONS WE TOOK TO FOSTER THE RESURGENCE OF THE
AMERICAN ECONOMY WERE NOT EASY. COSTS WERE INCURRED. AT
THE HEIGHT OF THE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS UNEMPLOYMENT REACHED
PAINFULLY HIGH LEVELS AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECLINED
MARKEDLY. BUT WE ARE NOW REAPING THE BENEFITS OF THE
HARD DECISIONS WE MADE EARLIER. INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS
EXPANDING. INFLATION IS DOWN AND PERSONAL INCOME IS UP.
AND, IN THE PAST TWO QUARTERS,. OUR GNP GREW MUCH FASTER
THAN ANTICIPATED.
I DO NOT MEAN TO DRAW DIRECT PARALLELS BETWEEN THE
SITUATION IN THE HEAVILY INDEBTED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES OF
LATIN AMERICA AND IN THE UNITED STATES. BUT THERE IS A
LESSON TO BE DRAWN FROM OUR EXPERIENCE. IT IS CLEAR THAT
TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINED NON-INFLATI.ONARY GROWTH COUNTRIES
NEED. POLICIES THAT REFLECT ECONOMIC REALITIES AND RELEASE
THE PRODUCTIVE FORCES OF THEIR PEOPLE.
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GOVERNMENTS OFTEN FACE AGONIZING CHOICES IN THE POLITICAL
MANAGEMENT OF ADJUSTMENT. THEY MUST DISTRIBUTE THE
BURDENS OF THAT ADJUSTMENT.. AND THEY OFTEN MUST DECIDE
BETWEEN TAKING HARD MEASURES AT ONCE OR TRYING TO
POSTPONE ECONOMIC SHOCKS -- WITH THE RISK THAT THOSE
SHOCKS WILL BE MORE SEVERE AND VIOLENT LATER ON. THESE
ARE REAL DILEMMAS FOR WHICH THERE IS NO SIMPLE OR
UNIVERSAL ANSWER.
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS, WITH BROAD POPULAR PARTICIPATION
AND SUPPORT, ARE ESPECIALLY WELL POSITIONED TO DEAL WITH
THESE TOUGH DECISIONS. AS COSTA RICAN PRESIDENT LUIS
ALBERTO MONGE TOLD THE ILO IN GENEVA ON JUNE 12: WE
HAVE DRAWN BACK FROM THE GULF JBY ADOPTING) SOME VERY
BITTER AND HARSH DECISIONS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE A SICK
ECONOMY.... DEMOCRACY WORKS AS A MEANS OF SETTLING THE
PROBLEMS OF PRODUCTION AND TO WIN BATTLES IN THE STRUGGLE
AGAINST UNDER-DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY."
WE ARE ACUTELY AWARE OF THE SCOPE AND SERIOUSNESS OF THE
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS CONFRONTING THE HEMISPHERE. WE ARE
CONCERNED AND WE ARE HELPING.
THE UNITED STATES AND THE OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES
WILL CONTINUE TO RESPOND CONSTRUCTIVELY TO EXTERNAL DEBT
AND OTHER ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. IT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO
ALL NATIONS TO WEAKEN THE VERY INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS
THAT CAN HELP TROUBLED ECONOMIES ADAPT TO NEW ECONOMIC
REALITIES. BUT IT WOULD BE AN EQUAL DISSERVICE NOT TO
RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY AND UNDERSTANDING.
THE JUNE ECONOMIC SUMMIT IN LONDON GAVE CAREFUL
CONSIDERATION TO DEBT-RELATED ISSUES. THE SUMMIT LEADERS
CONFIRMED A BASIC STRATEGY CENTERED ON ADJUSTMENT, GROWTH
AND SUPPORT, AND AGREED TO DEVELOP IT FLEXIBLY., CASE BY
CASE. THEY ALSO AGREED ON MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN AND
BROADEN THAT STRATEGY OVER TIME.
THE SUMMIT LEADERS ALSO PLEDGED TO MAINTAIN AND WHERE
POSSIBLE INCREASE BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE,
PARTICULARLY TO THE POOREST COUNTRIES. THEY ENCOURAGED
THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND TO CONTINUE ITS KEY ROLE
OF HELPING DEBTOR COUNTRIES MAKE NECESSARY POLICY
CHANGES. AND THEY ASKED THE WORLD BANK TO STRENGTHEN ITS
ROLE IN FOSTERING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. URGING CLOSER
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE IMF AND THE BANK.
THIS APPROACH HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN AVOIDING SYSTEMIC
CRISIS. INDEED, WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE AUGUST
1982, WHEN MEXICO'S ACUTE LACK OF LIQUIDITY RAISED FEARS
THAT THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM MIGHT SUDDENLY
TOPPLE.
WE AND OTHER CREDITOR GOVERNMENTS QUICKLY PROVIDED
TEMPORARY BRIDGE FINANCING TO DEAL WITH IMMEDIATE
LIQUIDITY PROBLEMS AND BEGAN DEVELOPING CONTINUING
MEASURES TO SUPPORT MEXICO'S ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT
PROGRAM. WE HAVE SINCE COLLABORATED ON THE OFFICIAL
CREDITS INVOLVED IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT PACKAGES FOR A
VARIETY OF DEBTOR COUNTRIES.
THE RESPONSES OF THE U.S., OTHER CREDITOR GOVERNMENTS,
COMMERCIAL BANKS AND THE IMF AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS
REFLECT A MORE ACTIVIST AND CREATIVE APPROACH TO THE
HEMISPHERE'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.
SOME COUNTRIES, NOTABLY MEXICO AND BRAZIL, HAVE MADE
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN ADJUSTING THEIR ECONOMIES. WE
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ANTICIPATE THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SERVICE THEIR DEBT
AND BRING ABOUT A RESUMPTION OF SUSTAINABLE,
NON-INFLATIONARY GROWTH.
