OAS at 60: Is it mature enough to solve regional challenges?

Caracas, Venezuela, 1 June, 2008. Today,  Organization of American States (OAS) started its XXXVIII General Assembly in Medellin, Colombia, devoted to youth and democratic values. It has certainly been a long and difficult road to its 60th anniversary. Regional changes have some times been resolved by its mediating hand. Other times, it has blundered badly and other regional organizations- likethe Rio Group- had to take heed. However, there is still much expectation on the role the 34-state-members OAS can play in the Twenty First Century. Just now, it will have to deal with the continuing crisis between Ecuador and Colombia. Both countries entered a very dangerous path after Colombian military and police forces entered Ecuadorian territory illegally to attack a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) camp. During the incursion 26 people died including FARC No 2 leader, Raul Reyes, and an Ecuadorian citizen. Since that incident Bogotá and Quito broke diplomatic relations. Despite OAS mediation, there is no prompt resumption in sight.

As expected, Ecuador and Colombia made it to the OAS agenda again today. Ecuador asked OAS to revise the content of the laptop that allegedly belong to FARC leader Raul Reyes. Few days ago, INTERPOL published a forensic report confirming Colombia had not modified the laptop. However, it could no certify its origin. Today, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, Maria Isabel Salvador, urged OAS to carefully analyse the documents found in the laptop. Bogotá has used them to accuse both Quito and Caracas of backing FARC. Ecuador and Venezuela have said they contacted FARC for the only purpose of liberating hostages. During the inauguration ceremony, OAS General Secretary -Jose Miguel Insulza- stated that the FARC laptop documents have aggravated the regional crisis. Its publication did not help appeasement at all, Isulza added.   On the other hand and speaking at the OAS inauguration, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe stated tonight that his country had no war prone attitude towards its neighbours.

Sources: Globovision, RNV, Unionradio, VTV, YVKE, El Universal, El Nacional, BBC Mundo, OAS, RCN, El Tiempo,Caracol , El Colombiano, La Nación,  

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