OAS elects Chile's Insulza as new leader
The Organization of American States on Monday elected Chilean Interior Minister Jose Miguel Insulza as its new chief in a setback for the United States which failed to garner enough support for its favored candidates.

Insulza won after his U.S.-backed rival, Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez, withdrew his candidacy following a deal brokered last week in Chile by foreign ministers from Latin America and Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice.

The deal that led to Insulza's victory signaled a loss of U.S. clout in the OAS as Latin Americans increasingly elect governments critical of Washington-backed free market policies. The OAS has typically elected Washington-backed candidates for Secretary General.

Insulza received 31 votes with two abstentions and one blank vote. Representatives from Bolivia and Peru -- which have long-standing territorial disputes with Chile -- had expressed their opposition to Insulza before the vote.

The election ended a divisive deadlock in the Western Hemisphere's top diplomatic body which has been struggling to elect a new leader since last October, when Costa Rica's Angel Rodriguez resigned to face corruption charges at home.

Five rounds of voting last month ended in a tie between Insulza and Derbez. Countries were roughly split on a north-south line with those in the south -- including Venezuela -- supporting Insulza.

The election was put on hold for two weeks as officials scrambled to find a way to end the deadlock.

In a news conference after being elected, Insulza noted that his election marked a change.

"There is something new now," he said. "The procedure that we used to follow was that the United States made clear which was its preferred candidate."

But Insulza said this time, the United States showed a desire to reach a consensus. "I respect this," he said.

Washington, which has traditionally dominated the 34-member organization founded in 1948 to mediate regional conflicts, had originally supported
El Salvador's former president Francisco Flores but he backed out before last month's election due to lack of additional support.

U.S. officials said last week that Insulza persuaded the United States he would be tough on the countries Washington is most at odds with in the region -- Cuba and Venezuela.

Insulza vowed to focus on promoting democracy and human rights and on improving development across Latin America. He said security and peace in the region were top priorities.

Roger Noriega, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, said Insulza's election showed agreement on "advancing our shared values of democracy and human rights ... in all of the Americas, including Cuba."

Insulza's election may not be a complete loss for U.S. clout.

"Insulza's presence in the OAS is not at all uncomfortable for the United States," said Chilean political scientist Guillermo Holzmann. "He is a man who can be a communication bridge with other leftist governments."

Insulza, respected in Chile as a shrewd negotiator, will also be helped by Santiago's good ties with Washington. Chile is the only South American country with a free trade pact with the United States.