TO HELP MAKE THAT POSSIBLE, AND TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC
PROCESSES THROUGHOUT THE HEMISPHERE, U.S. POLICY HAS
SOUGHT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO HELP GOVERNMENTS
IMPLEMENT ADJUSTMENT MEASURES CONDUCIVE TO LONG TERM
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STABILITY.
--THE U.S. HAS MADE UNPRECEDENTED USE OF COMMODITY CREDIT
CORPORATION GUARANTEES AND SPECIAL EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
GUARANTEE AND INSURANCE PROGRAMS AS SPECIFIC DEBT
MANAGEMENT TOOLS. WE AND OUR PARIS CLUB COLLEAGUES HAVE
BEEN FLEXIBLE IN RESCHEDULING DEBT ON A CASE BY CASE
BASIS. THE DEBTS OF MORE COUNTRIES ARE BEING
RESCHEDULED, INCLUDING PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST, WITH
LONGER REPAYMENT TERMS AND GRACE PERIODS.
--OUR APPROACH INCLUDES ENCOURAGING COMMERCIAL BANKERS TO
MAINTAIN PRUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN LENDING AND
RESCHEDULING. COMMERCIAL BANK RESCHEDULING AND LENDING
TERMS HAVE IMPROVED OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS FOR COUNTRIES
WHICH HAVE SUCCESSFUL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMS -- LOWER
RESCHEDULING AND OTHER FEES, A DROP IN "SPREADS."
LENGTHENING REPAYMENT PERIODS, AND THE RESCHEDULING OF
MATURITIES OVER MULTIYEAR PERIODS.
--ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SOLUTION. WE
HAVE ENCOURAGED THE EVOLUTION OF THE ROLE OF THE IMF AND
OTHER INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OVER THE PAST
18 MONTHS. WORKING WITH THE CONGRESS LAST YEAR, WE
SECURED A MAJOR INCREASE IN IMF RESOURCES. THE IMF IS
INCREASINGLY SENSITIVE TO POLITICAL AND SOCIAL STRAINS
ACCOMPANYING PAINFUL ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMS. THE
FUND, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS BEEN INNOVATIVE IN DEFINING THE
PUBLIC SECTOR DEFICIT TARGETS FOR PERU AND BRAZIL, AND
HAS NEGOTIATED MORE LIBERAL TARGETS FOR MEXICO AND CHILE.
--WE HAVE WORKED FOR THE FAVORABLE EVOLUTION OF WORLD
BANK OPERATIONS, ENCOURAGING SUCH INNOVATIONS AS
STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT LOANS,. WHICH OFFER FINANCIAL
SUPPORT OVER THE MEDIUM-TERM TO COUNTRIES UNDERTAKING
ECONOMIC REFORMS. AND WE ARE EXAMINING DEVELOPMENT
BOTTLENECKS RESULTING FROM INADEQUATE COUNTERPART OR
LOCAL CURRENCY FUNDS UNDER WORLD BANK LENDING.
--AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR STRATEGY, AND ONE THAT DEPENDS
HEAVILY ON THE CONGRESS FOR SUPPORT, IS TO PREVENT
PROTECTIONIST MEASURES FROM INHIBITING LATIN AMERICAN
ACCESS TO THE U.S. MARKET. THE HEMISPHERES SHARE OF US
IMPORTS HAS GROWN FROM 13 PER CENT (.523 BILLIONS IN 1978
TO 16 PER CENT IN 1983 441..7 BILLIONI -- NOTWITHSTANDING
RECESSIONS, DEBT CRISES,. AND COMPETITION FROM OTHER
REGIONS. THE OUTLOOK FOR HEMISPHERE EXPORTS TO THE
UNITED STATES IS POSITIVE.. U.S. IMPORTS FROM LATIN
AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN IN 1983 WERE UP BY 11 PER CENT
OVER 1982. AND PRELIMINARY DATA FOR 1984 -- FIRST
QUARTER FIGURES -- SHOW AN INCREASE OF 31 PER CENT OVER
THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983.
--THE CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE (.CB1). IS A MILESTONE.
THE CBI OPENS UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE, INVESTMENT,
EMPLOYMENT,. AND BROAD-BASED GROWTH IN THE REGION. ITS
12-YEAR LIFE REPRESENTS A LONG-TERM U.S. POLITICAL
COMMITMENT WITH INCENTIVES BEYOND ITS IMMEDIATE TRADE
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OBJECTIVES. COUNTRIES WITH THE POLICY FRAMEWORK TO
PROMOTE INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION WILL BEST BE ABLE TO
SEIZE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES.. INCREASING VERY SIGNIFICANTLY
THE PAY-OFF FOR APPROPRIATE ECONOMIC POLICIES.
--ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT STEP IS THE TRADE CREDIT GUARANTEE
PROGRAM RECOMMENDED FOR CENTRAL AMERICA BY THE BIPARTISAN
COMMISSION, INCLUDED IN THE FOREIGN AID AUTHORIZATION
BILL., H.R. 5119, WHICH PASSED THE HOUSE IN MAY.
IN ALL THESE EFFORTS, WE ARE KEENLY AWARE THAT OUR
PROGRAMS AND POLICIES, HOWEVER SUPPORTIVE, CANNOT BE
DECISIVE. THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT LIES WITH THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
THEMSELVES.. THE FLOW OF NEW LENDING FROM THE
INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES IS LIKELY TO REMAIN BELOW RECENT
LEVELS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. YET DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES CONTINUE TO NEED MORE CAPITAL FOR DEVELOPMENT
THAN THEY CAN GENERATE INTERNALLY.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IS THEREFORE LIKELY TO GROW IN
IMPORTANCE AS AN ENGINE OF DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA.
DIRECT INVESTMENT, PARTICULARLY NEW EQUITY CAPITAL,
OFFERS THE RECIPIENT COUNTRY MANY ADVANTAGES OVER
EXTERNAL DEBT:
--EQUITY INVESTMENT IS CHEAPER TO SERVICE, ESPECIALLY IN
HARD TIMES. ALTHOUGH INTEREST MUST BE PAID REGARDLESS,
PROFITS ARE REMITTED ONLY WHEN THEY ARE EARNED.
