In Jonathan Demme's The Agronomist, a tribute to Jean Dominque Haitian journalist and radio station owner assassinated at his studio 10 years ago, Dominique's widow, Michele Montas, makes a reference to World Press Freedom Day.
You may remember Michele from the Haiti Donors Conference this year where she spoke quite forcefully about Haitian task force's recommendations for rebuilding Haiti. Michele works for the United Nations in Haiti now, but I remember her and Jean as courageous journalists
So, today is World Press Freedom Day and below are the Secretary of State's remarks.
World Press Freedom Day
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Washington, DC
May 3, 2010
The United States joins the international community in celebrating World Press Freedom Day. A free press is essential to an empowered citizenry, government accountability and responsible economic development. Wherever independent media are under threat, accountable governance and human freedom are undermined. Courageous journalists across the globe risk their freedom and their lives to provide independent information on government actions and their consequences; report the news from conflict zones; expose crime, corruption and wrongdoing; and reveal human rights violations – all despite efforts, in some cases, by governments and others, to control what people read, hear and think. For exercising the right to free expression, journalists and bloggers are too often targeted for harassment, intimidation, arrest, physical attack and even murder, often at the hands of unknown assailants who act with impunity. In November 2009, President Obama applauded the efforts of Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez to “empower fellow Cubans to express themselves through the use of technology” and said that her blog “provides the world a unique window into the realities of daily life in Cuba.” That same month she and two fellow bloggers were forcibly detained by plain clothes security personnel while en route to a peaceful demonstration, and she and one of her companions were beaten. Also in 2009, Burmese freelance journalist Hla Hla Win was sentenced to 27 years in prison on trumped-up charges based on nothing more than interviewing monks in commemoration of the Saffron Revolution. And Natalya Estemirova, an independent journalist from Russia who was known for her fearless reporting on human rights violations in Chechnya was kidnapped and murdered. In total, 71 journalists were killed last year, many murdered with impunity. Governments in every region of the world apply restrictive laws and regulations and other controls on media freedom. These restrictions often extend beyond traditional print and broadcast media to new forms of electronic communications through the Internet and other new technologies. The State Department’s human rights report detailed our concerns about these practices. Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is as relevant in our globalized Information Age as it was when it was adopted over six decades ago: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” The United States is committed to working in partnership with members of the media, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other concerned governments to defend freedom of expression and the brave journalists who are persecuted for exercising it on the challenging new terrain of the 21st century.
Well, I lack a good many details on some of this, but this will stand as a window into the week until I find more particulars.
As announced here during the past week, Hillary is once again being honored. On Wednesday April 28 (Darn! The night I teach late!) Her Excellency will be honored at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) with their Distinguished Diplomat Award.She will also be speaking at this event.
Secretary Clinton to Deliver Remarks at the Virginia Military Institute and Receive VMI's Distinguished Diplomat Award on April 28
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 23, 2010
Secretary Clinton will visit the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) the evening of April 28, 2010. Her remarks will discuss smart power one year later, and how the United States is integrating diplomacy, defense, and development together into its day to day foreign policy. Secretary Clinton will also receive VMI’s Distinguished Diplomat Award.
I find it interesting that a military institute honors diplomats. The partnership between defense and diplomacy is crystallized in that award and reflected in the strong partnership between Secretaries Clinton and Gates. See these letters posted on Thursday last.
Secretary Clinton and Secretary Gates' Letters to the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Washington, DC
April 22, 2010
Available at the links below are letters from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Kent Conrad, in support of full funding of President Obama’s FY 2011 foreign affairs budget request.
Something else I posted earlier and continue to lack details about, but will mention as a reminder is that at the American Jewish Committee r (AJC) Annual Meeting, both Hillary and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak will be speaking. According to their website, the meeting is scheduled for April 28-30. I will update as details are made available.
Finally, there is this from yesterday's press briefing.
Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
April 23, 2010
Secretary Clinton Will Open Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York May 3 / White House to Announce Rest of Delegation Next Week
Note to base. May 3 is also the International Day of Freedom of the Press. Just thought I would let you know. I am watching The Agronomistabout Jean Dominique, assassinated in 2000 at his radio station (Haiti Inter) in Port-au-Prince. His very brave and fierce widow, Michele Montas, announced that date in the film as I was writing. Check out The Documentary Channel if you have not already.
