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III. GENERAL SECRETARIAT

Chapter XVII of the Charter establishes the attributes and functions of the General Secretariat, the central and permanent organ of the OAS, which has its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The Secretary General, elected by the General Assembly, heads the General Secretariat, is its legal representative and participates with a voice but no vote in all meetings of the Organization. The Secretary General may bring before the General Assembly or the Permanent Council any matter which, in his opinion, may affect the peace and security of the Hemisphere or the development of the member states. It is the Secretary General's duty to establish the necessary units in the General Secretariat, determine the number of staff members, appoint them, regulate their powers and duties, and set their levels of compensation.

The Assistant Secretary General, who is also elected by the General Assembly, acts as secretary of the Permanent Council. He serves as advisory officer to the Secretary General, whose duties he performs during the latter's temporary absence or disability. He acts as the delegate of the Secretary General in all matters which the latter entrusts to him.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL

1. Unit for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD)

Established by the Secretary General under Executive Order No. 90-3, dated October 15, 1990, pursuant General Assembly resolution AG/RES. 1063 (XX-0/90) of the General Assembly, the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy is active in implementing a support program for such member states as request advisory services or assistance in preserving or strengthening their political institutions and democratic processes. The Unit executes its work plan under the Program of Support for the Promotion of Democracy, adopted under Permanent Council resolution CP/RES. 572 (882/91).

The guidelines and specific areas of action of the Unit are defined in the Work Plan for the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy, approved by the Permanent Council on March 9, 1994 (CP/CG-1326/93 rev. 3), according to which activities in support of the member states focus primarily on electoral institutions and processes, including electoral observation, lawmaking bodies, and education for democracy.

In addition to technical assistance and direct advisory services to democratic institutions, the purpose of several of the UPD projects is to assist academic institutions in developing a body of knowledge and information on the theory and practice of the democratic system of government, the training of experts and staff members, and the upgrading of institutions devoted to the study of democracy.

Under Executive Order No. 95-6, dated July 25, 1995, the Secretary General set up the following sections in the UPD: Office of the Executive Coordinator, Strengthening Democratic Institutions, Electoral Technical Assistance, Information and Dialogue/Democratic Forums, and Special Programs.

Democratic Institution-Building

Projects in this area are geared to the strengthening, consolidation, and expansion of democratic institutions of government and society in the Hemisphere.

The Institute of International Relations and Studies for Peace (IRIPAZ) is the executing agency for the project on education for democracy. One of its objectives is to organize available information and conduct studies on the topics of legitimacy and citizen participation under a democratic political system. This could help to consolidate the peace process and national integration by upholding respect for the rule of law, the exercise of human rights, and ethnic and cultural diversity in Guatemala. Another objective is to improve civics programs in the rural education system. Work in these two areas has helped strengthen local political institutions by promoting participation and a better understanding of the legal system governing political institutions. A database is being developed in order to disseminate information on these matters. The results of the studies will be published in 1996.

The second project, on the prevention and settlement of conflicts in local communities, is a pilot project and was devised jointly with the Secretariat for Peace, Development, and National Reconciliation of the Office of the President of the Republic (SEPAZ) and the National Fund for Peace (FONAPAZ). Its primary objective is to promote the negotiated settlement of local conflicts. This is being done amid the current peace negotiation process and is intended to foster favorable conditions during the post-war national reconciliation period. The overriding goal is to promote a "culture of dialogue" and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The project helped in the formation of citizen groups known as Units for the Prevention and Settlement of Conflicts (UPRECOs) to facilitate the prevention and negotiated settlement of conflicts and to assist in training for development of a governmental negotiating team. This effort required the organization of a series of seminars and training workshops in civic education, settlement of disputes, and negotiation for groups consisting of rural community leaders that are to form the UPRECOs. During the pilot phase, three UPRECOs will be set up, two in rural areas and one national unit. The project includes a study and report on conflicts that tend to break out at the local level, a database, and a "map" of potential conflicts. Once the pilot phase is completed, the UPD plans to launch the execution phase, in which additional UPRECOs will be formed throughout Guatemala.

