Dear Editor,
With reference to your editorial in the Jamaica Observer, dated April 2, 2015, 'Caricom has no ambition to lead OAS', it is good to know that your newspaper is keenly interested in the work of the Organization of American States (OAS). I encourage you in this continued interest, for it helps to bring home the strengths and weaknesses of the OAS to Jamaicans and to the many other Caribbean and Latin American readers of your lively paper.
It is also good to see that you have not rushed to publication, but rather, have allowed some time to pass between the election of the new Secretary General Luis Almagro Lemes and the expression of your considered opinion in the editorial. Arguably, then, your editorial does not represent the product of an impatient clerk, but is instead that of a patient judge.
That said, some aspects of the editorial invite comment. I mention the following matters for your further consideration:
* Your editorial ascribes lack of ambition to Caricom without assessing whether the absence of a Caricom candidate for the position of secretary general may be explained by other considerations.
* You suggest, without any supporting evidence, that Caricom accepts the idea that only a candidate from South America is eligible for the position of secretary general. This, I am constrained to say, is quite incorrect.
* You dismiss the two Caricom candidates for the post of assistant secretary general in disparaging terms, uttering not a word to justify your unjustifiable conclusions. Both Caricom candidates are distinguished diplomats who have contributed substantially to the collective work of the OAS, and to the representation of their countries at the OAS.
* You indicate that the secretary general of the OAS (or secretaries general as a group?) has "made sure to emasculate the ASG to prevent a challenger to their second term as SG". Would you care to share the evidence that backs up this sweeping ascription of ulterior motives to the secretary general (or to secretaries general as a group)?
* You stipulate, in closing, that the OAS is an organisation in search of a role. My understanding is that the OAS is committed to the pursuit of development, human rights, regional security and democracy. That, it seems to me, is role enough for the organisation.
To be sure, the OAS has its challenges. However, neither the critics of the OAS, the member states, nor the OAS itself stands to benefit from assertions that are not supported by evidence. I reiterate my encouragement that you continue promoting discussion and exchange about the work of the OAS.
Stephen Vasciannie
Jamaican ambassador to the United States of America and
Jamaica's Permanent Representative to the OAS
Patient judge, Observer, but...
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With reference to your editorial in the Jamaica Observer, dated April 2, 2015, 'Caricom has no ambition to lead OAS', it is good to know that your newspaper is keenly interested in the work of the Organization of American States (OAS). I encourage you in this continued interest, for it helps to bring home the strengths and weaknesses of the OAS to Jamaicans and to the many other Caribbean and Latin American readers of your lively paper.
It is also good to see that you have not rushed to publication, but rather, have allowed some time to pass between the election of the new Secretary General Luis Almagro Lemes and the expression of your considered opinion in the editorial. Arguably, then, your editorial does not represent the product of an impatient clerk, but is instead that of a patient judge.
That said, some aspects of the editorial invite comment. I mention the following matters for your further consideration:
* Your editorial ascribes lack of ambition to Caricom without assessing whether the absence of a Caricom candidate for the position of secretary general may be explained by other considerations.
* You suggest, without any supporting evidence, that Caricom accepts the idea that only a candidate from South America is eligible for the position of secretary general. This, I am constrained to say, is quite incorrect.
* You dismiss the two Caricom candidates for the post of assistant secretary general in disparaging terms, uttering not a word to justify your unjustifiable conclusions. Both Caricom candidates are distinguished diplomats who have contributed substantially to the collective work of the OAS, and to the representation of their countries at the OAS.
* You indicate that the secretary general of the OAS (or secretaries general as a group?) has "made sure to emasculate the ASG to prevent a challenger to their second term as SG". Would you care to share the evidence that backs up this sweeping ascription of ulterior motives to the secretary general (or to secretaries general as a group)?
* You stipulate, in closing, that the OAS is an organisation in search of a role. My understanding is that the OAS is committed to the pursuit of development, human rights, regional security and democracy. That, it seems to me, is role enough for the organisation.
To be sure, the OAS has its challenges. However, neither the critics of the OAS, the member states, nor the OAS itself stands to benefit from assertions that are not supported by evidence. I reiterate my encouragement that you continue promoting discussion and exchange about the work of the OAS.
Stephen Vasciannie
Jamaican ambassador to the United States of America and
Jamaica's Permanent Representative to the OAS
Patient judge, Observer, but...
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