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Emerging Democracies Forum
Managing the Twin Transitions
Closing Plenaries
(24 of 25 pages)
Finally, the participants express our appreciation to the President and the government
of the people of Yemen, and to the governments, international organization and corporations that helped organize
and make possible this first Emerging Democracies Forum. Peace be upon you.
Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada: I put the declaration in consideration of this plenary meeting. If it is agreeable
to all of you could we have this motion approved? Those in agreement raise your hands. Approved by unanimity
in the best democratic tradition. Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister.
Kim Campbell: Colleagues, it is now my pleasure to introduce the real president of NDI and the man whose
organization and his vision has done so much to make this successful conference happen. Mr. Ken Wollack.
Mr. Ken Wollack: Thank you. I'm the unelected president sitting at the table. President Saleh, President
Konare, Prime Minister Eryani, Prime Minister Geingob, our distinguished co-chairs. Discussion over the past three
days has shown that democracy building isn't just a hobby or a sideshow. It must be central to the daily lives
of our own citizens and elected officials. But we need to make this case because curiously the task of democracy
building is more difficult not less. As Charles Darwin might have said, revolution is simple, evolution is hard.
However, this work is made easier by relationships. And we are proud to associate ourselves with so many democrats
who are striving to create better lives for their citizens.
Liberal democracy has prevailed, yet it has not yet prevailed everywhere. This will be the work of a generation
or two. It brings to mind the words of Winston Churchill who said about the battle of Alemagne when the armies
of General Montgomery had defeated the forces of General Rommel in the first significant victory by the allies
in the Second World War. "This is not the end", he said, "it is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is perhaps the end of the beginning." So too can it be said today, as we contemplate the past triumphs
and the continuing challenges that confront the movement towards democracy to which all of you are so deeply committed.
Some of us are still in disbelief that this forum actually happened. It was truly a cooperative effort by staff,
donors, hosts and participants. Prime Minister Eryani, President Saleh, Les Campbell and others have been duly
recognized. But if there was one individual who was there when this idea was conceived, who criss-crossed more
continents, made more telephone calls, cajoled and bludgeoned more prospective donors, and did what was necessary
to produce results, it was Labor Minster Mohammed Al-Tayeb. And I want to recognize him. By his sheer tenacity
and hard work, he persevered day in and day out on every detail of this conference. With his cell phone almost
surgically implanted on his ear and with the full backing of the President and Prime Minister he simply helped
make this happen. And Yemen probably will never be the same again. He was a true partner and we learned a great
deal from his good humor and willingness to roll up his sleeves and get things done. He gave us the confidence
that we needed.
We recognize also that the challenges for the conference in the future is built upon the relationships established
here. And NDI will be seeking your guidance and advice in the days, weeks and months ahead. And since NDI rarely
gives much notice, we will be asking each and every one of you to keep your bags packed. So thank you very much.
Kim Campbell: Colleagues, in the course of our discussions on democracy we've spoken a great deal about
popular participation. But democracy also requires leadership and visionary leaders are essential to making leaps
in our society, to making leaps in the things that we value. I don't believe that we would have had the kind of
participation at this conference if people did not realize that it had the full support of the President of Yemen
and that's why I am very pleased to turn over the podium, to turn over the floor, to His Excellency Abdullah Saleh,
President of Yemen who has been supportive by his presence and by the operation of his government right from the
beginning. Your Excellency, thank you. President of Yemen.
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