Electoral Technical Assistance

This area provides technical assistance to electoral institutions in the member states in order to encourage transparency and efficiency in electoral processes by identifying technologies and proven new approaches that could be used in different countries as applicable. Included are the training of electoral officials; development of information and documentation centers; assistance to electoral institutions in scrutinizing and correcting voter registries and keeping electoral records; and assistance concerning electoral legislation reform holding of elections, and other fields. The working group that handles this area also conducts studies on electoral infrastructure needs and coordinates efforts to meet such needs through assistance from other international organizations. In addition, it assists the General Secretariat in its electoral observation missions. Ongoing country projects are as follows:

Information and Dialogue. Democratic Fora

The main objectives of the area are to set up an administrative and documentation system on democratic development for UPD staff areas of the General Secretariat and the member states. Plans call for keeping records and reports on past and ongoing activities, national constitutions, electoral codes, and other codes concerning various spheres of public, private, and international law, as well as databases on institutions and professionals active in this field. In this connection, a bibliography and inventory of specialized materials is being prepared, together with the expansion of existing databases on UPD projects, institutions, and experts in specialized areas of democratic development, plus a registry of election and/or human rights observers. In the area of dialogue, a democratic forum was held on October 12, 1995, on the topic "One year after the return of constitutional government: the challenges of consolidating democracy in Haiti." Two distinguished speakers and four panelists took part in the forum, which was attended by a wide range of participants. A summary report is being drafted for publication. Preparations are also under way for the 1996 schedule of fora.

Insofar as UPD publicity and publications are concerned, work was completed on six volumes in Spanish and two in English on various reports pertaining to electoral observer missions carried out by the General Secretariat. The purpose of these editions, which will begin to be published in 1996, is to publicize the outcome of observer missions among the general public and specialized audiences in academic or electoral institutions and organizations.

Special Programs

The area regroups those initiatives that go beyond technical cooperation or general support services into projects of broader range. Such projects generally represent substantive and comprehensive support involving large amounts of financial and human resources from the General Secretariat, acting through the UPD, as well as a significant presence in the field.

Regional Projects

Mine Clearing in Central America

Administrative and managerial support to the demining project in Central America conducted jointly by the UPD and the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB) continued in the form of designing and/or updating efforts in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In order to secure additional funds for mine clearing, a series of meetings were held with beneficiaries and potential donor countries. In this connection, a presentation was made jointly with other countries from the region at a United Nations conference on this matter held in Geneva from July 5 to 7, 1995. In Honduras, the first two (training) phases of the mine clearing program were completed and the third phase was begun. The latter consisted of demining operations by the Honduran army under IADB supervision. Similar programs are expected to be launched soon in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Support to the Central American Security Commission

With a view to organizing a series of seminars in the region on the new concept of security, the Unit collaborated with the aforesaid Commission and the General Secretariat of the Central American Integration System (SICA). Some of the topics to be explored are: changing world conditions and the new security outlook, the new Central American approach to democratic security, security and the rule of law, nonmilitary threats to security, and military aspects of security. After the seminars are held, a document thereon will be published.

Guidelines for Electoral Missions

In late 1995, a project was begun on guidelines for electoral missions in order to prepare written guidelines and a manual for tasks related to missions dispatched by the General Secretariat to observe elections. Both activities will be based on past experiences and information obtained through consultations with technical experts and outside observers. The guidelines and manual will help to enhance the professionalism, efficiency, and transparency of missions conducted by the OAS.

Country Projects

International Commission for Support and Verification (CIAV) - Nicaragua. Over the past six years the OAS International Commission for Support and Verification (CIAV/OAS) in Nicaragua has taken an active role in assisting with the demobilization and return to the community of former combatants in the Nicaraguan conflict. The initiative has been broadened to include all those directly affected by the conflict, under a multifaceted program that includes monitoring and verification of the exercise of human rights, institution-building in former war zones, and economic and social development programs. At its 1995 regular session, the OAS General Assembly extended the CIAV mandate for another year. This most recent phase focused primarily on strengthening local networks of human rights workers in former war zones and the gradual overall transfer of CIAV responsibilities and duties to governmental and nongovernmental institutions in Nicaragua. The projects included: (1) assistance in forming peace commissions; (2) support to the Supreme Electoral Council; (3) support to the Nicaraguan Agrarian Reform Institute; (4) support to the National Municipal Development Institute; (5) two projects to support the rehabilitation of former combatants in the Department of Nueva Segovia; (6) support for human rights monitoring; and (7) participation in the Tripartite Commission.

