No. 07/2005
June 8, 2005

SURINAMESE DIPLOMAT ELECTED AS NEXT
OAS ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – Director General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal welcomed the election Tuesday evening (June 7) - on the occasion of the XXXV Meeting of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - of Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin to be the next Assistant Secretary General of the OAS. 

Ambassador Bernal today congratulated the top Surinamese diplomat on his election, noting: “Ambassador Ramdin brings with him a wealth of experience, making him well qualified for the post.  His experience with the OAS and his proven track record in institutional management ensure that he will be an excellent Assistant Secretary General.”  Dr. Bernal, himself a former long-time Jamaican Ambassador to the Washington-based OAS, added, “I have worked closely with Ambassador Ramdin, and look forward to working with him in the future.”

Unanimously endorsed by CARICOM Heads of Government and most recently reaffirmed by CARICOM Foreign Ministers at the Eighth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (held in Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas, June 1 to 2) as CARICOM’s candidate for the post of Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Ambassador Ramdin has a distinguished record of service on behalf of Suriname and the Caribbean.  Notably, he has served as Suriname’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, Assistant Secretary General (Foreign and Community Relations) with the CARICOM Secretariat, and as an Adviser to past OAS Secretary General César Gaviria. 

Ambassador Bernal hailed the election of Ambassador Ramdin, noting: “I am sure he will do his utmost to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the OAS, especially in relation to the Caribbean.”  In this regard, the RNM head welcomed the pledge by Ambassador Ramdin in his acceptance remarks yesterday to: “enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the inter-American system.”

A new OAS Secretary General also assumed office recently, taking up the top post from Ambassador Luigi R. Einaudi - who in recent months served as Acting Secretary General. José Miguel Insulza (a former Chilean Interior Minister) successfully contested the Secretary General post, having been elected May 2, 2005; subsequently taking up his post as head of the hemispheric body during a special session of the OAS Permanent Council, May 26.