US embassy cable - 05SANTODOMINGO3045

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 003045 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA, WHA/CAR, WHA/OAS, WHA/PPC, WHA/EPSC; SOUTHCOM 
ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, OAS 
SUBJECT: OAS SECRETARY GENERAL INSULZA ON DEMOCRACY AND 
DIFFICULTIES IN THE HEMISPHERE 
 
1.  OAS Secretary General Jos Miguel Insulza spoke last 
night, June 2, to the annual conference participants of the 
Caribbean Studies Association, held in Santo Domingo, 
Dominican Republic.  Diplomats and other guests invited the 
event organized by President Fernndez,s think-tank, the 
Foundation for Development and Democracy (FUNGLODE). 
Insulza was there in response to an invitation that had been 
extended before he ran for the OAS position. 
 
2.  In his remarks Insulza said Haiti, Bolivia, and certain 
countries in South America are facing democratic problems. 
Underlying all of these are the basic issues of democracy, 
governability, human rights, poverty, inequality, and 
insecurity. 
 
3.  Further points: 
 
Strengthening Democracy 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
- - The Inter-American Democratic charter was signed with 
much moment.  It was about democracy.  We in the OAS take our 
commitment to democracy seriously, and it needs to be about 
actions with results, not just principles. 
 
- - There are many people in the hemisphere who live on less 
than $200/year.  Democracy isn,t impossible with these 
conditions, but it,s harder. 
 
- - There is substantial support for democracy, but in some 
polls, it is not as strong as other polls indicate ) maybe 
only 50 percent of the population thinking that democracy is 
the best system to deliver results. 
 
- - At heart, the problem underlying democracy is weak 
institutions ) and democracy is critically linked with 
governability.  It has to do with basic state functions such 
as the ability of the state to collect taxes, to provide a 
functioning police and justice system, etc. 
 
- - Institutional development to protect human rights also 
needs to be strengthened. 
 
Working on Security 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
- - In addition to democracy, security is another key area 
for the OAS, particularly in terms of arms and gangs. 
 
Weighing in on International Issues 
 
- - The OAS should express a regional opinion about the big 
international issues of the day.  It hasn,t done that, but 
it should begin. 
 
Social Charter 
 
- - Insulza mentioned the social charter briefly (&We will 
work on that ) we need it to deliver(8) 
 
In the press conference that followed, Insulza reportedly 
commented: 
 
- - There should be multilateral mechanisms to help countries 
who solicit that help when there is a &rupture8 of 
democracy. 
 
 - -The OAS has to use the democracy-strengthening initiative 
to adopt active measures in place BEFORE a democratic crisis 
erupts.  There must be working groups and/or adequate 
contacts to identify the problems occurring in each country. 
He hopes the General Assembly will give the Secretariat 
General a mandate to work on these issues with greater calm 
and to find the necessary consensus between countries to make 
this a reality. 
 
- - Haiti,s situation is worsening, in a manner that could 
threaten the electoral process.  The OAS has a specific 
responsibility to advise Haiti on the elections. 
 
- - Bolivia is confronting a social crisis that threatens 
government stability.  The OAS is monitoring the situation 
and has been in contact with the president.  The OAS accepts 
the Bolivian decision for the OAS not to participate in 
helping the resolve the conflict.  GOB has to ask for help if 
it should wish to receive it. 
 
- - Replying to a question about Cuba, Insulza said that Cuba 
shouldn,t divide the OAS membership ) discussion should 
reach consensus. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hertell