--EQUITY BRINGS WITH IT TECHNOLOGY, JOBS, AND MANAGEMENT
SKILLS THAT ARE HARD TO ACQUIRE IN OTHER WAYS.
--DIRECT INVESTMENT ENCOURAGES INTEGRATION INTO THE WORLD
SYSTEM, FOSTERING A MORE OPEN TRADING SYSTEM WHERE
PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES CAN BE RESISTED MORE READILY.
THE UNITED STATES IS THE SOURCE OF NEARLY 60 PER CENT OF
ALL FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN. INVESTMENT FLOWS RESPOND TO ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS AND TO FISCAL, TRADE, AND EXCHANGE-RATE
POLICIES IN THE RECIPIENT COUNTRIES. NATIONS THAT CHOOSE
TO CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE CLIMATE FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS CAN
EXPECT TO ATTRACT AN INCREASED PORTION OF THE AVAILABLE
FUNDS. THEY WILL THUS REDUCE THEIR DEPENDENCE ON DEBT
FOR GROWTH. WE ENCOURAGE THIS.
BUT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE DEBTOR COUNTRIES ALONE, EVEN
WITH WISE POLICIES, CANNOT SURMOUNT THE CURRENT CRISIS.
OUR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY -- AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE IT. THE COOPERATION OF OTHER LENDING COUNTRIES
IS VITAL -- AND IT HAS BEEN FORTHCOMING. THE
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE AN ESSENTIAL
ROLE TO PLAY -- AND THEY ARE PLAYING IT. WITH THIS
SUPPORT, WE BELIEVE THE RESPONSIBLE AND DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNMENTS OF THE HEMISPHERE CAN MEET THE ECONOMIC
CHALLENGES THAT CONFRONT THEM.
AS WITH POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, THE PROMOTION
AND PRESERVATION OF DEMOCRACY REQUIRES COOPERATION IN
ADDRESSING SECURITY ISSUES.
THE EXPORT OF VIOLENCE BY CUBA AND NICARAGUA WITH SOVIET
BACKING IS THE PRINCIPAL EXTERNAL SECURITY THREAT TO
DEMOCRACY IN THE HEMISPHERE. THE UNITED STATES PROVIDES
SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS
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DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST THIS THREAT. AS A '
DEMONSTRATION OF OUR RESOLVE AND TO IMPROVE THE
CAPABILITY OF OUR OWN AND REGIONAL FORCES, WE CONTINUE TO
CONDUCT JOINT EXERCISES AND MANEUVERS IN THE AREA.
AT THE SAME TIME, OUR DIPLOMATS ARE WORKING ACTIVELY TO
CONTAIN THE THREAT POSED BY NICARAGUA'S MILITARY TIES TO
CUBA AND THE SOVIET BLOC, ITS SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES,
MILITARIZATION, AND INTERNAL REPRESSION. WE BELIEVE THE
CONTADORA PROCESS PROVIDES THE MEANS TO NEGOTIATE A
COMPREHENSIVE, VERIFIABLE AND DURABLE REGIONAL SOLUTION.
DEFENSE AGAINST THE ILLICIT NARCOTICS TRADE ENTAILS
COOPERATION WITH THOSE IN THE REGION WHO RECOGNIZE THE
THREAT AND SEEK OUR ACTIVE HELP -- PRIMARILY IN FUNDING
WHAT IS AFTER ALL A WAR AGAINST A WELL-ARMED AND RUTHLESS
ENEMY.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ON MAY 10, 1984, ADOPTED
AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION APPROVING THE PRESIDENT'S
MUTUALLY COMPLEMENTARY REQUESTS FOR ECONOMIC AND MILITARY
ASSISTANCE TO BEGIN TO IMPLEMENT THE LONG-RANGE PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED BY THE NATIONAL BIPARTISAN COMMISSION ON
CENTRAL AMERICA.
SENATE ACTION ON THIS AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION AND THE
ENACTMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS ARE STILL NEEDED BEFORE THIS
PROGRAM CAN BE IMPLEMENTED. AS THE COMMISSION EMPHASIZED
IN JANUARY IN ITS REPORT, "THE CRISIS WILL NOT WAIT.
THERE IS NO TIME TO LOSE." WE HOPE THE CONGRESS WILL
COMPLETE ACTION PROMPTLY ON THIS URGENT IMPLEMENTING
LEGISLATION.
ALTHOUGH ITS MANDATE WAS CONFINED TO CENTRAL AMERICA, THE
NATIONAL BIPARTISAN COMMISSION ON CENTRAL AMERICA COULD
NOT AVOID A BROADER CONCLUSION IN ITS REPORT TO THE
PRESIDENT:
POWERFUL FORCES ARE ON THE MARCH IN NEARLY EVERY
COUNTRY OF THE HEMISPHERE. TESTING HOW NATIONS SHALL
BE ORGANIZED AND BY WHAT PROCESS AUTHORITY SHALL BE
ESTABLISHED AND LEGITIMIZED. WHO SHALL GOVERN AND
UNDER WHAT FORMS ARE THE CENTRAL ISSUES IN THE PROCESS
OF CHANGE NOW UNDER WAY IN COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY
THROUGHOUT LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN.
THE UNITED STATES IS BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND POWERFUL. BUT
SUCCESSIVE U.S. ADMINISTRATIONS AND CONGRESSES,
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS. HAVE LEARNED THAT OUR OWN
DEMOCRATIC EXAMPLE AND NATIONAL POWER ARE NOT ENOUGH TO
MAKE A DECISIVE DIFFERENCE IN FAVOR OF DEMOCRACY IN THE
FACE OF INDIFFERENCE ABROAD.
