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Founded in 1948, the OAS nevertheless has roots going back to the late nineteenth century. It aims to assist in the maintenance of peace on the American continent, has programmes to promote economic and social development, and latterly has put a good deal of emphasis on the promotion of democracy. For many years it was composed of the United States and the Latin American states, but now includes Canada and the non-Latin states of the Caribbean. The General Assembly of the OAS meets annually; a Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs is called whenever an urgent issue arises; and its Permanent Council meets on a permanent basis at the Organization\'s headquarters in Washington, DC, USA. The OAS also has a Juridical Committee to advise on such matters, and a Commission on Human Rights to watch over their observance. The Latin American states’ reservations about some aspects of United States’ activity on the continent (exemplified in the Organization\'s emphasis on non-intervention) has sometimes manifested itself in the work of the OAS. But as these states are all committed to the maintenance of existing borders and, generally, to the pacific settlement of disputes, the members have from time to time been able to work usefully together in this area. |
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