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New Permanent Representative of Honduras to the OAS Presents Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Honduras to the Organization of American States (OAS), Leonidas Rosa Bautista, today presented his credentials to Secretary General José Miguel Insulza.

In a ceremony held at OAS headquarters in Washington, DC, Ambassador Rosa Bautista said his work as representative to the hemispheric organization will include "helping in the work of the organization in pursuit of strengthening democracy, strengthening human rights, achieving higher levels of security and helping to create conditions to spur the development of all our nations."

Furthermore, he explained that the Government of Honduras "is committed to the same objectives pursued by our organization and is working hard on issues that are also priorities to the OAS," among which he mentioned the respect for, promotion and protection of human rights, security and development.

"I am pleased to learn of the work the Organization in doing to improve the democratic system of government, especially the analysis of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and its possible “repowering,” he said. From the perspective of the government he represents, he said, it is "convinced that to maintain democracy is a job that requires constant effort and commitment and teamwork as the best way to accomplish it."

Secretary General Insulza welcomed the new Honduran diplomat and highlighted the importance of the support and presence of Honduras in the Permanent Council from the very moment the country was reincorporated to the organization. "It has been very important for us that from the day of the General Assembly in which the suspension was lifted, Honduras has had a strong presence and has managed to replenish its work as one of the founding members of the Organization.”

The head of the hemispheric organization referred to the many challenges the region is facing on issues such as crime, natural disasters and inequality, and explained that "all of these issues are part of the inter-American agenda the OAS leads and something we seek to work together on." The Secretary General also recalled the important role Honduras will play next year as Chair of the Permanent Council during the time of the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

Ambassador Rosa Bautista is a lawyer and teacher, and has combined his professional career in both the public and private sectors. He was a member of the National Constituent Assembly and part of the Drafting Committee for that Assembly. In 2001 he was elected Full Representative of the Francisco Morazán Department and later appointed as Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2005 he was elected Attorney General, a post he held until March 10, 2009.

The credentials presentation ceremony was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Honduras, Arturo Corrales, and other permanent representatives from OAS member countries.

A gallery of photos of the event is available here.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-929/11