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<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>MR. AXWORTHY - ADDRESS TO THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATESCONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAS - WASHINGTON, D.C.</title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> 98/13 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE LLOYD AXWORTHY, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAS WASHINGTON, D.C. March 6, 1998 This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca Ladies and Gentlemen: I am honoured to have been called upon to make the closing address to this conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Organization of American States [OAS]. It is a particular pleasure to address such a varied and distinguished audience. In a new and rapidly changing era, international institutions have to break away from conventional thinking. They have to rethink and reinvent themselves. This Hemisphere has long been at the cutting edge of multilateral activity. I am glad to see that the OAS is using the occasion of its 50th anniversary to once again put itself at the forefront of change. It has drawn together this forward-thinking group -- representatives of government, commerce and civil society, along with a number of Nobel laureates from the Hemisphere -- to help it consider its future. Making the Hemisphere Our Home In Canada, too, we have been looking ahead to our future in this region. In one of his first speeches as leader of the Liberal Party, Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chrétien spoke of wanting to make the Hemisphere our home. In the short time since Canada joined the OAS, we have worked hard to make those words a reality. Canada is increasingly integrated into the Hemisphere economically through free trade agreements: the North American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA], the Free Trade Agreement with Chile, and soon, we hope, a Free Trade Area of the Americas [FTAA]. We are already seeing the results. Canada's two-way trade with Latin America and the Caribbean is more than double what it was five years ago. The recent Team Canada trade mission to Latin America, led by the Prime Minister, will further unleash the potential for increased trade between our countries. But Canada's growing engagement in the Hemisphere is not just about trade and investment. Canada is the second-largest financial contributor to both the OAS and the Pan-American Health Organization. Our Prime Minister participated in the first Summit of the Americas in Miami, and is looking forward to the second Summit in Santiago, including the launch of negotiations for the FTAA. We have increasingly strong co-operative relations with many countries of the region, bilaterally, within regional political groupings such as the Rio Group, and in broader multilateral forums. In Haiti and Guatemala, Canada has been working with the United Nations, the OAS and others to build peace and enhance regional stability. Perhaps most importantly, a growing number of Canadians are of Latin American and Caribbean origin, and opportunities for our citizens to get to know one another better are increasing. Under Canada's international youth internship program, many young Canadian are now working in OAS member countries. I am pleased to tell you that my colleague Sergio Marchi, the Minister for International Trade, announced a new project today as part of that program. Through the Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean at York University, Canada will place 15 young interns in the Secretariat of the OAS. I think you will agree, then, that we have made good progress on making the Hemisphere Canada's home. And there is more to come. As a Winnipeger, I am particularly looking forward to the 1999 Pan-American Games, which will be held in my home city. I am also pleased that Canada will host the OAS General Assembly in the year 2000. New Foreign Policy for New Times These represent more than just a series of unconnected events. They are part of a broader redefinition of Canadian foreign policy. In the face of a changing international situation, we have recognized that it is essential that we develop new partnerships, both within Canada and around the world. We decided to pursue this new diplomacy in the face of four factors: first, a seismic upheaval in the international landscape with the end of the Cold War, shifting international patterns of economic and political power and increased global integration; second, the increasing prominence of human security issues on the world agenda: issues that strike home directly to the individual, such as the illicit drug trade, environmental problems, and human rights abuses; third, the advent of powerful new players on the international scene, including corporations, non-governmental bodies, and regional organizations such as the Rio Group, the CARICOM and the Andean Community; and fourth, the growing importance of what scholar and diplomat Joseph Nye terms "soft power" -- the power that springs from attractive ideas, shared values and partnership, rather than from military and economic might. The campaign that led to the signing in Ottawa last December of an international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines is, in my view, a clear example of "soft power" in action. An ad-hoc but effective coalition of states and non-governmental bodies brought governments and international public opinion on side with unprecedented speed. The coalition, in which OAS members played a critical