01 May 2003

U.S. Official Addresses Array of Hemispheric Issues in Senate Hearing

(Roger Noriega, the Bush administration's nominee for
the post of Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere
Affairs) (970)
By Scott Miller
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The United States will continue to encourage the
advancement of democracy, stability and prosperity in the Western
Hemisphere, says Roger Noriega, the Bush administration's nominee for
the post of Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere
Affairs.

In a May 1 hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to
consider his nomination, Noriega outlined the Bush administration's
policy toward the Western Hemisphere and addressed congressional
concerns.

Noriega, currently U.S. representative to the Organization of American
States (OAS), said that the United States will continue to work with
its hemispheric partners "to strengthen the roots and promote the
benefits of democracy so that it serves the interests of all people."
He added that the Bush administration will also promote regional
prosperity and sustained economic growth by encouraging trade,
investment and sound fiscal reforms.

The nominee said that a combination of strong U.S. leadership, U.S.
development and security assistance, international lenders, and the
engagement of hemispheric neighbors can all play an important part in
promoting U.S. objectives in the Americas.

Following his formal statement, Noriega addressed questions and
concerns over current U.S. policy toward Chile, Mexico, Peru, Canada,
Cuba, Colombia, and Nicaragua that were raised by congressional
leaders.

Christopher Dodd, Democrat from Connecticut and ranking minority
member of the senate Western Hemisphere subcommittee, lamented the
possibility that hemispheric nations could face reprisals for failing
to support the United States in the war against Iraq. Dodd said the
notion that the ratification of the recently negotiated free trade
agreement with Chile could be delayed was "particularly offensive." He
said that such reprisals were not only inappropriate but could
ultimately undermine congressional approval of the trade agreement.

Pressed whether he thought Chile should pay a price for its opposition
to the war, Noriega said that when the U.S.-Chile free trade agreement
is submitted for congressional consent, "it should be considered on
its own merits."

Richard Lugar, Republican from Indiana and foreign relations committee
chairman, called it "imperative" for the United States to advance an
agreement with Mexico that would provide some type of regularization
of the status of millions of Mexicans in the United States.

Noriega said that the September 11 terrorist attacks against the
United States have complicated progress on immigration issues, but an
agreement with Mexico continues to be a priority for both nations. He
said that any immigration accord with Mexico should encourage
immigration that is safe, orderly, and legal, and indicated that the
Bush administration would continue to take "small steps" toward an
agreement in close consultations with congressional leaders.

Norm Coleman, Republican from Minnesota and chair of the Western
Hemisphere subcommittee, posed questions on U.S. policy toward a
number of Latin American nations, including Canada, Peru and
Venezuela.

Coleman expressed "deep disappointment" with Canada's failure to back
the U.S.-led war against Iraq and questioned if the United States'
northern neighbor shares the U.S. understanding of terrorism.

Noriega responded that Canada "has no blind spot on terrorism," but
has responded constructively, agilely and well as a partner in the war
against terrorism. He added that Canada's continued cooperation on
terrorism and security matters would be vital.

In response to Coleman's concerns over potential censorship of the
press in Peru, Noriega said that he expects Peruvian President
Alejandro Toledo to respect fundamental rights, just as the current
president demanded of his exiled predecessor Alberto Fujimori. If
confirmed as assistant secretary of state, Noriega said, he would make
very clear that regional governments must respect freedom of
expression and freedom of the press.

Given the continued political polarization in Venezuela, Coleman asked
Noriega what the United States could do to bolster democracy there
without prompting speculation that it is acting to oust President Hugo
Chavez.

Noriega noted that the United States is working with the OAS to
address the political impasse in Venezuela in a multilateral manner.
He emphasized that Venezuelans will ultimately decide how to resolve
the current crisis, but indicated that the United States will insist
the resolution be achieved in a "peaceful, democratic and
constitutional way."

Senator Michael Enzi, Republican from Wyoming, called for a more
creative U.S. approach in encouraging reform in Cuba and questioned
the Bush administration's consideration of new restrictions on travel
to the island nation.

Noriega said he shared the senator's view that cultural, educational
and scientific "people to people" exchanges with Cuba are vital, but
indicated that tourism is not among the useful areas of engagement.

Senator Ross Feingold, Democrat of Wisconsin, noted that the Bush
administration's request for million of dollars in supplemental
funding for Colombia contained no funds earmarked for alternative
development and asked if the absence of such development funding
reflected a shift in policy.

Noriega indicated that the request for additional funding was part of
a terrorism spending package, hence the emphasis on security. He added
that alternative development remains an essential component of U.S.
policy toward Colombia, and said U.S. policy toward the region must
not only be multifaceted in terms of security and development
spending, but should be regional as well -- addressing the shifting of
coca cultivation from Colombia to other parts of the Andean region.

Questioned by Feingold about anti-corruption initiatives in Nicaragua,
Noriega noted that Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos is tackling
entrenched elements of Nicaraguan society in his anti-corruption
campaign, including former president Arnoldo Aleman. Noriega said
Bolanos' efforts have been "robust" and that he is "a symbol of
someone who is willing to break the cycle of corruption." He added
that the United States would explore ways to provide more resources to
help address poverty and crime in Nicaragua.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)

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