Americas Quarterly

(CON TINUED FROM PAGE 20)

yes
Hector Morales

Cuba must first demonstrate a
commitment to democracy, human
rights, self-determination, non-
intervention, security, and development.

commitment to renew multilateralism in the hemisphere, making clear that Washington’s primary interest was in upholding the collective processes and democratic values of the hemisphere. By linking a change in Cuba’s status to reaffirmation of the basic principles of the Inter-American system, the U.S. performed a type of diplomatic ju-jitsu. The ALBA countries found themselves in a corner: if they refused to reaffirm their own long-standing commitment to these principles, they would be forced to maintain the 1962 sanction.

After calling for a 10-minute recess
from the working group, then delib-
erating for more than 14 hours, they
finally accepted the wording drafted
by the U.S. that had the support of
more than 25 other members.
Recapping the delicate history of
these negotiations underlines why
the final resolution was so important
to the hemisphere, and to reinforcing
the work of the OAS. The U. S. had en-
sured that Cuba’s full participation
could only be achieved through a
process started at the request of the
government of Cuba itself and car-
ried forward “in accordance with the
established practices, purposes and

principles of the OAS.” The language explicitly conditions re-admission on the democratic and human rights strictures of the OAS, and by implication, adherence to the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the scrutiny of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. To move to the next step, Cuba must first demonstrate a commitment to democracy, human rights, self-determination, non-inter-vention, security, and development. With these strictures, the OAS was compelled to move at a careful and deliberate pace on Cuba’s reinstatement. More important, the resolution made clear that the burden of rejoining lies on Cuba itself.

The debates in San Pedro Sula demonstrated what consensus can achieve. The resolution acknowledged the near-unanimous sentiment around the room that it was time to remove a Cold War relic, while at the same time focusing attention on where it belonged—on the present reality of Cuba rather than its past.

Although the divisions within the Americas are often portrayed as ideological and intractable, the OAS decision showed they can be bridged with the right kind of statesmanship. Belying fears that the OAS was a broken instrument, the organization showed once again its value to the hemisphere. Even those countries that had threatened to withdraw or cease to participate in any meaningful way if their demands were refused, continued to stay engaged. Resolution by consensus, a long-standing practice of the OAS, carried the day. The prospect of Cuba’s reintegration and the precedent of inclusive decision making bode well for the challenges ahead.

Hector Morales, formerly the U.S. permanent representative to the OAS, is a consultant in the private sector and adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Latin American Studies.