role, overcame a deadlock within existing multilateral institutions, and scepticism on the part of many of the major powers. Many nations have been seized with the need to define and identify the role they intend to play in this new dispensation. This may be behind the proliferation of new national slogans: the "New Britain" and the United States as the "indispensable nation," for example. In this context, I have spoken of Canada as the "value-added nation." Canada's new approach to foreign policy is one that strives to add value internationally, principally through the exercise of "soft power." Those qualities that characterize Canada -- a history of commitment to reconciliation and peace; respect for all cultures and ethnic groups; bilingualism and flexible federalism -- allow us to add special value on the international scene. They are reflected in a broadening of our horizons, and in new ways of doing business internationally, which include: promoting public diplomacy at home, through initiatives like our National Forum on Foreign Policy, and internationally; forming new alliances abroad, some with non-traditional partners. These range from bilateral dialogues on human rights with Cuba and China, to closer working relations with Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and Latin American and Caribbean countries at the UN; playing an active role in the reform and strengthening of international institutions, including the UN and the OAS itself; finding ways to bring non-state actors into line with international norms, for example by designing peacebuilding measures that engage non-state groups that are involved in internal conflicts; and, finally, ensuring that marginalized sectors of society are on the international agenda, by focussing on issues like child labour and the gender aspects of peacebuilding in societies riven by conflict. Canada and the OAS in a New Era Many of the values that underpin this foreign policy are ones we share with fellow OAS members: our belief in democracy, human rights, the rule of law, the prosperity of our peoples, and fundamental human dignity. At the same time, Canada has experience in a range of areas where it can add value in the Americas, from social and urban governance, to peaceful conflict resolution, to the use of advanced information technology. Canada and the OAS are well-placed to work together to exercise "soft power" in addressing the new priorities and demands of a new era. These priorities can, in my view, be grouped into three main areas: strengthening regional institutions; the "new" security and disarmament agenda; and the broader human security agenda. In all three areas, we must ensure that we draw in civil society to work alongside governments in addressing new challenges. As the landmines campaign illustrated, this is a crucial element of the successful exercise of "soft power." We must build on the important steps taken by the OAS through its Inter-American Strategy for Public Participation on sustainable development issues, and by the Summit process through its inter-governmental partnership. Institution Building and Change As we look to the next 50 years of the OAS, it is time to take a fresh look at the institution. Do our regional institutions have the mandates, resources and architecture they need to be effective? The OAS can only succeed in this endeavour with the full support of its members. Members cannot afford to let the OAS slip down their list of priorities. Unless we work constructively and pay our quotas, we will be unable to look ahead, or plan ahead. The OAS is changing. Under the leadership of Secretary-General César Gaviria, it is embracing new perspectives and ideas, and supporting new initiatives such as the FTAA discussions. We are already undertaking major reform and retooling in the United Nations and in the international financial institutions. Fundamental change can be achieved in our own neighbourhood, too. Through restructuring and improved co-ordination, the OAS, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Pan American Health Organization can fulfil their shared mandate in such areas as sustainable and equitable development. The Summit of the Americas process is a good example of a "soft-power" approach. It is based on partnership, where leaders undertake collectively agreed actions, domestically and multilaterally, to advance prosperity and democracy in the Hemisphere. As the political forum of the Hemisphere, the OAS has a central function in this new multilateral partnership. This 50th anniversary conference is an important first step in linking the activities of inter-American institutions like the OAS with the goals of the Summit of the Americas. Cuba and the OAS As we look ahead to the next 50 years, surely the time has come for all OAS members to consider when the suspended 35th member of the organization, Cuba, could once again be seated at the table. The OAS, through determined and concerted efforts by all members, can play a vital role in broader engagement with Cuba. I am encouraged by Secretary-General Gaviria's recent comments in this regard. At the same time, the government of Cuba can help to make political reintegration possible, by showing its willingness to adopt the democratic values that prevail across the region. It is time to start building bridges with Cuba and engaging it on issues of concern, in order to encourage positive change. Canada has established a bilateral dialogue with Cuba on human rights and a wide range of other issues. Most recently, during the visit of Cuban Vice-President Lage to