Another Tico takes center stage!
From AMCOSTARICA.COM..
QUITO, Ecuador — The foreign ministers of the Americas by consensus Monday elected former Costa Rican President Miguel Ángel Rodríguez as the new secretary general of the Organization of American States. Rodríguez will succeed former Colombian president César Gaviria as head of the hemispheric organization for the next five years.
Rodriguez was elected during the organization’s 34th regular general assembly session, which opened Sunday. His candidacy was submitted by Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar Faja, who underscored Rodriguez’ professional and personal qualifications, while commending Gaviria’s "fruitful leadership" for the last 10 years.
The Foreign Ministers of Mexico, Luis Ernesto Derbez; Trinidad and Tobago, Knowlson W. Gift; and the Dominican Republic, Francisco Guerrero Pratz, underscored how the former Costa Rican leader’s vision and experience augurs well for the hemispheric organization.
Adding their support for Rodriguez’ candidacy were, among others, the foreign ministers of Chile, Maria Soledad Alvear Valenzuela; Belize, Assad Shoman; Bolivia, Juan Ignacio Siles del Valle; Colombia, Carolina Barco; Guatemala, Jorge Briz Abularach; and the head of Canada’s delegation, Daniel Hays, speaker of the Senate.
Accepting and expressing appreciation, Rodríguez pledged "to promote the inter-American ideals." He added, "We want to pursue freedom, justice and development so that every citizen of the Americas can enjoy a decent life and realizing his or her full human potential."
"I know the rudder belongs to the member states, and I pledge my utmost creativity and devotion in charting a happy course," he said.
Welcoming his successor’s election, Gaviria declared that "with the election of Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, the OAS will certainly enter a period of renewal and strengthening." He added: "President Rodríguez brings solid experience. He has served his country with distinction and is more familiar with the hemisphere’s problems than most. His discipline,seriousness and professionalism will bring a positive influence to bear on inter-American relations."
The United States delegation, headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell, was unusually silent on the election. No U.S. delegate took the floor on the matter, and Powell made no mention of Rodríguez in an earlier talk.
On behalf of the United States, Powell thanked Gaviria for his leadership and commended the Colombian for his decade of work.
Rodríguez served as President of Costa Rica from 1998 to 2002. He takes over in September.
From AMCOSTARICA.COM..
QUITO, Ecuador — The foreign ministers of the Americas by consensus Monday elected former Costa Rican President Miguel Ángel Rodríguez as the new secretary general of the Organization of American States. Rodríguez will succeed former Colombian president César Gaviria as head of the hemispheric organization for the next five years.
Rodriguez was elected during the organization’s 34th regular general assembly session, which opened Sunday. His candidacy was submitted by Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar Faja, who underscored Rodriguez’ professional and personal qualifications, while commending Gaviria’s "fruitful leadership" for the last 10 years.
The Foreign Ministers of Mexico, Luis Ernesto Derbez; Trinidad and Tobago, Knowlson W. Gift; and the Dominican Republic, Francisco Guerrero Pratz, underscored how the former Costa Rican leader’s vision and experience augurs well for the hemispheric organization.
Adding their support for Rodriguez’ candidacy were, among others, the foreign ministers of Chile, Maria Soledad Alvear Valenzuela; Belize, Assad Shoman; Bolivia, Juan Ignacio Siles del Valle; Colombia, Carolina Barco; Guatemala, Jorge Briz Abularach; and the head of Canada’s delegation, Daniel Hays, speaker of the Senate.
Accepting and expressing appreciation, Rodríguez pledged "to promote the inter-American ideals." He added, "We want to pursue freedom, justice and development so that every citizen of the Americas can enjoy a decent life and realizing his or her full human potential."
"I know the rudder belongs to the member states, and I pledge my utmost creativity and devotion in charting a happy course," he said.
Welcoming his successor’s election, Gaviria declared that "with the election of Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, the OAS will certainly enter a period of renewal and strengthening." He added: "President Rodríguez brings solid experience. He has served his country with distinction and is more familiar with the hemisphere’s problems than most. His discipline,seriousness and professionalism will bring a positive influence to bear on inter-American relations."
The United States delegation, headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell, was unusually silent on the election. No U.S. delegate took the floor on the matter, and Powell made no mention of Rodríguez in an earlier talk.
On behalf of the United States, Powell thanked Gaviria for his leadership and commended the Colombian for his decade of work.
Rodríguez served as President of Costa Rica from 1998 to 2002. He takes over in September.
