DATE=03/30/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09792

TITLE=EDITORIAL: EL SALVADOR

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial expressing the policies of the United States Government:

Voice: One of the great stories of economic and political transformation has been taking place in El Salvador -- a nation recently visited by President George W. Bush.

From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the people of El Salvador were mired in civil war. For millions of Salvadorans, violence was a daily occurrence. Prosperity was a distant dream. More recently, El Salvador had to endure natural disasters -- Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in early 2001. The U.S. contributed millions of dollars to help El Salvador rebuild.

Today, El Salvador is at peace. It is a constitutional democracy with an executive branch headed by a democratically elected president and an independent multi-party legislature. As President Bush said, El Salvador "has renewed its commitment to democracy and economic trade. It is one of the freest and strongest and most stable countries in our hemisphere."

The U.S. and El Salvador are economic partners - trade between the two countries is now over four billion dollars annually. As President Bush put it, "Trade means jobs. Trade means that people who want to work are more likely to find jobs." Mr. Bush said that he supports the proposed Free Trade of the Americas agreement, which will include El Salvador and other Central American nations.

The U.S. will expand its commercial ties with El Salvador and others. President Bush said, "Many countries in [Latin America] have changed old ways and have found new wealth and new freedom. In this coming decade, El Salvador and the United States, and nations throughout this hemisphere," said Mr. Bush, "are committed to maintaining and extending this process."

The U.S. and El Salvador also have a strong law enforcement relationship. Both countries are committed to combating drug trafficking. By the end of January, El Salvador's national police had already seized more cocaine than in all of 2001. The country is also seeking to upgrade border security.

As President Bush said, "The United States considers El Salvador a close friend and a strong ally. . . . Since September 11th, El Salvador has been unwavering in its support for the international coalition against terrorism."

Anncr: That was an editorial expressing the policies of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.