In OAS Election, U.S. Favorite Bows Out

[Judi Lynn]

In OAS Election, U.S. Favorite Bows Out
Two Vie to Lead Latin American Group After El Salvador's Flores Withdraws

By Mary Beth Sheridan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 10, 2005; Page A23
The U.S. choice to lead the Organization of American States is dropping out of tomorrow's election for the post, amid indications he had garnered little support despite heavy lobbying from Washington.

Francisco Flores, the former president of El Salvador, said at a news conference Friday evening that he would abandon his bid to run the OAS, the main forum for political cooperation in the hemisphere. His withdrawal leaves two other candidates: Jose Miguel Insulza, Chile's interior minister; and Luis Ernesto Derbez, Mexico's foreign minister.

A Flores loss would have been viewed as embarrassing for the United States, whose candidate for OAS chief is almost always elected, diplomats and observers said. Flores had endeared himself to the Bush administration with his support for the Iraq invasion, which was unpopular in much of Central and South America.

The former Salvadoran leader told reporters he had decided to step down because even Central America was split over who to vote for, creating "a dangerous situation of dividing the region even more over a candidacy."
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40508-2005Apr9.html
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"President George W. Bush talks with President Francisco Flores of El Salvador at the Special Summit of the America's in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004. White House photo by Eric Draper."

[Judi Lynn]

1. Venezuela welcomes withdrawal of Flores' bid to head OAS

Venezuela welcomes withdrawal of Flores' bid to head OAS

www.chinaview.cn 2005-04-10 10:29:47


CARACAS, April 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The Venezuelan government welcomed on Saturday the decision of former Salvadoran President Francisco Flores to leave the race for Secretary General of the Organizationof American States (OAS).

Nicolas Maduro, President of the Venezuelan National Assembly (AN) and ruling-party representative, said that the withdrawal of the US-backed candidate is a defeat to the aspirations of the government of the United States.

The legislator said that this decision shows the United States is isolated in the hemispherical politics and receives defeat after defeat.

He added that the United States, which is concerned about Venezuela, should be worried about itself instead.
(snip/...)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-04/10/content_2809405.htm



Nicolas Maduro

[Massacure]

2. Good. One less thing for Bush to screw up.

[Robbien]

3. Love the pictures. Ha!

But with the Bush gang there is always a fall back position. I wonder if they are trying to work behind the scenes to now get the Mexican candidate Derbez into the position and keep Insulza out. Isn't Derbez a proponent of privatization?

[damntexdem]

4. "a dangerous situation of dividing the region even more over a candidacy"?

That's the least of Central America's, Latin America's, for that matter, the world's problems. On the other hand, another diplomatic loss for the U.S., and declining U.S. ability to dominate Latin America: now there's a win for Central America, Latin America, and, of course, the world.

[Renew Deal]

5. This is important

Though others here can tell you more why. It was supposed to be a big deal if the US guy didn't win.