OAS to fight against terrorism

(Peru.com) On Friday morning the chancellors of all the countries member of the Organization of American States (OAS) began, in Washington, a meeting to discuss how the region would support the United States in its fight against terrorism after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Peru's Foreign Affairs Ministry, Diego Garcia Sayan, was elected by the OAS General Assembly as vice-president of this meeting, which gathers the 34 countries member of this hemispheric organization.

During his speech, Garcia Sayan recalled the Peruvian president's, Alejandro Toledo, statements given the day of the attacks, who had said those attacks were not only against the United States, but also against any democratic country in the world.

The chancellor said the present fight against terrorism demands measures different from the traditional ones. "Victory will only be achieved if we respect democracy and human rights, and that will only be possible if all the countries work together", he said.
As expected, the meeting was a good occasion for Peru to set forth his proposal of an Inter-American convention against terrorism.

"For Peru, it's extremely important that a convention against terrorism be approved. It should clearly state the obligations to exchange information and to work in joint intelligence operations, all this in order to chase, extradite, judge and punish those involved in terrorist acts", he said.
Minutes before, Peru's vice-chancellor, Manuel Rodriguez, said Garcia's appointment as vice-president of the meeting was an recognition for the country's foreign policy, which projects democracy to the whole hemisphere.
Powell's words

The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, asked the nations member of the OAS to work together to defeat a common enemy, terrorism.
In this extraordinary meeting of OAS chancellors, Powell thanked Latin American countries for their support and solidarity after the attacks to New York and the Pentagon, which, according to him, was an attack against America's civilization and prosperity.

"An attack against one of us is an attack against all of us", said Powell, who showed to be pleased for the immediate support.

The secretary of state said the OAS members' solidarity shows there is unity to defend common values and determination to confront a common enemy.
Powelll said the OAS' reaction also represents the organization's strength and an example of common vision shared by its members, which was confirmed in the last Summit of the Americas, held last December in Quebec.