MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Strengthening democracy.

Upholding and strengthening democratic governance figures as top priority of the Organization of American States, OAS, 33rd. General Assembly agenda that begins this Sunday in Santiago de Chile.

The event that extends until next Tuesday will be officially opened by President Ricardo Lagos and will have among its participants the United States Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"Globalization presents the world with new challenges that must be addressed with an effective exchange of experiences", indicated Mr. Esteban Tomic, Chile's OAS Ambassador.

Deputy OAS Secretary General US Ambassador Luigi Enaudi indicated that it's almost certain that the Assembly will ratify the Convention against Terrorism.

This is the third time Chile hosts the OAS general assembly. Previously it did in 1976, during dictator Pinochet's regime and in 1991 when Chile recovered democracy.

The assembly also takes place during a historic moment for the continent since all its members have democratic elected governments.

"Latinamerica is full of problems, but they are different, less abrupt", than in the seventies when most countries were ruled by military dictatorships said Mr. Enaudi.