An agreement signed in Washington by the Guatemalan government and the Organization of American States will provide a boost to democratic institutions in the Central American country.

Guatemala's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Orellana Rojas, and OAS Secretary General, César Gaviria, signed the agreement during a brief ceremony at OAS Headquarters on Wednesday. The agreement, "OAS Special Program of Support for Strengthening Democratic Institutions in Guatemala," stems from a mandate given by the OAS General Assembly in San José, Costa Rica, last month.

The support program is intended to consolidate OAS assistance to facilitate Guatemala's effort to implement policy reforms, strengthen the internal capacity of local institutions and develop democratic practices, foster peaceful resolution of conflicts and promote dialogue in Guatemala, while continuing with programs to rid the country of landmines and explosive devices.

In an interview after the signing, Foreign Minister Orellana renewed Guatemala's commitment to further building its democracy by strengthening "all institutions we believe play a role in bringing about conditions that are most conducive to the establishment of a democratic system."

The Minister noted as well that "without democracy, even the best of economic conditions will not generate adequate development for the citizenry. A system that has been stagnant for many years must therefore be strengthened."

For his part, the OAS Secretary General hailed the accord as being "in tune with the spirit that guides the Guatemalan government and society's search for a national dialogue which will constitute a strong commitment towards a better understanding between the state and civil society, in the effort to achieve political, economic and social reconstruction."

This agreement renews and updates the "Special Program of Support for Guatemala," signed in 1996.

**********