Dominican historian and sociologist Ruben Silie Valdez is the new secretary general of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). He succeeds Jamaican Norman Girvan and will serve a four-year term. Silie was elected unanimously at the Third Special Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Association of Caribbean States held in Panama on 12 February. For background information on Silie and the ACS, see http://www.acs-aec.org/nr0100_eng.htm