Remarks of Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez to Bestow the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero in the Grade of the Grand Cross upon former U.S. President James E. Carter Jr, at The Carter Center
January 14th, 2016
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen:
On behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of Panama, it is a great honor for me to express our deepest gratitude, respect and sincere appreciation for a man who’s life has been characterized by his unceasing efforts towards the promotion of international peace and to his enduring and determined mission to advance democracy and human rights across the globe.
President James Earl Carter Jr., 39th President of the US and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, an outstanding and remarkable world leader that has always fought to defend individual freedoms and social and economic development, leaving a strong legacy of courage and justice for the present and future generations.
In his most recent book, A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety, President Carter wrote that his relationship with Panama went all the way back to his student years at Georgia Tech, where he had the opportunity to meet and share with foreigners. Fortunately for us, some of these foreigners were Panamanian and they proudly shared stories about the Canal and the strong ties between Panama and the US. Ironically, the waterway that had been uniting the world since 1914 slowly started dividing our two great nations. The critical point occurred as the regrettable events of January 9th 11964, caused the severance of diplomatic relations between our countries and prompted new U.S. - Panama Canal treaty negotiations, a treaty that would ultimately come to materialize due to the unwavering efforts of two heads of state: One, who was committed to defend the rightful claims of the entire Panamanian nation and the other, determined to make things right and give the Canal back to the Panamanian people. As a result, the Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed on September 7, 1977 and therefore, the Canal was officially handed over to Panama on December 31st, 1999, a historic date that signaled a new dawn of US-Panama relations.
Dear President Carter:
As a Statesman, you clearly understood the time had arrived to put aside all geopolitical interest and build a new future for the Canal where the US and Panama could work together as partners and allies to the region and the world. We truly understand and appreciate the sacrifices you made along the road to make all of this happen, and from deep within of our Nation’s heart, we thank you for helping us to give back to Panama, its full sovereignty. Something our people had been claiming for so long. I can assure you these sacrifices will never be forgotten.
Nearly 9 years ago, President Carter visited Panama to participate on the initial works of the Canal Expansion and this year, our country will start a new chapter in the history of our interoceanic
1 waterway, when we open its new set of locks, an event that will mark a new era for Panama and World Commerce. I avail of this occasion to extend to President Carter a warm invitation on behalf of the Republic of Panama, to celebrate such a historic event with us. We would be very honored by your presence during the Canal expansion inauguration acts.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Shortly after President Office left office, He and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University founded the Carter Center to advance peace, democracy and human rights worldwide. Since then, the Carter Center has participated in the observance of more than one hundred elections in 39 countries with the goal of re-establishing and strengthening democracies. The first of those elections observed, were the 1989 Panamanian elections, one more reason to thank and acknowledge President Carter, for helping the people of Panama to overcome our challenges on the road to restoring our democracy. Thanks to these efforts led by President Carter during the third wave of democratization in the late twentieth century, freedom and human rights were not only restored in Panama but also in many countries of Latin America.
Today, the humanitarian vision and outstanding work in the life of President Carter has created positive waves of change across the globe that still continues to shape the future of humanity. For all this, we are very proud to say that, not only had President Carter found Panamanian friends as a student, but that Panama had also found a “great friend” in President Carter.
For his extraordinary work and life, Today I have the privilege of Honoring President James Earl Carter Jr. with our highest Order: “La Orden Manuel Amadaor Gerrero en el grado de Gran Cruz.” Thank you and May God bless you all1.
1 Transcript provided by the Embassy of Panama in Washington, D.C.
2