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Guatemala proposes a binational Park
Published: 20:37 Jan. 14, 2008
GUATEMALA (Notimex) - This past Monday President Alvaro Colom emphasized the development projects of the new Guatemalan government with Mexico to take advantage of the vicinity of the two nations.
In his first speech after assuming as President of Guatemala for a four-year period 2008 - 2012, the Social Democrat, Colom, explained the interest of his government in realizing a project in the archaeological, tourism, and conservation fields near the border area with Mexico.
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President of Mexico Felipe Calderón congratulates
newly-elected President Álvaro Colom. CNN |
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In the presence of the Mexican President, Felipe Calderon—one of the 11 heads of state and government invited to the inauguration ceremony of Colom—the new president called for intensifying the development of the border of the two nations. He asserted that Guatemala and Mexico share a border of 974 kilometers, and because of the
insecurity along the border "it is now is a threat, but we want to make it a frontier of opportunity."
Colom said that for the benefit of the indigenous communities in the region living in poverty, his government would promote the establishment of the National Park El Mirador in the northern part of Peten, bordering Mexico.
He said that this region is one of the greatest archaeological treasures of Guatemala, as is Tikal National Park, which, however, has an area of 16 square miles while El Mirador counts with 42 square miles.
The Guatemalan president stressed that El Mirador has four spectacular Mayan buildings and pyramids that exceed those that houses Tikal, in its Mayan ceremonial center, known worldwide and one of the major tourist destinations in Guatemala.
"If we reach an agreement with Mexico we could have a nice bi-national park", felt the new ruler in reference to the archaeological wealth of the southern Mexican state of Campeche, also located in the border region with Guatemala.
He noted that the project his government will seek to realize would present a series of ecological benefits, for it would facilitate the preservation of the natural environment of the region.
Colom, postulated for the then opposition party, Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (National Unity for Hope), and was sworn in this afternoon as president of Guatemala and succeeded President Oscar Berger, whose four-year term ended this January 14.
Before handing command, the outgoing president argued that he left the country "stronger, healthier, and more orderly" than what the administration received on January 14, 2004.
In his 45-minute speech at the inauguration, Colom raised and recounted the goals and challenges for the next four years, which related to the fight against poverty, organized crime, and promised to "sort out" governance.
Newly Elected President Alvaro Colom Inauguration Speech (Excerpts)
By: Leonel Diaz
During the political campaign, Colom said that in four years would create 703 thousand jobs.
Regarding the allusion of greater tourism promotion, especially in the catchment area of Mirador, in Peten, Mariano Beltranena, president of the Chamber of Tourism, was excited by the news.
"We need a low-impact development involving communities," he said.
After presenting its values, principles and wishes to bring changes in all spheres of national life, Colom listed, in his inauguration speech, four programs with several cross for the four-year plan a reality.
He stressed that work to promote the archaeological site El Mirador, north of Tikal, in Peten.
"Two years ago it was discovered and has 42 miles of Mayan pyramids, which we can make a huge park that will retain Peten’s jungle."
Mirador is noted in Prensa Libre as
the #3 Presidential Priority for
Guatemala
Translation: Total focus and effort for the park of El Mirador, in Peten, 42 square mileswhich
has the largest pyramid – in mass – in the world.
alvaro Colom Presidential Message
By: Fernando Andrade Diaz-Duran
The transfer of command ceremony is the most important political event in Guatemala every four years since the country returned to democratic institutions with the opening policy led and initiated the interim government and transitional Oscar Mejía Víctores, in which I had the honour from the post of Foreign Minister ago, a little more than two decades.
We corresponded to hand over the government to Christian Democrat Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo, popularly elected in a fair and transparent elections. From that time to this, there have been six ceremonies change of government, the product of free and fair elections, and although there have been serious crisis and difficult moments in the process of consolidating democracy, have been successfully overcome thanks to the political maturity that has prevailed. The last January 14 had the satisfaction of witnessing the ceremony of the assumption of the presidency of Alvaro Colom Knights.
For the incidents that occur, I was just sitting beside the former president and former vice president Cerezo Roberto Carpio, in the same row agree former ministers of Foreign Affairs and the rectors of the universities in the country. Since the start of the ceremony was delayed for some time, it was gratifying to exchange views with good friends and discuss the vicissitudes of politics in Guatemala and weigh in very general terms by the way, the progress and accomplishments that have been achieved during these years. The bystanders were aware that opened a new chapter in Guatemala's history and that was another opportunity to be exploited to the benefit of the country.
