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Supporting Anti-Corruption Efforts in Nicaragua |
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Ambassador Roger F. Noriega
Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) Introductory Remarks
of President Bolaños of Nicaragua
Remarks to
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Conference
on Corporate Social Governance
Miami, Florida
September 23, 2002 |
 The
important task of this conference is to focus on the role of corporations in
helping our people from all walks of life to build better lives for themselves
and their communities through their own initiative and energy.
However, it
must be said that our governments must do their part by creating an environment
within which private commerce and free people can flourish. Sometimes, frankly,
the best thing government can do is get out of the way.
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But governments have essential and inescapable responsibilities. To name a
few:
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Respecting and imposing the rule of law;
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Ensuring a level playing field for trade and investment – both domestic and
foreign;
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Transacting government business in a transparent and open way; and
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Imposing rational taxes and reasonable regulation in a predictable manner.
Our speaker
is one of a new generation of presidents in the Americas that is committed to
meeting these responsibilities.
During the
past three decades, President Bolaños’ tireless defense of these very principles
has landed him on the wrong side of a couple of dictatorships. Today, his
principles have put him on the right side of the struggle against poverty and
cynicism.
President
Bolaños has vowed to govern under Nicaragua’s constitution.
 He
counts on the solidarity of the OAS member states, under our new Inter-American
Democratic Charter, which fortifies democracy and the rule of law.
His
Government has asked that Nicaragua be among the first countries to be evaluated
under the OAS Convention Against Corruption.
And,
President Bolaños insists that his government live by another rule: Thou shalt
not steal.
He is a
leader known for his fierce defense of the rights of the private sector during
the rule of a communist regime.
He denounced
corruption, when some of his political allies would have preferred that he look
the other way.
Enrique
Bolaños is known for his wisdom, his integrity, and yes, his stubborn
determination to do what he knows is best for Nicaragua.
 Today,
President Bolaños must mobilize the forces within Nicaragua that are genuinely
committed to peaceful change, democratic reform, honest government, and jobs
created by a free market.
Nicaragua’s
poor – of which there are too, too many – demand that their nation’s leaders put
aside the narrow interests of politicians or parties and to build a society in
which all Nicaraguans can claim their fair share of economic opportunity.
Nicaragua’s
politicians must decide. The choice is not between one political party or
another. The choice is between the past or the future, between right and wrong.
President
Enrique Bolaños has heard the call of the people, and he has earned the support
and confidence of all friends of democracy and the free market.
Ladies and
gentlemen: please welcome our friend, Enrique Bolaños, President of the Republic
of Nicaragua.
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September 30, 2002
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