[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 844 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 844

 Commending the people and the Government of the Republic of Guatemala 
for progress toward peace, democratization, and political and economic 
  liberalization, and expressing the hope and support of the House of 
         Representatives for the continuation of this progress.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 8, 2004

Ms. Harris (for herself, Mr. Ballenger, and Mr. Conyers) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the people and the Government of the Republic of Guatemala 
for progress toward peace, democratization, and political and economic 
  liberalization, and expressing the hope and support of the House of 
         Representatives for the continuation of this progress.

Whereas the Republic of Guatemala enacted a new democratic constitution, which 
        became effective on January 14, 1986, and the most recent successful 
        presidential election was held on December 28, 2003;
Whereas 36 years of civil war ended in 1996 with the signing of peace accords, 
        and in recent months the implementation of the accords has received 
        renewed impetus;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has taken the historic step of reducing 
        military spending to 0.33 percent of the gross domestic product, which 
        is half of the maximum spending that was authorized by the peace 
        accords;
Whereas the size of the military of Guatemala has been reduced dramatically from 
        46,900 to 15,500 troops, and the military is shifting its focus from 
        defending against domestic threats to defending against external 
        threats, including terrorism and narcotrafficking;
Whereas the United States determined that Guatemala had failed to adhere to its 
        international counternarcotics commitments during 2002, but in September 
        2003 and again in September 2004, Guatemala earned certification from 
        the United States that Guatemala had taken adequate steps to comply with 
        such commitments;
Whereas in July 2004, the Financial Action Task Force of the Group of Seven 
        welcomed progress made by Guatemala in enacting and implementing anti-
        money laundering legislation;
Whereas President George W. Bush has stated that the recent change in government 
        in Guatemala ``affords an important opportunity to reverse negative 
        trends in the country,'' but that donor support will remain essential to 
        keep Guatemala on the positive democratic path and to avoid a failing 
        state so close to United States borders;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has committed itself to implementing in a 
        constitutionally consistent manner an effective form of the Commission 
        of Investigation of Illegal Groups and Clandestine Security Forces;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has launched an unprecedented plan known as 
        the ``Economic and Social Reactivation Plan,'' the initial phase of 
        which will last 18 months and will be self-funded with $1.5 billion;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has initiated an unprecedented campaign to 
        eradicate chronic child malnutrition and has given new impetus to the 
        recently-created Department of the Environment;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has demonstrated remarkable resolve in anti-
        corruption efforts by indicting and incarcerating several former high-
        level officials, and is undertaking a far-reaching effort to improve the 
        quality of the country's judicial system;
Whereas the people and the Government of Guatemala have demonstrated important 
        political, social, and economic commitment in carrying out the 
        significant changes that preceded becoming a signatory to the United 
        States-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement;
Whereas in recent months Guatemalan society has shown cohesion and consensus 
        around a broadly beneficial vision for the future of Guatemala;
Whereas the encouraging developments in Guatemala, the largest nation in Central 
        America, reflect heartening trends enjoyed by the entire region; and
Whereas Guatemala continues to face many challenges of reform, including in the 
        areas of judicial independence, police corruption, the curbing of 
        organized criminal gang activity, and tax collection: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the people and the Government of the Republic 
        of Guatemala for progress toward peace, democratization, and 
        political and economic liberalization;
            (2) expresses its hope that this progress will continue to 
        thrive and will become self-reinforcing;
            (3) reaffirms the friendship that exists between the people 
        of the United States and the people of Guatemala;
            (4) asserts its hope that the Government of Guatemala will 
        further strengthen its fight against financial crime and will 
        focus on the proper collection of taxes in order to benefit the 
        whole of the Guatemalan people;
            (5) encourages the Government of the United States to offer 
        to assist Guatemala in its future challenges of reform, 
        including initiatives against money laundering, to encourage 
        democracy and economic prosperity; and
            (6) supports enhancing mutually beneficial bilateral 
        economic ties between the United States and Guatemala.
                                 <all>