SPANISH |
GERMAN
Association for the Sovereignty of Colombia
Millions of Colombians
have decided to travel to other countries in
what constitutes a great emigration with no
apparent end in sight. The principal cause of
this phenomenon lies in the serious
deterioration suffered by key sectors of the
nation’s economy during the past fifteen years
due to the adoption and implementation by
successive governments of neoliberal policies
imposed by the United States. Those who have
emigrated are part of a large number of
compatriots facing an economic situation with no
viable production possibilities or work
opportunities, which caused them to drop into
ever worsening material and social conditions.
At the same time the cross-fires of violence
that have permeated the country, which often
exhibit terrorist profiles, made Colombians'
living conditions even more exasperating.
Without doubt an appreciable number of
Colombians have abandoned their nation as a
consequence of situations in which their
personal safety or that of their families have
been affected by upsurges of violence and acts
of political intolerance, yet the great majority
emigrate as victims of the economic crisis.
Once settled abroad,
the majority of emigrants take pains to maintain
their roots with Colombia. Along with its legal
character, the carrying of Colombian passports
as well as a double nationality constitute a
clear demonstration of that attitude. Moreover,
not only do they maintain their social and
familiar bonds and feel proud of their culture,
but at no time are they indifferent to the
profound economic, political and social crises
that the nation is currently experiencing. At
the same time, many individuals from other
countries and various international and local
organizations watch with preoccupation the
constant worsening of conditions in Colombia.
Those individuals and organizations will
certainly be interested in participating in a
process that contributes to identifying a
worthwhile direction for the progress of the
country, and uniting and directing energies
towards that goal.
Beginning in 1990, when
the implementation of neo-liberal model was
initiated, the balance of trade, which had been
stable for decades, turned into a deficit which,
at present, according to the Economic Commission
for Latin America of the United Nations, amounts
to a loss of more than 30 billion dollars.
Likewise, the national savings rate dropped by
50% and the foreign debt skyrocketed, reaching
39 billion dollars in 2001, a sum greater than
50% of the Gross Domestic Product. Upon
implementing the aforementioned policy—promoted
by the International Monetary Fund—the
agriculture and cattle industrial imports
increased by 900% with the consequent bankruptcy
of impacted economic sectors.
Coffee, the renowned pride of
the Colombian exports, reduced its production by
6 million sacks and today the hardworking coffee
growers, publicized under the exquisite symbol
of Juan Valdez, cultivate 200,000 hectares less
than 10 years ago. In the same fashion,
industrial and agro-livestock production,
commerce, health, education and residential
public services have suffered the impacts of
privatizations and the concessions to the
demands of foreign capital, which together with
unemployment, poverty and the wavering economy
have reached unbelievable levels. As if that was
not enough, now the government of Alvaro Uribe
is ready to sign a free trade agreement with the
United States which would lead to a deepening of
the liberalization and consequently the
worsening of the crisis. To boot, president
Uribe appears determined to exacerbate the
situation with his avowed intentions to
undemocratically prolong his term of office for
another four years.
It comes as no surprise
then that over the last fifteen years thousands
of Colombians of various backgrounds such as
teachers, athletes, pilots, doctors, business
people, artists, scientists, cattle ranchers and
peasants, skilled and unskilled workers,
industrialists and entrepreneurs have abandoned
their country en masse to settle in the United
States, Spain and other countries. The situation
in which they find themselves cannot be any more
difficult: they not only need to legalize their
residence, but must also compete for employment
with native workers who possess obvious
advantages as well as with immigrants from other
nations. Soon they confront the arduous and
unavoidable task of gaining employment,
hopefully at a level that matches their skills
and experience, lest they see themselves forced
to labor in the hardest and poorest paid jobs.
Apart from the
"cultural shock", psychological consequences
cost a high price in terms of loss of prestige,
separation from families and friends, and
isolation and depression, the immigrant must
traverse a tortuous process of employment and
personal adaptation, something which occurs
generally without the attention and protection
of the Embassies and consulates of the Colombian
government. Along with a small nucleus of
resourceful Colombians who have gained a
professional standing in the world of business
and in the fields of science or the arts, there
exist many thousands who do not even possess
legal residency status. A good number of them
live in economic situations in many respects
similar to conditions that motivated them to
leave Colombia in the first place.
Colombia receives three
billion dollars annually in the form of
remittances from abroad. Paradoxically, this
immense effort at solving or improving the
economic situation of families through regular
money orders constitutes the very foreign
exchange that permits the government to service
a good portion of the external debt and to pay
for the importation of goods that is
progressively ruining national production. This
means that those who impose the neoliberal
economic policies, which ruin the nation, are at
the same time the causes of the impoverishment
of the people and the high rate of emigration.
It is a sad situation for a nation, which under
different circumstances could develop its
agricultural and industrial production, and
forge an efficient network of public services
which in turn would permit the creation of a
solid internal market. But its leaders are
forcing the nation to live by the generous
monetary support of the brothers and sisters
abroad, which is then utilized to recycle the
crisis.
This situation has led a group of Colombians and
friends of Colombia abroad to propose the
creation of an Association for the Sovereignty
of Colombia that would work towards the
following goals:
The progress of Colombia. This objective here is to contribute the analysis
of the national situation and the development of political and economic
proposals leading towards the resolution of the existing crisis. The
proposals should have as their main concern the protection of the nation’s
sovereignty; the development of democracy; the strengthening of the internal
market based on the defense of national production; and the strengthening of
economic and political links with all nations on the basis of mutual respect
and reciprocal benefits. The above presupposes the rejection of the policies
of neoliberalism and subordination which are at the root of the crisis.
The Welfare of Colombian Emigrants and the promotion of the Good Name of
Colombia Abroad. In particular, efforts will be made to promote the prompt
resolution of legal status for those Colombians living abroad, better their
social and economic conditions and the preservation of their cultural roots.
In addition, the association will generate a vision of the Colombian nation
that incorporates in a truthful manner as much its history and culture as
well as the varying aspects of current conditions.
The Defense of Democracy. We will advocate the respect of democratic
liberties and rights of the people against any kind of authoritarianism,
respect on the part of government for constitutional and legal norms which
currently regulate the administration over which they preside, and the
observance of civilized procedures in the political struggles. The latter
includes the condemnation of terrorism, kidnappings, extortion and all acts
of violence and arbitrariness which impede or make difficult democratic
activities and expressions by citizens, political parties and social
organizations. Additionally, the association will stand for negotiated
political solutions to armed conflicts and support workers struggles aimed
at their betterment and in support of national sovereignty.
In addition, the Association for the Sovereignty of Colombia will operate upon
the following criteria:
a) Relations with governments. The association will function in an autonomous
manner, rigorously taking a position of independence in relation to the
Colombian government and in relation to the governments of the countries in
which immigrants are residing.
b) Membership. All Colombians residing abroad, as well as the nationals of other
countries interested in the economic, political and social development of
Colombia, and who accept the criteria and objectives here described, are
encouraged to become members of this association and participate democratically
in its organization and activities.
c) Organization. We, the signatories of this
Declaration below, constitute an interim body
which will provisionally coordinate efforts
leading the development of the Association,
including the a greater and more finely crafted
statement of objectives and its operating
procedures. We wish to do so in consultation
with the opinions of all those who during a six
month period adhere to this Declaration and who
therefore become members of this newly formed
Association.
