Political Quotes

“since the early 1980s, the United States has implemented a logical series of policy initiatives with respect to the nations of the Caribbean Basin. First, in 1983, we enacted the Caribbean Basin Initiative, CBI, to stabilize the region by building stronger, more diverse economies. This initiative had the added goals of enhancing national security, and reducing the flow of illegal drugs and illegal immigrants into the United States. Second, after the enactment of NAFTA in 1993, we moved to ``level the playing field,'' for the CBI region by further enhancing our trade relationship with the CBI nations. Today, after 7 years of debate, we will vote on the final passage of this measure. Third, we have responded quickly and compassionately to a number of humanitarian crises in the CBI region; most recently to Hurricanes Mitch and Georges, which caused unprecedented damage and misery in many Latin American nations. And finally, we now look towards 2005, a year that will bring the expiration of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing and the implementation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, both of which will significantly affect trade relations throughout the Western Hemisphere.”