The CONCAUSA accord is a model for regional cooperation to truly promote these ideas which we all hold as important cornerstones of our national interests. The advancement of each of these issues -- human rights, democracy promotion, environmental protection and economic development -- is mutually reinforcing and interdependent, and is crucial to the future of each of our countries.

With those thoughts, let's proceed with the signing of the 2001 CONCAUSA declaration.

Let us commence the signing: Foreign Minister Brizuela de Avila of El Salvador; Deputy Prime Minister Briceno of Belize; Ambassador Jaime Daremblum of Costa Rica; Foreign Minister Orellana of Guatemala; Foreign Minister Flores of Honduras; Foreign Minister Aguirre of Nicaragua; Foreign Minister Aleman of Panama; Secretary of State Colin Powell of the United States of America.

(The Accord was signed.)

Let me please now ask the Secretary of State to please come to the podium.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Paula, and I am very, very pleased to join my partners from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama in sighing this new CONCAUSA Agreement.

I would like to recognize one other partner who is here today who had a lot to do with this and has had a lot to do with relations between the United States and Central America and Latin America for many, many years. All of you know him so well. He is now departing the service of the United States Government to go into private life, and I would not like this occasion to pass without recognizing my dear friend, Ambassador Peter Romero. (Applause.)

SECRETARY POWELL: Now we'll applaud again in Spanish. (Laughter and Applause.)

SECRETARY POWELL: With this signing, we have renewed and amplified our commitment to the sustainable and environmentally sound development of the Central American region and to the further opening of Central American markets to free trade and investment.

Most importantly, this new agreement adds climate change and disaster preparedness to the areas of our cooperation, as set forth in the CONCAUSA Agreement of 1994. The 1994 Agreement has been a great success in promoting biodiversity, renewable energy, environmental legislation, and sustainable economic development.

A thriving, democratic Central America, a Central America with the capacity for environmentally sound sustainable growth, is good for all the states of the region, and is good for the United States. When democracy and development go hand in hand, prosperity follows.

I very much look forward to working with our CONCAUSA partners in support of Central America's efforts to modernize and transform itself to meet the challenges of the 21st century. And I have no doubt that the people of Central America can meet these challenges. It was only a decade ago when the region was embroiled in brutal internal conflicts, with human rights atrocities committed on all sides, and democracy was in peril.

Central America is now blessed with peace. Reconciliation among former combatants has taken hold. Democracy is consolidating. Regional economic integration is deepening. Open markets and investment are expanding. And national budgets are being spent on health and education, instead of wars.

Certainly, many daunting challenges remain. Poverty, crime and corruption, environmental degradation, to name only a few. But President Bush believes, and I believe, in the promising future of this region and of this hemisphere. The CONCAUSA declaration is a key component of my government's broader commitment to advance the hemispheric agenda, defined by President Bush and other heads of state at the Summit of the Americas in Quebec, a commitment to help build a hemisphere of freedom, democracy, prosperity and peace.

And I believe that the recent OAS General Assembly contributed significantly to the momentum that was generated in Quebec. Foreign Minister Rojas of Costa Rica and OAS Secretary General Gavaria deserve a great deal of credit for a successful meeting.

Ladies and gentlemen, CONCAUSA embodies the determination of our nations to work together to build a better future for our own citizens and all the people of our hemisphere.

It is now my honor to present to you the President Pro Tem of the Central American Integration System, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador, Her Excellency Maria Eugenia Brizuela De Avila. (Applause.)

MINISTER DE AVILA: Dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, friends all, allow me to speak to you in English as a demonstration of the direct bridges of communication that we have been able to build over these many years of friendship and cooperation.

As President of the Central American Integration System, I am pleased to address these remarks on behalf of seven countries that have put their trust in joining and working regionally. We have met this day with the Secretary of State with the purpose of further deepening the bonds of genuine friendship and ongoing cooperation that have traditionally existed between our people and governments.

This is a propitious opportunity to renew and reiterate our joint commitment, all in accordance with the principles and objectives of the Alliance for Sustainable Development, with the participation of our very first partner in this important alliance outside the region.

The Central America-United States of America Joint Declaration, CONCAUSA, truly reflects President Bush's commitment to our continent and our shared vision of comprehensive, sustainable development which brings together its various aspects -- political, economic, social and environmental -- into a comprehensive strategy. We know that these initiatives result in tangible benefits for our people, such as more and better jobs created from enhanced trade opportunities derived from higher investment levels, which strengthen democracy in our countries and, at the same time, guarantee sustainable development that will not threaten the environment but contribute to the region's efforts to modernize and transform itself for the 21st century.

In addition, within the framework of CONCAUSA, we seek to diminish the vulnerability of our countries through joint cooperation and scientific study efforts when considering the possibility of further natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes that have so strongly hurt us. We are convinced that the achievement of the goals set by our nations requires a comprehensive process of permanent dialogue and work. This declaration will allow us to evaluate our own progress and consider new areas of mutual interest. Our main objective with these political, economic, social and environment measures under this declaration is to direct ourselves toward sustainable development and become an outstanding model in a globalized world.

We will update a plan that will reflect, with direct and concrete actions, upon the commitment we have made as partners on behalf of upholding human rights, translating our efforts into the betterment of the living conditions of our people, and thus provide them in our countries with the possibilities to fulfill their own potentials.

Let me end my words by bidding our warmest regards to our friend, Pete Romero. What you worked so hard for in our continent we will continue to strive to consolidate. And to all who have believed in us and worked for the success of CONCAUSA, let me just say muchas gracias. (Applause.)

UNDER SECRETARY DOBRIANSKY: Thank you very much. Muchas gracias. On behalf of all the US governmental agencies involved with the CONCAUSA initiative, I assure all signatories that we look forward to working with you on the ambitious CONCAUSA agenda for Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Development in Central America.

Thank you. (Applause.)