OAS chief's resignation draws mixed reactions in member countries
The resignation of Miguel Angel Rodriguez, secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS), draws mixed reactions in member countries of the group on Friday, reports reaching here said.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell noted that the United States had backed Rodriguez's candidacy and described him as a man of "skill and determination."

Powell, speaking to reporters shortly after the resignation announcement, regretted that Rodriguez decided to step down but said he understood his reasons for doing it.

"We regret very much that he found it necessary to take this step, but we understand that it is important for him to deal with this issue with the Costa Rican government," he said

The Guatemalan government also expressed regret over Rodriguez's resignation.

"We'll keep supporting the OAS and, although for the moment we don't have a concrete proposal, it is for sure we will support a Central American as the Secretary General," Guatemalan Foreign Minister Jorge Briz told the press.

Meanwhile, some OAS members were relieved that the organization would no longer have a leader with damaged credibility.

Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco considered it positive that Rodriguez has resigned amid accusations of corruption.

"I am totally satisfied," Pacheco said. "He should have done it before because he is being accused of very serious crimes and he has caused us enough shame."

Pacheco said that "the evidence is very serious, according to what the prosecution is investigating," though he did not specify.

The resignation of Rodriguez will strengthen the regional organization, Panama's Foreign Ministry said in a press statement.

"Instead of weakening the OAS, this will strengthen it, given that it was resolved quickly," the statement said.

"Whether Rodriguez is guilty or not is up to Costa Rica's judicial system to decide," the statement continued. "The important thing is for the OAS not to be in the middle of that discussion."

While some countries hailed the resignation of Rodriguez, others worried the organization could emerge weaker because of uncertainty over his replacement's credentials as a second choice.

On a visit to Washington, El Salvadoran President Tony Saca lobbied the United States for the post to go to one of the small nations of Central America.

Speaking at a news conference before Rodriguez's resignation, Saca said he had contacted all the region's leaders to propose an immediate meeting to seek a replacement candidate.

"Central America should seek a single candidate and try to maintain this important post for the region," he said.

Rodriguez resigned Friday to testify in Costa Rica where he allegedly committed acts of corruption during his presidency from 1998 to 2002.

The Costa Rican Attorney General's office accused him of taking illegal "prize" from French firm Alcatel in 2001, after the company got a contract for the installation of 400,000 cell phone lines in the country.

The OAS has decided that Luigi Einaudi, a former US State Department official, will take over as acting secretary general ofthe organization until foreign ministers of the member countries convene and elect a new leader.
 

Panama says Rodriguez's resignation strengthens OAS
The resignation of Miguel Angel Rodriguez as secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS) will strengthen the regional organization, Panama's Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Rodriguez's case will be addressed by the Costa Rican judicial authorities, and the OAS should not be affected by an internal problem of the Central American country, the ministry said in a statement.

The case should be solved as soon as possible instead of causing an internal chaos in the organization, it added.

The OAS will now continue with all its programs in favor of the continent, the statement noted.

Rodriguez, who served as Costa Rica's president between 1998 and 2002, was denounced for his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal.

According to a former official of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute, Rodriguez had demanded 60 percent of a "prize" of 2.4 million US dollars, which French firm Alcatel had paid to different officials after winning a contract to set up 400,000 cell phone lines.

After the scandal was disclosed, Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco urged Rodriguez to resign from the OAS, so he can return to his country to testify.

Luigi Einaudi, a former US State Department official, will takeover as acting secretary general of the OAS until foreign ministers of the member countries convene and elect a new leader.
 

Guatemala regrets resignation of Rodriguez as OAS Secretary General
The government of Guatemala Friday expressed regret over the resignation of former Costa Rican president Miguel Angel Rodriguez as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS).

"We'll keep supporting the OAS and, although for the moment we don't have a concrete proposal, it is for sure we will support a Central American as the Secretary General," Guatemalan Foreign Minister Jorge Briz told the press.

The minister hinted at the possibility of former Salvadorean President Francisco Flores in taking over as the new OAS secretary general.

Briz made no comments on the reasons that led to Rodriguez's resignation. "We don't intervene in the internal affairs of other countries," he said.

Rodriguez resigned Friday to testify in Costa Rica where he allegedly committed acts of corruption during his presidency from 1998 to 2002.

The Costa Rican Attorney General's office accuses Rodriguez of taking illegal "prize" from French firm Alcatel in 2001, after the company got a contract for the installation of 400,000 cell phone lines in the country.