July 11, 2000

OAS SPECIAL MISSION TO PERU APPOINTS MISSION SECRETARY TO PERU 

The Organization of American States (OAS) Special Mission to Peru, headed by Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy (in his capacity as Chair of the OAS� 30th General Assembly) and OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria, today announced the appointment of Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Eduardo Latorre as Special OAS Mission Secretary.  

Foreign Minister Latorre, who will leave office mid-August, will represent Foreign Minister Axworthy and Secretary General Gaviria in their capacity as Heads of the Special Mission.  

His mandate is to encourage the dialogue between different sectors of Peruvian society and the government, monitor the process of strengthening democratic institutions in Peru and the implementation of the recommendations made by the Special Mission to and accepted by the government and different sectors of Peruvian Society during its visit to Lima June 28 -29.  

Foreign Minister Latorre will report regularly to Minister Axworthy and Secretary General Gaviria with respect to the Peruvian Government�s progress in implementing the Special Mission�s proposals and meeting the objectives set forth by the Special Mission:  

- reform the administration of justice and ensure the separation of powers;

- balance the protection of human rights and meeting national security requirements;

- ensure freedom of speech and of the media;

- ensure electoral reform;

- ensure civilian control over intelligence institutions and the armed forces. 

During his career, Foreign Minister Latorre has served as professor at a number of universities in the Dominican Republic and the United States, a newspaper columnist with El Siglo and Listin Diario, Executive Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Sugar Exporting Countries (GEPLACEA), and Executive Director of the Dominican Development Foundation. 

Foreign Minister Latorre will visit Lima shortly, and is expected to take up residence there soon. He will remain in Lima until all proposals made by the OAS Special Mission have been implemented.

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