[20051220]RS22095_美洲国家组织：基础.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS22095Updated December 20, 2005Organization of American States: A PrimerClare RibandoAnalyst in Latin American AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryThe Organization of American States (OAS) is an international organization basedin Washington, D.C., comprised of 35 Western Hemisphere states. The OAS works topromote democracy, protect human rights, preserve security, expand trade, and addresscross-cutting issues of hemispheric concern. In 2001, OAS member-states adopted theInter-American Democratic Charter, and the organization has made significant effortsto deal with threats to democracy in Bolivia, Haiti, Venezuela, and, more recently, inNicaragua and Ecuador. In October 2004, the new Secretary General, Miguel AngelRodriguez, who had proposed a number of reforms to solve the OASs chronic budgetshortfalls, resigned amid allegations of corruption from his tenure as president of CostaRica. On May 2, 2005, Jos Miguel Insulza, the former Chilean minister of government,was elected as Secretary General of the OAS. Insulza faces the challenges of solving