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PERU CONTRIBUTES FUNDS TO STRENGTHEN OAS ELECTORAL AREA

The government of Peru today made a voluntary contribution of $25,000 to strengthen the work of the Organization of American States (OAS) on election-related issues in the Americas. The funds will help finance the so-called “exploratory visits” carried out during the preparatory phases of the respective Electoral Observation Missions.

The OAS Assistant Secretary for Political Affairs, Dante Caputo, accepted the donation presented by the Permanent Representative of Peru to the OAS, Ambassador Antero Flores-Araoz, during a brief ceremony held at the hemispheric body’s headquarters.

In thanking the Peruvian government, Caputo noted that for the OAS, observation missions are a central activity, adding that “I believe we can do them well, as we do, because of countries that cooperate with us.” He added that this year the OAS hopes to accompany at least three member states during their electoral processes, including the general elections of Guatemala next September and the referendum in Ecuador scheduled for April 15.

Caputo recognized that this contribution “implies a political gesture” by the Peruvian government, which he stressed that the OAS greatly appreciates. “We are aware that this is a grain of sand in this vast sea that is necessary for electoral observations, but it is a gesture that demonstrates confidence in the OAS, recognition of what it is doing and gratitude for all it has done,” said Ambassador Flores-Araoz.

The Peruvian diplomat, for his part, underscored the significant track record of the OAS in his country in this area, emphasizing that in the last decade some missions were “blind, deaf, and mute, and today we see with satisfaction how this has been changing and how the missions have become extremely successful.”

The OAS has observed ten electoral processes in Peru since 1992, including general and municipal elections, referendums and elections of a Constituent Congress. The mission that observed the 2000 presidential elections stands out in particular, as it pointed out serious irregularities that significantly affected the credibility and transparency of the electoral process. In the case of the two elections observed in 2006, the credibility of the political and social actors was evident, and the OAS recognized both electoral processes as fair, free and transparent.

“I believe that democracy, to persevere, also needs vigilance—and this vigilance known as Observation, carried out by the OAS, has been extremely efficient in general terms. The outcome has been highly positive and we have to express our gratitude,” concluded Flores-Araoz.

Also attending today’s ceremony were the Alternate Representative of Peru, Luis Castro; the Director of the Department for the Promotion of Democracy, Elizabeth Spehar; and Moises Benamor, Principal Specialist from the Secretariat for Political Affairs.

Reference: E-055/07