COSTA RICA: CENTRAL AMERICAN LEADERS ARRIVE FOR SUMMIT

(8 May 1997) Spanish/Nat
Central American leaders began to arrive in Costa Rica on Wednesday in preparation for a summit with U-S President Bill Clinton.
Crowds gathered to greet their arrival as each leader received a personal welcome from Costa Rica's president, José María Figueres
Crowds were on hand to greet the leaders of several Central American countries as they arrived in Costa Rica on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's summit with U-S President Bill Clinton.
President Arnoldo Alemán, of Nicaragua, was the first to be met by his official host, president José María Figueres of Costa Rica, at Juan Santamaría Airport.
President Carlos Roberto Reina of Honduras arrived shortly afterwards.
President Reina called the summit historic.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"All the themes that are going to be discussed in this historic summit are very important. For each country there are particular issues of special interest. For me it's fundamental questions of ethics, the struggle against corruption, the struggle against drug trafficking, and how to minimise the hard-line of US immigration policy."
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Roberto Reina, President of Honduras
President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic said a lot was expected from the gathering.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We've come with high hopes for our people to effectively improve our relations with the U-S. And that the common agenda will enrich itself with the debates we will hold here."
SUPER CAPTION: Leonel Fernandez, President of the Dominican Republic
U-S President Bill Clinton is expected to arrive after nightfall.
Security was tight at the hotel where Clinton and other presidents are staying.
It will be the first time a U-S president has met the region's leaders since 1989.
The political backdrop for these talks has significantly improved.
In 1989 the U-S was openly backing Contra rebels fighting the Sandinista government in Nicaragua.
It was also providing economic assistance to the government of El Salvador besieged by leftist rebels.
Both countries have since achieved peace and consolidated a more stable democracy.
It is likely the presidents of Central America hope the U-S will help them in peace as much as it did in war.
One of the region's objectives is to gain access into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which partners the U-S, Canada and Mexico.
The leaders will also debate a decision by the U-S in April to toughen up on immigration laws.
The thousands of people from Central America living in the U-S send an estimated two (b) billion U-S dollars back to their families each year.
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Reyna sibfue un presidente de verdad nunca lo tacharon de corrupto