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Cooperation in the Central American Region: The Organization of Central American States

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2009

Norman J. Padelford
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Extract

For more than a century intellectuals and statesmen in Central America have kept alive a Bolivarian dream of fashioning a political unity in the isthmian region of the Americas. The formation of the Organization of Central American States in 1951 marked a signal accomplishment along a pathway strewn with many obstacles and previous frustrations. The establishment of this organization added a third regional grouping to the two already present in the Americas— the Organization of American States and the Caribbean Commission. It remains to be seen to what extent the three will be able to work together when questions affecting interests of the hemisphere as a whole arise.

Type
Articles
Information
International Organization , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , Winter 1957 , pp. 41 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © The IO Foundation 1957

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References

1 For review of the history of the Court see Hudson, Manley O., The Permanent Court of International justice, 1920–1942, New York, 1943, Chapter 3Google Scholar. See also Munro, Dana G., The Five Republics of Central America, New York, 1918, p. 223–257Google Scholar.

2 For texts of treaties see Hudson, Manley O., International Legislation, Washington, 1931, Vol. II, p. 901–992Google Scholar.

3 A Treaty of Central American Confraternity was signed in 1934 but failed of ratification. Ibid., Vol. VI, p. 824–833. See Foreign Relations of the United States, 1934, Vol. IV, p. 423–456Google Scholar.

4 On the formation of the OCAS, or ODECA as it is abbreviated in Spanish, see Lleras, Alberto (then Secretary-General of the OAS), “Toward Central American Union,” Americas, 04 1952, p. 3–5, 38–39Google Scholar; Fenwick, Charles G., “The Organization of Central American States,” American Journal of International Law, 07 1952. p. 509–512Google Scholar. The text of the Charter will be found in the Annals of the Organization of American States, Vol. IV (1952), p. 353–355Google Scholar.

5 See Padelford, Norman J., “Recent Developments in Regional Organizations,” Proceedings of the American Society of International Law, 04 1955, p. 23–41Google Scholar.

6 See Foreign Relations of the United States, 1934, Vol. IV, p. 423–456Google Scholar.

7 Ibid., p. 442.

8 A “Preliminary Meeting” of the Foreign Ministers was held at San Salvador in 1951 in conjunction with signing the Charter of the OCAS. This adopted a number of resolutions and recommendations including the establishment of a Central American Press and Information Office, the improvement of radio, telephone and telegraph service, and simplifying migration and travel documents. These resolutions are contained in a document published by the Guatemalan Minīstry of Foreign Relations entitled ODECA, Primero Reunion de Ministros de Relaciones Exteriores de las Republicas Centroamericanas, 17 de Augusto de 1955, Antigua, 1955Google Scholar.

9 It is interesting in this connection to recall that in 1936 the government of Nicaragua proposed informally to the other Central American states the formation of a defensive alliance against communism in the region. This was never concluded. See Foreign Relations of the United States, 1936, Vol. V, p. 852–854Google Scholar.

10 Texts of the resolutions taken at these two meetings will be found in the previously cited document.

11 The Costa Rican–Nicaraguan dispute was settled on January 9, 1956 by the signature of two agreements at the Pan American Union in Washington. One provided for a joint survey of the boundary to prevent passage of armed groups and to settle local issues. The other made the ad hoc OAS Committee of Investigation a Permanent Committee of Investigation and Conciliation with free access to the territories of both countries.

12 The actions taken by the Foreign Ministers Meeting are published by the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Guatemala as the Acta Final de la Primera Reunion de Ministros de Reiacionet Exteriores de las Republicas Centroamericanas, Guatemala, C.A., 1955Google Scholar.

13 See the New York Times, August 25, 1955. See also “Launching ODECA: Regional System of the Central American States Gets Underway,” Americas, October 1955. p. 3–5.

14 International Cooperation Administration, Operations Report, Data as of 03 31, 1956 (Washington, ICA, FY 1956, Issue No. 3), p. 17Google Scholar.

15 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Eleventh Annual Report, 1955–1956, Washington, 1956, p. 51Google Scholar.

16 See United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America, Analysis and Prospects of Inter-Central American Trade, Document E/CN.12/367, 08 29, 1955Google Scholar.

17 Progress Report on the Central American Economic Integration Program, 17 October 1953–9 May 1955. UN Document E/CN.12/366, August 29, 1955.

18 See ’Central American Integration in Economics, Education and Culture,“ United Nations Review, September 1955, p. 62.

19 New York Times, December II, 1956.

20 Myrdal, Gunnar, An International Economy, New York, 1956, p. 261Google Scholar.

21 See United Nations Demographic Yearbook, 1955; see also The Population of Central America (including Mexico), 19}0–1980. UN Document ST/SOA/Set.A., Population Div. (New York, 1934)Google Scholar.

22 See Alisky, Marvin, “Central America Radio (Transmitters, Programs and Audiences in each Country),” Quarterly Film, Radio and Television, Fall 1955, p. 51–63Google Scholar; ibid., “The Mass Media in Central America: Costa Rica and El Salvador lead the Way among the Five Central American States in Development of Communications Agencies: the political, social and economic conditions which affect th e media,” Journalism Quarterly, Fall 1955, p. 479–486.