United Nations 2006 Latin Economic Forum (Kerry's speech)

[ProSense]

Press Release Source: Syndicated News, Inc.

United Nations 2006 Latin Economic Forum

Tuesday April 25, 12:07 pm ET

NEW YORK, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The annual United Nations 2006 Latin Economic Forum was held on April 19-20, 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters Building in New York City. The event had high-profile participants including John Kerry, former presidential candidate, as well as several members of the US Senate and House, and diplomats from most of the region's countries. The topic of discussion was the Millennium Development Goals and Financial Markets in Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities.

more...

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060425/phtu043a.html?.v=1

DUer Mass posted Kerry's comments:

John Kerry Addresses U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America

Today Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) delivered remarks at the Latin Economic Forum’s second annual summit on competitiveness and poverty reduction in Latin America at the United Nations.

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Like any real community, the Community of the Americas must be built on a foundation of mutual respect. And we cannot build this foundation until, as President Franklin Roosevelt once said, we are a good neighbor “who resolutely respects … the rights of others.”

Of course, President Roosevelt was speaking of Latin America, and the message he sent has influenced every administration, from Kennedy to Clinton. They understood that a strong Latin America is key to a strong America, and that we are all much stronger when we stand together

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At its core, the Community of the Americas must be based on democracy and the rule of law. Strong democratic states with transparent rules and a broad respect for the rule of law are essential to alleviating poverty and inequality in the region. That’s why I believe so strongly in supporting democratic institutions, assisting democracy where it is troubled, and promoting democracy in Cuba.

The fact is that far too often, we have sent mixed messages when it comes to supporting democracy in Latin America. This Administration sat by and watched as mob violence drove presidents from office in Bolivia and in Argentina. They even encouraged a president to flee in Haiti, and immediately recognized a government named by a military junta in Venezuela. There is no question that Hugo Chavez has undermined the democratic process in his country, supported narco-terrorists in Colombia, and provided massive assistance to Castro’s repressive regime in Cuba. But when we countenance mob rule or military force to oust an elected president -- even objectionable leaders like Chávez -- we lose the credibility necessary to become a true force for democracy. In fact, our policies have been so unpopular that opposition to the United States has become a rallying point for some of the very politicians we would most like to see defeated.

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With a true Community of the Americas, the potential for our hemisphere is limitless. The stories of progress in Latin America are inspiring. In Chile, when Michelle Bachelet became the country’s first woman president -- and only the 11th female elected president in the world – she shared this moving image about her inauguration: “In the streets, thousands of women and children put on presidential sashes. It meant everyone was going to La Moneda together with me.” And we can learn so much from each other’s successes – like the innovations we see in Brazil, where a 30-year program to invest in alternative fuels will pay off this year when Brazil becomes energy independent.

more...

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=254305

[ProSense]

1. The MSM can ignore, but they can't say Dems don't have plans n/t

[Peace Patriot]

2. This is such crap from Kerry, I don't know where to begin. And it's

making me swallow hard over my own proposal of a Gore/Kerry ticket in '08. I've said that it isn't so important what *I* think of Kerry, for instance (his vote for the war, his early concession), or Gore (I hated his support for NAFTA and globalization, but very much approve of what he's saying recently about Bush and his war, torture and other fundamental constitutional issues). What matters is WHO the AMERICAN PEOPLE elected. I want restoration of democracy! And these two men WERE elected, Gore provably, Kerry by overwhelming inference of available data (in a non-transparent election system).

However, the amazing leftist revolution that is occurring in Latin America--as the result of TRANSPARENT elections--and the consequent rise of PEACEFUL, DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED ADVOCATES FOR THE POOR like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Evo Morales in Bolivia, Ollanta Humala in Peru (not yet elected but a good bet), Michele Batchelet in Chile, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico (ahead in the presidential polls), as well as center-left leaders in Argentina and Brazil--especially the rise of indigenous leaders like Chavez, Morales and Humala--is close my heart. And Kerry's nauseating "talking points" about Chavez make me realize that the most that can be expected from such a compromised, corporate Democrat is adherence to the rule of law and lessening of the threat of violent interference, such as the Bushites have perpetrated, and, if they had less on their minds about Iraq and Treasongate, would be pursuing full bore in Latin America.

Kerry is disgustingly uninformed and unintelligent on Latin American issues, if this speech is any guide. And one could almost call him a rightwinger and a fascist on Venezuela--a shill for predatory, global corporate oil and other interests. And you have to laugh at his shilly-shallying around about the U.S./Bushite-backed military coup attempt against Chavez--which seems to reveal an almost sneaking desire for its success, which he can't bring himself to admit--and his promise of more polite interference in Venezuelan and other Latin American elections. He wouldn't even defend OUR right to vote, in the case of his own election--and was DEAD SILENT throughout on Tom Delay's and Bob Ney's idea of an election system (Bushite corporations running elections with 'TRADE SECRET,' PROPRIETARY programming code, and virtually no audit/recount controls--the system created by their $4 billion "Hack America's Vote Act" electronic voting boondoggle). Does Kerry even support democracy?

Well, as the Latin Americans have shown, you have to take STEPS toward true democracy. You have to work hard on TRANSPARENT elections, and civic organization. You have to maintain hope and strength, and never give up.

I still think Step One is to restore basic democratic principles here--beginning with the proper investment of the truly elected leaders, and restoration of our right to vote. I would not support Kerry as a candidate for president, in the primaries. But I would be strongly in favor of Al Gore as the presidential nominee with Kerry as his second. The Poetic Justice ticket. The RESTORATION Ticket. I think we need to restore order. And I think this is the only ticket that can beat the Bushite voting machines.

I still think this, even though Kerry's remarks on Latin America make me sick.

[ProSense]

3. Thanks for your opinion. n/t

[LittleClarkie]

4. Then again,

perhaps it has nothing to do with being corporate or compromised. Perhaps he just disagrees with you re: Chavez, a difference of opinion, if you will.

I know I have my doubts about him.

[Peace Patriot]

5. Nope, this not a matter on which civilized people can differ--calling

democracy in Venezuela "mob rule." That's propaganda. And that tells me that he is a compromised corporate shill.

[ProSense]

6. I think this is a really good speech. n/t