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INAUGURATING GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN CHILE, OAS SECRETARY GENERAL UNDERSCORES APPLICATION OF DEMOCRATIC CHARTER IN VENEZUELA

Inaugurating the thirty-third regular session of the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly in Santiago, Chile, on Sunday evening, Secretary General César Gaviria cited Venezuela as “undoubtedly the best example of comprehensive application of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.” He noted as well that very little had changed in the situation in Haiti since July last year.

Gaviria updated the gathering—which included Chilean President Ricardo Lagos and the Foreign Ministers of the Americas—on the OAS-facilitated agreement reached in Caracas, Venezuela, on May 29, as well as on the Forum for Negotiation and Agreement, supported by the Carter Center and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In pursuing the mandate, he said, “we strove to prevent political turbulence, social unrest, and huge demonstrations in a highly polarized environment from translating into violence and disregard for the rule of law and the constitutional order.”

He said although the Forum for Negotiation and Agreement had concluded its mandate, it would be available to assist the parties with any significant problem that may arise. He called on Venezuelan institutions as well as the government and the opposition to settle any remaining differences within the terms of the agreement. “We are prepared to keep monitoring developments, as both parties have instructed us to do.”

On the situation in Haiti, Gaviria said “The Assistant Secretary General and I, as well as the Groups of Friends and the Director of our Special Mission, believe that the Government of Haiti must take the necessary steps to ensure that free, fair, and transparent elections are held, under the terms established in the [Permanent] Council resolutions.” He went on the declare, “We cannot allow our member country most afflicted by social problems and underdevelopment to gradually lose its democratic way, nor must we accept it. I trust that this is the mandate of this Assembly and that we will work with renewed vigor.”

The OAS Secretary General also surveyed political developments around the Hemisphere and, citing Argentina, observed that President Kirchner’s government “is ushering in an era of hope, with an enormous economic, political, and social task ahead.” Mr. Gaviria noted that the multilateral financial institutions, especially, the International Monetary Fund, “are assuming decisively and realistically their share of responsibility in ensuring that Argentina is fully reintegrated into the international financial system.”

He also referred to the “significant success achieved by the new administration of Brazilian President Lula in his economic policy,” noting that “his leadership has restored a good dose of trust not only in Brazil, but also in the entire region.”

Gaviria lauded as well Ecuador’s economic stability under President Lucio Gutiérrez; Colombian President Alvaro Uribe’s progress in advancing that nation’s democratic security policy to tackle drug-related terrorism; and the holding of fully democratic elections this past year in several countries of the Hemisphere.

Welcoming the Chile-United States free trade agreement signed recently, the Secretary General said, “We all hope that the negotiations under way on the formation of the FTAA will conclude by the established deadlines and yield equitable, balanced results that take into account the interests of all the sub-regions.”

Reference: GA-04-03