Page 164 - Argentina - Carter, Regan, and Bush VP
P. 164

G0Nffl5E.\TIAL                           -4-



                         (Commcnt:  Orfila's remarks were very encouraging, particularly on the
                         structural reforms necessary to make the OAS into a body worth paying
                         attention to. The real source of the OAS's problems right now is the state
                         of international politics in the hemisphere. At Latin America's insistence,
                         the L’.S. has retreated from its predominant position in the OAS , but the
                         Latin Americans themselves have been reluctant to take any initiative in
                         this regional forum . Any international leadership on the part of the Latin
                         Americans has been in global fora like CIEC, as well as at UNCTAD in the
                         United Nations. The result is that the OAS is rudderless, and the quality
                         of representation there is one indication of the low importance which
                         countries attach to it.


                         The image of the OAS as a bureaucratic morass is no help. So Orfila's
                         attempt to prune the OAS, cut its staff and its tasks, would be a very
                         healthy sign, and we should definitely encourage such a move and support
                         his efforts.

                         Orfila's efforts in the El-Salvador-Honduras and in the Belize disputes
                         represents one path that the OAS could constructively travel. Indeed,
                         no one else can really play that kind of role in the hemisphere at this
                         time except the OAS Secretary General, and we are fortunate that Orfila
                         is both energetic and intelligent. We should encourage his efforts in
                         the peacekeeping field, and encourage the OAS's efforts in human rights.
                         We should also encourage the OAS to leave the economic and social
                         fields to other institutions which can do those tasks much better.)





























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