CP/RES. 892 (1507/05)

SUPPORT FOR NICARAGUA

 (Adopted at its session held on September 9, 2005)

THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES,

HAVING HEARD the report presented by the Secretary General and by his Special Envoy, Dr. Dante Caputo, on the outcome of the Mission to Nicaragua;

RECALLING that, in declaration AG/DEC. 43 (XXXV-O/05), adopted at its thirty-fifth regular session, the General Assembly called for the establishment of a broad national dialogue, with a view to finding democratic solutions to the serious problems that exist, with strict observance of the principle of the separation of powers and independence of the branches of government in the country;

REITERATING that the critical developments in Nicaragua severely jeopardize the separation of powers and the independence of the branches of government, which are essential elements of representative democracy; and

BEARING IN MIND the importance of respect for the democratic process of political institutions and the legitimate exercise of power in Nicaragua, including the restoration of the balance of powers within the state,

RESOLVES:

1. To state that the escalation of the institutional and political crisis in Nicaragua threatens the country’s democratic governance, the legitimate exercise of power, and the rule of law, with serious social and economic consequences, both now and in the future, for the people of Nicaragua.

2. To urge, in the strongest possible terms, that the parties concerned enter into a broad and constructive dialogue, free of pressures and threats and based on equal conditions, including the cessation of measures that have spurred an escalation of the institutional crisis, and that they respect the mandate freely conferred upon President Enrique Bolaños Geyer and the other elected officials by the Nicaraguan people.

3. To instruct that the Secretary General convey to the parties to this dialogue, with the urgency this situation requires, the concern of the Permanent Council; and, further, to stress the importance of action to maintain the system of democratic institutions and reach agreements that will preserve governance, the rule of law, and the country’s stability, in keeping with the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

4. To urge the immediate cessation of any action that could aggravate the political crisis in Nicaragua.

5. To continue its direct attention to the unfolding of events in Nicaragua and, should the urgency of the situation so warrant, to convene without delay a special session of the General Assembly, in accordance with the applicable instruments of the Organization of American States.

6. To express its support for the work of the Secretary General and his Special Envoy, Dr. Dante Caputo; and, further, to request that the Secretary General keep the Permanent Council informed of their efforts at all times.