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Journal de la diplomatie et des affaires |
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Forum Diplomatique |
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IN
SUPPORT OF EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE The
United States has long been committed to global
economic development, and applauds Canada’s focus on
African development during the G8 meetings
held in Kananakis, Alberta, this June. Although
the specifics of United States development assistance
policies have evolved over the years, our unwavering
sense of duty to assist those countries dedicated to
economic development and the establishment of just
governing practices continues.
Our
position of economic strength entrusts the United
states with leadership in the area of development. The
G-8 discussions in late June will focus on a pragmatic
approach to assisting developing countries. Canada’s
Prime Minister Jean Chretien has expressed
his commitment to providing assistance to the nations of Africa in response to the African
led initiative for a New Partnership in Africa’s
Development (NEPAD). The U.S support this commitment,
as part of its own broad approach to development,
which includes growth openness to trade and investment. Our
focus is on aid effectiveness while highlighting our
comprehensive engagement with developing countries on
a range of issues, including trade and investment,
humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping and acting as a
strong defender of democracy and human rights. Part
of ensuring the effectiveness of development
assistance is making sure the host country has the
right policy environment. In discussions on fostering
economic development, member of the G8 emphasize the
importance of transparent, democratic governance to
achieving development. Good governance, including
stable, democratic political structures, the rule of
law and the protection of property, permits both
official foreign aid and private foreign investment to
have the greatest impact. President Bush has indicated
that the United States is unwilling to allot money to
countries evidencing corruption or poor economic
policies. In providing economic assistance to
developing nations, the U.S ins committed to helping
those countries that maintain just governance
practices, which includes representation of the people
and respecting human rights. Our administration has
concluded, in fact, that an accurate yardstick for
measuring how developing nations are progressing
against corruption would examine how a country’s
population and institutions are benefiting from U.S
aid. When determining where to invest our resources
the U.S government will be taking these factors into
consideration. It
is with these factors in mind that President Bush
announced the Millennium Challenge Account in
Monterrey, Mexico, at the Conference on Financing for
Development this March. If developing country
governments will commit themselves to reforms such as
those noted above, the United states is prepared to
increase its official development assistance by 50
percent over the coming three years. Beyond
the impact of foreign assistance, the United States
stresses the importance of trade and investment for
funding development. As the world’s largest and most
open market for developing countries, we have the
opportunity to play a key role. We take in $500
billion a year in developing country exports; our
imports from the least developed have tripled over the
last decade and increased almost 40% in 2000 alone. It
is apparent, however, that this is not enough. Trade
barriers among developing countries remain among the
largest obstacles to trade-related growth, and
enhancing market access for developing countries
remains a goal which the world Trade Organization will
be pursuing over the coming years of the Doha Round of
negotiations. The United States is also committed to investment as an integrated
aspect of development. Greater investment will improve
the productivity of developing countries, enhance
their earning capacity, improve their living
standards, and address domestic economic stability.
U.S. firms currently hold 23 billion in foreign direct
investments in developing countries; establishment of
a regulatory framework that welcomes job-producing
investment is crucial for developing countries. This
framework will hopefully serve as the foundation upon
which developing nations can progress to realize
economic stability. It is ultimately through the
creation of a strong private sector in their economies,
aided by the elimination of corruption, broader
trading opportunities, and fair governance mechanisms,
that the developing
countries will find the brightest future. The United
States looks forward to working with G-8 partners and
with African governments themselves in addressing the
development challenge. HEM
Paul Cellucci |
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