Permanent Council of the OAS / Commitee on Hemispheric Security

PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

COMMITTEE ON HEMISPHERIC SECURITY

OEA/Ser.G
CP/CSH-89/97
18 November 1997
Original: Spanish

STATEMENT BY THE FIRST VICE-CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEMISPHERIC SECURITY ON THE EDUCATION FOR PEACE PROGRAM

The Declaration of Santiago on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures recommended the application of various confidence-building measures, including the development of education for peace programs. At its twenty-sixth regular session, through resolution AG/RES. 1409 (XXVI-O/96), the General Assembly requested that the Permanent Council, through the Committee on Hemispheric Security and with support from the General Secretariat, draw up general guidelines for the Education for Peace Program.

In this context and without prejudice to the work being done by the consultant hired by the General Secretariat to cooperate with the Committee in this task, I should like to submit guidelines to the delegates for their consideration in order to begin to reflect on the subject of relations between civilians and the military in the Hemisphere, which should be a basic component of an education for peace program like the one envisaged.

We view education as a process for the transmission of skills and experience between civilians and the military intended primarily to bring about better understanding and mutual confidence that may serve to maintain and strengthen peace and consolidate democratic institutions. This educational process entails the holding of seminars, workshops, round tables, etc., in which this exchange will take place.

It should also be noted that the Organization can make a relevant contribution to the exchange of skills and experience on the main questions involved in relations between civilians and the military in the Hemisphere. The broad concepts raised by the Caribbean states, included in the Framework Treaty on Democratic Security in Central America, warrant reflection and could be considered through a process of dialogue between the civilian and military sectors.

In this connection, the Committee on Hemispheric Security might wish to consider the advisability and possibility of convening a Meeting of Experts in Civilian and Military Relations to exchange views on how to implement this idea.