NOTICIAS ASODEGUE
HOJAS INFORMATIVAS
24 de noviembre El futuro embajador de Estados Unidos en Guinea señala a los derechos humanos como uno de los principales objetivos (junto con la seguridad) en su comparecencia ante la Comisión de Asuntos Exteriores del Senado Norteamericano El pasado día 19 compareció ante la Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado norteamericano el futuro embajador de los Estados Unidos en Malabo, el señor Alberto M. Fernandez. Reproducimos al final de esta nota el texto completo, en inglés, de su intervención en dicho acto. El señor Fernandez empezó hablando de la necesidad de un diálogo profundo con el pueblo y el gobierno de Guinea Ecuatorial."Si bien este diálogo y el compromiso debe ser respetuoso de la soberanía de Guinea Ecuatorial y las tradiciones, debe ser también franco y sincero", añadió. Recordó las palabras del presidente Obama diciendo que "el futuro de África depende de los africanos" y señaló que "debemos ser francos y sinceros sobre las cuestiones que nos gustaría se abordasen" y las resumió en una frase: "una mejora significativa de los derechos humanos". Tras esta idea deberá estar "el reconocimiento legítimo de un espacio político para la oposición democrática y también para el desarrollo de una sociedad civil más fuerte" y "un cambio real que permita luchar contra la corrupción y mejorar la transparencia en lo que hace a la riqueza petrolera del país". Agregó que los Estados Unidos deberán promover "una mejor gobernanza, las instituciones democráticas y los derechos humanos" y también defenderán sus propios intereses. Pasó a decir que el gobierno de Guinea Ecuatorial es candidato a formar parte de la Iniciativa para la Transparencia de las Industrias Extractiva (EITI, en inglés) pero calificó de "limitados" los progresos que ha realizado en este sentido, señalando que "ha sido demasiado lento a la hora de incorporar a la sociedad civil y buscar su apoyo". Volvió a citar el discurso de Obama en Accra en la parte en la que se refiera a la necesidad por parte de los africanos de construir instituciones fuertes, fortalecer también los mecanismos de rendición de cuentas y la transparencia y paso a referirse al informe del Relator de Naciones Unidas sobre la Tortura, Manfred Nowak [persona reiteradamente denostada por el gobierno guineano]. Afirmó que aunque las autoridades de Guinea se habían comprometido para mejorar las condiciones carcelarias y prevenir la tortura, se requerían "acciones concretas para un progreso real" y el gobierno debería tomar "medidas correctoras urgentes para hacer frente a las violaciones de los derechos humanos". De cara a las elecciones presidenciales del día 29, el señor Fernandez afirmó "debemos seguir alentando al gobierno para que permita que la prensa y la oposición actúen libremente y para que garantice la independencia de la Junta Electoral Nacional para prevenir irregularidades y responder a las peticiones que se le dirijan". Pasó a señalar la seguridad marítima como una de las prioridades de los Estados Unidos en el Golfo de Guinea y puso como ejemplo de los problemas que se presentan a esa seguridad, el asalto al Palacio Presidencial de Malabo del 17 del pasado febrero. Dijo que a pesar de que Guinea Ecuatorial ha crecido hasta convertirse en el tercer productor de petróleo y gas del África subsahariana, seguía apareciendo a la cola en muchos índices de desarrollo. "Hemos indicado al Gobierno de Guinea Ecuatorial cómo se puede mejorar la prestación de los servicios sociales y ayudar a que mejoren los indicadores sociales en las áreas de educación, salud, saneamiento, situación de la mujer y medio ambiente". "Los retos a los que debe hacer frente este pequeño país, son enormes" dijo pero terminó manifestando su confianza en que podrá hacer frente a todos ellos.
