E-199-01
October 1, 2001
OAS SECRETARY GENERAL CONDEMNS
ASSASSINATION OF FORMER COLOMBIAN MINISTER
OF CULTURE CONSUELO ARAUJO
Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General César Gaviria today conveyed his
sympathies to Colombia's Attorney General as well as family and friends and the government
of Colombia, following the assassination of that country's former Minister of Culture,
Consuelo Araujo Noguera.
Consuelo Araujo was, in the words of the Secretary General, "one of the
greatest promoters of our country's Atlantic region. She pioneered the establishment
of the Department of Cesar and did an exceptional job promoting the vallenata music to win
the hemispheric recognition it now enjoys. Within Colombia, she embodied the values
demanded of all our leaders: enthusiasm, dedication, willingness to serve and exceptional
devotion to public service."
The OAS Secretary General also strongly condemned
"this cowardly assassination at the hands of violent individuals who, in pursuing
their criminal acts, are causing untold damage to our nation and to peaceful coexistence
for our citizens."