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STATEMENT OF OAS SECRETARY GENERAL JOSÉ MIGUEL INSULZA REGARDING THE PASSING OF CHILEAN POLITICIAN EDGARDO BOENINGER

  September 14, 2009

“The passing of Edgardo Boeninger is a loss for all Chileans and all democrats in the Americas. As Chief of Staff in the Administration of the first democratic government of Chile, Mr. Boeninger was at the forefront of a successful transition process towards democracy in our country.

A tireless promoter of consensus and broad agreements in advancing the strengthening of institutions, he left his indelible mark in Chilean politics in one of the most crucial periods of its history. Mr. Boeninger continued his work as a Senator and as one of the main promoters of the 2005 Constitutional Reform, which erased all traces of authoritarianism from the Constitution; and as an active participant in all relevant national debates until the very day of his passing.

For all these reasons, he who has left us today will justly be remembered as on of the main architects of the new democracy and civil coexistence in Chile.”

Reference: E-290/09