| Organization of American States
(E-184/01) August 29, 2001 BIDDING FAREWELL, JAMAICAN DIPLOMAT HIGHLY PRAISES OAS Ambassador Richard L. Bernal today delivered his final address to the Permanent Council, in his capacity as Jamaica's Permanent Representative, recalling Haiti's return to democracy in 1994 as "one of the most notable achievements" of the Organization of American States. "We have also sharpened our focus in meeting the challenges of a changing world," the Ambassador said of the OAS, adding that "these efforts have been rewarded by remarkable achievements in the promotion and consolidation of democracy, the protection of human rights, and the fostering of economic and social development throughout the Americas." Bernal, who also served as Ambassador to the United States, cautioned the OAS not to rest on its "laurels," in view of serious challenges such as illegal drugs, corruption, diminished resource flows to the OAS' Regular Fund and Summit mandates. Reflecting on changes he has witnessed during his nearly ten and a half years serving at the hemispheric Organization, Dr. Bernal remarked: "I have seen the operations of the OAS streamlined…. I have witnessed the re-dimensioning of its goals…. The long-term goal to which we are committed remains enshrined in our charter. Ambassador Bernal observed that the OAS "has proven itself, time and again, to be the leading hemispheric forum for political dialogue and for collective and concerted action aimed at finding solutions to political, economic and social challenges in the Hemisphere." He also praised the unwavering commitment to what he called "sustainable democracy," explaining that the OAS has "gone beyond the restoration of democracy, to the prevention of the break-down of democracy." He said the Organization's electoral observer missions and special missions have helped boost the credibility and transparency of the democracy and peace processes in several states "in very difficult circumstances." The Jamaican diplomat, who is returning home to take up duties as Chief Technical Advisor to the [Caribbean] Regional Negotiating Machinery, received glowing praise from the forum of diplomats, with the Permanent Council Chairman, Costa Rica's Ambassador Hernán R. Castro who presided at the meeting, singling out Bernal's "in-depth knowledge of the objectives that unite us." Grenada's Ambassador Denis Antoine spoke on behalf of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) delegations, describing the outgoing Ambassador as "widely regarded as the premier authority on the Free Trade Area of the Americas process." Honduras' Permanent Representative, Ambassador Laura E. Núñez, speaking for the Central American countries and Panama, made mention of the Jamaican Ambassador's outstanding leadership on the OAS issues, including the helping to raise the special security concerns of small island states and economies. Among others, Mexican Permanent Representative Miguel Ruiz Cabañas represented the views of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) countries when he described his Jamaican colleague as one of the most solid negotiators to represent Jamaica, CARICOM and the hemisphere. And, conveying the sentiments of the Secretary General as well, OAS Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi declared that Bernal's contributions to the hemispheric agenda were "always authoritative, reliable and helpful."
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