Chilean leader calls for more flexible OAS

[bemildred]

The Bushites "never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity."

Chile's socialist president has called for a radical overhaul of the Organisation of American States, saying the most important regional organisation in the Americas must be “faster, more responsive and more flexible”.

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His comments come just over a week before a fiercely contested election for the post of OAS secretary-general pits a Chilean frontrunner against a rival candidate backed by Washington. The OAS represents 34 states and traditionally has been close to Washington.

Chile's candidate, José Miguel Insulza, is backed by the bigger South American countries including Brazil, as well as some smaller Caribbean states whose numbers could determine the outcome.

The US, however, is supporting Francisco Flores, the rightwing former president of El Salvador, whose government was one of the few in the region to send troops to support the allied occupation of Iraq. Canada favours Luis Derbez, the Mexican foreign minister.

MercoPress

[Robbien]

1. This election will be one to keep an eye on

Of course Columbia, Haiti, Costa Rica and El Salvador will back the US candidate. It will be interesting to see if the new "leftward" movement is real and holds together to put the Chilean candidate into the position.

[bemildred]

2. This election, and the Petrosur idea, and what Uribe does to save

his sorry ass seem like the critical things going on. Brazil's
declaration of independence from the IMF today is a straw in the
wind. High oil prices have many beneficial effects, some of them
not intended. Who knew when the Bushites invaded Iraq that a
consequence would be the removal of the manacles on South America?

But there is a lot of other stuff going on.

[Robbien]

3. It will also be interesting to see what comes out of the meeting today

with Spain. The US propaganda mill is spinning its main purpose is a plea by Uribe to get help controlling FARC according to the AP media blast in the last hour. Having Uribe in the mix is troublesome.

[bemildred]

4. I've been wondering what is up with him.

He's no fool, in his way, and it seems clear he's decided
not to take Uncle Sugar's side against his neighbors, at least
not in ways that are overtly suicidal. And he does have cards
to play, if he joins Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina that will
be a BIG deal, a big slap in the face for Noriega and Reich and
their minions. But he also has big problems, making the transition
from imperial stooge to something more legitimate, something that
can stand without support from the empire, will not be easy.

I do like the idea that Spain is getting involved in a postive way.
It's good to have something to be pleased with in the world, with
all the depressing crap in the Middle East and elsewhere.

[Robbien]

5. Paying attention to the situation in South America

is the only thing which keeps me sane these days. There appears to be some hope there while Carlyle, Bechtel and gang have a stranglehold on the rest of the world.

[Mika]

6. Unless the neocons try to pull a(nother) crazy move in Ven. or Cuba.

:scared:

[Robbien]

7. Well, I am not saying South America will win,

but it is the only place on the planet who appears to be resisting the corporate takeover. The MiddleEast may be fighting the US troops on the ground, but the leaders are all getting into bed with the privatization kings.

[Say_What]

9. Maybe, but CARICOM alone has 13 of the 34 votes...

My opinion is that CARICOM won't support TortureBoy and his cabal of war criminals--they have never recognized Latortue as pres. of Haiti and called for an investigation into the US-led coup that unseated Aristide. Also this from an article last week:

<clips>
...OAS 34 members will be voting next April 7 for OAS Secretary General among three candidates: Jose Miguel Insulza from Chile; Mexican Foreign Affairs Minister Luis Derbez and Franciso Flores former president of El Salvador.

Representatives lobbying for the three different candidates have anticipated victory, but Mr. Walker was more cautious.

“We’ve never wanted to count the votes with anticipation because we believe it’s a lack of respect for the 34 countries involved in the nomination process”.

Whoever is elected will take office in Washington sometime next June/July said Mr. Walker.

Interior Minister Insulza said he felt calm about the outcome of the voting and revealed he won’t be moving from Santiago.

“I don’t think it’s reasonable for me to travel to Washington, but I’ll be informed of what happens in the Foreign Affairs Ministers assembly”, underlined Mr. Insulza.

http://www.falkland-malvinas.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=5303

http://www.oas.org/main/main.asp?sLang=E&sLink=/OASpage/eng/latestnews/latestnews.asp

[Robbien]

10. So if Insulza wins, he plans to run the organization from South America

Very interesting.

[Say_What]

11. Yeah, loved that remark :-)

Tio Sam is completely isolated and the LatAm leaders are increasingly vocal in their messages to the Bushistas as Lula was today and Kirchner a week or so ago. Uribe is about the only remaining US lapdog down there.

[Robbien]

12. Next to Israel and the Saudis, isn't Columbia the biggest recipient

of our foreign aid? Uribe will have to walk a fine line here, but I believe he doesn't have the skills to keep both his neighbors and BushCo happy.

[Say_What]

13. Egypt, Israel, Colombia... in that order

Friends from Colombia believe that Uribe is basically being blackmailed by the Bushistas. That article posted above about his background might provide some insight into that.

This year the Bushistas are looking for nearly 600 million for Colombia, most of which goes to the military who in turn fund and train the paras. It's the paras who commit most of the atrocities and yet they're *negotiating* with them in *peace* talks :puke:

http://ciponline.org/colombia/aid05.htm

[Judi Lynn]

8. A wonderful step in the right direction.

There's no reason the OAS should continue to act as a puppet organization, serving those with the least at stake in Latin America.