Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-11-15-Speech-4-201"
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"en.20011115.11.4-201"2
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"I would just like to say that, three years after hurricane Mitch, Central America is once again being struck by the fresh tragedy of hurricane Michelle. We must not forget that, since then, it has suffered an earthquake, drought and famine. However, despite these disasters, democracy is slowly being established in these countries once again, and the European delegation, of which I am a member, which has just been to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, is unanimously agreed on this point. The proper running of the elections which have just taken place in Nicaragua is also evidence of this. Therefore, I feel that we can be proud of the decisive role played by the European Union action in the development of democracy in these countries. That is why I call for two measures: firstly, to increase the funds appropriated to the Programme for the Reconstruction of Central America, which currently amounts to EUR 250 million for the 1999-2002 period, since the latest disasters were not taken into consideration; and secondly, to review the European Union’s outdated position on Cuba. Also totally devastated by the latest hurricane, the worst it has suffered for 50 years, Cuba is currently the only country in Central America which has not signed a cooperation agreement with the European Union, and its only hope in these times of trouble is humanitarian, emergency aid.
I could smile and tell you, with regard to Cuba, not to be more Catholic than the Pope, in the knowledge that he had no difficulty in identifying the right choice, but the appalling situation of this countries prevents me from smiling. Rather, I will warn you not to focus on the wrong enemy. The enemy is no longer communism: it is terrorism and terrorism thrives on destitution; democracy cannot be built on famine. Cuba is an important, or rather essential part of the process of bringing integration and peace to Central America which is currently in progress.
Therefore, I urge the Council to instruct the Commission to reopen democratic cooperation negotiations with Cuba, insisting on total respect for European democratic values, which will not accept two different sets of values."@en1
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