OAS Organization Of American States Created in 1948 Purpose: Prevent military conflict within the Western Hemisphere. Protection of nations from outside aggressors. Improve political and social sectors in member states. Members: 35 (Cuba’s activity suspended in 1962.) http://www.oas.org

NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement Economic agreement. 1993 - Signed into law by President Clinton Allows free trade by eliminating trade barriers Controversial Members: 3 U.S., Canada and Mexico. http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/Policy/NAFTA/nafta.asp

CAFTA Central America Free Trade Agreement Economic agreement. 2005 - Signed into law by congress Allows free trade by eliminating trade barriers Controversial Members: 6 U.S., Costa Rico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua DR-CAFTA: added 7th member: Dominican Republic Presidents Francisco Flores Pérez (former), Ricardo Maduro (former), George W. Bush, Abel Pacheco (former), Enrique Bolaños (former) and Alfonso Portillo (former

AU African Union Founded:1963 OAU (Organization of African Unity Became African Union in 2001 Purpose: Coordinate cultural, scientific, political and economical policies. End Colonialism Instrumental in ending Apartheid Strict segregation based on race Defend Independent Nations. 53 member states Issues: AIDS/Civil War/Genocide http://www.africa-union.org/

Arab League Founded: 1945 Members: 22 countries. Purpose: encourage cooperation. mediate disputes between members. represent members in international negotiations. unite militarily, economically and diplomatically against Israel. Arab League supported both Palestinian uprisings (Intifada).

Arab League’s Position on Israel At the Beirut Summit on 28 March 2002 the Arab League adopted the Arab Peace Initiative[1], a Saudi-inspired peace plan for the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The Initiative offered full normalization of relations with Israel in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the Occupied Territories, including the Golan Heights, the recognition of "an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital" in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as a "just solution" for the Palestinian refugees. The Peace Initiative was again endorsed in 2007 in the . In July 2007 the Arab League sent a mission, consisting of the Jordanian and Egyptian foreign ministers, to Israel to promote the Initiative, which has been welcomed by Israel, with reservations.

ASEAN: Association of South East Asian Nations. Founded: 1967 Members: 10 Asian China, India and Japan NOT members Purpose: Promote economical, social and cultural cooperation amongst members. http://www.aseansec.org/

EU: European Union Founded:1951 27 members Purpose: Encourages single market economy for the continent of Europe Freedom of movement for people, goods, services and capital Common Currency – the Euro Represents member nations in the global arena United for military defense http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm Member Nations