[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 16 (Monday, February 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            GUATEMALA PEACE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 10, 1997

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation which 
congratulates the government and people of Guatemala for the 
extraordinary peace accords signed recently between the Government and 
the Unidad Revolucionaria National Guatemala [URNG].
  With the signing of the accords on December 29, 1996, 36 years of 
civil strife ended and Guatemala embarked on a new era of 
reconciliation, reconstruction, democratization, and economic 
development.
  The peace process, which culminated in the accords, was a 
comprehensive effort involving all sectors of the country. The 
development of the actual agreements took 11 years of tough negotiation 
and include some far reaching reforms of the political, economic, 
social, and judicial system in Guatemala.
  Lasting peace in Guatemala is not only beneficial to the people of 
that nation, but it is in the best interest of all of the nations of 
the hemisphere, including the United States.
  My resolution congratulates the government of President Alvaro Arzu 
for his efforts in negotiating a final end to the hostilities. It 
recognizes the commitment of the UNRG to end the warfare and to resolve 
their differences within the political arena. And, it commends all of 
the people of Guatemala for their strong commitment to democratic 
principles and social justice for all.

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