"Trade preferences currently in place must be the starting point in the negotiation of an Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America. Recognition of the enormous differences that exist between the two regions must preside over the negotiations", states CIFCA (Copenhagen Initiative for Central America and Mexico). We received the following press release about this issue from CIFCA:

Brussels, 22 February 2008

The European Comission must accept that the General System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) should be the starting point for the negotiation of an Association Agreement between the EU and Central America, according to the European civil society networks and NGOs: CIFCA, APRODEV, CIDSE, Grupo Sur, and Oxfam Interational.

“The European Union is proposing that the starting point for the negotiation of the Agreement will be less than the preferences already extended to Central America in relation to the entry of Central American products into the EU market, and this is unacceptable. It is impossible to aspire to a just Association Agreement if the debate begins with a reduction in trade advantages that one of the partners currently enjoys”, says Eric van Mele, spokesperson for Oxfam International.

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January 31, 2008
 
OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA,
THE HONORABLE ALVARO COLOM CABALLEROS
 
Dear Mr. President:
 
We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, on January 31 2008, would like to render a worthy tribute to the victims of the Spanish Embassy massacre, by working to clear their names and vowing to carry on with their just struggle for which they lost their lives.
 
As you know, January 31st has been declared International Day of Solidarity with the People of Guatemala.  This year we commemorate the 28th anniversary of the tragic events which culminated in the burning of the Spanish Embassy by members of the Guatemala security forces.
 
As a result of this act of repression, a total of 41 people perished in this Embassy and in the public events related to these acts of cowardice.  Many national and international organizations have demanded justice and punishment for those responsible.
 
Despite this, the response of successive Guatemalan governments these past 28 years has been one of concealment, allowing the perpetrators of these criminal acts to continue to enjoy protection, move with impunity across the national territory, hold public positions and even enjoy sanctuary and privileges in various countries in the region.
 
It is necessary, Mr. President, that firm and consistent steps be taken to move forward, in the spirit of the Peace Accords, and that conditions to reach a strong, authentic, and long lasting peace be created.  Full respect for human rights and the diversity of its people are necessary to enable the reconciliation of the Guatemalan people.

We believe that it is important to respond to the demands of the different organizations of the Guatemalan popular movement as well as the recommendations of the Commission for Historical Clarification.  It will also be of vital importance to fully support the work of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala.
 
We consider that your government has a historic opportunity to take effective and concrete actions for the implementation of the rule of law and the governability of the nation, and in so doing,  make real the hope of ending over half of a century of  impunity and human rights violations which have “cast shadow over” the country and which has turned it into a  refuge for those who committed genocide and a paradise for organized crime.
 
For these reasons, we request that your government:
 
First: Prosecute those who were intellectually and physically responsible for the massacre in the Spanish Embassy and the genocide in Guatemala, in accordance with national and international laws.
 
Second:  Ensure justice and respect for all the women and men who work in the construction of a tolerant, just, and dignified new Guatemala.
 
Sincerely,
 
Asociación de Estudiantes para el Bienestar Internacional, Lund, Suecia
Asociación Guatemalteca de Lund, Suecia
Asociación Guatemalteca Americana de los Angeles California -AGUA- USA
Asociación Salvadoreña Canadiense –ASALCA-
Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network – Canada
Café Justicia – Ottawa, Canada
Canada-El Salvador Action Network –CELSAN-
Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives –KAIROS-
Canadian Student Fair Trade Network
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario Division International Solidarity Committee
Comité de Base del Frente Amplio-Uruguay "El Ceibo", Toronto, Canada
Comunidad Rutilio Grande – Toronto, Canada
Church of the Brethren Supporting Community for Guatemala Accompaniment Program, Eldora, IA, USA
Denver Justice & Peace Committee –CAMINOS- USA  
Francesca Lupo – Italia
Guatemala Community Network, (GCN) Canada
Guatemala Solidarität Österreich – Solidarity with Guatemala-Austria
Guatemalan Working Group of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group, Mcmaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice, Canada
Kickapoo/Guatemala Accompaniment Project, SW Wisconsin, USA  
Kitchener-Waterloo Mayan Project, Canada
Lakes Area Group Organizing in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala –LAGOS-  St Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Latin-American Canadian Solidarity Association –LACASA- Canada
London-Guatemala Solidarity Committee, Canada  
Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network, Canada
Mothers for Justice, Hamilton, Canada
Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala –NISGUA- USA
New Democratic Party (NDP) Latin-American Ethnic Committee (Ontario), Canada
No One is Illegal – Toronto, Canada
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty – OCAP – Canada
Organization of Latin American Students  -OLAS- Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
Organización de Estudiantes para una Globalización Positiva, Lund, Suecia
Punto de Encuentro CKCU Universidad de Carleton, Ottawa, Canada
Rights Action – Canada
SALVAIDE, Canada
Shawna Greenberg,  World Literacy of Canada
Sisters of St. Joseph, Office for Systemic Justice, London, Ontario
Suzanne Rumsey, LA/C Program Coordinator, PWRDF/Anglican Church of Canada
The Social Justice Committee, Canada
Tzijolaj - Cross Cultural Communication, Ottawa, Canada
Unitarian Universalist Central America Network –UUCAN- Seattle, Washington  USA  

This is letter is attached in Spanish and English