Meeting the new security situation requires new approaches and national consensus on future courses of action. Among suggested alternatives are reviving the Central American Defense Council, expanding the role of the Central American Security Commission, and involving the OAS more in regional security matters. Military education must be revamped and expanded beyond the bounds of traditional professional preparation by increasing emphasis on understanding the broad context of today's problems of security and development and, of equal importance, the military's role in a democratic society. Representatives from Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala stressed the necessity of continuing to emphasize national reconciliation. Societies gain little by dwelling on the grievances of the past or by attempting to settle old conflicts.
Progress occurs when all sectors are reincorporated into both the political and economic process.
In particular, nations must provide for demobilized combatants from all sides and deal with residual problems of war such as mines, damage to infrastructure, and human casualties.