Toledo visits OAS.

• Author: Conaway, Janelle
• Position: Alejandro Toledo, Organization of American States - Brief article

WITH THE END of his term in sight and the electoral process that would replace him under way, President Alejandro Toledo of Peru came to OAS headquarters to thank the hemispheric body for bolstering democracy in his country.

He was talking about recent support--the OAS sent a large observation mission to monitor Peru's general elections--but was also looking back to 2000, when the OAS helped launch a process of political dialogue and institutional reform.

"During that crucial stage of the recovery of democracy in my country, this organization played a fundamental role, using the inter-American legal instruments in effect at that time for the collective defense of democracy in the hemisphere," he said.

The Peruvian leader's visit came just days after his country's April 9 presidential and congressional elections. Calling the process transparent and fair, Toledo said Peruvians had shown their firm commitment to the democratic path: "everything with democracy, nothing without it."

Because no presidential candidate won a majority during the first round, a runoff...