MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US open to a “consensus candidate” for OAS post

United States is considering “all alternatives” for the election of the Organization of American States next Secretary General and doesn't discard supporting a consensus candidate, said Friday US Under Secretary for Hemispheric Affairs Roger Noriega.

"All alternatives must be considered" said Mr. Noriega when asked about Washington's support; Mexican Foreign Affairs Minister Luiz Ernesto Derbez, Chilean Interior Minister Jose Miguel Insulza, or a third candidate. "It's up to these governments, (Mexico and Chile) if they wish to keep the candidacies of these gentlemen. But there might be other candidates interested in the post, so we are holding consultations", admitted Mr. Noriega after participating in a State Department forum in Washington. As to a third consensus candidate, Mr. Noriega said, "I've heard from several governments that maybe that is the solution".

Last Monday after five rounds of voting tied in 17 votes for Mr. Derbez and Mr. Insulza, OAS decided to call another ballot among its 34 members next May 2.

United States, Canada, Central America and a few South American countries supported the Mexican candidate. Mercosur and most of the Caribbean preferred Mr. Insulza.

"We've consulted with these two governments and they are insistent in keeping their candidates; but we've been talking to other governments to determine how the hemispheric community would like to work out a process that leads to a strong leadership and supporter of common values", highlighted Mr. Noriega.

Peru and Panama have openly confirmed their interest as "consensus" candidates.

Meantime Chilean President Ricardo Lagos is scheduled to meet next Monday in Sao Paulo with Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva to consider the strengthening of Mr. Insulza's candidacy for the May 2 voting.

"Brazil was our first supporter and we want to make sure this event doesn't become a clash between Washington and Caracas", said a Chilean diplomatic source.

From Sao Paulo Mr. Lagos will fly to Ecuador and Venezuela both supporters of Chile's candidate.

Venezuela's vice-president Jose Vicente Rangel from Caracas ratified his country's support for Mr. Insulza and accused Washington of creating an "artificial candidacy" by voting for Mr. Derbez.

"Latinamerican sovereignty, nationalism and patriotism tied with the "empire"", indicated Mr. Rangel who argued that Washington's original candidate Francisco Flores from El Salvador was "disqualified" for running "because he supported the aborted two days coup against Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in 2002".