IV 
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 Inter-
national 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 demo-
cratic 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 implementa-
tion of the accords has received renewed impetus;
•HRES 844 IH 
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 re-
duced 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 com-
mitments 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 Guate-
mala in enacting and implementing anti-money laun-
dering legislation; 
Whereas President George W. Bush has stated that the re-
cent change in government in Guatemala ‘‘affords an im-
portant 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 un-
precedented plan known as the ‘‘Economic and Social Re-
•HRES 844 IH 
activation 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 un-
precedented campaign to eradicate chronic child mal-
nutrition and has given new impetus to the recently-cre-
ated Department of the Environment; 
Whereas the Government of Guatemala has demonstrated re-
markable resolve in anti-corruption efforts by indicting 
and incarcerating several former high-level officials, and 
is undertaking a far-reaching effort to improve the qual-
ity 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-Do-
minican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agree-
ment; 
Whereas in recent months Guatemalan society has shown co-
hesion 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 re-
form, including in the areas of judicial independence, po-
lice 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
•HRES 844 IH 
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 collec-
tion 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 eco-
nomic prosperity; and 
(6) supports enhancing mutually beneficial bi-
lateral economic ties between the United States and 
Guatemala. 
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