The Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council voiced Tuesday "absolute" support to OAS Secretary-General José Miguel Insulza and demanded respect for his position.

The move followed the remarks made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez last Monday. Then, the ruler urged the OAS top official to quit and "retract" his allegations in defense of freedom of expression in Venezuela.

Venezuelan minister counselor and alternative ambassador Nelson Pineda ratified Tuesday at the Permanent Council the position of the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to them, Insulza should "retract" his comments on the government reluctance to renew a broadcasting license to private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV). Insulza had hinted that this action was a "sort of censorship."

Nevertheless, most representatives of the member-states expressed "full confidence" in the secretary-general management. The support came particularly from Chilean representative and Insulza's fellow citizen Francisco Bernales.

Even Brazilian representative Fernando Sima stated that "opinion pluralism is a must" under democracy."