THE IMPORTANT THING -- THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING HOW THE
UNITED STATES SHOULD BE CONDUCTING ITSELF IN THIS
HEMISPHERE -- IS THAT TODAY INDIFFERENCE IS DISAPPEARING
IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN. RECENT EXPERIENCE
DEMONSTRATES THIS REMARKABLE TRUTH -- IN CENTRAL AMERICA,
IN THE ANDEAN COUNTRIES, IN BRAZIL, IN THE CARIBBEAN AND
IN THE SOUTHERN CONE. THE VOTING STATISTICS, THE
PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF ELECTION OBSERVERS, THE PALPABLE
SOLIDARITY FELT BY ANYONE WHO HAS ATTENDED A LATIN OR
CARIBBEAN INAUGURATION OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS -- ALL
EVIDENCE. THE GROWING SENSE OF PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL
POLITICAL LIFE.
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IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL COOPERATION TODAY, THE
CONTADORA PROCESS IS A CRITICAL EXPERIMENT. WHAT DOES IT
SAY ABOUT THE INVIGORATED POWER OF THE DEMOCRATIC IDEA
THAT THIS GROUP OF COUNTRIES HAS REACHED THE
"REVOLUTIONARY" CONCLUSION THAT DEMOCRACY IS THE SINE QUA
NON OF PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA?
IT IS WORTH QUOTING FROM THE CONTADORA 'DOCUMENT OF
OBJECTIVES'. ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1983, ALL NINE CONTADORA
PARTICIPANTS AGREED ON THE NEED
-TO ADOPT MEASURES CONDUCIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND,
WHERE APPROPRIATE, IMPROVEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC,
REPRESENTATIVE AND PLURALISTIC SYSTEMS THAT WILL
GUARANTEE EFFECTIVE POPULAR PARTICIPATION IN THE
DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AND ENSURE THAT THE VARIOUS
CURRENTS OF OPINION HAVE FREE ACCESS TO FAIR AND REGULAR
ELECTIONS BASED ON THE FULL OBSERVANCE OF CITIZENS'
RIGHTS;
DEEP DIVISIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHIN SOCIETY. WITH A
VIEW TO FOSTERING PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW;
ARE THESE -- AND THE MORE SPECIFIC BENCHMARKS ELABORATED
WITHIN THE PROCESS SINCE THEN -- NOT STANDARDS WHICH WE
CAN ALL SUPPORT? DON'T THEY REVEAL BOTH AN UNDERSTANDING
OF DEMOCRACY AND A REJECTION OF INDIFFERENCE?
CAN THERE BE ANY QUESTION OF THE RESULTS OF ANY
COMPARATIVE APPLICATION OF THESE SAME BENCHMARKS TO THE
TWO CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES MOST OFTEN IN THE NEWS: EL
SALVADOR AND NICARAGUA? WHOSE ELECTION EXPERIENCE OR
PLANS MEET THE STANDARD? IN WHICH COUNTRY IS THERE "FREE
ACCESS"? IN WHICH COUNTRY ARE THERE "FAIR AND REGULAR
ELECTIONS"? WHICH COUNTRY IS PROMOTING "NATIONAL
RECONCILIATION EFFORTS" ON THE BASIS OF "FOSTERING
PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES"? THE ANSWER IN
EACH CASE IS EL SALVADOR.
THOSE INCLINED TO ANSWER DIFFERENTLY MIGHT PONDER WHAT
PERUVIAN NOVELIST MARIO VARGAS LLOSA WROTE IN 1983:
WHEN AN AMERICAN OR EUROPEAN INTELLECTUAL -- OR
LIBERAL NEWSPAPER OR INSTITUTION -- ADVOCATES FOR
LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES POLITICAL OPTIONS AND METHODS
HE WOULD NEVER COUNTENANCE IN HIS OWN SOCIETY HE IS
BETRAYING A FUNDAMENTAL DOUBT ABOUT THE CAPACITY OF
THE LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES TO ACHIEVE THE LIBERTY
AND THE RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS THAT PREVAIL
IN THE WESTERN DEMOCRACIES. IN MOST CASES. THE
PROBLEM IS AN UNCONSCIOUS PREJUDICE. AN INCHOATE
SENTIMENT, A SORT OF VISCERAL RACISM, WHICH THESE
PERSONS -- WHO GENERALLY HAVE UNIMPEACHABLE LIBERAL
AND DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS -- WOULD SHARPLY DISAVOW IF
THEY WERE SUDDENLY MADE AWARE OF IT.
VARGAS LLOSA IS RIGHT. TOO MANY OF US HAVE NOT LOOKED AT
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN LATIN AMERICA CLOSELY ENOUGH TO GET
BEYOND THE STEREOTYPES.
IT IS TIME TO BURY THE CANARD THAT LATIN AMERICANS ARE
"INCAPABLE OF DEMOCRACY." THE UNITED STATES CANNOT
AFFORD IGNORANCE, INDIFFERENCE OR INACTION.
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AND OF DEMOCRATIC SOLIDARITY. RECENT HISTORY PROCLAIMS
THE STRENGTH OF LATIN AMERICA'S DRIVE FOR DEMOCRACY. BY
ENCOURAGING IT AND SUPPORTING IT, WE ARE NOT "EXPORTING"
OUR OWN IDEOLOGY OR "IMPOSING" SOMETHING "MADE ONLY IN
USA." WE ARE HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS FULFILL THEIR OWN
ASPIRATIONS. AND IN DOING SO WE ARE CONFIRMING OUR OWN
DEEPEST AND MOST HOPEFUL CONVICTIONS.
DEMOCRACY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE:
A COUNTRY SUMMARY
ARGENTINA'S RETURN TO DEMOCRACY WAS ONE OF LAST YEAR'S
MOST SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL EVENTS. VICE PRESIDENT BUSH
HEADED THE U.S. DELEGATION AT THE INAUGURATION OF RAUL
ALFONSIN IN DECEMBER. THE CONVICTION THAT SOMETHING
SIGNIFICANT WAS HAPPENING IN BUENOS AIRES -- SOMETHING
WHICH DESERVED TO ENDURE -- WAS AS PALPABLE AS THE
EUPHORIA OF THE ARGENTINE PEOPLE.
