NEW ALBANY, United States (AFP) — US President George W. Bush congratulated Guatemala president-elect Alvaro Colom by telephone Tuesday and said he looked forward to working together, the White House said.
"He called to congratulate him on a great victory," spokesman Dana Perino said as Bush traveled here for an economic speech, adding that Bush told Colom "he looks forward to working with him and to seeing him after he is sworn in."
"The president said he wants to work closely with President Colom to expand on the good relationship between our two countries, especially on president-elect Colom's pledge to alleviate poverty, improve social justice, and have an open society," said Perino.
The social-democrat, who triumphed on Sunday with a 5.5-point lead over retired general Otto Perez Molina, will take over from President Oscar Berger on January 14.
He pledged to hold a broad political dialogue, saying he would call all of Guatemala's political parties and social groups together to decide how the country is to be governed.
He also said he would pay special attention to the indigenous Mayan majority.
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