Dominican Republic Should Take Advantage of US Interest in Latin America

Howard J. Wiarda, Director of the Department for International Studies at the University of Georgia explained that the new Bush administration wants to develop a closer diplomatic strategy towards Latin America. Professor Wiarda delivered the conference "Foriegn Policy of President Bush’s second term" at FUNGLODE headquarters in Santo Domingo.

During the conference Dr. Wiarda explained that critical problems that were occupying center stage in
US foreign policy, i.e. war against terrorism and war against Iraq have began to wind down, allowing the normalization of diplomatic ties with Latin America, Europe and other parts of the World.

Counting with President Fernandez among the conference’s invitees, the political expert commented that the Dominican leader will find a different environment when he visits Washington next week to discuss CAFTA. "I believe that American authorities will be eager to explore with you, Mr. President, the interests of your administration’s foreign policy", he expressed. Dr. Wiarda also explained that even though the US is still concentrated

in the war against terrorism and the war in Iraq , the Bush administration is trying to normalize its foreign policy with other countries. Therefore, he encouraged Dominican policy makers to take advantage of this current interest.

Dr. Wiarda also argued that the Dominican Republic must take
into account that the international system is not that one of the Cold Ward anymore, but one that is more complex and intricate. "In this post -Cold War era, the Dominican Republic must reassure its position by itself, taking into account that the U.S. does not consider the DR as a special country."

Dr. Wiarda also talked about the state of democracy in the region. He commented that there is a link
between economic progress and democracy, isolating the case of the Asian countries, which achieved a high level of economic performance before consolidating democratic governments. He commented that in the case of Latin America , the region needs democratic governments that could promote the economic development of their people. He highlighted the economic progress of the Dominican Republic , which in the late 90′ was that of a developed nation.

Dr. Wiarda delivered this conference at the end of a two day course on culture and politics in Latin America , coordinated by FUNGLODE and GFDD.

Dr. Howard J. Wiarda biography >>