New Directions

Volume 7 | Issue 4 Article 6

7-1-1980 The olitP ics of Cooperation In the Americas Alejandro Orfila

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Recommended Citation Orfila, Alejandro (1980) "The oP litics of Cooperation In the Americas," New Directions: Vol. 7: Iss. 4, Article 6. Available at: http://dh.howard.edu/newdirections/vol7/iss4/6

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It is obvious that at present we find both positive and negative features in the rela- THE tionship which exists between the nations of the Americas. A clear reflection of these dual features of the regional system is evi- dent when one considers the principal is- sues at present on the regional agenda: POLITICS progress in peace-keeping; advances in human rights; and hemispheric develop- ment prospects. The OAS [Organization of American OF States] member countries have estab- lished a distinctive regional tradition of re- solving potentially severe disputes be- tween nations in a peaceful manner. There is no reason to compare the OP Americas with other regions. In relations between sovereign states, we have forged a regional system under which OAS mem- bers work to handle divisive issues in a ERATION manner which consistently stops short of confrontation. The strength of this tradition bears evi- dence in the signing of the new treaties for the Panama Canal between the United IN THE States and Panama in September 1977. A further confirmation of our regional willingness 0 act on this common convic- tion has been he recent action by Presi- AMERI01S dent Jimmy Carter restoring the benefits of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act to Venezuela and Ecuador. Even though both nations belong to OPEC, [Organization of Petroleum Ex- porting Countries] they did not join he oil embargo in 1973. However, as the provi- sion of the U.S. law applied to all OPEC nations, these two OAS members were au- tomatically discriminated against in the U.S. market With the President's initiative, a serious wrong has now been redressed through the forces of reason rather than through recourse to hostility. The progress the OAS members make together opens other doors for their com- mon action. But other long-standing geopolitical issues need to be resolved. Despite impressive advances together in this hemisphere, it is evident that a regional millenium is not yet in hand. OAS members, in fact, have a long way to go in their efforts to perfect the regional system of peace.

NEW DIRECTIONS JULY 1980 20 In the sector of human rights, our region ing economic transformation. And enor- United States and four times those of four years ago initiated concerted mea- mous debt service requirements on foreign Europe. Currently, the region is realizing sures to ratify and place into effect the private loans, especially required to meet less than 30% of its potential in food pro- American Convention on Human Rights high energy costs, adversely affect the duction, marketing and distribution. which, after its adoption in 1969, had re- process of economic expansion. By the year 2000, it is generally ac.- mained mostly inert and inoperative. With Where Latin America is at present, and cepted, much of the hemisphere's total this convention no fully ratified, the where it should go in the future in accelerat- area could, with effective planning, be- pioneering war of the objective and inde- ing its development, is a fundamental come fully industrialized, provided its en- pendent Inter-American Commission on question immediately ahead. The OAS ergy and food potential were efficiently Human Rights should, if it succeeds as members have not yet agreed on what the tapped, its trade considerably expanded expected, enable the Western Hemisphere new directions should be. But they have -especially in manufactured goods-and to become a beacon for humanity in pre- concurred that the existing regional stale- other resource constraints are reduced. serving and enlarging the scope of the mate on development is unacceptable. On In the face of its new development out- right to life, liberty and social justice. the basis of this premise, they are moving look, it should be stressed that when Latin Beyond the critical regional issues of towards holding a Special General As- America speaks about the need for a new peace-keeping and human rights, devel- sembly on Cooperation for Development in strategy on regional cooperation for devel- opment remains the paramount matter of 1981. Its purpose will be to debate, and, if at opment, it is not simply looking for another concern to OAS countries and peoples. all possible, to agree upon the principal Alliance for Progress. This had its day, and Within the Western Hemisphere, economic elements of a new multilateral regional despite all its negative features, it made an and social progress since 1945 has con- strategy for development cooperation. impressive and lasting contribution to tinued at a sustained and strong rate. It is already clear that this strategy will hemispheric well-being. Nor are OAS At present, Latin America and the Carib- not result in a revival or a resurgence of members merely seeking additional inter- bean rank in general economic terms previous modes or forms of cooperation. national financial and technical assistance. where the Europe of the Six was in 1957, Twenty years ago, the central development Middle income societies - and a large prior to the enormous advances which oc- issues facing the Americas revolved number are in Latin America - have a curred as a consequence to the Treaty of around the need to forge a basic economic proven capacity to attract the external Rome. This is an impressive transformation and social framework- in health, educa- funding they need from international of the region's traditional economic struc- tion, housing, welfare, financing and trans- money markets. Their economies are ture. portation-within which the pace of devel- strong and expanding. As we consider this ongoing develop- opment could be stepped up. It is evident Yet there are severe constraints on the ment success, however, we must under- that to unexpected degrees our hemi- resources of OAS countries which impede score the vast unfinished task at hand. sphere rallied successfully to meet this them from increasing their rate of growth. Large areas, even in some economically challenge. These barriers must be removed or low- advanced countries in the Americas, still Today we confront a totally different di- ered so that the area can become what it suffer from protracted poverty and serious lemma. Our principal task is no longer to should be: a central foundation for revitaliz- social injustices. Unemployment and create a basic framework for development ing sustained expansion of the world under-employment are rampant in various as this is generally now in existence. What economy. This will require congruent ef- countries and sub-regions. These circum- OAS members face most urgently at pres- forts on at least six fronts, including: stances lead to a deepening of the cycle of ent, rather, is the need to reduce the re- (1) Cooperation to improve the region's poverty for millions of persons. source constraints and bottlenecks which energy potential must be increased. As a There are also other negative features in severely hold back the region's develop- whole, the area possesses enormous en- the overall development outlook for the re- ment potential: in energy, in financing, in ergy resources, especially in petroleum. gion. Income distribution remains critically trade, in food production, in conservation, The outlook is less promising for several unequal, thereby slowing down the onset and in promoting more effective develop- OAS members forced to import most of of a consumer revolution needed to accel- ment of their enormous and talented their energy supplies in the form of oil. En- erate the region's growth. Export income is human resources. ergy prospects are also currently limited essential to further rapid growth but the Provided specific obstacles to devel- with regard to use of nuclear energy, ex- spreading tides of world protectionism opment are overcome by a decisive com- cept for several larger countries, chiefly as undercut Latin America's efforts to gain mon action, prospects for accelerating the a consequence of a lack of trained human greater openings in world markets. region's development pace are promising. resources. The lack of educational opportunities The area's energy resources, for exam- (2) Concerted efforts must be directed to constrain the rate and pace of the continu- ple, are estimated at double those of the help the region become a major breadbas-

