11/6/2004

No se caigan de la silla por la risa al leer esto:

Corría el año 1985. Precisamente era el día 19 de marzo. Un presidente argentino visitaba la Casa Blanca, temporariamente ocupada por Ronald Reagan.

Joint Argentina-United States Declaration on Democracy

Presidents Alfonsin and Reagan expressed their gratification and support for the spread and strengthening of democracy and individual freedom in the western hemisphere. They said the foreign policies of both countries are driven by the goals of peace, democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. They affirmed that the most just and lasting resolution of the major problems facing nations comes from leadership democratically chosen by the people in periodic free and fair elections, through the actions of independent legislatures and judiciaries and by close cooperation among democratic countries. Victories against poverty are more certain and peace most secure where people live by laws that ensure political and economic freedom. Both presidents confirmed that relations are warmest and cooperation closest with those countries which practice effective democracy with full regard for the fundamental social, political, economic and human rights for each individual. President Alfonsin said Argentina has instituted a new era of stable and strengthened democracy guaranteeing full protection of human rights. President Reagan reiterated that the United States attaches the highest priority to sustaining that democracy in Argentina.

¿Habrá sido el mismo Alfonsín que volvió a la Argentina? ¿Lo habrán cambiado por otro?

...

Uno de los mayores logros de Ronald Reagan (ya los debo tener podridos con Ronald Reagan) fue haber contagiado a los americanos con su optimismo en un momento en el que los Estados Unidos realmente lo necesitaban, pero lo que no muchos saben es que en el momento en que volvía la DEMOCRACIA a la Argentina también produjo dos discursos en los que también instaba a los argentinos a imbuirse de su proverbial entusiasmo y confianza en las capacidades individuales.

A continuación los mejores fragmentos:

Remarks at the Welcoming Ceremony for President Raul Alfonsin of Argentina

(...) The spirit of freedom and independence that freed the people of the United States, only a short time later, spread to Argentina. (...) The flame of liberty burned red hot in Argentina. (...) Mr. President; the Argentine people are the heirs of a great legacy. (...) Argentina was a frontier society, a land where people came from many parts of the world to better themselves and to live in freedom...

(...) Today we continue to share the challenge of maintaining the economic growth and development so vital to the well-being of our peoples. Keeping a national economy vital and robust requires hard work, vision, and commitment. It requires tough decisions today in order to make a better tomorrow. We appreciate here, Mr. President, the severe economic problems that you inherited. A few years ago I, too, assumed the Presidency during a time of great economic uncertainty. Inflation and economic decline sapped our strength. Had we challenged our efforts into finding easy and short-term answers, had we looked to redistribution of existing wealth -rather than creating more- we would still be trapped in a seemingly endless morass. Instead, by focusing efforts on economic growth, increasing productivity, creating new incentives that encouraged citizens to work and save and invest, we unleashed a ground swell of economy-building activity in the private sector that turned decline into progress, inflation into stability, and national doubt into optimism and growth.

(...) Argentina, like the United States, is a land of few limits. Your people, educated and strong in spirit, have enormous potential. I can assure you in the strongest terms that the people of the United States want you and the people of Argentina to succeed and to prosper.

This prospect is made even more likely now that Argentina has returned to the ranks of democratic nations. As we've seen throughout the world, there was a strong relationship between freedom and economic development. Democracy frees the spirit of man to achieve, to build, and to create. It's the only system consistent with the decent and humane values at the heart of our societies.

Democracy means government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed. It means freedom of speech and religion, the freedom of assembly, and the rule of law. It's more than a form of government; it's a way of life, an ideal which seems to be a process, yet is an end in itself. It's not the easiest system, but it is the most just, and it brings a better and a freer life for all. The spirit of democracy is not found in great halls or in marching armies but is enshrined in the hearts of the people.

Juan Bautista Alberdi, the father of the Argentine Constitution, said it well: ``The Constitution, liberty, authority are not written. They are realized. They are not decreed. They are created. They are made by education. They are not made in the Congress. They are made in the home. They don't live on paper. They live in the man.''

(...) Mr. President, as leaders of two great nations dedicated to democracy and committed to human rights, we are concerned not only with our own freedom but also the cause of freedom throughout our hemisphere. San Martin, a great freedom fighter of his day, once said, ``In the last corner of the earth that I might find myself, I will be ready to sacrifice my existence for liberty''...

Toasts at the State Dinner for President Raul Alfonsin of Argentina

(...) the people of our two countries have so much in common, (...) the bond of democracy, the love of freedom that's found in the hearts of our people.

(...) This generation of Argentinians is laying the foundation for what will be enjoyed by your fellow countrymen hundreds of years hence.

(...) Those of us who enjoy the freedom and independence passed to us by brave and noble individuals like San Martin, Washington, and others, especially those of us in elected office, must be the protectors of liberty.