Much discussion, little resolution in Medellin

The 38th Annual General Assembly of the Organization of American States was held from May 31 through June 2, 2008 in Medellín, Colombia. According to many “the location changes each year, the players less frequently.  But there is a kind of sameness to the proceedings, especially the results, which always seem hard to define.” Analysts even say that than the most tepid resolutions are passed, resulting in an essentially passive organization. To read about the highlights of the Assembly, please open the attachment below. "La Asamblea General de la OEA en Medellín, Colombia – Mucho Dialogo, Poca Resolución" La 38a Asamblea General de la Organización de Estados Americanos se llevó a cabo en Medellín, Colombia del 31 de Mayo al 2 de Junio del 2008. De acuerdo a muchos, “el lugar cambia cada año, el público menos frecuentemente. Pero, en realidad, es casi siempre lo mismo: los mismos procedimientos y especialmente los resultados los cuales parecen difíciles de definir.” Algunos analistas dicen que se pasan las más tibias resoluciones lo que hace que la organización sea esencialmente pasiva. Para leer acerca de lo ocurrido en la Asamblea, por favor abra el attachment. Main News: 

• Venezuela, US clash at OAS General Assembly. OAS is to check FARC computers
  
• Bolivia’s autonomy referendums signal rightist backlash
  
• UN Elects Ex-Sandinista as Assembly President
  
• Spanish court to investigate relations between ETA and FARC
  
• Argentina Farm Strike Extended
  
• Arrest warrant for ex-PDVSA (Venezuela) oil chief. Venezuelan government arms expenditure on the rise. RWB asks the government to clarify death of newspaper senior official. Chávez oil fails to stem Nicaragua crisis.  US takes Venezuela off the list of human traffickers
  
• Chavez Takes Control of Venezuelan Intelligence Agencies
  
• Negroponte: FARC could have sought sanctuary in Venezuela
  
• Chilean truckers strike 48 hours to demand fuel relief
  
• Mexico drug violence intensifies
  
• Peru’s Shining Path terrorists on the rise again

 View the full version of the Americas Report (PDF)   Nancy Menges
Editor in Chief – “Americas Report” Nicole M. Ferrand
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