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OAS INSTALLS DIPLOMAT ALBERT RAMDIN AS NEW ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL

The Surinamese diplomat Albert R. Ramdin, as of Tuesday the second highest official of the Organization of American States (OAS), has challenged the member states to cooperate more vigorously to tackle central problems like development, poverty and democratic governability. Ambassador Ramdin said the OAS must provide leadership to discuss the underlying forces that cause social injustice, protest and instability—forces that “ultimately threaten democracy.”

Invested as the Organization’s Assistant Secretary General by the Permanent Council Chairman, Ambassador Roberto Alvarez Gil of the Dominican Republic, during a regular Council session Tuesday, Ambassador Ramdin pledged to work hard alongside Secretary General José Miguel Insulza to make the OAS a stronger, more relevant and more efficient institution. He also highlighted the need for member states to urgently address the Organization’s financial situation, noting as well a need for fresh approaches to examine the present quota system, “to better reflect member states’ capabilities and expectations, as well as increased mandates and the cost of implementing those mandates.”

Underlining the importance of the promotion of democracy and human rights, Ramdin argued, “It is critical not only that representative democracy develop and flourish but that elected officials entrusted with the noble duty of leadership always defend and promote the democratic interests and human rights of the people they serve.” He also urged the OAS to intensify its efforts to fight corruption and promote good governance.

The new Assistant Secretary General repeated elements of the vision he outlined upon being elected at the OAS General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, early last month, including increased focus on disaster preparedness and mitigation so as to identify and coordinate strategies to improve preparedness, coordinate regional policies, and promote better resource mobilization and support when disaster strikes. He said that “the increased prevalence of natural disasters is a tangible reminder of the changed dynamic of security in our Hemisphere.”

Ambassador Ramdin identified among “non-traditional threats,” such pressing issues as natural disasters, transnational organized crime, violence, HIV/AIDS and other pandemics, terrorism and trafficking in illegal drugs and small firearms, and called on member states to bolster existing hemispheric mechanisms such as the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), and expert groups on cyber crime, money laundering and corruption. He also suggested the OAS should become more engaged in fighting HIV/AIDS.

Secretary General Insulza commended Ambassador Ramdin to the Permanent Council, highlighting to the member state ambassadors as well as to the permanent observers, staff and other guests, the strengths the new Assistant Secretary General brings to the position.

Reference: E-147/05