Ottawa, we renewed an anti-hijacking agreement and discussed measures to enhance regional and global stability. Following the historic visit of the Pope to Cuba, Canada has agreed in principle to accept 19 Cuban prisoners of conscience who would not otherwise have been released. These are, we believe, the first steps toward the day when the OAS as an institution will bring together all states of the region. New Security Issues The second of the three priority areas I mentioned is the new challenges we face in security and disarmament. The principal challenge is to address threats to human security -- that is, to the daily lives of millions of people -- posed by weapons like anti-personnel mines. OAS members were at the heart of the landmines initiative, with 33 out of 35 members signing the treaty banning these terrible weapons. I hope that this overwhelming regional solidarity will continue, and that member states will ratify the treaty as quickly as possible. Let us exercise international leadership once again, by being the first region in the world to have all its signatories ratify. There is another area in which the OAS can exercise leadership: the development of an integrated and co-ordinated approach to the destruction of stockpiles, demining, and rehabilitation and reintegration of landmine survivors. Canada has promised $100 million toward treaty implementation. We are working now on ways to use that money as effectively as possible, in partnership with other countries. During our Prime Minister's recent visit to Latin America, we signed agreements in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico that provide a framework for co-operation in demining in third countries. In doing this, we can build on the pioneer role played by the OAS in demining in Central America, which will make it "mine-free" by the year 2000. This will be an achievement to be proud of, and a concrete example for other regions of the world to follow. Small Arms Small arms, like landmines, present a problem that defies traditional categorization, and hence the efforts of many of our existing institutions and structures. Neither purely a humanitarian issue nor purely a disarmament issue, the proliferation of light, cheap weapons is nonetheless having a devastating impact in conflict-ridden societies around the world. The AK-47 presents a real and immediate threat to the lives of millions of civilians -- many of them children -- in the same way that anti-personnel mines do. The OAS has undertaken precedent-setting work that addresses one important dimension of the small arms issue: the illicit trafficking of firearms. With the signing of the Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Material, the first of its kind in the world, OAS members have targeted the illegal trade in firearms through more effective controls on the legal trade. This is proof positive of the willingness of member states to take collective action against crime and violence in the Americas. Now it is time to go one step further and address other aspects of the small arms problem, through practical approaches tailored to real problems on the ground: disarming and reintegrating child soldiers; buying back weapons in societies that are saturated with them; and retraining and re-equipping people in these societies so that they can lead peaceful and productive lives. The Drug Trade Stemming the illicit drug trade is another priority for action in terms of the "new" security agenda. Porous borders, global economic integration, and instant communications have benefited illegitimate as well as legitimate businesses. Add to that weakness of state institutions, in some cases even state failure, illegal trade in small arms, and the immense sums of money generated by this trade, and you have an intractable and globalized problem. This sort of problem clearly cannot be solved by using "hard" (that is, economic and military) power alone. It cuts across state boundaries, and has a broad and insidious impact -- social, economic, developmental, on human rights and on good governance. Tackling the drug problem requires co-operative action among governments, and the support and involvement of non-state actors. The OAS has taken important steps to tackle the problem by establishing a multilaterally based, balanced approach through the Hemispheric Drug Strategy, through the work of the Inter-American Drug Control and Abuse Commission (CICAD), and through work to establish the Multilateral Evaluation and Monitoring Mechanism (MEMM). Now we must build on our multilateral approach, recognizing that this is a shared problem of societies where the drugs originate, where they transit, and where they are consumed. We must snuff out both supply and demand. This requires a more comprehensive plan for co-operation that links domestic and multilateral strategies, and that has the benefit of high-level political impetus. The Human Security Agenda The third and final priority area for action by the OAS is, in my view, the broader human security agenda, including human rights, peacebuilding, and sustainable and equitable development. The importance of these issues is reflected in the prominent place that they have had on the agenda of our discussions over the last two days. All of our citizens -- including women, children, the disabled, and our indigenous people -- must be able to live in societies that reflect their interests, satisfy their legitimate aspirations and guarantee real participation in the political, economic and social life of our countries. As our leaders said in Miami, "a democracy