Special mission to Suriname. The mission was established in 1992 with two primary objectives: (1) to assist in the peace process; and (2) to promote and strengthen democracy. During this period it conducted five major efforts:

  1. 1996 electoral process: (a) assistance to the Ministry of Home Affairs in drawing up a global plan of action, approved by the Council of Ministers, for the elections scheduled for May 1996; (b) technical support and computer training for the office of the Special Advisor for the Elections; (c) technical assistance and support in implementing the project to update voter rolls in the interior of Suriname; (d) workshops and training sessions for elections personnel; and (e) assistance with election preparation projects.

  2. Peace agreement: The Mission, which acts as an observer on the Commission for Evaluation of the Peace Agreement, assisted the commission members in designing a database with which to survey needs in the interior and conduct a more systematic evaluation of progress in implementing the Peace Agreement.

  3. Land property rights: assistance to the Commission on Land Property Rights of the Ministry of Natural Resources in preparing a pilot project to inventory and survey 20 localities in the interior and usable natural resources.

  4. Succession at the municipal level: the Mission conceived, prepared, and published guidelines for the election or appointment of members of municipal councils or municipal leaders at predetermined intervals or following the death or resignation of a municipal leader.

  5. Strengthening of national institutions: the Mission began to provide resources and training for modernizing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the area of communications and information.

Mission to observe elections in Peru. The Unit coordinated an observer mission to cover the elections held in Peru on April 9, 1995. The primary objective was to observe the organization and administration of the various phases of the election process. An additional objective was to work with the government, political parties, and the public in assuring the integrity and transparency of elections.

The observer mission comprised of three phases: pre-election, election, and vote-counting. The last included an analysis of the preliminary tally on election night, which made possible a rapid assessment of the elections. The final report on the mission was submitted by the Secretary General at the special meeting of the Permanent Council held on May 26, 1995.

Mission to observe elections in Guatemala. A mission was conducted to observe the general elections held in Guatemala on November 12, 1995, and the second round, held on January 7, 1996. In addition to its function as observer, the mission began to assess the possibilities of improvements in the election process and increased voter turnout. This was followed by related seminars when election time was over.

Mission to observe elections in Haiti. In 1995, two missions to observe elections were conducted in Haiti. Following the preparatory work by four election experts, the first mission was carried out from April to October 1995 to observe parliamentary and municipal elections during that period. These elections consisted of two phases and three partial elections, all of which were observed by the OAS Electoral Observer Mission (MOE). During the electoral process, the mission's activities were coordinated with those of the OAS/UN International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH). In November, the Haitian Government asked the General Secretariat to organize a mission to observe the presidential election scheduled for December 17, 1995. A second mission was organized immediately for that purpose and remained in Haiti until the end of the electoral process. As in the earlier case, its activities were coordinated with the MICIVIH.

2. Trade Unit

The Trade Unit was created by Executive Order No. 95-4, dated April 3, 1995, which incorporated the Foreign Trade Information System (SICE) into the Unit. The Unit is charged with supporting the member states in monitoring decisions adopted on trade matters in the Hemisphere. It is responsible for technical support to the Special Committee on Trade; studying various aspects of hemispheric trade relations; ensuring effective coordination with regional and subregional integration agencies; and upgrading trade information systems.

Support for the Special Committee on Trade and its Advisory Group

In the Plan of Action adopted at the Summit of the Americas, the heads of state and government of the Hemisphere asked the Special Committee on Trade (CEC), with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and other specialized regional and subregional agencies, "to assist in the systematization of data in the region and to continue its work on studying economic integration arrangements in the Hemisphere, including brief comparative descriptions of the obligations in each of the Hemisphere's existing trade agreements." The CEC was also asked to draft a preliminary report on its work and submit it to the meeting of trade ministers scheduled for June 30, 1995, in Denver.

Meetings of the Advisory Group

The CEC had support in carrying out those tasks from the Advisory Group, composed of representatives from nine countries: Brazil, Canada, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, the United States, and Venezuela. During its third, fourth, and fifth meetings, held respectively, on April 6 and 7 in Antigua, Guatemala, and on June 1 and 2 and October 16 in Washington, D.C., the Advisory Group received and examined periodic reports prepared by the Trade Unit on the compendium of trade and integration agreements, and from the IDB on the analysis of tariff structures and rules of origin in the region. It also reviewed a report drafted by the Trade Unit, entitled "Towards Free Trade in the Americas," which includes a few considerations on topics pertaining to the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The Advisory Group also defined the terms of reference for a study on the special needs of small-scale and relatively less developed economies in the Hemisphere, and analyzed a report on dispute settlement drafted by the Inter-American Juridical Committee (CJI).

