Speech by the First Vice President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Astrid
Fische
Inter-American Development Bank Consultative Group
Meeting for the Reconstruction and Transformation of Central America.
Stockholm 25 May 1999
His Excellency the Prime Minister of Sweden
The Honorable President of the Inter-American Bank of Development (IDB)
Their Excellencies the Presidents of the Republic of Nicaragua and the Republic of
Honduras
Their Excellencies the Vice Presidents
The Honorable Secretary-General of the United Nations
The Honorable Secretary-General of the Organization of American States
Members of the Official Delegations
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Government of Costa Rica is honored to participate in this historic
event, which gathers the highest representatives of the international community in an
unprecedented display of support to the development of Central America, a region that has
demonstrated its unrelenting will to overcome the obstacles of war, and political, social,
and economic instability, and that, in the last decade, has become the vivid example of
how nations can resolve their conflicts through dialogue, negotiation, respect and
peaceful coexistence between all sectors society.
The Inter-American Bank of Developmentīs request, and the Government of
Sweden's acceptance to act as host of this important meeting, add to the overall
significance of this event. This country has a long history of cooperation with Central
America and also represents a source of inspiration for the region, given its level of
social, political, and economic progress that has placed the human being as the center of
its model of development.
It is crucial for Central America that the international community
recognize and support the enormous efforts exerted by the different countries in the last
decade in the processes of pacification, democratization, economic reform, the reduction
of military spending, and the subjection of military power to civilian rule.
This framework promoted rates of economic growth between 3 and 4 percent
in 1997 – the most accelerated of recent history – and the implementation of
sustainable development programs.
Our people had just started to reap the benefits of the processes of
democratization and economic reform when Hurricane Mitch, the most devastating in history,
unleashed its fury throughout these territories, causing a major step back in our
development.
Costa Rican territory was the first to be stricken by its force. It caused
floods, destruction of housing and infrastructure, and losses in agricultural production
in its path. Fortunately, due to the constant implementation of disaster prevention
programs we were able to evacuate and save 16, 500 lives.
The countries most affected by Hurricane Mitch's unforgiving fury were
Nicaragua and Honduras, where, in addition to material damages, the loss of human lives
was devastating. Nevertheless, in its aftermath, it became evident that all of the
countries were affected to some extent.
The deterioration of economic and social conditions, the increase in the
level of unemployment, and the weakening of ecosystems of the neighboring countries
considerably increased the flow of immigrants into our territory.
Consequently, we now coexist with an estimated 600, 000 Central Americans
– close to 20% of our population – many of which have an undefined migratory
status. In the spirit of solidarity and brotherhood with our fellow Central Americans, we
have responded to the demands of this migrating population group, providing job
opportunities and granting them access to our educational and health services. However,
this entails an effort that the country is not capable of assuming for an extended period
of time without deteriorating the quality and access to these same services of the
vulnerable population.
Moreover, as a contribution to the process of reconstruction of Central
America, last December, the Costa Rican government declared migratory amnesty for Central
Americans whose migratory status is still undefined. By legalizing their status, we are in
a position to fully ensure their labor rights and access to social services, in equal
conditions to those of Costa Rican citizens.
Notwithstanding, our country does not have the financial capacity to face
the challenge of persistent migration flows. Costa Rican authorities do not have all the
answers nor the resources. In light of this situation, we hope that we will be able to
rely on the international community's cooperation, enabling Costa Rica to embrace this
challenge with a humane perspective and an attitude of solidarity.
With respect to our losses of transportation facilities, Costa Rica has
only been able to reconstruct 14% of the damaged infrastructure. The Pan-American Highway
was affected in a number of its most important tracts, a situation that has economic
repercussions at a regional level since this route forms part of the Central American
commercial corridor. We must reconstruct this important throughway in order to deepen the
regional economic integration, as well as to convert Central America into a logistic
inter-American corridor, through which the stream of commercial goods that gives life to
the Free Trade Area of the Americas flows.
Costa Rica is in a vulnerable position. There are many pending challenges
to reduce this condition in the areas of the environment, the reduction of poverty,
disaster prevention and attention, the construction of infrastructure, and the adequate
use of land.
Although each country has been affected in a different way, it is evident
that the vulnerability before such phenomena is regional, as must be the responses to the
situation and the long term strategies to undertake.
The road towards Central America's reconstruction must start with the
transformation of its social, productive, and political structures. Our countries are
vulnerable and as their leaders, we are responsible for the principles and purposes
enunciated as the strategic orientation in the Central American Alliance for Sustainable
Development.
We are responsible for increasing the amount of social investment in areas
such as health, education, housing, and sanitation, as a fundamental tool for the
reduction of poverty and, consequently, of this vulnerability. We are responsible for the
enactment of political reforms aimed at improving citizen participation mechanisms, the
coordination of all sectors and interests of society, and the strengthening of democratic
governability.
We should adopt a culture of prevention, improve the mechanisms for
environmental protection and the strengthen the productive infrastructure. We are
responsible for better urban planning, the adequate use of land, the use of construction
techniques according to international standards. We should also design and construct our
vital infrastructure in areas of greater security and enact disaster prevention and
management programs.
We, the leader of the Central American countries have responsibilities.
International cooperation does not dilute, but complements and supports national efforts
to undertake pending responsibilities.
In this meeting, we hope to create AN ALIANCE FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION AND
TRANSFORMATION OF CENTRAL AMERICA with the participation of all parties present here. With
the support of friendly governments, financial organisms, and multilateral organizations
we can complement our countries' efforts to implement development proposals that reduce
the vulnerability of societies to future natural phenomena, that strengthen democracy and
the participation of civil society, and that prompt economic development towards a new
milennium.
Costa Rica is willing to share the experience it has accumulated in its
model of social and political development with the international community and its
neighboring countries, and we express our commitment to this common endeavor of strategic
reconstruction.
Thank you for your participation in this forum, which expresses your will
to contribute in this alliance to reconstruct and transform Central America into a land of
peace, liberty, democracy, and development.
Thank you. |
