31 October 2001
Text: The OAS and the IDB Speak Out on the Impact of September 11
(Many countries suffering severe economic consequences, say officials)
(500)
Cesar Gaviria, secretary general of the Organization of American
States (OAS), and Enrique Iglesias, president of the Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB), are urgently calling "for support by the
Inter-American community for those countries that have suffered
economic consequences arising from the terrorist attacks of September
11, especially the countries of the Caribbean and Central America,"
the OAS said in a press release issued October 31.
During a special session of the OAS Permanent Council that same day,
Gaviria stressed the importance of "projects aimed at stabilizing the
situation, and reversing economic recession and unemployment in the
region" and the "need to target resources to help reinforce security
measures at airports to revitalize the tourism industry in small
countries, which have been severely affected by the [September 11]
attacks" on New York and Washington.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
Organization of American States
www.oas.org
Press Release
October 31, 2001
THE OAS AND THE IDB SPEAK OUT ON THE IMPACT OF SEPTEMBER 11
Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Cesar Gaviria
and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President Enrique Iglesias
today issued an urgent call for support by the Inter-American
community for those countries that have suffered economic consequences
arising from the terrorist attacks of September 11, especially the
countries of the Caribbean and Central America.
In a Special Session of the Permanent Council, Gaviria called on the
OAS' Development Agency (The Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and
Development -- IACD) to establish new mechanisms for special support,
and on the Tourism Unit and other OAS offices to focus support for
projects aimed at stabilizing the situation, and reversing economic
recession and unemployment in the region.
Gaviria underscored the importance of "... making good use of the
experience of the Inter-American Commission Drug Abuse Control
Commission (CICAD), which has developed effective mechanisms against
illegal money transfers as a means to address the problem of
money-laundering as part of the war against terrorism."
Gaviria pointed out the urgent need to target resources to help
reinforce security measures at airports to revitalize the tourism
industry in small countries, which have been severely affected by the
attacks of September 11.
IDB President Enrique Iglesias presented an economic snapshot of the
hemisphere, and said, "... In addition to feeling the initial impact,
we now have an important response by the United States government to
reverse the negative impact of the events of September 11 ..." He
added that the "International Monetary Fund is looking at a recovery
in the second half of 2002 and anticipates growth rates of 2 percent,
which would be very good news that would have an impact on our
countries."
(end text)
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