| Status Debate Comes to
Washington
On Wednesday, April 20, the American University’s School of
Public Affairs hosted a forum, entitled “Puerto Rico in Search
of Full Democracy” which explored the arguments of not only the
protagonists in the status alternatives, including statehood,
independence and “commonwealth” (current U.S. territory status)
options, but also included a private sector viewpoint and a
presentation aimed at introducing the federal government point
of view. The debate, coordinated and moderated by AU graduate
student, Jose Luis Fernandez, was well attended and covered by
both stateside and Puerto Rico media.
Participants included Carlos Chardon, former Secretary of
Education of Puerto Rico, representing the statehood position;
Manuel Rodriguez Orellano, Secretary of North American Relations
for the Puerto Rico Independence Party, for independence; and
Luis Vega Ramos, attorney and former Puerto Rico legislator (PDP)
for the commonwealth position. Jeffery Farrow, Co-Chair of the
President’s Interagency Group on Puerto Rico (1994-2001) and
advisor to President Clinton, presented the Federal government
viewpoint. Alexander Odishelidze, financial expert and co-author
of the recent book, “Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico” gave a
different viewpoint, that of a U.S. businessman who resided and
conducted business in Puerto Rico for over 20 years.
Chardon emphasized that in addition to making economic sense,
statehood
would enable Puerto Rico to pay its own way, bringing with it
ownership, patriotism, and self-respect.
Farrow, who also has served as staff director of the U.S. House
of Representatives subcommittee on territorial affairs, is
considered an expert in territorial affairs. He made his most
telling points in portraying commonwealth proposals as
unrealistic, and detailed many of the past and current efforts
by the PDP to undercut efforts to resolve the status question.
Odishelidze commented on many of the points make in his book,
which was co-authored by economist, Arthur Laffer, well known
for his “Laffer curve” and support for supply side economic
policies.
Panelists at AU Puerto Rico Forum
Oldishelidze pointed out that
the current relationship between the U.S. and
Puerto Rico is dysfunctional and unfair to both U.S. taxpayers,
who pump billions into the support of Puerto Rico, and to Puerto
Ricans by denying them full rights as citizens and a healthy
economy.
USCPRS was pleased to be able to offer support for the event.
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