[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 136 (Friday, September 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORT FOR THE MEETING BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES AND 
                           THE AFRICAN UNION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce an article 
published in the New York CARIB News on July 24, 2007 entitled, ``OAS-
African Union Meeting Ends.'' This article is about the first working 
meeting between the Organization of American States (OAS) and the 
African Union (AU). The goals of this meeting were to strengthen the 
cooperation and to build on the democratic partnership between the 
member states of these two organizations. Secretary Rice was present 
during this meeting.
  The working sessions of the OAS-AU meeting covered several topics 
including: Promoting Democracy in Latin America and Africa: From 
Rhetoric to Reality; the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and 
Governance and the Inter-American Democratic Charter; Strengthening 
Democratic Institutions and Promoting Democratic Values; Political 
Dialogue and Conflict Prevention; Protection and Promotion of Human 
Rights; and Santiago to Bamako: Democracy Promotion within the 
Community of Democratic Process.
  I am positive that the OAS-AU meeting was productive and strengthened 
the channels of communication between the two regions. I am eager about 
the prospect of an Americas-Africa Summit since the countries in both 
regions are sure to benefit from increased partnerships, knowledge 
exchange, and cooperation.

             [From the New York CARIB News, July 24, 2007]

                     OAS-African Union Meeting Ends

       Washington.--The Organization of American States (OAS) and 
     the African Union (AU) recently ended their first working 
     meeting, resolved to strengthen their cooperation around the 
     promotion of democracy, amidst calls for an Americas-Africa 
     Summit to consolidate the ``democratic partnership'' of these 
     regions.
       OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin wrapped up 
     the historic two-day working session, calling for ``a meeting 
     of both regions at the highest political level--an Americas-
     Africa Summit,'' which would help translate the noble 
     objectives and intentions articulated at the two-day meeting, 
     into ``real action to the benefit of both regions'' in the 
     areas of trade, economy, security, health, and other areas. 
     ``An Africa-Americas Summit could provide a valuable platform 
     from which to build this democratic partnership between our 
     regions; with a targeted, realistic and executable action 
     agenda,'' Ramdin explained. Asserting that the strengthening 
     of cooperation by regional organizations is even more 
     relevant today than ever before, he said the just-concluded 
     meeting focused on shared experiences and challenges faced by 
     the Americas and Africa alike as they seek to promote and 
     defend democracy.
       According to Ambassador Ramdin, the discussions underscored 
     how challenges such as poverty, inequality, and social 
     exclusion can undermine positive efforts to build democracies 
     and peaceful societies in both continents.
       ``For democracy to be truly meaningful, the fruits of 
     democracy must also nurture and feed the social and economic 
     well being of our citizens,'' Ramdin went on to state, noting 
     that ``expectations in both Africa and the Americas are 
     high.''
       During the meeting, the participants heard from a range of 
     speakers, including United States Undersecretary of State for 
     Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky; former 
     President of Cape Verde Antonio Mascaranhas Monteiro; 
     Guatemala's Vice President Eduardo Stein; OAS Assistant 
     Secretary for Political Affairs Dante Caputo; and AU 
     Commissioner for Peace and Security Said Djinnit.
       The working sessions of the OAS-AU meeting covered a range 
     of topics, among them: Promoting Democracy in Latin America 
     and Africa: From Rhetoric to Reality; The African Charter on 
     Democracy, Elections and Governance and the Inter-American 
     Democratic Charter; Strengthening Democratic Institutions and 
     Promoting Democratic Values; Political Dialogue and Conflict 
     Prevention; Protection and Promotion of Human Rights; and 
     Santiago to Bamako: Democracy Promotion within the Community 
     of Democracies Process.

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