The Group also analyzed the activities of the Foreign Trade Information Service (SICE) and, given the need to expand its coverage and convert it into a collection of databases on trade disciplines throughout the Hemisphere, agreed on the drafting of a proposal, with the backing of Canada Statistics, for a useful, cost-efficient system that would not duplicate other systems. With respect to its future work program, the Advisory Group agreed on the importance of concluding the work it already has under way: (a) expanding and finalizing the analytical compendium on trade agreements in the Western Hemisphere; (b) completing the comparative analysis of tariffs and rules of origin being prepared by the IDB; and (c) conducting a study on the problems that confront the smallest and relatively less developed economies, pursuant to the terms of reference set by the Advisory Group.

Second Regular Meeting of the CEC

In order to draft its preliminary report for the Meeting of Ministers of Trade in Denver (June 30, 1995), at its second regular meeting, held in Montevideo, Uruguay, on June 14 and 15, 1995, the Special Committee on Trade considered the following studies: (a) Analytical Compendium on Agreements Currently in Force in the Hemisphere; (b) Protectionism, Elimination of Preferential Tariffs, and Rules of Origin in the Americas; and (c) Towards Free Trade in the Americas.

  • The compendium on trade and integration agreements in the Americas is a technical analysis of eleven agreements (The following agreements were analyzed: World Trade Organization, MERCOSUR, Andean Group, Central American Common Market, Caribbean Common Market, North American Free Trade Agreement, Group of Three Agreement (Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico), and a group of four bilateral free trade agreements concluded by Chile with Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.), divided into four sections. The first contains a general examination of the objectives of the agreements' trade policies, their structure, and their provisions on accession, withdrawal, and settlement of disputes. The second concerns the basic disciplines relating to market access, including trade regulation in such areas as emergency measures. Section three is devoted to services, investment, intellectual property, and competitiveness policy, and includes government procurement and the regulation of state-owned enterprises. Section four covers four industrial sectors which, in some instances, are subject to special trade provisions: energy sharing, textiles and clothing, automotive trade, and trade in farm commodities.

  • The study of tariff structures and rules of origin examines protectionist structures in the Americas, tariff preferences, rules of origin, and other topics that arise in regional and subregional trade and integration agreements. The study has broad coverage and required the creation of a major database on tariffs and rules of origin. It also provides key information on tariffs applicable to third countries and offers a few preliminary suggestions on how the subject of rules of origin might be dealt with at the hemispheric level.

  • The report entitled "Towards Free Trade in the Americas" is based on the analytical compendium and the study of tariff structures and rules of origin, and includes a few preliminary conclusions thereon. Exchanges among the trade and integration agreements in the Hemisphere are studied, and such agreements are described. The report examines the issue of regionalism and multilateralism with reference to the Hemisphere. One of its chapters deals with an analysis of hemisphere-wide free trade and the status of the less developed countries. Possible future approaches as the countries in the region move towards reciprocal trade liberalization are also considered.

  • The Special Committee on Trade decided to annex the three documents to its own report for presentation to the Meeting of Ministers of Trade in Denver as a contribution on the part of the institutions that issued those documents.

  • The CEC decided to focus its future work, i.e., until the next meeting of Ministers of Trade, in March 1996, on the following areas:

Expand the OAS's analytical compendium of the trade and integration agreements in the Hemisphere to include the agreements not contained therein, to furnish additional information on the tasks covered, and to deepen the analysis by considering ongoing events. Request opinions from the countries and the subregional organizations.

Complete the comparative analysis, drafted by the IDB, of tariff structures and rules of origin in the Hemisphere so as to broaden its coverage at the sectoral and country levels, and develop a way to disseminate the information in the study's database and make it available to government authorities and the private sector.

Begin the analysis of some of the issues pinpointed in the Plan of Action of the Summit of the Americas, pursuant to the priorities set by the trade ministers such as tariff and non-tariff barriers, agriculture, subsidies, investment, intellectual property rights, government procurement, technical barriers to trade, safeguards, health and plant health measures, antidumping and countervailing duties, dispute settlement, and policies on competitiveness.

