Organization of American States

(E-170/01)
August 14, 2001

In his maiden address to the Permanent Council today, the Permanent Representative of St. Kitts and Nevis renewed that government's commitment to the Organization of American States and warned against allowing the focus on hemispheric summits and budget cuts to affect development programs he described as vital to some nations. 

Ambassador Izben C. Williams stressed that "summitry and development programming are by no means mutually exclusive, and hence funding for both at any particular time could and should be rationalized and prioritized."  

He stressed too that he would be raising awareness of the peculiar issues surrounding development for small island states.  He challenged the Permanent Council, noting that despite the realities of size, population and GDP for small developing states, "we as an Organization have set sail together and must work together optimistically to weather the uncertainties of this changing global environment."  

Turning to the proposed Inter-American Democratic Charter being readied for adoption at a special OAS General Assembly session in Peru in September, Ambassador Williams said that when it comes into effect, it would help stave off "new and subtle threats to our mostly fledgling democracies," helping to tackle such challenges in ways consistent with the legal and political structure in place.  He said the proposed charter "attempts to secure in our Hemisphere a future plentiful in freedom, hope and promise for our citizens."            

            Ambassador Williams, who presented credentials at the OAS on July 20, identified other OAS areas of priority interest for his government, including fellowships, technical cooperation, tourism, the environment, HIV/AIDS, and arms and drug trafficking. 

            In his capacity as Permanent Council chairman, Costa Rica's Ambassador to the OAS, Hernán R. Castro, presided at the meeting that also established Committees and elected their respective chairs.

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