Alberto M. Fernandez
Statement of Alberto M. Fernandez
Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to appear before you as President Obama’s nominee to be Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. It is a very great honor and privilege to appear before you today. I thank President Obama and Secretary Clinton for their confidence and trust. I am delighted that my wife Katy, my sons Josiah and Adam, and other family members are here with me on this occasion. I would also like to recognize many friends and colleagues who are here as well. As a person who came to this great country as a child with my family as political refugees from Cuba, I am deeply humbled and awed to be before this august body today. I have been privileged to serve as a soldier in the U.S. Army and then as a Foreign Service Officer, but to be before you today as an American is the greatest honor of all. Although we have maintained diplomatic relations with Equatorial Guinea since its independence from Spain in 1968, if confirmed by the Senate, I would be only the sixth resident U.S. ambassador in Malabo. The need for deep engagement and real dialogue with the people and government of Equatorial Guinea has grown. While this dialogue and engagement must be respectful of Equatorial Guinea’s sovereignty and traditions, it must also be frank and sincere. If confirmed, I anticipate that our dialogue will be multifaceted, covering the full range of bilateral and multilateral concerns on an ongoing basis. As President Obama recently noted, “Africa’s future is up to Africans,” but we must be clear and forthright about the issues we would like to see addressed: this means significant improvement in human rights. It means legitimate political space for a democratic opposition; it means allowing for the development of a more robust civil society. It means finally having real change to fight corruption and improve transparency regarding the country’s oil wealth. Our interests in Equatorial Guinea are to promote better governance, democratic institutions, and human rights, and to help protect U.S. interests there. Equatorial Guinea today is a candidate country in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which supports improvement of fiscal transparency in revenue reporting. The Government of Equatorial Guinea (GREG) has made limited progress, but faces challenges to meet its validation deadline by March 2010, especially because it has moved too slowly to incorporate civil society into the process and support civil society development. President Obama, in his July 11, 2009 speech in Accra, noted the need for Africans to work to build strong institutions and to strengthen accountability and transparency, to promote good governance. The President underscored our commitment to partner with African countries to achieve these goals. EITI is one of many ways to move decisively and rapidly in that direction. Human rights promotion is also a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. Here, we can acknowledge that Equatorial Guinea has taken some measured steps, but that major human rights concerns still remain. In our 2008 Human Rights Report, we note many human rights problems, including systematic torture of prisoners and detainees by security forces, life-threatening conditions in prisons and detention facilities, and impunity for those who abuse. In November 2008, at the invitation of the GREG, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, visited the country and noted evidence of the systematic use of torture. While critical of the Special Rapporteur’s initial findings, the GREG has signaled a willingness to look into these issues, including human rights abuses by its security forces and life threatening conditions in prisons and detention facilities. Concrete actions are necessary for real progress, and the GREG needs to take urgent corrective measures to address human rights abuses. Presidential elections are scheduled to take place this year on November 29. We must continue to encourage the government to allow the press and the opposition to operate freely and ensure the independence of the national electoral commission to prevent voter irregularities and address complaints. Another U.S. priority concerns maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. The unsuccessful sea-based attack on February 17, 2009 against the Presidential Palace in Malabo demonstrated the ongoing challenge of maritime security in this region. With over $12 billion in energy interests and 600 to 700 Americans in country at any given time, the United States has clear economic and security interests in Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinea has surged to become the third largest oil and gas producer in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the substantial oil and gas revenues, Equatorial Guinea ranks at the bottom of many development indicators. We would like to continue to help encourage Equatorial Guinea to make wise and prudent decisions on how to allocate this bonanza so that it can have the widest possible positive impact on the development of that country and on the future of all of its people. One tangible way that we are partnering with Equatorial Guinea for the welfare of its people is through the Social Needs Fund, which is financed entirely by the GREG but draws on technical expertise provided by USAID. We are advising the Government of Equatorial Guinea on how it can improve delivery of social services and help move social indicators in the areas of education, health, sanitation, women in development and the environment. The challenges before this small country are daunting. But I am hopeful that, if I am confirmed, I can further a sincere spirit of dialogue and partnership, which could yield positive results for the people of Equatorial Guinea. They deserve a stable, democratic, prosperous and peaceful society. This longed-for transformation is well within the capacity of the people and leadership of Equatorial Guinea to achieve in the near future. In addition to the major policy challenges outlined above, I wish to note one other important issue: some real operational and administrative challenges come with the operations of this relatively new and small embassy. If confirmed, I will give these issues personal and detailed attention, and I can assure you that the safety of the American community in Equatorial Guinea and the safety and well-being of my staff will be my top priority. Finally, if I am confirmed, my wife Katy and I look forward to hosting you or any other member of this distinguished body who may want to visit Malabo. I will be very happy to answer any questions you might have. Thank you very much".
Editado y distribuido por ASODEGUE
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