Former President Francisco Flores of El Salvador Organization of American States

Former President Francisco Flores of El Salvador Withdraws His Nomination to be Secretary General of the Organization of American States

The United States respects the decision by Former President Francisco Flores of El Salvador, and the government of El Salvador, to withdraw his nomination for the office of Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). When he called to tell her of his decision to withdraw on Friday, Secretary Rice congratulated President Flores for waging a vigorous and constructive campaign that we were proud to have supported. President Flores has demonstrated that he is a talented and dynamic leader, successfully articulating a forward-thinking vision for a hemisphere that thrives on democracy, respect for human rights and economic opportunity.

We commend President Elias Antonio Saca and Foreign Minister Francisco Lainez for having proposed such an excellent candidate. We supported President Flores because of his experience in a Central American state of successfully tackling many of the same challenges faced by other countries in the Hemisphere. We believe he would have made for a dynamic Secretary General and wish him well in his future endeavors.

The United States has the highest respect for the two remaining candidates and believes they will bring their own exceptional qualities to the job. We will now undertake consultations with our partners at the OAS aimed at electing the best possible candidate for Secretary General, one who will make the OAS a truly responsive and effective multilateral institution. As we have stated previously, the U.S. is prepared to work fully and constructively with whomever is elected. The United States will announce the candidate we support once we complete those consultations.

### 2005/397 Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC April 9, 2005
SOURCE: state.gov