Rice praises United States interactions with the Americas

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke today at the Council of the Americas meeting. As she looked back over the years of the Bush Administration, Rice spoke very highly of the United States and its actions with the other American nations on this hemisphere.

In 2001, the western hemisphere went through a social revolution and its cause was democracy, Rice said. New leaders have emerged in different countries, people are becoming activity in their democracies and they want their governments to create change for them in a positive way.

“Democracy is literally changing the face of politics in the Americas,” Rice said.

The United States has been changing as well. They have become better partners for this region, the United States’ and other states quest for social justice has been the defining feature of this past decade. The U.S. has put no price on it’s friendships but has accepted governments both right and left.

President Bush has made more trips to the Americas since 2001 than any other president. Through those visits the U.S. has developed connections between culture and commerce that have spanned and influenced all of society, Rice said.

“The democracies of the Americas are now interacting and working together as never before,” Rice said. “We are engaged in the global economy with increasing success.”

There has been a convergence of ideals and interests from social justice to an open economy, free trade, health and education for every member of society. Rice said the potential for this hemisphere is enormous and that the United States must remain engaged and really present in order to be a part of the hemisphere’s success.

Bill Richardson asks, "Where is America?"

The Organization of American States welcomed the governor of New Mexico and former Presidential candidate, Bill Richardson, to speak as part of their lecture series. The discussion om "Immigration and Hemispheric Affairs" focused mainly on immigration and economical ties between Latin America and the United States.

Speaking very passionately at times, Richardson stressed that economic ties must be renewed and enhanced. "I believe that the United States must renew and invigorate it's relationships with Latin America based on the same principles of engagement and dialogue and cooperation."

Richardson then went on to explain his six step plan to revitalize the relationship between Latin America and the United States, and some of his points included closing Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, improving human rights, having a realistic approach to Cuba and reviewing the trade embargo.

Immigration was then discussed and the idea of constructing a wall along the Mexican border was quickly dismissed by Richardson. He then went on to say that "liberty and progress walk hand in hand" when discussing furthering trade and democracy. Richardson ended his speech with some points on the lack of US investments overseas and from his dismay asked, "Where is America?"