Foreign Policy of Florida

May 5, 1998

Moderator: Kathleen Newland, Senior Associate, International Migration Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Panelist: Mark Schlakman, Special Counsel to the Governor, State of Florida

Ms. Newland welcomed Mr. Schlakman to the Carnegie Endowment and thanked him for coming to discuss Florida's role in migration and trade issues. Ms. Newland noted an increasing worldwide trend toward regional control of migration. In the Russian Far East, for example, regional administrations exert a large degree of influence over immigration policy, especially with regard to China. Mr. Schlakman, whose portfolio as Special Counsel to Governor Chiles includes refugee and immigration policy, has traveled widely in Central America and the Caribbean, the areas with the most policy implications for Florida.

Mark Schlakman: Mr. Schlakman stated that even though Congress defines Florida as an interior state, 1,200 miles of coastline and its proximity to the Caribbean really make it a Caribbean state. Miami, whose closest neighbors are Caribbean states, is the gateway to the Americas and thus a focal point of global trade. In view of its geographical location and its amazing cultural diversity, Florida has sought to strengthen its natural ties with Central American and Caribbean states. In addition to twenty offices abroad, whose representatives not only promote trade but also engage officials on salient topics such as migration, Florida has established an international volunteer corps with a rapid reaction capability. In 1996, Governor Chiles inaugurated the Florida/Haiti initiative, a significant effort by the state to help promote democracy and strengthen the economy in Haiti.

According to Mr. Schlakman, history has shown the consequences for Florida when it has failed to engage the Caribbean region. During the Mariel boat lift in 1980, when the federal response to this crisis was less than ideal, people lived in the Orange Bowl and set up camps throughout the city. Governor Chiles, who had witnessed this debacle during his term as a Senator, resolved at the time to avoid another Mariel. During the summer of 1994, Governor Chiles signed an executive order, declared a state of emergency, and was prepared to quarantine the Key West naval base if necessary. On balance, Florida's reactive capacity to Caribbean events has changed from a crisis mode to a controlled one. If Florida can position itself well, as it is now doing, it has an opportunity to reap the benefits from increased trade and contribute to humanitarian access in the region.

Mr. Schlakman emphasized that unlike the United States Congress, whose commitment to Haiti or other Caribbean states depends on the political winds, Florida's commitment to Haiti and the Caribbean will remain firm. As a Caribbean state, Florida does not have a choice.

To contact the panelist:
Mark R. Schlakman
Special Counsel to the Governor
State of Florida
Executive Office of the Governor
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
Telephone: 850-413-0574
FAX: 850-921-6311
E-mail: schlakm@eog.state.fl.us