IT WAS ALSO OBVIOUS HOW STRONGLY REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER
DEMOCRACIES FELT ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ARGENTINA. THIS WAS
ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THOSE WHICH HAD RECENTLY UNDERGONE
SIMILAR WRENCHING TRANSITIONS: SPAIN. PORTUGAL, PERU,
ECUADOR. IT IS SIGNIFICANT -- ESPECIALLY WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT WHAT OUR POLICY SHOULD BE -- THAT WE 00 SHARE WITH
SUCH COUNTRIES A VOCATION TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE THE
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
BOLIVIAN DEMOCRACY, AFTER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF MILITARY
RULE, WAS RESTORED IN OCTOBER 1982 WITH STRONG U.S.
BACKING. OUR HIGHLY VISIBLE SUPPORT FOR THE
CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR
HELPING TO BUTTRESS A DEMOCRACY WITH ENORMOUS AND
CONTINUING POLITICAL. NARCOTICS AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.
PRESIDENT SILES PUBLICLY THANKED THE UNITED STATES FOR
THE ROLE WE PLAYED IN HELPING TO FRUSTRATE THE COUP
ATTEMPT ON JUNE 30, WHICH INCLUDED SILES' KIDNAPPING.
BRAZIL, SOUTH AMERICA'S LARGEST AND MOST POPULOUS NATION,
HAS TAKEN SIGNIFICANT STRIDES TOWARD A FULLY
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. IN 1982. IT HELD COMPETITIVE
ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL,. STATE, AND FEDERAL OFFICES. BRAZIL
IS NOW ENGAGED IN A VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN TOWARD THE JANUARY,
1985 ELECTIONS TO NAME A SUCCESSOR TO PRESIDENT
FIGUEIREDO. THIS PROCESS REFLECTS BOTH THE DEGREE OF
DEMOCRACY BRAZIL HAS ACHIEVED AND THE COMMITMENT OF ALL
BRAZILIANS TO ABERTURA. AS ELSEWHERE,. WE ARE NEUTRAL
ABOUT WHO WINS, AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY IN SUPPORT OF THE
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS ITSELF.
IN CHILE, A DE FACTO POLITICAL LIBERALIZATION HAS
OCCURRED OVER THE PAST YEAR. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW
CONSIDERING A LAW WHICH WOULD LEGALIZE POLITICAL
PARTIES. THERE IS NO FORMAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT AND THE MODERATE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION, BUT
INFORMAL CONTACTS ARE TAKING PLACE AIMED AT DEFINING A
DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION PROCESS. THE U.S. STRONGLY
SUPPORTS THE RETURN TO ELECTED, DEMOCRATIC, CIVILIAN
GOVERNMENT IN CHILE. WE HOPE THE PROCESS OF
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION
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WILL PRODUCE A CONSENSUS ON THE TIMING AND MODALITY FOR A
RETURN TO DEMOCRACY.
COLOMBIA HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE DEMOCRACY FOR MORE THAN 25
YEARS. IT HAS ENDURED A PERSISTENT, CUBAN-BACKED
INSURGENCY, AS WELL AS THE NARCOTICS SCOURGE. COLOMBIA
IS TODAY TAKING EXTRAORDINARY STEPS TO STAMP OUT
NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING AND PRESIDENT BETANCUR HAS
NEGOTIATED A CEASEFIRE WITH THE LARGEST GUERRILLA GROUP,
PAVING THE WAY FOR THE GUERRILLAS TO LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS
AND JOIN IN THE COUNTRY'S FREE POLITICAL LIFE.
ECUADOR COMPLETED PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL
ELECTIONS IN JANUARY AND MAY OF THIS YEAR WITH A FAIRNESS
THAT WAS A CREDIT TO THE OUTGOING HURTADO
ADMINISTRATION. THE FIRST TRANSITION IN TWENTY-FOUR
YEARS FROM ONE ELECTED DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT TO ANOTHER
WILL TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 10. 1984. PRESIDENT-ELECT
FEBRES CORDERO VISITED WASHINGTON LAST MONTH. IMPRESSING
ALL HE MET WITH HIS DEMOCRATIC VOCATION. VICE PRESIDENT
BUSH WILL HEAD THE U.S. DELEGATION TO HIS INAUGURATION.
PANAMA HAS JUST HELD ITS FIRST DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION IN SIXTEEN YEARS. ABOUT 77 OF THE REGISTERED
VOTERS TURNED OUT AND THE RESULTS WERE VERY CLOSE. BOTH
THE OPPOSITION AND THE GOVERNMENT PARTY CHALLENGED VOTES
IN MANY DISTRICTS.
THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE CHANGE IN PARAGUAY'S POLITICAL
SYSTEM IN RECENT YEARS. PRESIDENT STROESSNER WAS
REELECTED IN 1983, BUT THE ELECTION PROCESS WAS FLAWED BY
CAMPAIGN AND MEDIA RESTRICTIONS. IN MARCH, THE
GOVERNMENT CLOSED DOWN PARAGUAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT
NEWSPAPER, AN ACTION WE PUBLICLY DEPLORED. AT THE SAME
TIME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN SOME POSITIVE STEPS, SUCH
AS RELEASING ALMOST ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS, ALLOWING
SOME POLITICAL ACTIVITISTS TO RETURN TO PARAGUAY AFTER
MANY YEARS OF EXILE, AND ARRESTING SOME POLICE OFFICIALS
FOR ABUSE OFIAUTHORITY.
