    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [March 8, 1999]
    [Pages 323-324]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the Community in Posoltega, Nicaragua
    March 8, 1999

        Thank you very much. President Aleman,
    Mayor Zeledon, Mayor Palacios, Bishop Vivas. To our school
    director, Julia Martinez Toruno, and
    all the children who are here; to the members of the Government of
    Nicaragua and the National Assembly; to the--[inaudible]--Boys Choir and
    to the young woman who sang the
    national anthems of both nations, the granddaughter of former President
    Violeta Chamorro; and to all the people of Nicaragua: thank you for
    making us feel so very welcome today.
        My fellow Americans and I are moved and humbled to be here in
    Posoltega, where the terrible mudslide took so many sons and daughters,
    mothers and fathers, neighbors and friends. I have come to pay my
    respects to those who lost their lives and to reaffirm the support of
    the American people for those who were spared and for your rebuilding.
    In this decade, with courage and strength, you have created a new
    Nicaragua. You have earned the world's admiration, and now you deserve
    the world's support in this moment of need.
        Somos humanos, y nos ayudamos. We are brothers and sisters,
    neighbors and friends. We must help each other.
        I thank President Aleman for recognizing
    the work of the United States to provide food, shelter, and health care;
    to renew the farms and small businesses; to rebuild the roads and
    bridges and homes. I thank our Armed Forces for all they have done,
    including building a new health center in Wiwili, north of here. Now our
    Agency for International Development will provide equipment, training,
    and immunizations for this health center and others in Nicaragua, so
    that your people can get back on their feet and stay healthy as they
    rebuild their lives.
        Today we have brought 3,000 pounds of school supplies for the
    children of Posoltega, donated by organizations all across America and
    by our own workers at the White House. I know that you need more
    temporary shelters until permanent homes can be built. I know you need
    to speed the discovery and the removal of landmines left from the war,
    because the hurricanes may have moved them and made them more dangerous.
    With these tasks, too, we will help.
        I know that more is needed, and urgently. I have asked our Congress
    for $956 million to support our reconstruction effort here. I am
    grateful that leaders in our Congress from both political parties have
    expressed support, and I thank the Members of the United States Congress
    who have come to Nicaragua with me and are sitting over here, Senator
    Graham and Congressmen Becerra, Deutsch, and Reyes.
        This aid will help to speed the rebuilding of homes, farms,
    businesses, and roads. It will help your Government to deliver aid
    better. It will allow us to send more Peace Corps volunteers. And I
    would like to thank the Peace Corps volunteers who are here today for
    their service in Nicaragua.
        As we see the dust in the wind today, it reminds us that you must
    rebuild in a way that

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    helps you to manage the environment better by preserving trees that can
    help prevent a mudslide or curbing pollution that can cause temperatures
    to rise. We can avoid or lessen future catastrophes. We can manage the
    land and water and grow your economy, and I know you want to do that.
        To help you focus on reviving your economy, my aid package would
    also forgive or defer much of Nicaragua's--and Honduras'--debts to our
    Government. And I have asked our Congress to reduce trade barriers
    between the two of us so that all the people of Central America can work
    and grow their way back to prosperity and normal life.
        We have provided temporary immigration protection for Central
    Americans in our country, and I will seek a fair solution to all the
    immigration issues this tragedy has heightened.
        In times past, there was conflict, turbulence, and distrust between
    our two nations, but now we are bound together in our common commitment
    to democracy. And democracy will light the way to a brighter future for
    Nicaragua through government, through voluntary organizations, through
    local officials working with citizens who are participating in decisions
    that affect their lives, through leaders working to see that no one
    exploits this tragedy for personal gain and no one is left behind. And
    we will work with you every step of the way.
        A hurricane, a mudslide--they can destroy lives; they can destroy
    homes; they can destroy a life's work. But they must not be allowed to
    destroy hope. Not so long ago, your country overcame a terrible war and
    emerged even stronger. You will overcome this adversity as well. And we
    will work with you every day until the task is done.
        Thank you. God bless you. Muchas gracias.

    Note: The President spoke at 2 p.m. on Jose Dolores Toruno Lopez High
    School field. In his remarks, he referred to President Arnoldo Aleman of
    Nicaragua; Mayor Felicita Zeledon of Posoltega; Mayor Eligio Palacios of
    Chichigalpa; Monsignor Bosco Vivas, Bishop of Leon; and Maria Andres
    Chamorro, who sang the national anthems.