Role of Organization of American States (OAS) in the region discussed during official visit to Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, on a two-day official visit to Jamaica, underscored the Organization’s continued commitment to the promotion of social and economic development, democracy and security in the hemisphere.
Speaking at the University of the West Indies in Kingston today, Insulza highlighted key issues the OAS is addressing to better serve the interests and needs of its member states, emphasizing that integral development, peace and security, democracy and human rights are the Organization’s priorities.
“Our hemisphere has made significant strides in furthering social and economic development, but we still need to harmonize the many varying development plans and strategies so that we can make progress together,” Insulza said.
The Secretary General noted the challenges facing the small economies of the Caribbean in light of the loss of trade preferences for agricultural export commodities, but said he was “encouraged by the determination, purpose and resolve with which regional leaders are facing this and other challenges.”
“The establishment of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy stands as arguably the most significant achievement in the history of the Caribbean’s integration movement,” Insulza said. “Full integration will provide this region with the scale necessary to reduce your vulnerability to external shocks,” he added, as he pledged OAS support for this initiative.
Insulza also underscored the role the OAS has played in resolving regional conflicts peacefully, through dialogue and cooperation, as has been the case in Nicaragua, Ecuador and other countries. He noted the significant progress that has been made towards “a just and timely resolution” of some long-standing territorial issues, including those involving Belize and Guatemala.
He cautioned, however, that in the area of security and stability, Haiti continues to be a concern. “We as a region are truly committed to working together to promote peace and stability” in that country, he added. “I think it is significant that the Caribbean and Latin America have been overwhelming in their response to Haiti’s calls for support,” Insulza said. He added that “the support being provided by the Latin Americans is complemented by the Caribbean’s decision to readmit Haiti into the Caribbean Community. This is not only an important gesture of solidarity, but also a necessary step in helping Haiti reinsert itself into the global economy.”
The Secretary General also addressed the issue of Cuba and the OAS, explaining that the island “has bilateral relations with the majority of the OAS members, so I hope that the lack of dialogue about or with Cuba is only a temporary situation. We cannot help the people of Cuba if we cannot talk to them.” He stressed that it is the government of Cuba—“not the people and country of Cuba”—that has been excluded from active participation in the OAS since 1962.
Speaking about democracy in the region, Insulza noted that Latin America and the Caribbean have made significant progress. The prevalence of “free and fair” elections observed by the OAS last year, he said, “is a signal of how far we have come.” He also emphasized the significance of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, adopted in 2001, which he said establishes the principle that “governments not only have to pass laws via a democratic process, but their enforcement of these laws must also be democratic.”
During his visit to Jamaica, Secretary General Insulza will also meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, as well as with other high-level officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Anthony Hylton; Governor General Kenneth Hall; and Attorney General Senator A.J. Nicholson.