PERU'S PRESIDENT BELAUNDE -- RE-ELECTED IN 1980. TWELVE
YEARS AFTER HE WAS DEPOSED BY A MILITARY COUP -- HEADS A
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT THAT FACES SEVERE ECONOMIC STRAINS
AND TERRORISM FROM THE INDIGENOUS MAOIST SENDERO
LUMINOSO. NEVERTHELESS, PERU REMAINS FIRMLY ON ITS
DEMOCRATIC COURSE. NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF
OF 1985 WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR THE FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL
TURNOVER OF POWER IN FORTY YEARS.
THERE IS AN ONGOING DEMOCRATIZATION IN URUGUAY. WITH A
LONG HISTORY OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, URUGUAYANS
UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS AND ARE DETERMINED TO SEE IT
REESTABLISHED. ON JULY 26TH THE MILITARY RESUMED
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE "MULTI- PARTY GROUP" COMPOSED OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RECOGNIZED PARTIES. IT ALSO
LIFTED PROSCRIPTIONS AFFECTING THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC
AND SOCIALIST PARTIES, THE TWO MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE
LEFTIST "BROAD FRONT". WHILE 97 INDIVIDUALS REMAIN
PROSCRIBED FROM POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND WILSON FERREIRA OF
THE BLANCO PARTY REMAINS IMPRISONED ON CHARGES UNDER THE
SECURITY LAW, THE MILITARY HAS RESTORED TO SOME 6500
FORMERLY-PROSCRIBED POLITICIANS THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS.
ALL CONCERNED, INCLUDING THE MILITARY, ARE COMMITTED TO
OPEN ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER AND TO A CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT
IN MARCH, 1985. AS FELLOW AMERICANS AND DEMOCRATS, WE
SUPPORT THAT PROCESS AND THE PARTICIPATION OF
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REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL POLITICAL FORCES. WE WOULD BE
DEEPLY CONCERNED IF THE TRANSITION WERE NOT TO OCCUR ON
SCHEDULE.
VENEZUELA HAS HAD A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT FOR OVER
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AND RECENTLY INAUGURATED ITS SIXTH
CONSECUTIVE CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT. FOLLOWING ITS
EMERGENCE FROM DICTATORSHIP IN THE EARLY 1960'S, THE
COUNTRY SUCCESSFULLY FOUGHT CUBAN-BACKED INSURGENTS AND
RIGHTWING EXTREMISTS IN THE EARLY L960'S -- BUT WITHOUT
SACRIFICING RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF
LAW. FEW VENEZUELANS HAVE FORGOTTEN HOW CLOSE THEIR
COUNTRY CAME TO LOSING ITS LIBERTY. MORE OF US SHOULD
STUDY THEIR HISTORY.
IN MOST OF THE CARIBBEAN THERE IS A FIRM COMMITMENT TO
DEMOCRACY.
THE PEOPLES OF THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN PROVED THEIR
DEMOCRATIC METTLE SEVEN MONTHS AGO WHEN THEY ACTED
WITHOUT HESITATION WITH THE SUPPORT OF OTHER DEMOCRATIC
NATIONS, INCLUDING THE U.S., TO RESTORE ORDER IN GRENADA
AFTER THAT COUNTRY HAD FALLEN PREY TO A BLOODY POWER
STRUGGLE AMONG ITS MARXIST-LENINIST LEADERS. THAT
HISTORIC ACTION HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR GRENADIANS TO
RESUME THEIR DEMOCRATIC HERITAGE. PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE END OF
THE YEAR.
DEMOCRACY IS A FUNCTIONAL REALITY IN MOST OF THE OTHER
CARIBBEAN ISLANDS: THE BAHAMAS, BARBADOS, TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO, NEWLY INDEPENDENT ST. CHRISTOPHER-NEVIS -- WHICH
HELD PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ON JUNE It -- ANTIGUA AND
BARBUDA, DOMINICA. ST. LUCIA, AND ST. VINCENT AND THE
GRENADINES -- WHOSE JULY 25 ELECTIONS LED TO A PEACEFUL
CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT.
CASTRO'S CUBA IS A SIGNIFICANT EXCEPTION TO THE
PREVAILING DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN.
ALTHOUGH A SELF-PROFESSED CHAMPION OF "NATIONAL
LIBERATION" WHERE OTHER COUNTRIES ARE CONCERNED, CUBA
ITSELF IS ONE OF THE LEAST DEMOCRATIC, LEAST INDEPENDENT
COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, AND CONTIMJES ITS DESTABILIZING
EFFORTS AGAINST THE TRULY DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS OF THE
CARIBBEAN.
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AFTER COMING TO POWER, THE CASTRO
REGIME RULES THROUGH CLASSIC MARXIST-LENINIST POLICE
STATE METHODS. BEHIND THE. IDEOLOGICAL SMOKESCREEN HE HAS
ESTABLISHED, CASTRO RULES WITH THE DESPOTISM OF THE
TRADITIONAL CAUDILLO AGGRAVATED BY UNPRECEDENTED
SUBSERVIENCE TO FOREIGN INTERESTS. CUBA ADHERES CLOSELY
TO SOVIET POLITICAL AND. MILITARY GUIDANCE. AND ONLY A
MASSIVE SOVIET SUBSIDY OF S12-$13 MILLION PER DAY KEEPS
THE CUBAN PEOPLE FROM EVEN GREATER PRIVATION. IT Is
IRONIC THAT THIS SHOULD BE TRUE WHILE MOST OF THE
HEMISPHERE IS ENJOYING A RESURGENCE OF DEMOCRACY AND AN
ASSERTION OF TRADITIONAL AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TURNED TO DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF DICTATORSHIP AND SOCIAL AND
POLITICAL UPHEAVAL. IN SPITE OF DESTABILIZING ECONOMIC
PROBLEMS, DEMOCRACY CONTINUES TO GAIN STRENGTH THERE, AS
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1982.
