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www.oas.org

(E-052/01)
March 2
, 2001

 

ARGENTINA CONTRIBUTES TO OAS ELECTORAL
OBSERVATION MISSION IN PERU

 

The Argentine government today donated $25,000 to the Organization of American States (OAS) to help finance its Observation Mission to Peru for the April 8 general elections.

Presenting the donation, Ambassador Raúl Ricardes said it demonstrated Argentina's desire to assist with democratization in Peru. He stated "the OAS Electoral Observation Mission will play a critical role as witness to Peru's democratization--a process in which Peruvians have invested so much effort."

Secretary General César Gaviria accepted the gift, noting that "to have been able to help restore full democracy to Peru through a democratic and peaceful dialogue involving the country's political and social actors" was perhaps one of the Organization's most rewarding experiences over the last decade.

"We all hope, " he added, "that the upcoming vote in Peru will yield a president who not only represents the will of the people, but also whose election the OAS will be able to certify as being free, transparent and democratic."

Last February 2, the government of Peru and the OAS signed an agreement for an OAS team of monitors to cover the April general elections. Former Guatemalan Foreign Minister Eduardo Stein is leading the approximately 50 election observers who will cover the Peruvian elections from various bases around the country. The observers include experts in electoral training, management and information systems.

 

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