For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 21, 2001
Fact Sheet Caribbean Third Border Initiative
"We are also committed to deepening our cooperation throughout the
hemisphere in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS, responding to natural
disasters, and making sure the benefits of globalization are felt in
even the smallest economies. These goals are at the heart of
the "Third Border"
initiative we have launched with the countries of the Caribbean. "
President George W. Bush
April 21, 2001
The Caribbean nations, our often overlooked "third border," are
important partners on trade, health and education issues and regional
democracy. Illegal drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and financial
crime, however, threaten both United States and regional security
interests. In order to better focus the U.S.-Caribbean
relationship and work with our partners on a number of capacity
building tasks, the Bush Administration has developed a "Third Border
Initiative."
The effort consists of a targeted package of programs designed to
enhance diplomatic, economic, health, education and law enforcement
cooperation and
collaboration. While not an all-inclusive inventory of
U.S.-Caribbean cooperation, the Third Border Initiative seeks to focus
new funding and assistance on those areas where the Bush Administration
sees the greatest increased need.
- $20 million in HIV/AIDS funding for FY2002, which represents a
tripling of U.S. HIV/AIDS prevention and education funding.
- Establish a teacher training "Center For Excellence" to boost teacher
skills and performance thereby enhancing regional capacity to adapt to
the globalized economy.
- Increase funding for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation efforts to
shield critical commercial and environmental infrastructure from
natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
- Provide assistance to improve regional civil aviation oversight
infrastructure and mechanisms, increasing safety of air traffic for
greater regional trade, commerce, and tourism.
- Provide additional funding for critical areas of law enforcement
cooperation, such as anti-money laundering, professional development of
police and prosecutors, and anti-corruption training and assistance
throughout the Caribbean.
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