WHILE GUYANA MAINTAINS THE STRUCTURE OF A MULTIPARTY
PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH, ITS 1980
CONSTITUTION DEFINES THE COUNTRY AS A "DEMOCRATIC
SOVEREIGN STATE IN THE COURSE OF TRANSITION FROM
CAPITALISM TO SOCIALISM." THE RULING PARTY AND ITS
LEADER HAVE IMPOSED A MINORITY GOVERNMENT ON THE NATION,
RESULTING IN AN EROSION OF DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES.
HAITI IS ALSO AN EXCEPTION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PATH.
IMPOVERISHED AND LACKING DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONS, IT IS
RULED BY A PRESIDENT-FOR-LIFE AND A SMALL CIRCLE OF
ADVISORS. ALTHOUGH VIOLENCE HAS BEEN REDUCED, MAJOR
HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEMS EXIST, INCLUDING ABUSE OF DUE
PROCESS AND A LACK OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH. PRESS, AND
ASSOCIATION. FOR THE FIRST TIME.. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT
HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR LEGISLATION GOVERNING POLITICAL
PARTY ACTIVITIES, RECOGNIZED A LABOR FEDERATION, AND
CALLED FOR JUDICIAL REFORM, STRICT OBSERVANCE OF
LEGALITY, AND AN END TO INTERFERENCE IN THE JUDICIAL
PROCESS. PRESS CONTROLS HAVE BEEN THEORETICALLY RELAXED,
BUT THE RECENT TEMPORARY DETENTION OF SEVERAL JOURNALISTS
RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROCESS.
JAMAICA IS ANOTHER CARIBBEAN NATION WITH A TRADITION OF
DEMOCRACY. JAMAICAN VOTERS USED THE COUNTRY'S DEMOCRATIC
INSTITUTIONS TO END THE SOCIALIST EXPERIMENT AND BRING
BALANCE AND GROWTH TO A SHATTERED ECONOMY. JAMAICA'S
DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM CONTINUES TO GUIDE THE SOCIETY THROUGH
DIFFICULT ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.
UNTIL A MILITARY COUP IN FEBRUARY 1980, SURINAME WAS A
FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY WITH A HISTORY LARGELY FREE OF
VIOLENCE. IN DECEMBER 1982, FIFTEEN LEADING FIGURES WERE
KILLED WHILE IN GOVERNMENT CUSTODY. THERE HAS BEEN SOME
DIALOGUE AMONG VARIOUS POLITICAL AND SOCIAL GROUPS, BUT
POWER REMAINS IN THE HANDS OF THE ARMY.
PERHAPS THE MOST DIFFICULT TEST OF THE DEMOCRATIC IMPULSE
IN THIS HEMISPHERE TODAY IS FACED BY THE PEOPLE OF
CENTRAL AMERICA.
BELIZE, WHICH BECAME INDEPENDENT IN 1981, HAS A
DEMOCRATIC PARLIAMENTARY FORM OF GOVERNMENT. NATIONAL
ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD BY FEBRUARY, 1985. THESE
ELECTIONS WILL BUILD ON DECADES OF SOLID DEMOCRATIC
PRACTICES DEVELOPED DURING THE EARLIER PERIOD OF INTERNAL
SELF-GOVERNMENT.
IN EL SALVADOR, THE ELECTION OF JOSE NAPOLEON DUARTE AS
PRESIDENT ON MAY 6 DEMONSTRATED THE COURAGE AND TENACITY
OF A PEOPLE DETERMINED TO GAIN CONTROL OVER THEIR
POLITICAL DESTINY UNDER THE MOST ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PLAGUED BY EXTERNALLY SUPPORTED COMMUNIST SUBVERSION,
RIGHT-WING TERRORISM, CRUSHING ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES, AND
A HISTORY OF POVERTY AND REPRESSION, THE PEOPLE OF EL
SALVADOR HAVE PERSEVERED IN CONSTRUCTING DEMOCRATIC
INSTITUTIONS THROUGH WHICH TO RESOLVE THE MANY SOCIAL,
ECONOMIC, AND SECURITY CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
THE SALVADORANS' CONTINUING AND INCREASINGLY SUCCESSFUL
STRUGGLE AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF DEMOCRACY ADDS TO THE
EXPERIENCE WHICH THE NATIONAL BIPARTISAN COMMISSION ON
CENTRAL AMERICA CITED AS HAVING "DESTROYED THE ARGUMENT
OF THE OLD DICTATORS THAT A STRONG HAND IS ESSENTIAL TO
AVOID ANARCHY AND COMMUNISM, AND THAT ORDER AND PROGRESS
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CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH AUTHORITARIANISM."
GUATEMALA, CENTRAL AMERICA'S MOST POPULOUS AND
POTENTIALLY RICHEST COUNTRY, HELD A CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY
ELECTION JULY 1, AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD DEMOCRACY.
GUATEMALA FACES FORMIDABLE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, HUMAN RIGHTS
AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, BUT THE ELECTION, WHICH WAS
CONDUCTED OPENLY AND FAIRLY, HAS ENCOURAGED DEMOCRATS
EVERYWHERE. WE SUPPORT CONTINUED PROGRESS TOWARD
DEMOCRATIZATION.
THE PEOPLE OF HONDURAS RESTORED DEMOCRATIC. CIVILIAN
GOVERNMENT IN JANUARY,. 1982 AFTER NEARLY EIGHTEEN YEARS
OF MILITARY RULE. DESPITE SEVERE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, THE
UPHEAVALS OF THE REGION, AND THE NEED TO SAFEGUARD ITSELF
AGAINST AN AGGRESSIVE NEIGHBOR, HONDURAS CONTINUES ALONG
THE DEMOCRATIC PATH UNDER ABLE CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP. THE
U.S. HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT SUPPORTIVE ROLE THROUGHOUT
THE PROCESS.
