[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING PEOPLE OF GUATEMALA ON SUCCESS OF RECENT NEGOTIATIONS TO 
                        ESTABLISH PEACE PROCESS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 1997

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my fellow 
colleagues from both sides of the aisle in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 17, congratulating the people of Guatemala on the success of 
the recent negotiations to establish a peace process for Guatemala.
  On December 29, peace accord ended 36 years of civil war the 
Government negotiated directly with the rebels.
  The United States over the last 6 years participated in the peace 
negotiations for Guatemala as a member of the Group of Friends in 
conjunction with Norway, Mexico, and Spain. The group supported the 
work done by the United Nations to broker a peace in that war torn 
country. In this regard, the Guatemala peace accord is both a United 
Nations success story and an example of the benefits of sustained 
United States diplomatic engagement.
  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.
  Lasting peace, political stability and economic development in 
Guatemala is in the best interest of all nations of the Western 
Hemisphere, therefore, we should all be hopeful at these 
accomplishments made in the name of peace for the Guatemalan people.

                          ____________________