Salvadorian solidarity

The President of El Salvador Elias Antonio Saca Gonzàlez talks to Mahmoud Mourad about Arab-Salvadorian relations

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Elias Antonio Saca

In Your Excellency's United Nations speech, El Salvador assumed a positive attitude regarding the Palestinian question. What is the exact position of your country concerning Palestine and Iraq?

Our speech at the United Nations reflects our very firm and clear position regarding the Middle East, and specifically the situation in Palestine. El Salvador has been supporting the peace process in the Middle East and has taken a number of initiatives to bring about peace and stability in this important region.

As far as I am concerned, the Disengagement of Gaza was a very significant step and should constitute the basis of further negotiations and progress toward accomplishing the Road Map, which we also support. This historical measure should inspire confidence and further encourage dialogue. As a president of El Salvador, I can say that it is very clear that the Palestinian nation has the right to become an independent sovereign state and enjoy safe and legal borders.

As far as Iraq is concerned, I would say that in spite of the existing violence in some of the cities, there is a growing climate of trust within Iraq. We have participated in developing a resolution with the UN Security Council, although such participation has been limited to humanitarian activities such as reconstruction, the protection of the civil society, and the support of projects in health and education. Also, we are supporting the formation of a democratic process which will consolidate the country. I think such democratic stability will revive Iraq and encourage it to concentrate on the development of its people and its country, and this will enable it to promote the fundamental freedom of its citizens.

For the most part, El Salvador has not been deeply involved with any of the Arab nations. Do you feel that there will be a platform for forming closer ties in the future?

El Salvador is working on building a relationship with various countries in the Middle East, thanks to the strengthening and reconciliation policy relations within such regions, and based on the same openness demonstrated by some of the Arabs states toward El Salvador. Such advancements have helped build confidence and have encouraged the formation of political ties within the region.

The explicit support given by El Salvador to Kuwait during the invasion of its territory by Iraq, as well as the support offered to the pertinent resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly of the UN regarding the Middle East, for example, have positively contributed to strengthening relations. Another relevant aspect is the adoption and the maintenance of a favourable position for the recognition of the rights of Palestinians, including the right of self-determination, and we have supported the Middle East peace process over the last decade through the pertinent resolutions of the UN General Assembly.

How do you imagine future relations will transpire politically, economically and culturally?

It is important to highlight common interests -- not only globally, but also regionally and bilaterally. Thus far, our relationship with the countries in the Middle East indicates that we can continue not only strengthening what we have, but enhancing our relations.

At present, it is necessary to form better ties, according to the interests of each country or region. El Salvador, as part of Central America, is in a position to take advantage of certain opportunities, not only economically, but also in terms of our cultural and historical background, in the area of tourism, for example.

There has been ongoing communication regarding diplomatic reconciliation between El Salvador and Egypt. What has been achieved so far?

In my personal opinion, the Egyptian nation and its government have always been friends with El Salvador, and I say this with honest conviction. Despite existing differences, we have always cooperated. An Egyptian Interests section has been functioning in El Salvador since 1984.

Our permanent mission in New York also enjoys excellent working relation with the Egyptian mission. It is important to reinvigorate the existing relations, and as president of my country, I consider it my duty to fortify the existing relations.

The former secretary-general for the UN, Boutros Boutros Ghali, gave plenty of support to our own peace process in El Salvador. This made me realise the constructive role played by Egypt in ensuring the peace and stability of different regions or countries, and for me personally that means a lot.

Are you planning to visit Egypt or send an emissary on your behalf? What message do you wish to direct to Egypt in particular, and to Arabs in general?

First, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak on his recent victory in the elections, which is a clear sign of the democratic development for the country.