May 2, 2005 (4:20 EDT)
No. 76

CANADA WELCOMES ELECTION OF NEW OAS SECRETARY GENERAL

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).

“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.”

“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.”

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.”

For more information about the OAS and the upcoming General Assembly, please visit the OAS Web site at http://www.oas.org.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca