Guatemala - In view of the current negotiations between the Congress and the private sector in Guatemala, The Guatemala Times decided that it was appropriate to publish the speech of the President Alvaro Colon responding to CACIF´s paid ads in the media regarding the tax issue.
Speech of President Alvaro Colom at closing ceremony in "Governing with the People" in Baja Verapaz. November 10, 2008.
Those who are against the social programs do not know the rural areas, do not know poverty, they have never had hunger, they have never lived among poor people. The First Lady and I have not just walked among the poor; we have been with the poor. We do not lack anything ourselves, but we have witnessed so many needs in the villages and hamlets in rural areas and marginal zones.
What we propose with the social programs is not populism, it is social justice. It is redistribution of wealth and I will fulfill the word I gave at the roundtable dialogues during the election process. There was a commitment of the previous government that this tax modernization would be a fact and the private sector, CACIF agreed and the Berger Government granteed the agreement. All parties agreed that the income tax would be negotiated until December 31 and CACIF accepted.
The commitment was already made when the financial crisis started. The crisis not only affects CACIF. The crisis affects the entire population of Guatemala and the poor in particular. And I do not accept the argument that because of the crisis we should not increase taxes, because for these people (CACIF) it will never, ever be a good time to increase taxes.
We can not close our hearts to the solidarity with the poor. And that's why I do not accept the arguments that CACIF´s published in the national printed media. They are failing to keep their word. I, President Colon, will keep my word.
I will fulfill my word; we are going to fight from the executive branch, with our party members and friends in Congress for the fiscal modernization that was agreed upon. I did not impose this agreement of tax modernization, it was discussed and agreed and a pact was signed.
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It is time that we as Guatemalans do our part, that we assume our responsibilities. The elected town mayors have the very serious responsibility to respond to the needs of their villages and hamlets. The congressmen have the serious responsibility to legislate and monitor. The president has a responsibility not only to be constitutional president, but as head of state to bring order and discipline to a system that has been corrupted and brought hunger, misery and violence to the Guatemalan people.
We all need to work together as one to be able to make progress, the private sector, cooperatives, politicians, environmentalists and activists. All united we can make a better Guatemala for all of us.
But if we continue with the philosophies of 50 years ago, the only thing we're going to do is destroy all the forest, destroy our people, and destroy our culture. I am not willing to continue this old pattern. I'm going to take the right path of justice, truth, peace and development.
I am asking you as a citizen, as a parent, to the Members of Congress: do not bend to the interests of a few, even if there is pressure and paid publications to influence your position. Guatemala goes forward by the will of God and the work of all the leaders of Guatemala that are ready to fight for progress.
And these promises we must keep, we must fulfill, we must honor all of us together. I want to thank all staff and all those who made possible this event of "Governing the People" in Baja Verapaz. We have been advancing and making progress step by step, and some things need to be improved still, like transparency and budget execution reporting.
I'm really glad and honored to have been able to be in Baja Verapaz, and leave with happiness in my heart.
Photo Eduardo González
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