Alvaro Colom did not read the speech he had prepared. Rather, it chose to develop the finer points of his government programme and highlight its main objectives. With voice paused, but he noticed emotional and nervous, was listing the main topics of national interest ahead and how will implement its policies of the Government. I think that should highlight a few points that are important and transcendent:
I was pleased to thank God and was convincing to say that the priority of his government will be the poor and marginalized. He emphasized the social aspect, which undoubtedly marks a pattern of change in that aspect. He stressed the need for a united in Guatemala to give harmony and conciliation in search of social solidarity and justice. Those expecting a speech cutting populist, including some heads of state invited, perhaps they felt cheated. Rather, it was a balanced speech in which he emphasized his ideology and committed social democrat, as it was natural to do so, to respect the Constitution, democratic principles and private property. I think he made a good speech, but the slow pace that kept him subtracted force and impact. However, it must be remembered that each who has his own style and I think that reflected his personality authenticity.
His commitment to combat organized crime and drug trafficking in the region was evident in his speech when he was specific in mentioning the security agreement signed by Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize, as also referred to the immediate actions that will be implemented in the so-called red zones or high hazard. Aware of the importance of tourism to Guatemala, mentioned the idea of the archaeological site El Mirador, which it intends to convert into a great national park.
At certain moments, the ceremony lost solemnity because they heard the sound of cell phones of many of those present and by the attitude of some deputies who converse with one another or any sector of the public invited minority which seemed indifferent to the transcendental in the act. The reference made by the President on the Council of Elders Maya, raised questions in everybody who does not know or knows how it integrates, but it was nice to hear the inches and chirimilla.
Guatemala already has a new President and Vice President, and must continue to move forward on the path of comprehensive development. We are all equals assist in this task. The successful management of the new administration the benefit of all Guatemalans. That happens.
During 46 minutes, the President spoke of poverty, environment and
economics, among others
Guatemala, Tuesday January 22, 2008
Wearing the presidential sash and excited, Alvaro Colom spoke for 46 minutes, during which time he reiterated his campaign promises and framed his speech on four areas: programs for regionality, productivity, governance and comprehensive security.
As for specific projects, Colom merely commented its interest in establishing the park Mirador, in Peten, which could become a bi-national project, in conjunction with Mexican authorities.
Taking as a focal point of his message misery in this country, remarked that "a people hungry never going to be peaceful", and therefore raised promote projects that look like the park El Mirador, located in northern Peten, where there are four thousand Mayan buildings, and that the project should be done in conjunction with the government of Mexico.
Mayan city to be developed into tourist attraction
16 January 2008
A Mayan city is reportedly set to be transformed into a tourist park.
Alvaro Colom, the president of Guatemala, said that the attraction will be constructed in the ruins of an ancient city that was home to one of the world's largest pyramids, Reuters reports. Mr Colom said that visitors would have access to the Mirador archaeological site, which contains hundreds of buildings that are now part of the Peten jungle in northern Guatemala. Currently, the site is only accessible by helicopter or a two-day hike through the jungle.
The remnants of the Mayan civilisation are a point of interest to many visitors to central America and southern Mexico. The Maya built temples and palaces in the area before mysteriously abandoning them around AD900.
Guatemala shares its northern boundary with Mexico and has other borders on Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.
The Mexico-Guatemala border will
be held opportunities, not mafia,
promises Alvaro Colom
By: Cecilia Tellez in Guatemala
The president of Guatemala, Alvaro Colom, said that a commitment with the government of Mexico, who chairs his counterpart Felipe Calderon, to make the 974 kilometers of shared border, a safe place and opportunities.
"We have made a commitment to the president Calderon to a border that is threatened by smugglers who traffic drugs, arms and people," he said when making reference to Mexico until three times on the occasion of his inauguration.
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President Felipe Calderon met with Alvaro Colom
shortly before the inauguration ceremony.
(La Cronica) |
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In the Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias, where he was invested with the title of president in the presence of over 500 thousand delegates from more 70 countries, including 11 heads of state, 10 foreign ministers and the Prince of Spain, the agent Guatemalan said: " The mafia has been globalized, now we must also globalize action against the mafia; thanks, gentlemen presidents of Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras for this joint struggle we are going to do. " The new representative alluded to a strategy that several Central American nations will work together to deal with organized crime.
"For Guatemala behave as a responsible neighbour with our brothers in that beautiful Mexican border 974 miles, a border that is a threat today," he said.
Addressing the president Calderon, the new representative of Guatemala announced that it will propose to the governments of Mexico and Campeche an agreement to form a binational park with miles of shared biosphere.
This after he Colom released Guatemalans who recently discovered the area known as El Mirador containing 42 square miles of archaeological areas in which it is as high as the pyramids of Egypt.
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