Panama Week 2003
A Centennial Celebration: One Hundred Years of Partnership   
Vice President's Remarks
Dominador Kaiser Bazan



Distinguished Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Let me commence by stating that Panama, for hundreds of years, has served as the bridge that unites the Americas, as far back as 1502 when Christopher Columbus set foot in Panama; The famous Portobello Fairs, the first transcontinental trade point between Europe and the Americas.

As you well know, the construction of the first transcontinental railroad in the 1850's, facilitated the migration of gold prospectors who settled in the West Coast of the United States, lured by the dream of gold.  Since the famous gold rush, Panama created a very special relationship with the United States.  Such a reality has meant that the saga and destiny of our countries has been historically and naturally intertwined by economics, trade, politics, culture and through family ties.

As you are all aware, we share a historical deed, where Panama was the setting and the United States of America was the builder.  The Panama Canal was the first true multinational project of the Twentieth Century, and one of the greatest accomplishments in the world.

We look back with pride, on the achievement, represented, by the building of the Canal, and its continuous operation since 1914 for the benefit of world commerce.  Throughout our history, we have overcome difficult challenges in our relations and among the most important was the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty in 1977, between a major world power and a very small country: It was a time when many people did not believe in our capacity - first to accomplish that treaty and second to demonstrate our resolve to manage properly and efficiently The Panama Canal.

The peaceful and seamless transition on December 31st, 1999 of the Panama Canal's control and administration from the United States of America to Panama, including the Reverted Areas with 147,000 hectares, 7,000 buildings and more than 5 billion dollars in installed capacity, is a shining example of the maturity and profoundness of this special relationship, unique in the Americas and may I say ..... the world.

This successful transition was made possible, because the U.S. honored its commitment, supporting Panama with all the required resources, to ensure that when Panama would assume control it would seem as if the U.S. was still administrating the Canal.

Panama's performance in the administration of the Canal demonstrates that we were definitely up to the task and we have surpassed expectations in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, security and customer satisfaction; a fact recognized by the international community.

In the course of our hundred years, thanks to the support of the American people through U.S. sponsored programs such as The Alliance for Progress, Point 4, the construction of The Interamerican Highway, Operation Friendship (General Bogart), Peace Corps, Smithsonian Institute, Fuertes Caminos, scholarships and many other gestures of goodwill, Panama has become a much better country.

I am pleased to say that Panama-U.S. relations are a strong as ever, precisely as I mentioned before, because we have worked together to resolve our issues through dialogue, mutual respect, trust, cooperation and with an abiding spirit of goodwill.

As example of this was the recent meeting of President Mireya Moscoso and President George Bush here in Washington, D.C. on important issues affecting both countries, but most importantly the commitment of President Bush to establish with Panama a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), using the Chilean or Singapore model or becoming part of the Central American countries' effort.  As you all know, the U.S. is our #1 commercial partner and most vital the #1 investor in my country.

We hope that the FTA negotiations will commence soon and conclude, satisfactorily, in a short period of time, for the benefit of our people.

Within this context, Panama looks forward to another hundred years, of solid partnership, with the United States, because of our unique relationship that will continue to grow and strengthen, based, on mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation as we move into the 21st Century.

In closing, I want to thank those friends of Panama and the U.S. who joined us tonight at this Reception at the Embassy of Panama's Residence, for participating in another Panama Week during the celebration of our Centennial as an independent country that in great part was made possible thanks to the support of this great nation.  We will continue to build a country with the highest respect for freedom, justice, equal opportunity and most importantly, respect for human dignity.

THANK YOU.  MAY GOOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

NEW YORK PROGRAM
(Program & Pictorial NY)

WASHINGTON, DC PROGRAM
(Congressional Reception)  
(Bd. Mt., Forum & Lunch)
(Reception OAS)
(Gala Dinner OAS)
(Power Breakfast, Town Hall Mt. & Lunch)
(Embassy Reception)
(Vice President's Remarks)
(Media Coverage)
(Sponsor Recognition & List of Participants)