[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1740-E1741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CENTRAL AMERICA: INDEPENDENCE, PEACE AND PROGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 1997

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, September 15, five of the 
nations of Central America will celebrate their respective independence 
days. As chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, I want to 
congratulate the nations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, and Nicaragua

[[Page E1741]]

on the occasion of this day and to call to the attention of the Members 
of the House the great progress which the region as a whole has made 
toward peace, stability, and democracy.
  The historic signing of the Guatemala Peace Accords last December 29 
ushered in a period in which for the first time in almost 40 years, the 
entire Central American region is at peace. Even more significant is 
the fact that democracy is taking hold as evidenced by the fact that 
every current government in the region has been elected in what have 
been determined to be free and fair elections by both domestic and 
international observers. The economies of these nations seem to be 
making solid progress as growth, albeit slow, is being achieved through 
a combination of liberalization, modernization, and privatization. 
Further, it would appear that in general, an awareness and respect for 
human rights is on the increase and that the militaries of several of 
these nations are accepting their new roles under civilian leadership.
  Nowhere are these last two issues more evident than in Guatemala. A 
recent subcommittee staff visit there found very encouraging signs that 
the peace process is taking hold thanks to the total commitment of 
President Arzu and the representatives of the URNG. And, the Guatemalan 
Congress is about to begin a historic debate on amending their 
Constitution to accommodate the political and economic reforms mandated 
by the accords. In the 9 months since the peace accords were signed, 
more than 3,000 former URNG combatants have been reintegrated into 
Guatemalan society. A Historical Clarification Commission has begun 
looking into 36 years of human rights abuses and atrocities committed 
against the general populace during the conflict years. And, the U.N. 
Verification Mission, MINUGUA, has stepped up its work in helping to 
strengthen organizations dealing with human rights issues. The 
significant U.S. financial commitment to this process as well as to 
programs we are funding in Nicaragua and El Salvador are clearly 
helping make these efforts successful.
  This is not to say that there are not problems. Drug use and crime 
seem to be on the increase everywhere and nagging problems of poverty, 
unemployment, illiteracy, and infant mortality persist. But on the 
whole, Central America has moved beyond the crisis period of the past 
15 years and has given us great cause for optimism.
  So, Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the celebration of the 
independence of these nations, I want to congratulate each of these 
nations for the progress they are making and to express my hope that 
they continue on this impressive path.

                          ____________________