is judged by the rights enjoyed by its least influential members." The OAS has a central role to play in promoting a rules-based system, one of the cornerstones of a "soft power" approach. It has already demonstrated that capacity through the Inter-American Human Rights system, Resolution 1080, the Washington/Managua protocols, and the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy. But there are major challenges still ahead for the OAS: how to strengthen the role of the Commission and preserve its independence; how to better link existing regional institutions with national human rights systems and human rights defenders; and how to complement more effectively the defence of democratic systems of government through the strengthening of democratic institutions and values. Aboriginal Issues One human rights issue of common concern to Canada and many other countries in the Hemisphere is that of indigenous rights. Here too, we have been working at different levels: multilateral, regional and bilateral. At the United Nations, Canada has been very active in the development of a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Within the OAS, we would like to see an Inter-American Declaration developed through the Human Rights Commission, consistent with and complementary to the UN instrument. The special mention of indigenous people in the agenda for the Santiago Summit, an issue that Canada is co-ordinating, is another encouraging sign of regional engagement on this issue. Bilaterally, Canada hosted an aboriginal economic round table in Mexico in 1996, which brought together indigenous business and community leaders from both countries. This was the start of an ongoing process under which promising Canada-Mexico indigenous-to-indigenous joint ventures are being pursued. We are currently planning for a second round table. Earlier this year, I announced the appointment of Mr. Blaine Favel as our Counsellor on International Indigenous Issues. He has just completed a successful bilateral visit to Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and will be working to increase Canada's activism on indigenous issues at all levels. Another human rights issue of particular concern to Canada is that of the rights of the disabled. Canada strongly supports work within the OAS on a Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities. We have also been active within the UN. In both bodies, our primary goal is to address this as a human rights issue integrated into the broader work of the organization, rather than simply as a social development issue. In this context, we are proud to have recently received the Franklin D. Roosevelt International Disability Award, recognizing our work to integrate persons with disabilities into Canadian society. Peacebuilding The promotion of human rights is closely linked with the prevention of conflict, and with reconciliation in regions emerging from conflict. Both the OAS and Canada have special value to add through approaches that build consensus and work with civil society, particularly at the local level. Somewhat over a year ago now, Canada established a Peacebuilding Initiative and Fund. Through these, we are pursuing projects abroad and building capacity at home to prevent conflict and to rebuild peace in its aftermath. The experience of working in Haiti and in Guatemala has demonstrated to all of us the need for greater co-ordination of our efforts and for new tools and approaches. Traditional peacekeeping operations are important -- but they cannot rebuild societies caught in long-term cycles of internal violence. Through the OAS and other regional bodies, we must refocus our efforts in areas like demilitarization; disarming of combatants and buy-back of small arms; rebuilding capacity within government; and supporting a return to the rule of law under an effective justice system. It was in this context that our Prime Minister recently indicated Canada's interest in co-operating with Argentina in establishing "white helmet" missions to undertake peacebuilding efforts. Conclusion Today, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the OAS, we have reached a watershed for the organization, not only because of the distance that it has come in its first half-century, but also because of the profoundly changed world it faces as we look ahead. Periods of fundamental change are always anxious times. Certainly, the challenges before us are great. But I believe that an era in which soft power is an increasingly significant force in international relations offers us significant opportunities, opportunities for which the OAS is well-suited. Through co-operation, flexibility, commitment to a clear and attractive set of values, and a willingness to engage with civil society and other rising international players, we can make an impact. More than ever before, it is within our capacity to bring about a more stable, peaceful and prosperous Hemisphere. Let us take heart in our strengths, and show ourselves worthy of the challenge. Canadians have a reputation for being modest and self-deprecating. Sir Wilfrid Laurier broke from that mould when he spoke early this century of Canada having become "a star to which is directed the gaze of the whole civilized world." I hope you will not think me too immodest if I repeat his words, for I do believe that, in an era of soft power, Canada can join with other stars to create a new galaxy in the Western Hemisphere. A galaxy that will, I hope, shed a new light on the world. Thank you. </body> </html>

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