(E-026/01) February 2, 2001 PERUVIAN ENVOY TELLS OAS THAT RULE OF LAW SETTLED THE CRISIS   The Ambassador of Peru to the Organization of American States, Manuel Rodríguez Cuadros, told the Permanent Council today that the constitutional crisis that gripped his country a few months ago was resolved only by applying the democratic resources provided by the rule of law. In his first address to the OAS' second highest decision-making body, Ambassador Rodríguez Cuadros explained that the crisis arose because the rule of law was disrupted and democratic life was restricted. "As the crisis came to a head, Peru's political actors, political parties, civil society and Peruvians themselves resorted to their commitment to democracy to bring resolution," he added. The Peruvian envoy thanked the OAS, Secretary General César Gaviria and all the countries that showed concern and helped resolve the crisis through democratic means. "This was certainly a useful addition that was also crucial to Peruvians' efforts to solve their own problems themselves," he remarked. Turning to the top issues on the hemispheric agenda, the Ambassador noted that democracy is central to the institutional and legal structures of the inter-American system. Elaborating, he said that "more than just a political regime, democracy also has to do with human rights and the right to be part of the legal and political system needed for fundamental liberties and human rights to be exercised." He also touched on a Peruvian initiative for the OAS to draw up a democracy charter of the Americas, declaring that several countries have already thrown their support behind this, and that "Peru will take an active and dynamic role in all aspects of this endeavor." He also underscored Peru's commitment to the inter-American war on drugs, declaring that "we view this as an internal ethical obligation; as a firm policy on morality; and to keep corruption out of the institutions of society and the state." The Permanent Council Chairman was joined by a number of delegations welcoming the new Peruvian envoy to whom they pledged their full cooperation. **********