AMBASSADOR HAMILTON PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000064

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AMGT APER GT
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HAMILTON PRESENTS CREDENTIALS


1. Ambassador John R. Hamilton presented credentials to
President Alfonso Portillo in a ceremony at the National
Palace on the morning of January 8, 2003.


2. Following his presentation of Credentials, Ambassador
Hamilton made the following statement to the press:

In the course of the ceremony in which I presented my
credentials, I expressed to President Portillo my
determination to take every opportunity to support Guatemala
in the construction of a more democratic, more peaceful, and
more prosperous future for the Guatemalan people.

Our countries have a long history of close cooperation in
promoting our mutual interests and in meeting the challenges
we share. I declared to President Portillo my desire to see
that the ties of cooperation that link our countries not only
continue, but become stronger and deeper.

Today is an apt time to reflect upon the relationship between
the United States and Guatemala, because negotiations begin
today for a free trade agreement between the United States and
Central America. This agreement offers a new opportunity for
our peoples. Free trade brings greatest benefits to countries
that have an environment of transparency and respect for the
rule of law. I sincerely hope the Government of Guatemala will
undertake more concrete actions to respond to these challenges
in the coming months.

HAMILTON