OAS DONATES BOOKS TO CANADA, TO MARK GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray accepted a collection of publications from Organization of American States Assistant Secretary General Christopher Thomas today, a gift for the people of Canada. The presentation took place at the Windsor Public Library.

The publications represent a sample of documents through which the Organization "seeks to assert its hemispheric role in disseminating the lofty ideals and values of the Americas," said Ambassador Thomas, who chairs the OAS Publications Board. He described the donation as part of the new thrust to develop and strengthen information, collaboration and exchange mechanisms that "are of strategic value for sharing the results of commitments undertaken in the Americas."

In praising the work of the OAS, the Canadian Deputy Prime Minister said the gift of books "will be put to good use for many years to come." Windsor’s Mayor Michael Hurst also joined the Deputy Prime Minister in commending the OAS and Thomas, who wraps up ten years as the Organization’s deputy chief. Tom Joy, Chairman of the Windsor 2000 OAS Volunteer Committee, was also on hand for the presentation.

The gift package includes more than 400 books and documents in the OAS’ four official languages—English, French, Portuguese and Spanish—and will be housed in a permanent reference section the Windsor Public Library has created for the 30^th OAS General Assembly that Windsor hosted from June 4 to 6.

*********