Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar Friday announced the government had earlier in the week nominated former President Miguel Angel Rodríguez (1998-2002) to be Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS).

The election to decide who will be the OAS' top official during the 2005-2014 term will take place in June 2004 in Quito, Ecuador.

"Dr. Rodriguez' contribution to regional efforts to generate economic opportunities through trade, his willingness to rely on democratic principles and open dialogue, his belief in negotiating and reaching a consensus as cornerstones of foreign relations, and his commitment to protecting and promoting human rights [are reasons why he is qualified for the position of Secretary General]," Tovar wrote in a letter delivered Wednesday morning to Raymond Valcin, President of the Permanent Council of the OAS.

So far, Rodríguez is the only applicant to formally announce his candidacy. However, former Chilean Foreign Minister José Miguel Insulza and Salvadorean President Francisco Flores, whose term expires in May 2004, have both expressed a strong interest in becoming Secretary General.

According to Tovar, representatives of most Caribbean and South American countries agree the next Secretary General should be Central American. However, they request the region propose a single candidate that represents all seven Central American countries.

"Central America deserves to lead the OAS," Tovar told reporters. "We are at the moment in history when Central America must assume a leadership role.

"During preliminary discussions held during last week's Central American Presidential Summit in El Salvador, the Presidents and Foreign Ministers in attendance pronounced themselves firmly in favor of naming a joint regional candidate," he explained (TT, July 11). "However, it is still not clear how that nominee will be chosen."

A special mechanism must be created to decide which of the two Central American candidates should represent the region, he said.

"For the meantime, it's best to get to work," Tovar said. "We have to begin knocking on doors, trying to rally international support for don Miguel Angel's candidacy."

Through the Foreign Ministry and the country's embassies, the government will organize an international lobbying campaign to convince the continent's leaders to support Rodríguez. A special commission will be named to promote his candidacy. Funds will be allocated in the 2004 budget to pay for campaign expenses.

In August, Rodríguez will organize a series of private fundraisers to collect money to pay for the trips he will make to meet with foreign officials.

Former President and Nobel Peace Laureate Oscar Arias (1986-1990) publicly announced his support for Rodríguez, promising to call on his contacts in Central America and the rest of Latin America to assist in the cause.

A special effort will be made to obtain the crucial support of the U.S.. While no official announcement has been made, it is rumored that U.S. would likely favor Flores. As a first step, Tovar sent a letter last week to Secretary of State Colin Powell requesting his support.

Without the support of the U.S., Rodríguez' chances of becoming the first Central American OAS Secretary General are slim. In the past, most countries, particularly those in the Caribbean, have overwhelmingly voted in favor of the candidate backed by the U.S.