BEIJING, Oct.9 (Xinhuanet) -- The board of the Organization of American States, or OAS, has accepted the written resignation of its secretary-general Miguel Angel Rodriguez.

    Rodriguez was sworn in on September 23 to a five-year term as chief of the world's oldest regional organization, but is resigning amid accusations of corruption dating to his presidency of Costa Rica, China Radio International reported Saturday.

    Rodriguez served as Costa Rica's president from 1998 to 2002. Abel Pacheco succeeded him as president in May 2002.

    Pacheco demanded Rodriguez resign and face corruption charges over an alleged bribe from French telecom giant Alcatel. Rodriguez says he's innocent and his resignation is for the good of the OAS.

    The former Costa Rican president will be succeeded by the second-ranking official in the OAS, Luigi Einaudi, a former US State Department official. Enditem

    (CRIENGLISH.com)