Kerry's speech on South America - Awesome

[Mass]

This speech was understably shadowed by Saturday speech, but this is another example of what a Kerry presidency would do to our relationship with the rest of the world.

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

1. Thanks for posting this - this is a nice speech

I assume the conference in Argentina where Bush was without a friend would have been incredibly different with a President Kerry, accompanied by Teresa.

This one paragraph has more sense in it than all the DU Chavez threads put together.

"
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. "

[ProSense]

2. Great find! Terrific speech.

I like this: "a true Community of the Americas"

[ProSense]

3. Mass!

I posted this in GD and credited you as the source.