Organization of American States

www.oas.org



(E-172/01)
August 14, 2001

 

U.S. AMBASSADOR STRESSES DEMOCRACY, FREE TRADE AND RULE OF LAW

 

            The new Ambassador of the United States to the Organization of American States, Roger F. Noriega, addressing the Permanent Council for the first time, emphasized the U.S. view that the Americas abounds with opportunities to build a Free Trade Area along with a community of nations "committed to common values of democracy, free enterprise and the rule of law." 

            He declared to today's regular sitting of the Permanent Council that "more prosperous and stable democracies make better partners in advancing our common interests" as he repeated a summary of priorities he had emphasized during his confirmation in the U.S. Congress—priorities he has set for his term at the OAS. 

            The U.S. diplomat hailed the proposed Inter-American Democratic Charter currently under discussion, calling it a "bold step that places the Americas at the forefront of world efforts to promote democracy."   He also praised the OAS for promoting "an agenda of trade and sustainable development that seeks to improve the material well-being of the Hemisphere."   

Ambassador Noriega noted as well that the United States will continue to support the faithful implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption and will continue strongly supporting such key OAS bodies as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, "each of which is a vital advocate for the rule of law in the Hemisphere." 

            He also listed the fight against illegal drugs and securing resources to help the OAS fulfill a growing number of mandates as priority areas he will pursue and, on the latter point, announced that the U.S. Congress had appropriated funds to pay the arrears on quotas to the OAS and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.  He said every effort is being made to make these funds available this calendar year.

           

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