Conduct a study on problems facing the small and relatively less developed economies, pursuant to the terms of reference set by the Advisory Group.

Examine tasks related to upgrading and interconnecting existing databases in the secretariats of the regional and subregional integration and cooperation organizations, and offer suggestions for the use of such databases, including the SICE, to support the negotiation process with information on trade and trade policies.

In carrying out this work program, the CEC hopes to receive continued support from the OAS-IDB-ECLAC mechanism of institutional cooperation. The CEC expressed its view that this tripartite arrangement can provide major support to the countries of the Hemisphere in their efforts to bring about the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), including the provision, on request, of technical and analytical support to such working groups as the trade ministers may establish at their meeting in Denver. The CEC also expressed support for the efforts being made to enhance cooperation between the OAS and other specialized regional and subregional organizations.

Other Activities of the Trade Unit

In addition to supporting the Special Committee on Trade and its Advisory Group, the Trade Unit is engaged in five main activities.

  • Organization of the next special meeting of the CEC, scheduled for late February 1996, the main purpose of which will be to draft the Committee's final report for presentation to the trade ministers at their meeting in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, in March 1996. For this special meeting of the CEC, the Trade Unit is expanding the compendium on integration agreements to include others not listed in the first version: the ALADI agreements, the Mexico-Bolivia Free Trade Agreement, the Mexico-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement, and the agreements reached between Venezuela and CARICOM and between Colombia and CARICOM. In addition, the study on the problems of small countries as regards their future participation in FTAA is being prepared. This focuses on setting parameters for information on the treatment given the small countries of the region in the future free trade area.

  • Fulfillment of the mandates issued at the ministerial meeting in Denver. In paving the way for negotiations leading to the creation of the FTAA, the following working groups were set up at the ministerial meeting in Denver: Market Access, Customs Procedures and Rules of Origin, Investment, Rules and Technical Barriers to Trade, Health and Plant Health Measures, Subsidies, Antidumping and Countervailing Duties, and Smaller Economies. The trade ministers asked the OAS/IDB/ECLAC Tripartite Commission for support and technical assistance, and requested that its members draft appropriate studies within their respective areas of competence if so requested by the working groups.

  • The Trade Unit was assigned tasks by five of the working groups:

    • The Working Group on Smaller Economies, which met in Jamaica on August 28 and 29, asked the Trade Unit to conduct a study of existing international, regional, and subregional agreements and arrangements for the purpose of determining what treatment was accorded to the smaller economies. The working group asked that a comparative compendium on the treatment of the smaller economies in such agreements be prepared.

    • The Group on Rules and Technical Barriers to Trade met in Canada on August 31 and September 1, and asked the Trade Unit to compile an inventory of national rule systems, technical regulations, and agencies in charge of accrediting evaluations of compliance with technical regulations, on the basis of a written description to be provided by the countries. It is also to draw up a draft analytical framework for consideration by the countries at the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for December 1995.

    • The Group on Health and Plant Health Measures met in Mexico on September 18 and 19 to consider issues bearing on plant, animal, and human health as they relate to trade in farm commodities. In support of this effort, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), acting in conjunction with the OAS Trade Unit, will draw up an inventory of hemispheric regulations governing health and plant health measures.

    • The Group on Subsidies and Antidumping and Countervailing Duties met in Argentina on September 11 and 12. In support of the Group's activities, the Trade Unit will compile an inventory of export subsidies for farm products and any export practices that have similar effects, on the basis of information supplied by the countries; will prepare a compendium of laws and regulations relating to dumping, subsidies, and countervailing duties in the region and a study of existing disciplines in subregional agreements; will compile statistical information submitted by the members of the working group on actual cases of antidumping and countervailing duties (including information on measures currently in force); will compile available reference materials on conceptual and procedural approaches adopted in various regional and international forums with respect to the identification and notification of subsidies; and will compile proposals presented in multilateral forums to reduce or eliminate export subsidies and other practices with similar effects on trade in farm products.

    • The Group on Investment met in Costa Rica on September 4 and 5, and instructed the Trade Unit to prepare an inventory of bilateral investment agreements concluded in the region. This will also include treaties concluded with countries outside the region whenever a country in the Hemisphere has signed agreements of this type solely with said countries or whenever the treaties entered into by countries of the region with countries outside the Hemisphere contain special elements.

