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(E-034/01)
February 14, 2001

 

THE REGION IS STILL FACES SERIOUS CHALLENGES,
SAYS MEXICO'S DEPARTING AMBASSADOR TO THE OAS

 

Claude Heller today completed his term as Mexico's ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), saying that while the region has made great progress towards democracy, "there remain serious challenges on the horizon that could lead to the disillusionment of broad sectors of our population, and the resurgence of authoritarian tendencies".

Ambassador Heller said that "our societies are becoming increasingly impatient for effective solutions to such issues as corruption, surging crime rates, the weakening rule of law, extreme poverty, inequity, lack of opportunity and social exclusion, none of which democracy and economic liberalization have by themselves been able to resolve". Responding to these demands, he added, "is a real challenge for democracy as a political system in many of our countries."

Addressing the OAS Permanent Council, he expressed his gratitude for the many demonstrations of appreciation for his work over the last three years, and noted that today the Organization's efforts enjoy wide recognition in many areas of the regional agenda. "The OAS is the most representative institutional forum we have, and the only one where North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America can come together to pool the strength of their history, their cultural richness and their diversity", he added.

The Chair of the OAS Permanent Council, Ambassador Esteban Tomic of Chile, hailed the many qualities of Ambassador Heller, and cited his "active, cogent and intelligent participation in all bodies of the organization". The OAS Secretary General, Cesar Gaviria, noted that the last three years have been a time of transformation for the OAS, and "Claude Heller has been a champion of this political shift, of this change in direction, not only in Mexico but in the entire inter-American system."

During the session, several ambassadors pay tribute to ambassador Heller and the significant contributions that he has made to the inter-American agenda.

 

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