Organization of American States

www.oas.org

 

(E-214/01)
October 17, 2001

DEMOCRACY MUST BE DEFENDED AGAINST NEW AND VEILED THREATS - PERU'S AMBASSADOR TO OAS

 

Peru's new Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States said today that the democracy clause adopted by the Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City and the Inter-American Democracy Charter adopted in Lima "are key elements of the new system for collective defense of democracy, to respond strategically to new and veiled threats to our democratic systems." 

            Delivering his first address to the OAS Permanent Council, Ambassador Eduardo Ferrero Costa explained that Peru is now building a freer and more just democratic society—where human rights and fundamental liberties are fully respected.  He said "Peru will continue to support firmly the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, all bastions of rights protection around the Hemisphere." 

            Noting that President Alejandro Toledo's government has launched a frontal attack on corruption—which undermines a society's basic democratic values and threatens political stability as well as economic growth—the Peruvian diplomat observed that "the fateful events of September 11 should move us to consider seriously the need for an all-out war on terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." 

            He went on to observe that, beyond mere statements of condemnation and solidarity, the OAS must provide a much stronger response based on joint strategies and action.  "Within such a framework, the OAS would become the forum ideally suited to achieve those objectives at the hemispheric level." 

            Ferrero Costa also referred to such new security threats in the Americas as transborder crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, environmental degradation and extreme poverty, and called for a new collective security arrangement, with revamped mechanisms and institutions. "Peru will firmly support this exercise and provide concrete assistance to overhaul our security system to meet the challenges and needs of the new international arena," he declared. 

            Ambassador Ferrero Costa noted that Peru has been promoting the adoption of concrete measures leading to effective and gradual defense spending limits in the region.  He explained: "Along with our Chilean neighbors, we have taken the first steps towards standardizing the system of measuring defense spending, for greater transparency and cooperation in this area."

 

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