Americas (English Edition)

Pres Juan Carlos Wasmosy is committed to building Paraguay into a democratic nation with sustainable development and strong social programs. Wasmosy, who was elected into office in May 1993, reaffirmed his commitment to the Organization of American States during his Sep 30, 1993 visit.

A dreamy Oaxacan fantasy.

Heteo Perez's paintings The paintings of Heteo Perez reflect a dream world rooted in Mexican folk culture that is most evident in Oaxaca, Mexico. His latest cycle, 'La quinceanera,' commemorates is daughter's 15th birthday.

Brazil's 'green' asphalt.

Wildlife in Brazilian cities Several species of wildlife such as small mammals, birds, snakes and frogs frequent Brazilian cities that have biological reserves. Among the cities that track their fauna are Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte.

Democracy in the Americas.

The Inter-American System The Organization of American States (OAS) actively promotes democracy among member nations while following the principle of non-intervention. Electoral observation, the Democratic Forum and the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy are some of their instruments for the promotion of democracy.

Difficult Liaison: Trade and the Environment in the Americas.

Last call at Buenos Aires.

Disappearance of the Danish ship Kobenhavn The Danish ship Kobenhavn left Buenos Aires, Argentina, its last port of call, on Dec 14, 1928 for Melbourne, Australia with its crew of 60, and disappeared without trace after Dec 22, 1928. To date, speculation about her disappearance abounds.

Meet the salamander.

There are about 155 known species of the Latin American salamander, which belong to the plethodontids family. These salamanders inhabit mountains in Central and South America and comprise over a third of all the salamanders in the world.

Memory's persistence: the living art.

Hispanic crafts in Santa Fe, New Mexico - Includes profiles of artisans Hispanic artisans in Santa Fe, NM, proudly display traditional religious and domestic art objects at the annual Traditional Spanish Market in July. The resurgence of interest in Hispanic art is the result of the art preservation movement begun by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society in 1925.

Military and democracy.

Military reorganization in Argentina - OAS Argentine Minister of Defense Oscar Camillon reported at an Organization of American States forum that the Argentine military has been reorganized into a socio-economic unit that participates in nation building. Pres Carlos Menem was instrumental in subordinating the military to civilian authority.

New anti-drug strategies.

OAS The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission discussed new anti-drug strategies at a Washington, DC, conference held in Oct 1993. Reports from the 24 member nations stressed the need to solve the problem at the community level through social services and in local schools.

Pooling forces on a Belizean Caye.

Northern Fishermen's Coop Belizean fisherman Orlando Carrasco founded the Northern Fishermen's Coop, which supplies about 300,000 pounds of rock lobsters annually to Red Lobster for its 650 restaurants in the US and Canada. The cooperative has improved the lives and livelihood of its over 600 members.

Rapture of the heights.

Sulfur mining in the Andes - Cover Story Bolivian highlanders mine the 20,262 feet high volcano Aucanquilcha for sulfur. Rights to mining this volcano in the Andes were bought by the Carrasco family of Antofagasta, Chile, in the early 1900s.

Senhoras y Senhores.

Seventh heaven: the Americas Film Festival.

The 1993 Americas Film Festival (AFF) featured 21 films and events from members and observers from the Organization of American States. AFF Foundation Pres Glaucia Baena Soares identified music, women and social/political realist films as the prominent themes among the entries.

Super banana.

Fundacion Hondurena de Investigacion Agricola develops pesticide-free fungus-resistant banana The Goldfinger is a new breed of banana resistant to the black sigatoka fungus. The breed was developed to eliminate the use of pesticides against the fungus that threatened the banana industry. However, because it does not taste like other bananas, further research is needed.

The inventions of Adolfo Bioy Casares.

Argentine author Author Adolfo Bioy Casares worked in collaboration with his wife, Silvina Ocampo, and Jorge Luis Borges to develop the fantastic literary genre in Argentina. 'La invencion de Morel' may be Bioy's most significant work.

Uphill.

Short story - Latitudes

Women against violence.

OAS Intergovernmental experts, led by Inter-American Commission of Women Pres Zelmira Regazzoli of Argentina, discussed the creation of regional conventions to protect Latin American women against violence. The meeting at the Organization of American States recognized the need to modify cultural practices.