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STATEMENT FROM THE OAS SECRETARY GENERAL DURING VISIT TO COLOMBIA

  February 13, 2008

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, met today with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Vélez, at Casa Nariño, headquarters of the Executive Power in the South American nation.

During the meeting, both dignitaries discussed the Colombian Peace Process, including the situation of the demobilization of the paramilitaries, their reinsertion and initiatives of a humanitarian nature.

Following the meeting, the Secretary General briefed the President’s press corps on the issues discussed with President Uribe.

During the briefing he called for a mutual understanding between Colombia and Venezuela underscoring that “the tone of the dialogue concerns us more than the discrepancies that can exist between the countries.” The head of the hemispheric body added that in his opinion “I don’t believe that there are major motives of conflict among Colombia and Venezuela.”

In this regard, Insulza called on all governments to “discuss the issues in a respectful and reasonable fashion.”

Reference: E-037/08