Maisto says democracy and free market have failed in Latin America

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic news Posted: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

In a frank statement of views, US Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) John Maisto says democracy and the free market have not really improved standards of living in Latin America. 

Speaking at a US Senate hearing to endorse his appointment as Ambassador, Maisto says Chile has taken a wise decision to make governance the main theme of next Sunday's OAS general assembly in Santiago. 

• "The failure of democracy and to erase poverty has created serious problems of governance." 

The former Ambassador to Venezuela says he will insist at the OAS on implementation of the Inter American Democratic Charter and a more prominent OAS role in seeking change in Cuba. 

As US representative, Maisto told the Senate committee that he will propose an important role for the OAS in pushing for change that allows greater social mobility and strengthening of security on the continent