NEW DIRECTIONS JULY 1980 ket for the world. This will require multiple would enable them to move into advanced 90 years of its existence. Flexibility is built 21 approaches: efforts to redistribute income technology, thereby enabling the middle into its charter so that at any given point in so as to give the poorer sectors of the rural income nations of Latin America to provide time the Organization of American States populations improved economic opportu- manufacturing goods for the U.S. markets, can become precisely what its member nities; further incorporation of marginal while, in turn, absorbing greater amounts states want it to be. It is this basic flexibility farming areas into the production system; of sophisticated technology from the of purpose and operational adaptability use of more appropriate technology for United States. which should assist the OAS as it seeks to better managing tropical ecosystems; and, (5) Natural resources use in the respond to the new agenda before the identifying and transferring successful set- Americas must be related to long-term de- hemisphere and remain the regional apex tlement experiences. velopment objectives. Efficient use of the for helping to assure peace, friendship and In addition to broadening its food pro- area's resource base is undermined when prosperity. 0 duction systems, the area must also im- short-range economic reasons dictate prove measures for storing, distributing, exploitation without long-term planning. and marketing so that the food produced The region must also recognize that by actually results in improved nutritional integrating efforts to protect the environ- levels throughout the hemisphere. ment and to strengthen conservation into its total development process, Latin (3) The barriers which impede greater America can assure that any adverse costs financial flows from abroad must be low- associated with inefficient use of natural ered. Latin America finances more than resources can be minimized. 90% of its development from within, and 90% of its external receipts come from ex- (6) The human resources potential of the ports. Its strong patterns of economic area must be better realized. Not only will growth have enabled it to successfully ride this require greater education and training out the large-scale transformation in the opportunities for scientists, engineers and world economy which followed the sharp technicians, but it will demand broader upturn in energy prices after 1973. participation in development strategies However, the continuing rise in world en- and programs by people from all areas of ergy prices still poses a potential threat to society and all walks of life. future development in the region. Indeed, not everyone will agree with this Another point to note is that it is still un- agenda for the Americas in the 1980s and certain whether even the strongest national beyond. Other observers have different economies would not be adversely af- ideas and different proposals. And I do not fected if they were unable to maintain their want to leave the impression that the growth momentum in advance of their debt agenda I am suggesting is embedded in service requirements to foreign private concrete. lenders. A number of financially sound To the contrary, the inter-American sys- countries in the region also encounter dif- tem and the OAS thrive and grow strong as ficulties because of their inexperience in we put forth and debate a variety of international financial markets, the small proposals and policies. size of their economies or other circum- The horizons of the American region are stances which inhibit their efforts to obtain continually expanding. Within the OAS, we credit from foreign private lenders. now have the benefit and insight of the As concessional international assist- increasing number of Caribbean nations ance is generally not going to Latin which are joining our regional institutions. America, the area must therefore find other They provide the inter-American system paths to secure the foreign financial flows it with new perspectives both on future di- needs. This should include measures for rections for the region itself, and also for its promoting a better mix between public and evolving relationships with the world order. private international financial flows. It is the innate capacity of the OAS and (4) To benefit their own economies and the regional system to revitalize itself from Latin America, a resurgence of innovation within which has enabled it to respond to is needed in the industrial societies. This changing times and conditions during the

NEW DIRECTIONS JULY 1980