Americas
an examination of current affairs in the hemisphere
If the OAS's Insulza Moves, So Should Canada
In 2005, the election of Jose Miguel Insulza as
secretary-general of the Organization of American States proved to
be a very contentious process, one that exposed the many divisions
in our hemisphere.
Thanks to Mr. Insulza's ambitions of running for the presidency of Chile, the OAS might soon find itself having to elect a new secretary-general. This is not a foregone conclusion, but as Mr. Insulza weighs his options, so do others within the OAS. The question is: Should Canada play a role in this scenario?
Mr. Insulza recently spent two weeks in Chile assessing and asserting the grounds for his candidacy. He is not the only one within the parties of the ruling coalition "Concertación" to make his aspirations public. The Socialist Party will choose its pre-candidate at the convention scheduled for the end of November. Mr. Insulza turned down suggestions of resigning from the OAS prior to the convention, yet committed to do so if he wins the nomination. But as things currently stand, Mr. Insulza faces an uphill battle, one that would demand the seasoned politico lives up to his nickname, "the panzer."
As Mr. Insulza's aspirations are no secret, Washington corridors are already abuzz with rumours and lobbying. If he leaves the OAS by the end of November, the current assistant secretary-general, Albert Ramdin, from Suriname, would become interim secretary-general and, according to insiders, he has hinted of aspirations of being elected to the position.
This, the sources say, is unlikely. Mr. Ramdin was elected assistant secretary-general with the support from both secretary-general candidates as they courted the Caribbean votes (Suriname is a member of CARICOM). Initially some doubted his capacity for the job, and although the low-key diplomat has proven capable of running the day-to-day works of the organization—not exactly Insulza's forte—he does not have the broad appeal required for secretary-general, nor does he speak Spanish, a real handicap at the OAS.
Within the OAS there is a tacit understanding—not always adhered to—that the sub-regions take turns in being at the helm. The fact that Miguel Angel Rodríguez, from Costa Rica, did not serve his tenure as secretary-general because he resigned to face corruption charges in his country means Central America's turn was unfulfilled. In the election that ensued (eventually won by Mr. Insulza) there was a candidate from El Salvador, former president Francisco Flores, who failed to garner the minimum necessary support.
This time around, the name from Central America that seems to be generating the most momentum at this early stage is that of Ambassador Aristides Royo, the current Panamanian envoy to the OAS.
In the 2005 OAS secretary-general election, Canada was early to commit its support to the Mexican candidate in what was seen then as an impromptu decision of former foreign affairs minister Pierre Pettigrew. This time around we could play a more significant role that is consistent with our interests as it is not too late to consider a Canadian candidate for assistant secretary-general. I will give you three compelling reasons why the government should make such a consideration.
First, the OAS is the main political multilateral forum of the Western Hemisphere. It is the most inclusive, with 34 member countries, with one sole exception, Cuba, which was suspended in 1962.
More importantly, the OAS is the only forum that includes North America and individual country representations of all the Caribbean nations. Despite all its shortcomings, the OAS plays a significant role in weaving together the fabric that makes the Americas.
Second, Canada is the second largest contributor to the OAS. In 2007 we provided $10.6 million to the regular fund—our quota—and $10.9 million to specific funds, for a total of $21.5 million. This amount is bound to increase through a new CIDA multi-annual agreement. We should want to have more direct participation and control over the programs we fund, and not rely solely on results evaluations years down the road.
Finally, Canada's government has identified the Americas as a priority. It would be consistent with the re-engagement to increase our presence in the multilateral forum. Expressing our intention to present a candidate to the assistant secretary-general position, and lobbying to make it happen, sends another positive signal of the determination in our commitment. Acting in a concerted fashion, our efforts in the OAS would strengthen our bilateral initiatives and partnerships, and vice-versa.
As for who could be our candidate, there are some Canadians within our foreign service who are very competent and knowledgeable of the region, with firsthand experience, and fluent in at least three of the official languages of the OAS. But, for now, I'll keep my shortlist private.
