opinion

Remarks to the Chamber

of Commerce luncheon

by Barbara Stephenson

The following are remarks that US Ambassador to Panama Barbara J. Stephenson made to Panama’s Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I am honored to be here. I'd like to open by congratulating the Embassy of Panama and the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce for organizing this first Panama Forum.

As you know I am the new American Ambassador to Panama. I have only been there a few weeks, but looking back to when I first saw Panama 20 years ago, it is clear that this country has made remarkable achievements. Let me just say thank you for this opportunity to briefly share some reflections about what I, as a new ambassador, found on my return to what I think of as the New Panama.

First, let me make the obvious point that Panama turned in economic growth in excess of 11 percent last year. I don't think it is any accident that I have, in my first weeks in country, had a whole series of focused conversations with Panamanian leaders on their efforts to get the macroeconomic framework right and to make doing business in Panama streamlined and transparent. Growth like that does not happen by sheer luck.

Second, democratic government is now well established. Everyone expects that Panama's new leaders will be chosen in free and fair elections this coming May.

Panama has done a superb job managing the Canal. The Panama Canal Authority's transparent and accountable business practices are a model for the country and the region. And I know many of you in this room share my excitement about the ambitious project to expand the Canal so it can meet the requirements of this new century.

Finally, I am happy to report that relations between our two countries are excellent, as witnessed by President Torrijos’s current visit, which includes a meeting with President Bush. We believe this is President Torrijos's fifth visit with President Bush, but they have met so often we have nearly lost count.

Panama’s friends in the United States, many of whom are in this room, want to see its success continue. Indeed, we want to take our relationship to the next level. Panama is an important partner of the United States and other countries of the region. Panama has a seat on the United Nations Security Council, and it has played a constructive role in the Organization of American States. In our joint work on the Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA), health care, and education, Panama has shown its commitment to demonstrating that democracies can and must better the lives of all our citizens. The challenge for Panama now is to sustain this success.

Let me just say that the TPA with Panama is good for Panama, good for the United States, and its passage by the US Congress after passage of the Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia remains one of the Administration’s highest priorities.

As you may have heard, our motto in the Embassy is “Estamos Unidos,” or in English, “We Are United.”

“We” needs to include leaders from the American business community active in Panama. You have an important leadership role to help to foster vital partnerships that need to be fostered to help take the US-Panama relationship to the “next level.” By knitting our two countries and peoples ever closer together through public-private, private-private, and other dynamic partnerships and in ways that we have not even thought of yet, the American business community can consolidate and strengthen its leadership position in Panama. I look forward to working with you to identify opportunities and build these partnerships.

“Unidos,” together, we should stand united for a prosperous Panama, where the fruits of prosperity can be shared by all Panamanians; This includes an educational system that gives young people the skills they need to take advantage of the good jobs its dynamic economic is creating. This includes bridging the opportunity gap by allowing people to advance based on merit.

For a democratic Panama, in which its citizens have confidence in their institutions, and have confidence that democracy can and will deliver to make their lives better; This includes a system of justice that is fair, transparent, and expedient, in which Panamanians and foreigners alike can have confidence.

For a secure Panama that defends itself against threats such as narco-trafficking, organized crime, and insecurity in the streets in a manner soundly based in democracy and the respect for human rights.

We are united and committed to taking our relationship with Panama to the next level. We will work with Panama as a friend, ally, and sustaining partner to realize a better future for all our citizens, Panamanians, Americans.

Let me end with a word on the Trade Promotion Agreement, a topic important to so many of you in the room. As Secretary Rice just reaffirmed this morning, we remain firmly committed to the TPA with Panama. We know it is good for Panama, good for the United States, and good for relations between our two countries. Many of you in this room have worked tirelessly in support of the TPA. I thank you and ask for your continued support to get this agreement over the finish line.

Thank you.