Shout out to Michele! Remember the night we saw Carrie at Cine Triomphe? They shut down the ticket booth and concession stand during the last five minutes of the movie so that they all could be standing in the back of the room when we all reacted to Carrie's hand coming up through the ashes? I remember seeing you and Jean there that night. Tonight, there is something metaphorical about that scene. Jean Dominique is not dead. His hand arises out of the rubble in Haiti, and his voice echos in yours at the Haiti Donors Conference. You GO girl! We love you! Hugs, Michele!
I did not post this right away when it was released because I wanted to watch the conference first. I noticed a certain (predictable) amount of disagreement both implied in the conference remarks and stated outright in the press. This was a huge undertaking for Secretary Clinton and the U.N. According to the statement, over 150 countries and agencies were represented, so it was to be expected that there would not be 100% agreement on details. The one thing that was unanimous was that the world needs to help Haiti rebuild better. There is and was no question about that.
Some in the press were calling this the "Bill and Hillary Conference." There are no two people on earth (that I can think of) in better positions and with more love for Haiti than they. Bill Clinton spoke directly about the Interim Haitian Reconstruction Commission (IHRC) the establishment of which apparently was not universally embraced at the outset, but which did bear the imprimatur of the Haitian government. In a week when the early news was that participating recovery agencies had concluded that resettlement of the displaced population would be right where they were prior to the earthquake, Michele Montas spoke forcefully about the findings of a diverse Haitian task force that strongly recommended decentralization. Co-Chairs offered remarks regarding the issues and needs their countries sought to prioritize. Miraculously, by the end of a one-day conference, this 13-point statement of agreement was issued. That this huge conference was able to manage this kind of agreement speaks volumes about the hard work the Clintons, in their individual positions, and Secretary General Ban invested in this conference as well as the dedication of the Co-Chairs and the many countries involved. Congratulations to all. Beautiful job, well-executed!
International Donors' Conference Toward a New Future for Haiti/Statement by Co-Hosts and Co-Chairs
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 1, 2010
1. The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, killed hundreds of thousands of people, left more than a million homeless, and caused significant damage to Port-au-Prince, as well as other cities and settlements. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the Haitian people, countries, organizations, and individuals around the world were united in responding to urgent humanitarian needs. Now Haiti is embarking on a plan to rebuild and pursue a historic opportunity to build back better, transforming the country into a vibrant and prosperous democracy that is unified and resilient. To support that effort, delegations from over 150 countries and international organizations, as well as representatives of Haitian civil society, non-governmental organizations, local governments, Haitian Diaspora and the private sector, met at the United Nations in New York on March 31, 2010. 2. The International Donors’ Conference Toward a New Future for Haiti demonstrated an international commitment to Haiti’s short and long-term recovery and yielded more than $9 billion for Haiti’s reconstruction and to support essential social services, governance and broad-based sustainable development, and to defend against natural disasters. Of this amount, more than $5 billion was pledged for 2010 and 2011. Generous in-kind assistance was also announced. All pledges, as well as the conference proceedings, can be found on the internet at www.haiticonference.org. This assistance will support the vision and Action Plan presented by the Haitian government, incorporating the results of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment. It will be delivered in a manner that strengthens the authority of the State, makes local governments more effective, builds the capacity of local and national institutions, mitigates vulnerability to future disasters, protects the environment, promotes and protects human rights and gender equality, and creates an enabling environment for the private sector and civil society to thrive, all of which are critical for Haiti’s long-term stability and prosperity. It will also reinforce mutual accountability and transparency to all Haitians and to our publics. Participants welcomed the concept of political, institutional, and economic decentralization enshrined in the Haitian vision, in order to promote more broad-based development. They took note of the proposals put forward by the local governments to that purpose. They also reaffirmed that Haitians from all walks of life must be included in the long term recovery efforts and recognized that women’s leadership and participation is critical. 3. Haiti's short-term financing needs will also focus on protecting the most vulnerable, especially women and children, maintaining essential social services, and continuing programs in health, education and social protection. In light of the fall in government revenues as a result of the earthquake, participants agreed on the extraordinary need for budget support to the Haitian government over this fiscal year and the next to help finance critical expenses such as the salaries of civil servants and police and the operation of schools and hospitals. 