Remember, this is a hypothetical scenario; Mr. Insulza has not yet resigned. But if and when it happens, it cannot catch us unprepared.
Thanks to Mr. Insulza's ambitions of running for the presidency of Chile, the OAS might soon find itself having to elect a new secretary-general. This is not a foregone conclusion, but as Mr. Insulza weighs his options, so do others within the OAS. The question is: Should Canada play a role in this scenario?
Mr. Insulza recently spent two weeks in Chile assessing and asserting the grounds for his candidacy. He is not the only one within the parties of the ruling coalition "Concertación" to make his aspirations public. The Socialist Party will choose its pre-candidate at the convention scheduled for the end of November. Mr. Insulza turned down suggestions of resigning from the OAS prior to the convention, yet committed to do so if he wins the nomination. But as things currently stand, Mr. Insulza faces an uphill battle, one that would demand the seasoned politico lives up to his nickname, "the panzer."
As Mr. Insulza's aspirations are no secret, Washington corridors are already abuzz with rumours and lobbying. If he leaves the OAS by the end of November, the current assistant secretary-general, Albert Ramdin, from Suriname, would become interim secretary-general and, according to insiders, he has hinted of aspirations of being elected to the position.
This, the sources say, is unlikely. Mr. Ramdin was elected assistant secretary-general with the support from both secretary-general candidates as they courted the Caribbean votes (Suriname is a member of CARICOM). Initially some doubted his capacity for the job, and although the low-key diplomat has proven capable of running the day-to-day works of the organization—not exactly Insulza's forte—he does not have the broad appeal required for secretary-general, nor does he speak Spanish, a real handicap at the OAS.
Within the OAS there is a tacit understanding—not always adhered to—that the sub-regions take turns in being at the helm. The fact that Miguel Angel Rodríguez, from Costa Rica, did not serve his tenure as secretary-general because he resigned to face corruption charges in his country means Central America's turn was unfulfilled. In the election that ensued (eventually won by Mr. Insulza) there was a candidate from El Salvador, former president Francisco Flores, who failed to garner the minimum necessary support.
This time around, the name from Central America that seems to be generating the most momentum at this early stage is that of Ambassador Aristides Royo, the current Panamanian envoy to the OAS.
In the 2005 OAS secretary-general election, Canada was early to commit its support to the Mexican candidate in what was seen then as an impromptu decision of former foreign affairs minister Pierre Pettigrew. This time around we could play a more significant role that is consistent with our interests as it is not too late to consider a Canadian candidate for assistant secretary-general. I will give you three compelling reasons why the government should make such a consideration.
First, the OAS is the main political multilateral forum of the Western Hemisphere. It is the most inclusive, with 34 member countries, with one sole exception, Cuba, which was suspended in 1962.
More importantly, the OAS is the only forum that includes North America and individual country representations of all the Caribbean nations. Despite all its shortcomings, the OAS plays a significant role in weaving together the fabric that makes the Americas.
Second, Canada is the second largest contributor to the OAS. In 2007 we provided $10.6 million to the regular fund—our quota—and $10.9 million to specific funds, for a total of $21.5 million. This amount is bound to increase through a new CIDA multi-annual agreement. We should want to have more direct participation and control over the programs we fund, and not rely solely on results evaluations years down the road.
Finally, Canada's government has identified the Americas as a priority. It would be consistent with the re-engagement to increase our presence in the multilateral forum. Expressing our intention to present a candidate to the assistant secretary-general position, and lobbying to make it happen, sends another positive signal of the determination in our commitment. Acting in a concerted fashion, our efforts in the OAS would strengthen our bilateral initiatives and partnerships, and vice-versa.
As for who could be our candidate, there are some Canadians within our foreign service who are very competent and knowledgeable of the region, with firsthand experience, and fluent in at least three of the official languages of the OAS. But, for now, I'll keep my shortlist private.
Remember, this is a hypothetical scenario; Mr. Insulza has not yet resigned. But if and when it happens, it cannot catch us unprepared.
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