The

Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) today

held a protocolary session to host the President of the Republic of

Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, who recognized the "excellent work"

carried out by the hemispheric organization, and called on Member

States to increase their contributions and make the OAS "a strong,

vibrant, and deliberative organization that helps us more in solving

our problems."

During the session, held in the Hall of the

Americas of OAS headquarters in Washington, DC, President Martinelli

said Member States "must begin to contribute more to ensure this

organization is not lacking resources, that it is able to provide

more services to all its members...