    All this work will provide the basis for recommendations to be made by the working groups at the meeting of trade ministers in Cartagena de Indias in March 1996.

    • To complement its analytical support and technical assistance to the working groups, the Trade Unit has launched an initiative to encourage private-sector involvement in efforts to establish the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). This initiative recognizes the substantial role that can be played by the business community and other sectors, such as nongovernmental and academic organizations, in sustaining the political impetus required for trade negotiations in the Hemisphere and in providing suggestions on appropriate trade policies. The Trade Unit's initiative regarding the private sector has focused on presentations before various groups concerning the FTAA process. Assistance has also been provided to the organizers of the "Business Forum of the Americas," which will be held in Cartagena in March 1996 jointly with the meeting of trade ministers.

    • Restructuring of the SICE. With the support of Canada Statistics, an evaluation of the SICE is under way. The purpose is to make the system more efficient by cutting costs and the constant use of information on the Internet. The traditional approach taken in designing the SICE is also being replaced to redirect the information system toward access for the countries to databases on norms and disciplines currently applied in the Hemisphere.

    • Publication of a monthly bulletin on topics relating to trade and integration in the Americas. The Trade Unit is preparing the prototype of the bulletin and intends to publish the first issue in early 1996 at the latest.

3. Department of Fellowships

The Department of Fellowships administers the fellowship programs of the Organization. It is responsible for applying the rules governing the granting of fellowships, and helps evaluate the training activities of the General Secretariat.

In compliance with the decision adopted by the General Assembly concerning guidelines for this service [AG/RES. 1371 (XXV-O/95)], a number of activities have been carried out to make the fellowship programs as effective and efficient as possible. The Department supported the member states' efforts to meet priority needs in terms of training human resources for their integral development in the socioeconomic, educational, scientific, technological, and cultural sectors.

A study was begun on the major aspects of fellowship programs keyed to regular undergraduate and graduate studies and specialized professional training at all levels. Among the areas considered were institution-building; more annual fellowships; joint programs with other international organizations, especially the IDB, and with observer countries; and the creation of a permanent student loan fund. It was proposed that stricter criteria, mechanisms, and procedures be followed in negotiating, publicizing, selecting, implementing, and evaluating all fellowship and loan programs. Bearing in mind that fellowship programs are a major component of technical cooperation programs, their coordination with the priorities of the Organization and with such policies and programs as may be instituted for CIDI is also being explored.

A system instituted the previous year to protect all fellowship holders in case of emergency or illness that may require financial outlays is also being improved. Efforts to distribute the Organization's fellowships more broadly among the educational centers of all the member states have continued. While over 90% of the total PRA (Regular Training Program) fellowships awarded in previous years went for studies in the U.S., during the 1994-95 period forty percent (40%) were awarded for studies at universities in the other member states. In order to get the most out of the budget, the ticket-purchasing agreement with OIM was reactivated to obtain substantial discounts. During 1995 more than 100 airfares were processed through this mechanism at a savings of over US$70,000.

Fellowships Awarded

Under the various training programs some 1,350 fellowships have been awarded at an estimated cost of US$8 million drawn from the Regular Fund. If the external resources attracted through the PEC (Special Training Program) courses with the observer countries and ADPD (Program in Training among Developing Countries) courses with the member states are counted, an estimated total of somewhat over US$10 million will be channeled into training services.

Fellowships under the Regular Training Program (PRA)

These fellowships are awarded for graduate studies involving specialization and research. The program is an important tool for providing university graduates with professional training at centers of excellence in the member states. The demand for PRA fellowships is substantially higher than the amount of funding presently available for that purpose. During the 1995-96 period, some 385 fellowships will be granted, including extensions, at an estimated cost of US$5.5 million.

Program in Training among Developing Countries (ADPD)

Fellowships awarded under the Program in Training among Developing Countries (APDP) are for courses in vocational or professional specialization, generally short-term, offered at educational facilities under the auspices of the governments of some of the OAS member states in the way of horizontal cooperation. For 1995 programming, offers were received from eight member states (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela) and one regional agency (APICE) for 111 courses involving a total of 1,155 fellowships. Financial constraints meant that only 45 courses could be organized, for a total of nearly 500 fellowships. The General Secretariat provided US$500,000; the estimated contribution of the participating countries is over US$1 million.

