This consolidation and strengthening will include the appointment of its secretary general and the ratification of the treaty establishing the Union by the twelve member states. The organisation has been trying over the past year to select a secretary-general but no prospective candidate has received the unanimous support of the twelve member-states -- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Suriname and Venezuela.
While ideological and political differences exist among the leadership of some of the member states, active diplomatic consultations, nevertheless, are currently in play, and there is expectation that a consensus candidate for the position will soon emerge.
Surely, the establishment of the permanent headquarters and the appointment of the secretary-general with an executive secretariat will assist constructively in negotiating with extra-regional entities such as the United States, while directing, and propelling the pace of South American integration.
Dr. Odeen Ishmael
embguy@cantv.net
