MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mexico and Chile, strongest candidates for OAS

Mexican Foreign Affairs minister Luiz Derbez admitted that Chilean Minister of Interior Jose Miguel Insulza is “a strong rival” for the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, OAS. However Mr. Derbez trusts he will finally prevail because, Mexico is a “leader” in the region.

"Of course I'm confident in winning but currently it's a process with two candidates", said Mr. Derbez, who nevertheless admitted that if this does not happen, "I will continue in my post as Mexican Foreign Affairs minister".

Insistent rumours in Mexico City indicated that in either option Mr. Derbez would be leaving the Mexican cabinet.

The Mexican government "would have preferred a regional consensus as to the OAS candidate, but well, we have another person, a great and very capable person", indicated Mr. Derbez.

On assessing the Mexican candidacy, Mr. Derbez pointed out there are several elements which favour Mexico: first the country; second "the positive relation with our neighbours in the Caribbean, Central America, with whom we're talking, United States and Canada".

Besides when the 34 nations decide "they will have to take into account that Mexico has been working hard for regional integration, and this must be considered", said Mr. Derbez.

"If you look the main issues of the OAS agenda for which Mexico has been fighting they are, democracy, human rights, social affairs, and Mexico has shown leadership in the three fields, a leadership which is acknowledged". Mr. Derbez said the next step was to present the two candidates programs to the OAS Council and once this happens "wait and see how the voting works out"

The winning candidate needs at least 18 out of 34 votes.

Meantime in Santiago candidate Mr. Insulza said that before leaving his post, either to become the next OAS Secretary General or because President Lagos requests it, "I hope to have the constitutional reforms and human rights legislation approved by Congress".

Mr. Insulza said that the brunt of the lobbying for his candidacy will be undertaken by the Chilean Foreign Affairs Ministry, "I'm merely an instrument of them".