ISTHMUS IN BRIEF

SAN SALVADOR - At least 38 people died during the first four days of the festival dedicated to the ``Divine Savior of the World'', the patron saint of the city of San Salvador, the National Emergency Committee reported yesterday.

The report adds that the rescue units participating in a special plan to prevent accidents during the festivities, which continue through tomorrow, have handled 1,053 emergencies, including 279 people injured with firearms or knives.

Taiwanese to reactivate La Unión fishing port

SAN SALVADOR - A group of Taiwanese investors will arrive here Thursday in order to establish a fishing company at the port of La Unión, on the Pacific Coast, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramón González, told the press.

The chief Salvadoran diplomat did not go into detail regarding the amount to be invested, but he asserted that the Taiwanese ``are coming to stay, to establish a fishing fleet here, in order to reactivate the port which was abandoned during the (civil) war.''

GUATEMALA Thousands of children die of preventable diseases

GUATEMALA CITY - Some 30,000 children die in this country every year of diseases which can be prevented, including diarrhea and respiratory diseases, according to sources at the Commission for the Convention of the Rights of Children (PRODEN in Spanish).

Based upon the findings of a study of Guatemalan children, PRODEN officials assert that the state of children's health is ``alarming.''

One of the highlights of the study is the finding that 83 out of every 100 children are born amidst poverty, with the ensuing negative consequences for their physical, personal and educational development.

Tourist industry a major dollar earner

GUATEMALA CITY - Income from tourism during this year's first six months was over $153 million, the Guatemalan Board of Tourism (INGUAT in Spanish) reported.

According to the state institution, income from the activity increased by almost 11 percent more than the same period in 1996.

INGUAT director Roberto Robles said that this year's overall growth goal for the industry is 10 percent.

HONDURAS Armies acknowledg they have a new role

TEGUCIGALPA - The President of Honduras, Carlos Roberto Reina, asserted yesterday that the Central American armies have acknowledged they have a new role to play, one that fits current times.

President Reina met in Tegucigalpa with the Ministers of Defense from the region and together analyzed several issues, including the integration of the Central American military to cooperatively handle emergencies such as natural disasters.

``The armies are aware that they must change their traditional attitude in order to adjust to the new Central America,'' the Honduran chief executive added.

Bill to attract tourism investment

TEGUGIGALPA - The Congress of Honduras is likely to approve in the near future the Bill of Incentives for Tourism, which would attract investment of $1 billion, official sources said yesterday.

``The President is currently analyzing the bill and he will submit it to Congress in the coming days. This will encourage companies from abroad who want to invest here,'' the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Fernando García, said.