Leaders Of Guatemala, Rebels Sign Peace Accord

War-weary guerrilla and government leaders on Sunday signed an accord ending 36 years of civil conflict, vowing to tackle the poverty, repression and discrimination that sparked the fighting.

The solemn ceremony, observed by some 1,200 foreign dignitaries and special guests inside the National Palace, brought Central America’s last and longest civil war to a close.

Heads of state, including the presidents of Mexico and all of Central America’s nations, applauded as each of the four top rebel leaders and representatives of the government signed the agreement reached after six years of talks brokered by the United Nations.

Rebel commanders Rolando Moran, Pablo Monsanto, Carlos Gonzalez and Jorge Rosal returned home to Guatemala from exile on Saturday from Mexico City where they and Guatemalan government officials had negotiated the peace accords.

“Today the combatants’ arms are silenced,” rebel commander Rolando Moran declared. “The war ends and Guatemala is the only victor.”

Moran called the signing the “most important date in the history of our people in the last 50 years.”

However, some Guatemalans and others closely linked to events said all sides would have to struggle to guard against renewed hostilities.

In one of his last acts before his term ends New Year’s day, U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali signed the final peace agreement for the world body.