[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
[December 10, 1994]
[Page 2172]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2172]]


Remarks on Signing the CONCAUSA Agreement in Miami
December 10, 1994

    Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President. To my colleagues, the 
leaders of the Central American nations, I am very pleased to join you 
today in signing the Conjunto Centroamericano-USA or, in shorthand, 
CONCAUSA. The United States is proud to become a partner in your 
alliance to promote sustainable economic growth. This declaration is the 
product of farsighted leadership by the nations of Central America.
    A little over a year ago, when I hosted many of you at the White 
House, you proposed to establish an alliance for sustainable 
development. Just 9 months later you made good on your pledge. This 
alliance is a remarkable sign of the powerful transformation you have 
achieved in Central America. You have demonstrated strength and energy 
in bringing your people together to resolve conflicts peacefully and 
turning your attention to creating new economic opportunity in your 
nations.
    As the Vice President said, this alliance is already demonstrating 
that democracy, economic growth, and concern for the environment are 
complementary goals. Now, through CONCAUSA, all our nations will 
cooperate on a wide range of concrete programs. These include supporting 
protected areas from northern Guatemala to eastern Panama, phasing out 
the use of lead in gasoline, and strengthening environmental laws and 
enforcement.
    We will also work to harmonize environmental rules to facilitate 
trade and investment. And I am committed to seeking prompt congressional 
passage of the interim trade program.
    Your Excellencies, the United States is proud to join your 
partnership to promote sustainable development. This is a new day of 
cooperation between the United States and Central America, and we urge 
other nations to follow our lead. So many of the challenges we face know 
no borders, and we must unite to meet them.
    Now I'd like to invite to the microphone the Secretary of the 
Central American nations, President Figueres.

Note: The President spoke at approximately 5 p.m. on the East Terrace at 
Vizcaya. In his remarks, he referred to President Jose Maria Figueres of 
Costa Rica.