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E-008/2000
Ambassador James S. Murphy of Belize on Tuesday assumed the chairmanship of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C., committing to the vision of an undivided hemisphere where peace, security and dignity would be the birthright of everyone.
"Our vision is of an America sustained by interdependence…in which all can take advantage of the new frontiers in science and technology, and where resources may be prudently used to satisfy the needs of this and future generations," said Ambassador Murphy as he accepted the gavel from the outgoing chairman, Ambassador Sir Courtney Blackman of Barbados.
The Belizean diplomat said the vision his country set out on joining the OAS nine years ago would continue to serve as a guide in dealing with the myriad issues on the Permanent Council’s agenda.
Chairmanship of the Permanent Council of member state representatives runs for three months, in alphabetical order of the countries, with the reverse alphabetical order for the vice chair. Panama will serve as vice chair of the Permanent Council, succeeding Paraguay.
OAS Secretary General César Gaviria and Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Christopher R. Thomas joined a number of ambassadors and OAS staff who witnessed the change-over of the hemispheric Council’s leadership.
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