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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">May 2, 2005 <i>(4:20 EDT)</i><br>
No. 76</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">CANADA WELCOMES ELECTION OF NEW
OAS SECRETARY GENERAL </span></span></p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today welcomed the election of José Miguel
Insulza of Chile as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Canada welcomes the election of Mr. Insulza as Secretary General of the OAS,” said
Minister Pettigrew. “I am pleased to have been able to contribute to the rallying of a
large majority of member states behind a single candidate. Canada’s objective
throughout the process has been to ensure that the OAS remains strong and united.” </p>
<br>
<p>“The OAS faces many challenges, as does the hemisphere. Mr. Insulza will have to
begin tackling these issues at the earliest opportunity. We look forward to working
closely with him on Canada’s hemispheric agenda of peace, democracy and prosperity.
We call on all member states to join us in supporting the Secretary General elect so
that, under his aegis, the OAS can play its constructive role in the hemisphere to the
fullest.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The election took place during a special session of the OAS General Assembly, held at
the OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mr. Insulza, the current Chilean Interior
Minister, was elected for a five-year term. The OAS is the primary political forum of the
Americas and is composed of 34 active member states. Canada is the second largest
contributor to the organization. The year 2005 marks Canada’s 15th anniversary as a
member of the OAS. The next regular session of the OAS General Assembly will be
held from June 5 to 7, 2005, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, under the theme “Delivering
the Benefits of Democracy.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p>For more information about the OAS and the upcoming General Assembly, please visit
the OAS Web site at <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221004448/http://www.oas.org/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.oas.org</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000">.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000"> </span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #000000">- 30 -</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221004448/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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