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OAS SPECIAL ENVOYS PRESENT REPORTS ON PERU AND NICARAGUA

The elections held in Peru on April 9 represented an important step in the country’s democratic and institutional development, the Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS), Lloyd Axworthy, said today, in an oral report to the OAS Permanent Council.

“While there is some room for improvement, the democratic commitment is very clear and I think sends a very strong signal to the entire hemisphere,” Axworthy said. The former Canadian Foreign Minister recalled that in 2000, as President of the OAS General Assembly, he and the OAS Secretary General at that time led a special mission to Peru, which supported a process of dialogue and institutional reform. The recent general elections, the first held under new electoral laws, showed the country’s capacity and commitment to implement a system that is transparent and reliable, Axworthy said.

“It now gives a foundation to be built on for future reforms, for future improvements in the system,” he said. In his report, Axworthy made recommendations for future elections, including for the second round of voting in the presidential contest, which will take place during the next few weeks and will also be accompanied by the OAS Electoral Observation Mission. Axworthy mentioned, among other factors, the need to improve the information system at the polling stations to avoid confusion, as well as concern about the publication of opinion-poll results in the last days before the elections, a practice prohibited by national law but common among international media with results available on the Internet.

Peru’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, Ambassador Luis Fernando de la Flor, thanked the observers and underscored the importance of their “technical and impartial” collaboration, particularly given the closeness of the vote in the presidential contest. He offered assurances that “all the efforts of the government of President Toledo are focused on the successful completion of the second electoral round.”

For his part, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza noted that OAS observation missions can provide a valuable seal of approval, contributing to greater confidence in the electoral system. However, he said, successful elections can never depend on the presence of an international mission. “Without the willingness, civic spirit and determination to carry out a clean, transparent election, and without the dedication of citizens, it is certainly not possible for such elections to take place,” Insulza said.

During the same regular meeting of the Permanent Council, chaired by Ambassador Ellsworth John of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an oral report was also presented by the Special Mission to Accompany the Democratic and Electoral Process in Nicaragua, which observed elections held March 5 in that country’s Atlantic Coast region. The Chief of Mission, Gustavo Fernández Saavedra, reported on the elections to elect members of the Regional Council, which took place in a peaceful, normal atmosphere.

Fernández Saavedra referred to these regional elections as a “test run” for the national elections that will take place November 5. He reviewed the complex institutional situation in Nicaragua and reiterated the importance that the OAS mission maintain its independence, without taking sides or giving the impression of taking sides with any of the political actors.

“It is not the responsibility of the Organization of American States to determine how to overcome possible institutional difficulties within a country, but rather to note its permanent concern for ensuring that all conflicts are resolved within the rule of law and that each of the institutions is able to fulfill its functions,” he said.

Nicaragua’s Ambassador to the OAS, José Luis Velásquez, cited an opinion poll indicating a high level of distrust among Nicaraguan citizens toward their electoral authorities, and asked the OAS to focus on particular aspects of the election system.

The Secretary General expressed optimism about the upcoming elections in Nicaragua, based on the positive experience in the regional elections, and offered assurances that the OAS mission will begin its work in the field within a month. He said that this will be a large, high-level mission, reflecting the “permanent concern” of the OAS regarding the country’s complex situation.

Reference: E-096/06