It is important that Guyana continue along this path in the elections scheduled to take place later this year.

We and others in the international community have joined in trying to encourage strongly Nicaragua to allow international and domestic observation of the upcoming elections.

It is my hope that the follow-on Libyan Government will be responsive.

I certainly applaud President Calderon. I mean, I believe he is the first Mexican President that has really taken on the drug traffickers; and as he has taken them on, increased violence has ensued.

We are closing our USAID mission--in Guyana.

If confirmed, this is an area we will give tremendous attention.

I think people generally believe that that is not true.

In many Latin American countries, there seems to be a tendency toward autocracy and longevity in office.

The great leaders in Mexico will understand that their country's future will either be determined by its people or determined by the drug lords.

We continue to call on the Cuban Government to immediately and unconditionally release Alan Gross.

It speaks to their commitment to democracy. It is imperfect.

are we making the right investments in Merida to achieve our mutual goals, to help the Mexican Government both fight the narcotics traffickers and, at the same time, build the institutions that are necessary for long-term justice and…

He has methodically and shrewdly consolidated his political power by subverting his country's democratic institutions.

I think we are quite concerned with the trends in Nicaragua.

Ambassador Callahan had a very clear view. He said it was unconstitutional.

The administration supports lifting Jackson-Vanik prior to Russia's joining the WTO to ensure that U.S. workers, ranchers, and farmers enjoy the full benefits of Russia's accession.

It would be an enormous setback to see an effort that would allow the cartels to act with impunity inside of Mexico.

I'll introduce later today the Pan Am 103 Accountability Act.