United States President George W. Bush today received Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza at the White House, where they exchanged views on such issues as the role of the OAS in promoting democracy and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere.

The President and the OAS Secretary General also spoke about the organization’s upcoming General Assembly session that will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from June 5 to 7. It will be Insulza’s first. In their wide-ranging discussions, they also touched on the agenda for the General Assembly. The Inter-American Democratic Charter and foreign policy in the region featured prominently in the discussions.

Ahead of the Fort Lauderdale event, Bush and Insulza also exchanged views on such other issues as regional stability, multilateralism, and the foreign policy of OAS member states. Bush and Secretary General Insulza will meet again during the Fort Lauderdale General Assembly session.

Accompanying President Bush during the White House meeting with the OAS head were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; National Security Council member Stephen Hadley; Thomas Shannon, Special Advisor to the President and National Security Council Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs; and US Ambassador to the OAS, John Maisto.

Reference: E-106/05