[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 17 Referred in Senate (RFS)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 17


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 6, 1997

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Congratulating the people of Guatemala on the success of the recent 
        negotiations to establish a peace process for Guatemala.

Whereas on December 29, 1996, the Government of Guatemala and the 
        representatives of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemala signed 
        an historic peace accord ending 36 years of armed confrontation;
Whereas the peace accord includes the creation of a commission to implement a 
        wide range of reforms to the political, economic, social, and judicial 
        systems of Guatemala,

including an enhanced respect for human rights and the rule of law, 
improved health and education services, attention to the needs of refugees 
and displaced persons, and the role of the military in a democratic 
society;

Whereas the peace accord represents the completion of a long and important 
        negotiation process with the goal of achieving lasting peace, national 
        reconciliation, political stability, and renewed economic growth in 
        Guatemala; and
Whereas lasting peace, political stability, and economic development in 
        Guatemala is in the best interest of all nations of the Western 
        Hemisphere, including the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) congratulates the Guatemalan Government of President 
        Alvaro Arzu for its extraordinary accomplishments in 
        negotiating an end to hostilities and beginning the process of 
        national reconciliation and reconstruction;
            (2) recognizes the commitment of the Unidad Revolucionaria 
        Nacional Guatemala in Guatemala to agree to end the devastating 
        warfare and to resolve their differences in a peaceful manner 
        within a democratic political arena;
            (3) commends all of the people of Guatemala for their 
        determination to achieve a lasting peace and encourages their 
        strong commitment to democratic principles and social justice 
        for all; and
            (4) affirms the commitment of the United States to help 
        support a sustainable peace and development of strong 
        democratic institutions in Guatemala.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 5, 1997.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.