4. Participants also noted the need for continued humanitarian assistance, particularly with the approach of the rainy and hurricane seasons. The shelter needs are particularly acute and require urgent action from the Haitian government and the donor community. Agriculture is another area requiring special emphasis, as it will support both food security for the Haitian people and the goal of decentralization. Disaster risk reduction will be an integral part of all efforts to build back better. Participants agreed with the Haitian government on the need to provide equal access to health services to the Haitian people. 5. All agreed on the importance of the private sector to catalyze sustainable economic development in Haiti and the need for strong public-private partnerships. The people of Haiti need jobs. They have expressed a strong desire to help rebuild their nation. And they have the talent and the drive to sustain economic growth in Haiti well into the future. But the Haitian people need opportunities to support their families and contribute meaningfully to the progress of their nation. In support of the Haitian people, donors have committed to use Haitian firms and workers whenever possible and to strengthen labor standards, and the Haitian government has committed to introduce reforms to make the investment climate more conducive to businesses, such as by establishing a clear land ownership policy and developing an up-to-date registry. 6. The conference also carried forward the principles agreed to at the Montreal Preparatory Conference on January 25, 2010: 7. Ownership: Participants agreed to align their assistance with the priorities and under the leadership of the Government of Haiti and to involve the Haitian people in the development and implementation of projects and programs. The participants welcomed the Haitian Government’s commitment to the establishment of an Interim Haitian Reconstruction Commission (IHRC), which will give way to a Haitian Development Authority (HDA), which will ensure leadership by the Haitian government in establishing priorities for international assistance and in coordinating, expediting, and implementing that assistance. At the same time, participants committed to assisting in building the administrative capacity of the Haitian government, which suffered devastating losses, and to supporting a smooth political transition through democratic elections as soon as possible. 8. Coordination: Participants agreed to strengthen their coordination through regular consultation and unprecedented transparency in their efforts as well as through the IHRC and HDA. They also agreed on a Haiti Reconstruction Fund, for which the World Bank will act as Fiscal Agent, to channel significant assistance resources more effectively and to enhance coordination. Participants agreed to concentrate on priority sectors in close coordination with the Government of Haiti and other donors. 9. Effectiveness: Participants and the Government of Haiti agreed to work together to ensure the effectiveness of assistance by adhering to the principles of aid effectiveness and good humanitarian donorship and to build on lessons learned. 10. Inclusiveness: The Conference highlighted the importance of holding outreach consultations with a large number of key communities, including the Haitian people, civil society, NGOs, local governments, the private sector, the Haitian Diaspora, and MINUSTAH stakeholders. These communities, as well as CARICOM and Haiti’s other partners in the region, all have a vital role to play in rebuilding Haiti. These groups have distinct perspectives and areas of expertise, as well as critical resources. The full and continued participation of women and men in shaping Haiti’s future, consistent with the vision of the Haitian people and government, must be assured, to guarantee that Haiti’s progress endures and reaches all people, and especially the most vulnerable. Participants also welcomed the contributions of those assisting in providing security, particularly under MINUSTAH’s enhanced commitment, and called for robust contributions of the security resources requested by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to ensure MINUSTAH’s continued success. Drawing from its expertise and consolidated presence on the ground, an active role should be envisaged for MINUSTAH in supporting and assisting Haiti after the earthquake. 11. Accountability and Transparency: The Government of Haiti and the participants agreed to greater accountability and transparency. Donors declared their pledges of assistance in greater detail than for previous pledging conferences.The participants also agreed to a robust internet-based tracking system to report on the delivery of their assistance and an emphasis on measuring performance and results. Donors recognized the importance of independent monitoring of the implementation of pledges. In the interest of transparency and accountability, the entire proceedings of the donors’ conference were conducted publicly with continuous coverage through web-based broadcasting. And, in the interest of transparency and accountability, the IHRC/HDA will have a monitoring and transparency unit that will be accountable to the people of Haiti and the international public. 12. Sustainability: The international community is proud to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti. Our support for Haiti will not be short-lived; we are invested in Haiti’s long-term success. Therefore, the chairs and co-chairs agreed to monitor thoroughly the implementation of the Haitian plan and of donors' pledges, in liaison with the IFIs and the United Nations. They intend to meet at least twice a year for that purpose at capitals' level. 13. We look forward with hope to a future for Haiti in which the damage from the earthquake has been mended; homes, buildings, and roads are rebuilt stronger than ever; better education and health systems are in place; Haiti’s economy is diversified with a broader export base and a higher revenue base to finance public services; democracy is thriving; the social, cultural and intellectual fabric of the country is restored; Haitians’ access to civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights is a reality; and all the women and men of Haiti enjoy opportunity, security, prosperity, and peace.