Fellowships Awarded in conjunction with the Permanent Observer Countries (PEC)

Under the Special Training Program (PEC), which is conducted jointly with some of the observer states, offers were received from Spain, Israel, Romania, and France during 1995 for 32 courses involving some 200 fellowships. Twenty-five courses were held, for a total of 140 fellowships, at a cost to the General Secretariat of US$350,000. The countries mentioned contributed US$1 million.

Special Caribbean Fellowship Program (SPECAF)

The purpose of this program is to award fellowships for the last two years of undergraduate study to nationals of the English-speaking Caribbean member states. In addition, specialization courses are held to train professionals in areas of special interest to the region. During 1995, seventy-two fellowships were awarded at an approximate cost of US$900,000.

Other General Secretariat Fellowships

The Department worked with various areas of the Secretariat to organize human resource training and development activities in a variety of specialized fields. With total fellowships numbering more than 200, the respective technical areas allocated US$350,000 for training efforts channeled to the member states. Special mention should be made of the courses/fellowships run by the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), which are funded from allocations made to the Department of Fellowships. In 1995, twenty-six fellowships were awarded, for over US$71,000. Since the member states give special priority to this activity, US$200,000 is expected to be set aside for 1996 activities.

Leo S. Rowe Pan-American Fund

This Fund offers supplemental non-interest-bearing loans to students from Latin America and the Caribbean for university study in the United States, as well as to OAS staff members for educational purposes. The number of loans granted to students from Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 115; some 27 loans were made to staff members of the Organization.

4. Office of the Inspector General

The activities of the Office of the Inspector General are carried out pursuant to Article 100 of the General Standards to Govern the Operations of the General Secretariat; the Budgetary and Financial Rules, Chapter XV; and Executive Order No. 95-05. These establish an internal auditing function to assist the Secretary General and the governing bodies in monitoring proper fulfillment of the responsibilities of the various administrative levels with respect to the programs and resources of the General Secretariat, so as to guarantee the systematic review of operating procedures and financial transactions carried out both at headquarters and by the offices of the General Secretariat in the member states. The Office verifies the observance of and compliance with established policies, rules, and practices for purposes of accuracy, efficacy, and economy.

Audits

As stated in the prior year's report, reporting directly to the Secretary General, the inspector general acts with full freedom and independence; has free, unrestricted access to records, documents, and papers both within and outside headquarters; and submits reports and recommendations to the Secretary General on the audits, inspections, and investigations conducted by the office he heads.

During the period March 11, 1995, to February 28, 1996, eleven audits were conducted, four on performance contract and seven directly. Seven audits were conducted at headquarters (Department of Financial Services, Cashier's office; Conferences; Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; Department of Material Resources, Fixed Asset Inventory; purchase of computer hardware; risk and analysis regarding the Internet project; and an audit of maintenance and guarantee procedures and controls regarding the General Secretariat's equipment). Four were conducted in the member states (special audit of CIAV/OAS in Nicaragua, and audits of the offices of the General Secretariat in St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Ecuador).

Other Activities

The Office of the Inspector General responded to inquiries on various aspects of the operations of the General Secretariat. It prepared quarterly reports on its activities, which were submitted to the Secretary General and, subsequently, to the Permanent Council.

In addition to follow-up on the recommendations adopted by the Secretary General, work continued on the review of the quarterly reports on customs clearances of shipments made by the offices of the General Secretariat in the member states.

The Office acted as observer at various biddings and at meetings of the Sales Committee. It also represented the General Secretariat as an observer at the fifth session of the General Assembly of the Latin American and Caribbean Institute of Auditing Sciences (OLACEFS), which was held in Lima, Peru, from November 26 to December 1, 1995. The Inspector General also sat in as an observer at the meetings of the Internet Committee.

5. Department of Public Information

The principal function of the Department of Public Information is to carry out an information and publicity program by means of such activities as the press, radio, television, photography, reference services, public relations, and production, in order to report on the OAS to the public in the member states, thus contributing to broaden knowledge and understanding of the purposes, programs, and achievements of the Organization.

Press

The news bulletins are now distributed through electronic mail.

