MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina—An agreement signed today by Bolivian Foreign Minister Armando Loaiza and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza paves the way for the organization to send a team of monitors to the country’s December 18 general elections, at the government’s invitation.

The OAS will next week begin deploying its team of officials and international observers who will cover the process before, during and after the elections in which Bolivians will elect a range of officials.

Having signed the agreement, Insulza underscored the importance the OAS places on the Bolivian government’s invitation, calling it an excellent opportunity to help strengthen the democratic process led by the country’s authorities. He said that with this move both President Eduardo Rodríguez’ government and the OAS are stressing transparency as vital to this expression of the popular will.

Meanwhile, the Bolivian foreign minister thanked the OAS, restating the importance Bolivians place on the hemispheric organization’s assistance through personnel and technical assistance to ensure free and fair elections.

Among those on hand to witness the signing were Peter Boehm, Canada’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, as well as member state ambassadors to the OAS, including the United States’ John Maisto, Bolivia’s Maria Tamayo and Brazil’s Osmar Chohfi.

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Reference: E-257/05