OAS chief resigns amid bribery charges

[arcos]

OAS chief resigns amid bribery charges

WASHINGTON -- The head of the Organization of American States resigned Friday, just two weeks into his tenure, after allegations that he participated in a bribery scandal involving a French telephone company.

Secretary-General Miguel Angel Rodriguez, from Costa Rica, disclosed his resignation in a letter read to a special session of the OAS permanent council. The resignation takes effect on Oct. 15.

The first allegations of wrongdoing against Rodriguez surfaced Sept. 30 and prompted a demand for his resignation by President Abel Pacheco of Costa Rica.

In his letter, Rodriguez said he did not want to subject the OAS to a "cruel and long persecution of its secretary-general," not only in judicial proceedings but also in the media.

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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apwashington_story.asp?category=1155&slug=OAS%20Resignation

[bemildred]

1. Yippee. The good news just keeps on coming ... nt