OAS Secretary General visits Belize

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States Dr. Cesar Gavaria arrived this morning for a two day visit. Gavaria, who is the former president of Colombia, paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Said Musa and the Governor General Sir Colville Young. Included in his schedule is a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources John Briceño and other members of Cabinet. He will meet with the press tomorrow morning. The Organization of American States was founded in 1980 as the International Union of American Republics. Its purpose is to strengthen peace and security in the hemisphere, promote representative democracy and the settlement of disputes among members, as well as foster economic, social and cultural development. Currently thirty-five countries are members of the OAS. Belize has been a member of the OAS since 1991. The OAS National Office was opened in 1995 with Kenrich Texel as Director.