REMARKS BY AMBASSODOR ILLES AT THE 29th SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES ON THE SITUATION IN VENEZUELA, APRIL 18, 2002, WASHINGTON DC.

Mr. Chairman, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Heads of Delegations, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen.

My delegation would like to thank the Secretary General, for presenting the report on the fact-finding Mission to Venezuela in such a timely manner.

We have also listen with great interest to the statement made by the distinguished Foreign Minister of Venezuela.

The Inter-American Democratic Charter adopted in Lima, Peru, last year is crystal clear when it says that the people of the Americas have a right to democracy and that WE "the Governments of this hemisphere", have the obligation to defend and promote it".

It is in this sphere that the Surinamese Government firmly supported the OAS resolution that condemned "the alteration of the constitutional order in Venezuela", last Sunday morning.

The recent developments in Venezuela need to be a learning experience for all countries in the hemisphere, that many democracies are still very week and that we need to be extremely alert in defending the political structures which our peoples have chosen.

The coup d'etat in Venezuela, also need to remind us why the democratic charter was adopted last year, and that the OAS will never accept the overthrow of any constitutional Government by force or other undemocratic means.

Any interruption of democracy in a State is wrong and need to be condemned immediately, firmly and without any form of hesitation by this Organization, the more so when it involves the military.

The region's history of military coups is to long, serious and tragic, for any unconstitutional takeover to be condoned or to be sluggish about.

The Government of Suriname welcomes the return of the constitutional Government of Venezuela and hopes that peace, reconciliation and stability will guide political practices in Venezuela in the near future.

Mr. Chairman,

Allow me to end my brief intervention as follows.

"We are all inhabitants of this hemisphere which we consider to be one great hemispheric village. And those of us who still have this village structure in our home countries know what this means. In a village we have two important aspects in living together: Firstly we take responsibility for each other and secondly we care for each other".

I thank you.

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