Anniversary of a Charter. (OAS).

AT THE OAS to mark the first anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, President Alejandro Toledo of Peru underscored the need to develop "a true democratic culture in our countries" and to ensure that all citizens have a voice in decision-making.

The Democratic Charter--adopted in Lima, Peru, on September 11, 2001--represents not an end in itself, but the beginning of a long process, Toledo told a special session of the Permanent Council. "Now we have the challenge of moving toward more dynamic and integrated forms of democratic life in the Americas," he said.

The Peruvian president ...