The press area was actively involved in the development, design, and implementation of the OAS connection to the Internet. Almost a year later, the home page of the Organization is being modified to update information and incorporate new technological advances. The area runs a second-level page on the Internet called "This week at the OAS," which includes the calendar of activities and meetings, the Weekly Report, press releases, and announcements of events.

For publicizing priority news or activities, formats that highlight their importance were chosen: daily communiques on the electoral mission in Haiti, for example, were published in that form under the title "OAS in Haiti."

Photographic Service

Photographic coverage has been given to the major events taking place at the headquarters of the Organization and the sessions of the General Assembly held away from headquarters. Selected photographs continue to be transmitted to newspapers in the member states using the Leafax 35 equipment.

Television

Production of the series "Americas Alive" was begun. The series will publicize, by means of monographs, the Organization's programs and various facets of cultural, social, economic, and political life in the member states.

Radio

The Voice of the OAS continued its mission of publicizing the Organization's activities in its daily broadcasts to Latin America and the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean, the weekly program for Portuguese-speaking audiences, and two medium-wave broadcasts to the United States and the Caribbean. Radio press conferences were conducted, several events were broadcast live, and special reports were provided on request. Special satellite broadcasts were made of visits by presidents, prime ministers, and vicepresidents of the member states to OAS headquarters. With the participation of various radio stations in the Hemisphere, radio press conferences were held with the Secretary General, the Assistant Secretary General, the Chair of the Permanent Council, and a number of ambassadors. During the regular session of the General Assembly in Montrouis, Haiti, daily dispatches in Spanish and English were provided on request and broadcast on the Voice of the OAS. Coverage was given to other important events that took place at OAS headquarters. Meetings away from headquarters were also covered.

Outreach

Model Assembly

The model assemblies have continued to be held, with increasing success. Their goal is to familiarize secondary and university students with the OAS. At OAS headquarters, 500 students and 50 professors from 36 universities in the United States attended the fifteenth Model Assembly for university students; forty-eight secondary schools in the United States participated in the fourteenth Model Assembly for secondary students. In response to a request from the Government of Honduras, training activities were conducted in preparation for the first Model OAS General Assembly in Honduras, held in June 1995 with country officials, students, and professors attending.

Speaker Services

Trips were coordinated to allow OAS staff members to speak on subjects of interest to the Organization at seminars or other meetings held at academic, civic, governmental, diplomatic, and military institutions.

Tour Service

Guided tours of the Main Building and talks on the Organization were offered for groups visiting from the member states.

Reference Service

Information was provided on the inter-American system and on topics of hemispheric interest to different areas of the General Secretariat, the permanent missions, permanent observers, news media, academic and political institutions, researchers, students, and the general public.

Americas Magazine

The Editorial Board of Americas Magazine, created by the Permanent Council in 1993, met to consider a five-year plan known as "The Foundation and Future of Americas Magazine" (CP/JERA-2/95 corr.1). This plan, which stresses the need to increase magazine distribution and sales, was later submitted to the Permanent Council. The current Editorial Board, appointed by the Permanent Council, is composed of representatives from Barbados, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and the United States, and is chaired by the Permanent Representative of Ecuador. In 1995, six issues of Americas were published in Spanish and English. Over 50,000 copies of each issue were printed and distributed in the member states. The promotional campaign launched in December 1994 brought in 12,159 new subscribers in 1995. In December 1995, a new campaign to promote the magazine was begun. The installation of a desk-top publishing system, using Apple computers and programs, was completed. The six issues published in 1995 were put out using this new know-how and equipment, by dint of which spending on typography, coloring, design, and production was considerably lower. Americas also was responsible for the design and production of three issues of a new publication, OAS Today, and has helped in preparing other publications.

6. Office of Protocol

The Office of Protocol plans and coordinates official ceremonies of the political bodies of the Organization, the Secretary General, the Assistant Secretary General, the executive secretaries, and the assistant secretaries. It serves as liaison between the permanent missions to the OAS and the Department of State of the United States of America in matters relating to privileges and immunities of the members of the missions. It organizes and coordinates the use of the OAS Main Building for social and formal purposes.

The Office participated in protocolary aspects of official events and meetings and in diplomatic and social activities associated therewith. The OAS Directory of Missions and Heads of State/Government and Senior Government Officials of the member states and of the permanent missions and permanent observers to the OAS was updated and published. Officials of the permanent missions to the OAS were assisted with visa matters and similar issues.

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