From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Statement from the OAS Mission in Paraguay
By OAS
Feb 28, 2013 - 4:20:50 PM
The
Chief of the Electoral Observation and Political Accompaniment Mission
in Paraguay of the Organization of American States (OAS), Oscar Arias
Sanchez, completed his second visit to Asunción Thursday. During his
stay, the former President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize Winner
heard various viewpoints on the situation in the country just weeks
before the general elections on April 21. The OAS representative also
signed the agreement for electoral observation procedures with the
Supreme Court of Electoral Justice.
In a busy agenda, Arias met
with virtually all the presidential candidates participating in the
current electoral process. He also met with the President of the
Republic, Federico Franco; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador
José Félix Fernández Estigarribia; authorities from the Supreme Court of
Electoral Justice; representatives of diplomatic missions to Paraguay;
ombudsmen from human rights organizations; and directors of media
outlets.
The Mission wishes to highlight that in these meetings a
large majority of the presidential candidates expressed their personal
disposition and that of the political forces they represent to
participate in a process of political dialogue following the election.
This process of dialogue would seek to outline a common agenda, to be
decided by various Paraguayan political actors, for strengthening
democratic governance and human development in the country.
"One
of the biggest demands that our societies make of their political
leaders is to achieve, through a respectful and inclusive dialogue,
broad agreements which are then transformed into institutional reforms
and public policies that provide solutions to the problems of the
population. Doing this in Paraguay would be a great example of
responsibility and maturity for the entire region," stressed the Chief
of the Electoral Observation and Political Accompaniment Mission in
Paraguay.
The OAS, through the person of former President Arias,
will continue to facilitate this conversation between all Paraguayan
political and social sectors. In this regard, the Mission wishes to
express its gratitude for the willingness expressed by the United
Nations to jointly promote this agenda in Paraguay.
During the
coming weeks the Mission will continue its deployment of international
observers, who will join the mobile group in charge of following the
organization of the electoral process in the whole country.
The
Mission wishes to acknowledge, finally, the valuable efforts of the
Supreme Court of Electoral Justice to organize a transparent electoral
process worthy of the confidence of all Paraguayan political actors and
citizens. The Mission reiterates its call for candidates participating
in this race to continue the campaign in the context of mutual respect,
observance of the electoral calendar and the discussion of ideas and
proposals.
For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.
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