Commends the people and the Government of the Republic of Guatemala for progress toward peace, democratization, and political and economic liberalization.
Expresses hope that this progress will continue to thrive and will become self-reinforcing.
Encourages the United States to offer to assist Guatemala in its future challenges of reform, including initiatives against money laundering, to encourage democracy and economic prosperity.
Supports enhancing mutually beneficial bilateral economic ties between the United States and Guatemala.
[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 844 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 844
Commending the people and the Government of the Republic of Guatemala
for progress toward peace, democratization, and political and economic
liberalization, and expressing the hope and support of the House of
Representatives for the continuation of this progress.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 8, 2004
Ms. Harris (for herself, Mr. Ballenger, and Mr. Conyers) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Commending the people and the Government of the Republic of Guatemala
for progress toward peace, democratization, and political and economic
liberalization, and expressing the hope and support of the House of
Representatives for the continuation of this progress.
Whereas the Republic of Guatemala enacted a new democratic constitution, which
became effective on January 14, 1986, and the most recent successful
presidential election was held on December 28, 2003;
Whereas 36 years of civil war ended in 1996 with the signing of peace accords,
and in recent months the implementation of the accords has received
renewed impetus;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has taken the historic step of reducing
military spending to 0.33 percent of the gross domestic product, which
is half of the maximum spending that was authorized by the peace
accords;
Whereas the size of the military of Guatemala has been reduced dramatically from
46,900 to 15,500 troops, and the military is shifting its focus from
defending against domestic threats to defending against external
threats, including terrorism and narcotrafficking;
Whereas the United States determined that Guatemala had failed to adhere to its
international counternarcotics commitments during 2002, but in September
2003 and again in September 2004, Guatemala earned certification from
the United States that Guatemala had taken adequate steps to comply with
such commitments;
Whereas in July 2004, the Financial Action Task Force of the Group of Seven
welcomed progress made by Guatemala in enacting and implementing anti-
money laundering legislation;
Whereas President George W. Bush has stated that the recent change in government
in Guatemala ``affords an important opportunity to reverse negative
trends in the country,'' but that donor support will remain essential to
keep Guatemala on the positive democratic path and to avoid a failing
state so close to United States borders;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has committed itself to implementing in a
constitutionally consistent manner an effective form of the Commission
of Investigation of Illegal Groups and Clandestine Security Forces;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has launched an unprecedented plan known as
the ``Economic and Social Reactivation Plan,'' the initial phase of
which will last 18 months and will be self-funded with $1.5 billion;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has initiated an unprecedented campaign to
eradicate chronic child malnutrition and has given new impetus to the
recently-created Department of the Environment;
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has demonstrated remarkable resolve in anti-
corruption efforts by indicting and incarcerating several former high-
level officials, and is undertaking a far-reaching effort to improve the
quality of the country's judicial system;
Whereas the people and the Government of Guatemala have demonstrated important
political, social, and economic commitment in carrying out the
significant changes that preceded becoming a signatory to the United
States-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement;
Whereas in recent months Guatemalan society has shown cohesion and consensus
around a broadly beneficial vision for the future of Guatemala;
Whereas the encouraging developments in Guatemala, the largest nation in Central
America, reflect heartening trends enjoyed by the entire region; and
Whereas Guatemala continues to face many challenges of reform, including in the
areas of judicial independence, police corruption, the curbing of
organized criminal gang activity, and tax collection: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the people and the Government of the Republic
of Guatemala for progress toward peace, democratization, and
political and economic liberalization;
(2) expresses its hope that this progress will continue to
thrive and will become self-reinforcing;
(3) reaffirms the friendship that exists between the people
of the United States and the people of Guatemala;
(4) asserts its hope that the Government of Guatemala will
further strengthen its fight against financial crime and will
focus on the proper collection of taxes in order to benefit the
whole of the Guatemalan people;
(5) encourages the Government of the United States to offer
to assist Guatemala in its future challenges of reform,
including initiatives against money laundering, to encourage
democracy and economic prosperity; and
(6) supports enhancing mutually beneficial bilateral
economic ties between the United States and Guatemala.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
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