NICARAGUA UNDER SANDINISTA RULE CONTRASTS SHARPLY WITH
THE TRENDS ELSEWHERE IN CENTRAL AMERICA TOWARD MORE OPEN
AND TOLERANT SOCIETIES. DESPITE THE PROMISES OF 1979,
THE SANDINISTAS HAVE NOT CREATED A PLURALISTIC,
NON-ALIGNED NICARAGUA. THEY HAVE PERSISTED IN DEVELOPING
A MILITARIZED, MARXIST-LENINIST STATE FIRMLY ALLIED WITH
CUBA AND THE SOVIET UNION.
FACED WITH MOUNTING INTERNAL PRESSURES AND
DISILLUSIONMENT ABROAD. THE SANDINISTAS HAVE ANNOUNCED AN
ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. A GENUINE POLITICAL
OPENING IN NICARAGUA WOULD BE WELCOMED BY OURSELVES AND
OTHERS IN LATIN AMERICA AND WESTERN EUROPE. SO WE ARE
ALL DISAPPOINTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA CHOSE
NOT TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE OPPOSITION -- TO
ELABORATE CREDIBLE CONDITIONS FOR A FAIR ELECTION --
PRIOR TO THE JULY 25 EXPIRATION OF THE CANDIDATE
REGISTRATION PERIOD SEE ATTACHED . THE LEADING
DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION THUS HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO
ANNOUNCE THAT IT WOULD NOT REGISTER ITS CANDIDATES.
IT MAY NOT BE TOO LATE FOR THE SANDINISTAS TO LEARN THE
LESSON OF THE SOMOZA ERA: WITHOUT A PEACEFUL -- WHICH IS
TO SAY POLITICAL AND ELECTORAL -- OUTLET FOR OPPOSITION,
EXPERIENCE TEACHES THAT THE GUN OFTEN BECOMES THE
ALTERNATIVE. THERE IS STILL TIME FOR NICARAGUA TO
DEMONSTRATE ITS SERIOUSNESS. NO ONE WILL DEPRECATE A
GENUINE EFFORT. BUT, NO TRUE DEMOCRAT WILL BE TAKEN IN
BY A SHAM -- IN NICARAGUA OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THIS
HEMISPHERE.
MEXICO HAS HAD AN EVOLVING DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM FOR OVER
FIFTY YEARS.. RECENT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS HAVE
EXPANDED THE REPRESENTATION OF OPPOSITION PARTIES. BOTH
THE RULING PRI AND THE OPPOSITION ARE PREPARING FOR
IMPORTANT STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR. PRESIDENT
DE LA MADRID AND KEY ADVISORS HAVE BEEN DEEPLY ENGAGED IN
EFFORTS TO RESOLVE MEXICO'S MOST SERIOUS ECONOMIC AND
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION -- EFFORTS
WHICH INCLUDE BROADENING POPULAR PARTICIPATION.
THE OPPOSITION NICARAGUAN DEMOCRATIC COORDINATING BOARD,
MADE UP OF THREE POLITICAL PARTIES, TWO LABOR UNIONS AND
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THE HIGHER COUNCIL OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE HAS REGULARLY
REITERATED THE DEMANDS IT MADE IN DECEMBER, 1983 AND
JANUARY, 1984 AS THE BASIS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
GUARANTEES FOR THE ELECTIONS. FOLLOWING IS A TRANSLATION
OF THE 'NINE POINTS' MADE BY THE 'COORDINADORA':
1. SEPARATION OF STATE AND PARTY. THE ARMY, THE
MILITIAS. THE POLICE, THE SSTV YSANDINIST TELEVISION
SERVICE), AND OTHERS MUST ACTUALLY BE PART OF THE STATE
AND NOT OF THE FLSN. THE CDS ISANDINIST DEFENSE
COMMITTEES1, ATC )FARM WORKERS ASSOCIATION, AMNLAE
ILUISA AMADA ESPINOZA ASSOCIATION OF NICARAGUAN WOMEN),
ANDEAN )NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NICARAGUAN TEACHERSI, 19
JULY SANDINIST YOUTH, AND OTHER MUST NOT BE BRANCHES OF
THE FSLN FINANCED BY THE STATE.
2. ABROGATION OF LAWS THAT VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS. THE
CODE THAT RESTRICTS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THE PRESS,
RADIO, AND TELEVISION MUST BE ABROGATED. THE LAWS THAT
VIOLATE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP THE 6-MONTH LAW, THE
DECAPITALIZATION LAW, AND SO FORTH') AND OTHERS MUST BE
ABOLISHED.
3. SUSPENSION OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY. SUSPENSION OF
THE STATE OF EMERGENCY SO THERE WILL BE FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION, INFORMATION, AND MOVEMENT.
4. AMNESTY LAW. A GENERAL AMNESTY LAW THAT WILL PERMIT
THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL NICARAGUAN CITIZENS IN THE
ELECTORAL PROCESS.
5. RESPECT FOR FREEDOM OF WORSHIP. FOR PRIESTS,
PASTORS, AND THE FAITHFUL TO HAVE FREEDOM TO PERFORM
THEIR RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.
6. UNION FREEDOM. TO PERMIT THE WORKERS THE FULL
EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS. INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO STRIKE
AND TO ORGANIZE.
7. AUTONOMY OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH. FOR THE JUDICIAL
BRANCH TO HAVE TRUE INDEPENDENCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT
PARTY AND FROM THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES.
8. PROTECTIVE LAW WITH RECOURSE TO UNCONSTITUTIONALITY.
RECOGNITION OF THE FUNDAMENTAL STATUTES, AND THE RIGHTS
AND GUARANTEES STATUTES. AS THE SUPREME LAW UNTIL A NEW
CONSTITUTION IS ENACTED, SO THAT THESE WILL NOT BE
CHANGED AT THE WHIM OF THE GOVERNMENT.
9. NATIONAL DIALOGUE TO HOLD ELECTIONS IN THE PRESENCE
OF THE CONTADORA GROUP OR THE OAS. THAT ALL POLITICAL
PARTIES AND MOVEMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN REBELLION,
SHOULD NEGOTIATE ON THE ELECTIONS. DAM
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