protocoloW

A-56: PROTOCOL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN     
STATES "PROTOCOL OF WASHINGTON"                                                 


        ADOPTED AT: WASHINGTON, D.C, UNITED STATES                              

              DATE: 12/14/92

CONF/ASSEM/MEETING: SIXTEENTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE    
                    ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

  ENTRY INTO FORCE: 09/25/97   IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ARTICLE V OF THE PROTOCOL 

        DEPOSITORY: GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES  

              TEXT: 1-E Rev. OEA Documentos Oficiales OEA/Ser.A/2 Add. 3 (SEPF)

   UN REGISTRATION:   /  /    No.         Vol.       

      OBSERVATIONS: All States listed herein signed the Protocol of Washington  
                    on fourteenth day of December of the year one thousand      
                    nine-hundred ninety-two. The Government of Mexico made      
                    Declaration at the time of approval of the Protocol         

               GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE TREATY: A-56               

===============================================================================
SIGNATORY COUNTRIES    SIGNATURE REF   RA/AC/AD REF   DEPOSIT INST  INFORMA REF
===============================================================================
Antigua and Barbuda .   12/14/92         /  /           /  /          /  /     
Argentina ...........   12/14/92       03/17/94       03/27/94 RA     /  /     
Bahamas (Commonwealth   12/14/92       05/20/94       06/07/94 RA     /  /     
Barbados ............   08/05/94       07/08/94       08/05/94 RA     /  /     
Belize ..............     /  /         05/11/95       09/15/95 RA     /  /     
Bolivia .............   12/14/92       09/14/94       12/05/94 RA     /  /     
Brazil ..............   12/14/92       04/13/94       04/21/95 RA     /  /     
Canada ..............   12/14/92       08/26/93       10/04/93 RA     /  /     
Chile ...............   12/14/92       08/24/94       10/17/94 RA     /  /     
Colombia ............   12/14/92       05/17/96       07/03/96 RA     /  /     
Costa Rica ..........   12/14/92       05/02/95       11/20/95 RA     /  /     
Dominican Republic ..   12/14/92         /  /           /  /          /  /     
Ecuador .............   12/14/92       06/30/95       09/15/95 RA     /  /     
El Salvador .........   12/23/92       02/25/94       03/22/94 RA     /  /     
Grenada .............   12/14/92         /  /           /  /          /  /     
Guatemala ...........   12/14/92       01/07/99       06/30/99 RA     /  /     
Guyana ..............   12/14/92       01/08/96       02/28/96 ra     /  /     
Haiti ...............   12/14/92         /  /           /  /          /  /     
Honduras ............   12/14/92       05/22/96       06/04/96 RA     /  /     
Jamaica .............   12/14/92         /  /           /  /          /  /     
Nicaragua ...........   12/14/92       05/03/95       05/30/95 RA     /  /     
Panama ..............   12/14/92       05/12/95       09/15/95 RA     /  /     
Paraguay ............   12/14/92       08/26/94       10/06/94 RA     /  /     
Peru ................   12/14/92       09/18/96       09/20/96 RA     /  /     
Saint Lucia .........   12/14/92         /  /           /  /          /  /     
Saint Vincent and the   03/05/96       05/23/96       05/31/96 RA     /  /     
St. Kitts and Nevis .   12/14/92         /  /           /  /          /  /     
Suriname ............   12/14/92         /  /           /  /          /  /     
United States .......   01/28/93       06/07/94       06/20/94 RA     /  /     
Uruguay .............   12/14/92       12/04/97       12/17/97 RA     /  /     
Venezuela ...........   12/14/92       09/12/97       09/25/97 RA     /  /     
===============================================================================
REF = REFERENCE                                      INST = TYPE OF INSTRUMENT
       D = DECLARATION                                      RA = RATIFICATION
       R = RESERVATION                                      AC = ACCEPTANCE
INFORMA  = INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE TREATY               AD = ACCESSION

A-56 PROTOCOL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES "PROTOCOL OF WASHINGTON"

1.    Mexico:
     (Declaration made at the time of adoption)

     The Delegation of Mexico requests for the record that the following  statement by the Government of Mexico be appended to the corresponding  Protocol of Amendment:

"The Government of Mexico reiterates its bent for and commitment to democracy based on the strictest respect for and adherence to the principles of nonintervention and self-determination. Mexico has reacted swiftly and firmly to disruptions of the constitutional order on numerous
occasions in the past but remains convinced, nonetheless, that democracy is a process which comes from the sovereign will of the people, and cannot be imposed from outside. Mexico is categorically opposed to any attempt to disrupt the constitutional order in any country and further expresses a deep commitment to democracy and the amelioration of our political systems. It insists, however, that it is unacceptable to give to regional organizations supra-national powers and instruments for intervening in the internal affairs of our states.

The Government of Mexico maintains that the preservation and strengthening of democracy in our
region cannot be enhanced through isolation, suspension or exclusion, and hence believes that the wording on suspension of member states as approved here today, has changed the original purpose of our Organization.

Mexico is opposed to the punitive character ascribed to the OAS and reaffirms its conviction that
cooperation and dialogue are the most effective means of resolving internal conflicts within states or conflicts between states.

Consequently, the Government of Mexico is placing on record its opposition to these amendments to the charter as approved at the XVI Special Session of the General Assembly."

Text: Protocol of Washington