SYMBOLIC SIGNING CEREMONY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE GRANT AGREEMENTS (SOAG)
August 9, 2005

I am pleased to be with you here today. A few minutes ago, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the USAID Director and I signed a grant agreement for a total of forty five million dollars in support of El Salvador’s health and basic education programs for the period 2004-2009. This year we will begin our assistance to these two fundamental areas by initially providing over eleven million dollars. With this assistance, we are confirming and demonstrating once again the strong and deep friendship ties between our countries.   

As we sign this agreement, the people and the Government of the United States support El Salvador, through the Ministries of Health and Education, and civil society to develop and implement policies and programs that will benefit the health of women, children and adolescents, and to improve the access, quality and efficiency of basic education in rural schools.  As a result of these joints efforts El Salvador will have healthier and better educated people.

I take this opportunity to thank the Government of El Salvador for the opportunity to work together to improve the quality of life of many  Salvadorans. Thank you