Donald Rumsfeld

“ This can and must be a time of tremendous promise for Central America if we seize the opportunities that CAFTA represents. No one can know the future with certainty. But if the United States and its neighbors continue to strengthen ties, this magic moment for Central America could become an historic turning point: an era when a fast-evolving region of 47 million people achieved greater prosperity and found firm footing as a true partner and friend of the United States. ”

“ Not too long ago, Central America was torn by civil strife and ruled by authoritarian regimes. For decades the United States was concerned about a growing trend toward Marxist radicalism in the region and the implications for American and hemispheric security.
Yet in the past two decades the Central American nations have transformed themselves in impressive ways -- which is a credit above all to their industrious and determined people. Dictatorships have given way to democracies, and rivalries that once threatened stability are now relics of the past. ”

“ Central American countries helped restore order and peace in Haiti and are working with the United States in military partnerships both within and outside the region. As our country continues to take the offense against the violent extremism that is threatening civilized societies, we have been able to do so confident that our own hemisphere is a zone of peace and freedom. ”