MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Democratic Chart

Representatives from the Organization of American States, OAS, meeting in Lima, approved by acclamation, and urgently, the Inter-American Democratic Chart on request from US State Secretary Colin Powell who was forced to leave Peru because of the tragic wave of terrorist attacks in United States.

The immediate response to Mr. Powell's request was interpreted as evidence of the 34 countries support and solidarity with the United States, and rejection of terrorism.

"A true and terrible tragedy has befallen my country, but it has also fallen upon those who believe in democracy", said Mr. Powell addressing the OAS extraordinary assembly.

Minutes later and following the unanimous vote, Mr. Powell left the assembly applauded by all representatives. Actually Mr. Powell arrived in Lima Monday September 10th., and in spite of the bomb attacks the following day in New York and Washington, stayed on until the Democratic Chart was voted. "I wish very much to be here to express United States support to democracy in the hemisphere", stated Mr. Powell.

The Democratic Chart allows OAS to act severely against those countries that break or do not respect the democratic system and procedures, including mechanisms to exclude the culprit regime from the organization.

Peru that hosted the meeting was particularly enthusiastic about the Chart given its recent experience under exiled president Alberto Fujimori. On the other hand, Venezuela ruled by democratically elected former paratrooper Hugo Chavez and a close friend and admirer of Fidel Castro, had apprehensions about the definition of representative democracy.