MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OAS session start today.

The 24th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) began in Quito yestarday with a minute of silence in memory of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and speeches by Ecuadorian President Lucio Gutierrez and OAS Secretary-General Cesar Gaviria.

Instead of focusing on the political and economic crisis in his country, Gutierrez spoke of the principles that guide the OAS.

Protests are expected in Ecuador on Monday, particularly by Indians who believe the president is a traitor for breaking electoral promises, but Gutierrez made no mention of discontent among the indigenous population.

Before his speech, Gutierrez requested a minute of silence for the victims who died in torrential rains and floods in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. With regard to Ecuador, Gutierrez said his country is ready to "develop cooperation mechanisms" and that international collaboration is needed to fight corruption. "My first act as president was and still is to ask our allies to return to their countries of origin all those people who stole public and private funds, not only from my country, but from any brotherly nation that suffered the same calamity," Gutierrez declared. Gutierrez, who wants corruption to be the focus of the 24th Assembly, said corruption "is a global problem that demands global action. It is a monster with multiple heads and manifestations that threaten stability in our nations."

On the other hand, Gaviria provided a summary on his 10 years at the helm of the organization and cited poverty, social exclusion and inequality as the main challenges for democracy in America. "The challenges and problems that our people face have grown exponentially, due to interdependence and globalization," he said, as he praised the OAS and regional diplomacy for "taking huge steps towards the peaceful resolution of conflicts." Gaviria recalled that during the Americas Summits in Miami, Santiago, Quebec and Monterrey, the OAS "had received new mandates for democracy, human rights, government, the FTAA (Free Trade Agreement of the Americas), education, equality, and the fight against poverty and social exclusion."

Upon reflecting on the crises he faced during his two terms as general secretary, Gaviria expressed concern about Haiti, "a case too difficult for the OAS." "After many years, we have a great sense of dissatisfaction," said Gaviria, as he pointed out that "there had never been true democracy in Haiti" since Jean-Bertrand Aristide had returned to power in 1994. He also highlighted the fact that the battle against poverty in Haiti "did not reach the pace" expected by the international community.

Regarding his recent mission to Venezuela, Gaviria said that "a critical step has been taken in compliance with the May 2003 accords which were mediated by the OAS, the Carter Center and the United National Development Program." He praised the Venezuelan people for demonstrating "civility and democratic maturity" and that "the Chavez government has been strengthened for having complied with Article 72 of the Constitution," despite the national crisis over whether or not to hold a recall referendum that might end his mandate.

"The way in which the president accepted the result (of signatures requesting a referendum), means that intense democratic competition and respect for the state of law" will be seen in the near future, Gaviria remarked.

He also praised Venezuela's opposition Democratic Coordinator for offering "support and trust" and the National Electoral Council for working with "diligence, transparency and efficiency" during difficult times.

The OAS working sessions are set to start today. One of the tasks at hand is the election of former Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodriguez as the organization's new secretary general.