3. Inter-American Nuclear Energy Commission 1735 I Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Origin and development: The Inter-American Nuclear Energy Commission is a technical commission, within the Organization of American States, established in 1959 upon the recommendation of the Inter-American Committee of Presidential Representatives. It is governed by a Statute approved by the Council of the Organization in April 1959 and amended by the Council in November 1962. The Commission has technical autonomy and may make technical recommendations directly to the governments, through their respective representatives on the Commission, and to the various organs of the Organization of American States. The Commission has held eight meetings out of which have come programs and activities that are carried out by the Department of Scientific Affairs of the OAS, which provides the technical and secretariat services required by the Commission. The Commission has an Advisory Committee currently made up of representatives from ten Member States and a Special Committee on Civil Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy. Initial date of U.S. participation: 1959. Current authority for U.S. participation: Charter of the Organization of American States, April 30, 1948, 2 UST 2394, TIAS 2361. Purpose of organization: The Commission was established to serve as a center of consultation for the Member States of the Organization of American States and to facilitate cooperation among them in matters relating to the peaceful application of nuclear energy. Membership: The Commission is composed of one representative of each Member State of the Organization of American States, especially appointed by the respective government. (67) 4. Special Consultative Committee on Security 19th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. Origin and development: Established in compliance with Resolution II of the Eighth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics, held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, January 22-31, 1962. The Statutes of the Committee were approved by the Council of the Organization on April 23, 1963. The Committee has since held seventeen semi-annual meetings. Initial date of U.S. participation: Inasmuch as the Committee is an entity of the OAS, the United States has been associated with the Committee since its inception by virtue of its OAS membership. Moreover, a U.S. national has served continuously as one of the Committee's seven elected members throughout the period of its existence. Current authority for U.S. participation: Resolution II of the Eighth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics, January 31, 1962. Purpose of organization: Resolution II provided that the Committee should be an advisory body, made up of experts, whose purpose would be to provide advice and recommendations to member governments in the field of security against the subversive action of international communism. In establishing the Committee, the Council of the OAS determined that the Committee's assistance should be available to the Council as well as individual member governments which might desire or request such assistance. Governing body: The Committee is an autonomous body whose seven members are elected in their personal capacity by the OAS Permanent Council. However, the Committee may be dissolved by decision of the Permanent Council. Membership: Seats on the Committee are presently filled by nationals of the following member countries: Costa Rica, Peru, Dominican Republic, United States, Colombia, and Guatemala. One seat is presently vacant. (68) II. INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK A. Description. B. Articles of Agreement Establishing the Inter-American Development C. Inter-American Development Bank Act. Provision against providing funds of the Bank for countries which D. Social Progress Trust Fund Agreement. 1. Protocol to the Social Progress Trust Fund Agreement, February 116 2. Protocol to the Social Progress Trust Fund Agreement, Septem- 117 (69) A. DESCRIPTION OF THE INTER-AMERICAN 1 DEVELOPMENT BANK 1 Headquarters: 808 Seventeenth Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20577. Phone 202-393-4171 President.-Antonio Ortiz Mena. CREATION AND AUTHORITY The Agreement establishing the Inter-American Development Bank came into effect in December 1959, when it was accepted by 19 Latin American Republics and the United States, and the Bank commenced operations on October 1, 1960. The United States became a member by virtue of the Inter-American Development Bank Act (73 Stat. 299; 22 U.S.C. 283 note). Trinidad and Tobago became a member in 1967, and Barbados and Jamaica in 1969. PURPOSE The purpose of the Bank is to promote the economic development of its member countries, individually and collectively. ORGANIZATION Basic powers of the Bank are vested in a Board of Governors consisting of one Governor appointed by each member country. Responsibility for actual operations of the Bank rests with a Board of Executive Directors, which has seven members chosen by the Bank's member countries. The voting power of the member countries is approximately proportionate to their subscriptions to the ordinary capital. The President of the Bank, elected by the Governors, is ex officio chairman of the Board of Executive Directors and, under the direction of the Board, conducts the ordinary business of the Bank and is chief of its staff. ACTIVITIES The Bank may make loans to either governmental or private entities. Loans generally are made for specific projects, but also may be granted to development banks and institutions in member countries for relending for projects not large enough to warrant direct credits. from the Bank. Loans to private borrowers are made with an appropriate guarantee. The Bank provides technical advice and assistance in preparing, financing, and executing development plans and projects, including the consideration of priorities and the formulation of loan proposals on specific national or regional development projects. 1 Source: U.S. Government Organization Manual, 1970/71. Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1970. p. 585-586. |