Guatemalan President Welcomes Clinton Offer For Bilateral Help

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom said he is satisfied with the results of his meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who offered a “complete and integral way” to address issues like security and justice and growing institution of government in Guatemala.

At a Newsmaker Feb. 18, Colom said the fight against narcotics also was on the agenda.
Through an interpreter, he said Clinton also offered to incorporate “new proposals like undertaking tax reforms, rural development and agriculture sector” in the bilateral cooperation ventures.

Colom said he agreed to strengthen the rule of law in Guatemala and agreed to accelerate the work in Guatemala of the International Commission Against Impunity.

Colom saidd that in a letter handed to Clinton for President Obama the suggestions from the regional presidents are incorporated and with the improvements in the security situation in the region, Guatemala will welcome Obama for a visit.

Colom reported that during his meeting in New York, it was decided to base a United Nations agency in Guatemala.

Asked to give a message for people of Guatemala origin in the U.S., Colom invited them to look for jobs and opportunities and asked for them to be “treated with dignity and respect.”