Organization of American States www.oas.org Press Advisory                                                                                                                     October 29, 2001   OAS TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 11 EFFECTS IN THE REGION   The Organization of American States (OAS) will hold a Special Meeting of its Permanent Council on Wednesday, to consider the social and economic impact of September 11 on its member states.   The Council, among other issues, will address the strong effect that the events have had on the hemisphere’s economies, including the problem of increased unemployment in the smaller states whose main sources of income derive from tourism.   Security measures have slowed trade across borders, adversely affecting the movement of both manufactured goods and primary commodities. The slowdown in certain economic activities in the United States has reduced the flow of remittances to developing countries. Above all, uncertainties affecting air travel have dealt a devastating blow to the tourism industry, which was becoming the major source of growth throughout the Caribbean Basin. Many governments have had to divert resources from development to security related activities.   The Permanent Council will study these developments, and explore ways to address this situation.    WHAT:          Special Meeting of the OAS Permanent Council                 WHEN:          Wednesday, October 31                         10:00 a.m.   WHERE:        OAS headquarters                         17th Street & Constitution Ave., N.W.                         Washington, DC   **********