SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, May 6 (UPI) -- The possible appointment of Miguel Angel Rodriguez as Secretary General of the Organization of American States has already aroused controversy in Costa Rica. Many are expressing doubts about the benefits that the appointment could provide for the country.
The 34 OAS members must choose a new Secretary General to replace the Colombian Cesar Gaviria at their next General Assembly scheduled for the first week of June in Quito, Ecuador.
Rodriguez is at present the only candidate, following the withdrawal from consideration in late March of the outgoing president of El Salvador, Francisco Flores. Although only 18 votes are required winning the post, Rodriguez has already sewn up the support of 32 countries. Only Nicaragua's final vote was uncertain, as Nicaragua attached conditions in return for its support of Rodriguez's candidacy. Costa Rican Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar gave Nicaraguan Ambassador Francisco Fiallos a letter, which explained why Costa Rica's government would not accept Nicaraguan preconditions in return for their vote for Rodriguez. Tovar observed, "Costa Rica is worth a great deal, and so is Miguel Angel Rodriguez. Because of that we already have 32 votes of a possible 34. If Nicaragua decides not to follow the hemispheric consensus, well, it's their decision." The other state not supporting the Rodriguez candidacy is El Salvador.
When asked about the repercussion for Costa Rica of Rodriguez's appointment as head of the O.A.S., political analyst Rodolfo Cerdas replied that while the appointment carried enormous prestige the OAS nevertheless had little real influence. Cerdas observed, "From the Falklands War, all the way through Noriega in Panama to the last conflict in Haiti, the OAS has not been able to accomplish very much. It seems to be worn out and with little real political clout."
Analyst Francisco Barahona had a different take on a Costa Rican heading the OAS, noting, "We are talking about a Costa Rican in the leadership role of America's main regional political forum. I believe that a Rodriguez presidency would produce an OAS administration heavily focused on Costa Rican core values such as democracy and the fight against militarism, which regrettably is again becoming fashionable in some countries. "Barahona conceded that the OAS is experiencing a rough patch because of serious financial and political influence problems. "In that sense, hopefully Rodriguez will be able to count on something more than the consensus of the countries members and will be able to revitalize it," Barhona added.
Many regional commentators believe that the OAS is past its prime. Founded in 1948, the OAS was formed to promote economic, military, and cultural ties among member nations; only Cuba, whose membership was suspended in 1962, while still a member, remains outside the organization. The OAS's major goals are to prevent any foreign intervention in the Western Hemisphere while maintaining peace between the member states. Article 1 of the OAS charter explicitly lays out the organization's goals: "to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence."
Another charge levied against the organization is that it has frequently been too subservient to Washington. While in 1962 the OAS was quick to suspend Cuba's participation after the Kennedy administration became dissatisfied with the Cuban revolution's undemocratic nature and repression of human rights, it maintained a studied silence during the 1970s and 1980s in the face of other Latin American governments that committed massive human rights abuses.
Barahona believes that Rodriguez would be provided with several scenarios that could demonstrate his ability, Venezuelan political unrest and the guerrilla war in Colombia to name but two examples. Barahona continued, "It is a job that demands superior leadership, and Rodriguez has the experience. But we will have to wait and see if he will favor change or will remain merely an administrator."
Previous Costa Rican attempts to snare the top OAS General Secretariat position failed. The political environment is now very different. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell himself said, "I was very happy to inform former President Rodriguez that President George W. Bush asked me to tell him that we would be supporting his candidacy and that, if he assumes the position, we will support him in any way we can. Rodriguez has been a great friend of the United States."
In a conference on the future of the OAS held at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Rodriguez rejected the idea of creating an OAS Security Council similar to the one in United Nations, complete with veto power. Whatever the effects of a Rodriguez administration, the numerous regional crises may well require an OAS with more powerful institutions rather than remaining primarily a forum for debate.
(Jose Antonio Pastor is a writer with Tiempos del Mundo)
