Guatemala's President, Alfonso Portillo, announced today at the Organization of American States (OAS) that his government fully and unconditionally supports the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which he described as "one of the most important ground-breaking documents in the history of the Organization and for the Hemisphere's democracies."

The Guatemalan leader used his address before a protocolary meeting of the Organization's Permanent Council to praise the Peruvian-initiated charter proposal, noting that it "should be comprehensive in scope, with respect for civil and political rights¾ but especially economic and social rights¾ as the main foundation of democratic stability for our nations."

Thanking the international community for its "invaluable support" to his government during the events of last February, President Portillo thanked the Permanent Council as well as for its solidarity and support. He stressed the need to strengthen and improve the inter-American human rights system, "which is vital to consolidating the rule of law." The President also expressed support for the proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, stating Guatemala's hope that "a Declaration will be adopted setting minimum standards of respect for the coexistence and dignity of the indigenous peoples of the Hemisphere."

The President called for discussion on the impact of migration, with a view to "pursuing joint efforts to fight for full respect of the human rights of men and women." He said the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) has a fundamental role in combating poverty, and that the OAS must be mindful that "its relentless struggle to defend, promote and consolidate democracy can only come about alongside an equally sustained war on poverty, underdevelopment and inequity among our peoples."

In welcoming the Guatemalan leader, OAS Secretary General César Gaviria recalled that the signing of the peace treaties in 1996 had launched that country on a path of extremely difficult and complex political, economic and social reconstruction. "In tackling the challenge of building a modern and democratic Guatemala, rest assured, Mr. President, that the international community always stands ready to join any effort your country decides to pursue towards that noble goal," he stated. 

The Secretary General also hailed Guatemala and Belize on their "important move" to "find a solution to their differences" by resorting to mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of conflicts as provided for under the OAS Charter. Mr. Gaviria announced as well that both countries would be sending back ministerial delegations to Washington within three weeks to hear recommendations from the Panel of Facilitators.

Speaking as Permanent Council Chairman, Costa Rican Ambassador Hernán Castro welcomed President Portillo and reaffirmed the Organization's support for Guatemala's democratic institutions. He commended too the good will demonstrated by the Guatemala and Belize governments towards peace and understanding. "This is a policy of good neighborliness and should serve as our compass to resolve any difference that exists between or among states," said Ambassador Castro.

Ahead of the Permanent Council meeting, the Guatemalan President had deposited the instruments ratifying the Inter-American Convention against Corruption and the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Arms Acquisitions.

The Anti-corruption treaty was adopted in Caracas, Venezuela, in March 1996 and entered into force in March 1997. Adopted in Guatemala City in June 1999, the treaty on weapons transparency is yet to enter into effect.

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