Farewell Remarks by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Suriname, Ambassador Henry L. Illes at the Regular Session of the Permanent Council of the OAS, January 9, 2007, Washington DC.

Madam Chairperson,

Mr. Secretary General,

Mr. Assistant Secretary General, Permanent Representatives,

Ladies and gentlemen.

Madam Chairperson,

It is an interesting coincidence that I welcomed you a few months ago as a member of this Council in my capacity as Chairman of the Permanent Council, and that today I am departing this Organization while you are in the driver's seat.

I am convinced that your leadership will assist the OAS to reach its aims and objectives and that you are competent to lay the groundwork for the next General Assembly, which will be held later this year in Panama

Let me continue my remarks by offering my sincere appreciation to you, Madam Chairperson, and all my colleagues and friends here present for giving me this warm send-off. I am also deeply touched by those kind words that have been expressed about me and my wife by the regional coordinators. They reflect appreciation of my efforts here at the OAS and the friendliness of all the member states here present toward my country and that fills me with a sense of pride, gratitude and satisfaction.

I will soon be returning to my country on the completion of my tenure. I was indeed honored that my Government asked me to serve as its Permanent Representative to this august Organization, for my last diplomatic assignment before retirement from the Foreign Service. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have come here and worked in close collaboration with you all – my hemispheric brothers and sisters – on several essential issues for our Peoples.

Madam Chair,

The essence of our hemispheric efforts is firmly rooted in our countries' common commitment to democracy, the rule of law, respect for freedoms and human rights and the fight to eradicate poverty. The OAS member states also have a shared perception on security, the gravity of natural disasters and social scourges such as crime, illegal drug trafficking, human trafficking and HIV/AIDS.

Since poverty is in fact the root cause of many of the aforementioned problems and I strongly believe that democracy flourishes best in prosperous and affluent societies, please allow me to make a few comments regarding this matter in my parting remarks today.

Democracy in many countries of the Americas remains fragile but it is heartening that countries continue to reach for the legitimacy bestowed by democratic governance and respect for the rule of law.

Because we have chosen to live in freedom, the Resolution that is referred to as “the Inter American Democratic Charter” has made living in democracy a human right for all Peoples in the Americas . This Organization and its member states have made considerable headway towards the consolidation of the fundamental democratic values as we have seen in recent years. Last year was undoubtedly a “slam dunk” for democracy in the American Hemisphere since no less then 14 general elections where successfully held between Cape Colombia on Ellesmere Island (Canada Northern extremity) and Tierra del Fuego.

While the consolidation of democracy should continue to be firmly on the OAS radar-screen, it is prudent that our future efforts and political debates should shift their immediate focus to other issues as well:

•  How to improve the quality of the daily lives of every family including their education, health and nutrition;

•  How to better promote peace in communities torn apart by violence;

•  How to improve the decency of work and wages;

•  How to improve opportunities for savings, investments and small enterprise.

In sum, the everyday ingredients of the average citizens' lives, demands an important and far-reaching change. This notion could and should be better reflected in the future work of this Organization.

This approach will eventually create a vision of the Americas as a democratic and peaceful continent, free from hunger, discrimination, violence, crime, terrorism, epidemics and the preventable effects of natural disasters. This is the reality that current and future generations should strive to realize for our Peoples.

Friends,

During the past five years that I have spent here, I have swollen with pride on many occasions. One such moment was when the President of Suriname His Excellency Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan addressed this body so eloquently in September 2004. The second time was when the current Assistant Secretary General, the Surinamese Albert Ramdin took office in 2005.

I have also had the opportunity to visit many member states during my stint here in Washington DC . The courtesy and warmth with which I have been received all over the hemisphere has overwhelmed me time and time again. The enjoyable memories of these friendly encounters will stay with me forever.

Permit me to express my gratitude for the unrelenting support I have particularly received from my CARICOM colleagues and their staff during my tenure. I also want to thank the professional staff of the OAS and my own Staff as well, for the many rewarding achievements during the past 5 years.

In closing, I again wish to place on record my country's appreciation for the contributions and support of the OAS and those friendly states present in this Organization after the flooding disaster that my country suffered last year. The Government of Suriname is also thankful to the OAS for hosting the historic arbitration procedure between Suriname and Guyana in this building last month. We are very appreciative that this hearing was held here because of the significant role that this Organization plays and will continue to play in the facilitation of border and territorial disputes between member states.

Finally, I thank you for your congeniality, for this warm send-off and for your attention.

“Hasta luego amigos y amigas”.