LADBAC@UNMB.BITNET (Dr. Barbara A. Kohl) (09/16/89)
September 13, 1989
CENTRAL AMERICA UPDATE
Copyright 1989
(Latin America Data Base, Latin American Institute, University
of New Mexico. Project Director: Dr. Nelson Valdes. Managing
Editor: Dr. Barbara A. Kohl)
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GENERAL
********************
BUSH ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS CONTRIBUTING $3 MILLION
TO NICARAGUAN OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
On Sept. 9, the Washington Post reported that the White
House is considering making a $3 million campaign
contribution to Nicaraguan opposition candidate Violeta
Barrios Chamorro. Unidentified sources told the Post that
President Bush is debating whether to channel the funds
overtly through the federal government-funded National
Endowment for Democracy, or covertly through the Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Democrats in Congress would strongly oppose resuming
covert CIA activities in Nicaragua. The Endowment's
internal rules under 1985 federal legislation prohibit
giving money to candidates or parties for election purposes.
The sources pointed out, however, that Congress could
authorize the Endowment to make an exception to that rule.
Fifty percent of all foreign funding for parties or
candidates in Nicaragua must go to the Supreme Electoral
Council, created by the government to help defray the costs
of the elections. The sources told the Post that the Bush
administration would therefore have to ask Congress for $6
million if it decided to "overtly" contribute to Barrios de
Chamorro's campaign.
On Sept. 10 in statements to the New York Times
unidentified officials confirmed the Post report. The Times
reported that several officials who worked on the plan said
they were unfamiliar with the federal law prohibiting
campaign contributions by the Endowment. Unidentified State
Department officials cited by the Times said they had not
decided whether to ask Congress to rewrite the law or to
pass special legislation making an exception.
In an interview with the Times, Sally Shelton-Colby, a
member of the Endowment board of directors, said, "We should
support the democratic process, rather than a specific
political party." She said she would favor legislation to
permit aid to opposition parties only if it was clear that
such assistance was "essential to the survival of democracy
in Nicaragua."
Congress has appropriated $3.5 million for the
Endowment's use in Nicaragua for the fiscal year ending
Sept. 30. Endowment president Carl Gershman said that money
was being used "to strengthen democratic institutions,
processes and values in Nicaragua," but not to finance any
specific campaigns. The $3 million being considered by the
Bush administration at present is in addition to that
amount.
Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT), chairperson of the
Foreign Relations subcommittee on Latin America, was cited
by the Times (09/13/89) as saying that the use of the
Endowment to support opposition candidates "would virtually
destroy its credibility "by turning it into an international
political action committee."
In an editorial appearing in the Times (09/13/89),
David K. Shipler, a senior associate of the Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, asserted that such
funding would "cross the line" between US support for the
democratic process and support for specific parties. He
wrote that the proposal to provide Barrios de Chamorro's
campaign with $3.5 million "looks more like US intervention
to change a government than to change a political system."
(Basic data from Washington Post, AFP, 09/09/89; New York
Times, 09/11/89, 09/13/89)
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EL SALVADOR
*********************
SALVADORAN REBELS DECLARE UNILATERAL 10-DAY CEASE-FIRE,
PROPOSE GENERAL CEASE-FIRE BY NOVEMBER 15
On Sept. 11, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation
Front (FMLN) declared a unilateral 10-day ceasefire to begin
Sept. 13. The ceasefire was described as a means to create
a favorable atmosphere for their meeting with a government
delegation in Mexico City this week.
In a statement read on Salvadoran radio, the FMLN said
the ceasefire would permit the holding of a peace march by
the Permanent Committee of National Debate for Peace (Comite
Permanente del Debate Nacional por la Paz) scheduled for
Sept. 15 in San Salvador, and a visit by a United Nations
mission on Sept. 19-22.
Next, the FMLN said that in contrast to its own
demonstrated flexibility in recent weeks, the government is
"attempting a closed and obscure dialogue" in the Mexico
City meeting by not allowing international observers to
attend, and the Catholic Church to serve as moderator.
The statement said the FMLN had proposed that UN
Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar attend the Mexico
City encounter as a witness. Earlier, the rebels had
proposed that Auxiliary Bishop of San Salvador, Gregorio
Rosa Chavez, serve as a witness.
On Sept. 9, President Alfredo Cristiani invited Bishop
Romeo Tovar Astorga join Rosa Chavez to witness the
preliminary talks. The president said that international
observers and moderators were not necessary for the first
round of preliminary talks, but added that the possibility
of national or international witnesses in future rounds had
not been discarded.
The FMLN delegation at the talks in Mexico City will be
headed by Commanders Joaquin Villalobos and Shafick Handal.
They will be accompanied by Ana Guadalupe Martinez, Salvador
Samayoa, Mario Lopez, Merecedes del Carmen Letona, Miguel
Saenz and Daniel Rojas.
On Sept. 13 at a press conference in Mexico City, FMLN
leaders said they plan to seek a ceasefire with the
government by Nov. 15, a first step toward ending the 10-
year-old civil war. The rebels said they have also proposed
a series of reforms aimed at incorporating them into El
Salvador's political life, including advancing elections
planned for 1991, and prosecuting members of the armed
forces guilty of human rights violations.
According to DPA, the FMLN delegation was due later
Wednesday to begin talks with the government commission in
Mexico City. (Basic data from Notimex, AFP, 09/11/89; DPA,
09/13/89)
SALVADORAN VICE PRESIDENT ESCAPES AMBUSH
According to unidentified reliable sources cited by
AFP, on Sept. 8 Salvadoran Vice President Francisco Merino
escaped unhurt from a rebel ambush of his motorcade. Merino
was traveling near Metapan, some 105 km. west of San
Salvador, when rebels opened fire, killing one soldier, the
sources said.
The vice president was returning from a meeting in the
Guatemalan city of Esquipulas with his Guatemalan and
Honduran counterparts when the ambush occurred. (Basic data
from AFP, 09/08/89)
*********************
GUATEMALA
*********************
GUATEMALA: BODIES OF KIDNAPPED UNIVERSITY
STUDENTS & PROFESSOR FOUND BY POLICE
On Sept. 10, the bodies of three kidnapped university
students and a university professor were found by police in
a canyon near San Carlos University. Police said all had
been shot repeatedly. The victims were identified as
professor Carlos Humberto Cabrera Rivera, 48, abducted Sept.
9; Carlos Chuta Camey, 35, a law student kidnapped Sept. 8,
and Victor Rodriguez Jaramilla, 38, a political science
student; and, Maria Azurdia de Rodriguez, 33, a psychology
student. Rodriguez Jaramilla and Azurdia de Rodriguez were
married, abducted Aug. 23.
The three San Carlos University students had been
active in the University Student Association (AES). Five
other San Carlos University students have disappeared in
recent weeks. Cabrera Rivera was the president of a
teachers' union that went on strike for 81 days. The
teachers returned to work Aug. 21 without winning a salary
hike.
According to police, an anonymous telephone caller told
authorities of the location of the bodies. No individual or
group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings and
killings. Police said they have no suspects. (Basic data
from AP, 09/10/89)
TWO MORE BOMBS EXPLODE IN GUATEMALA CITY
Two bombs exploded in Guatemala City on the evening of
Sept. 9, but no injuries were reported. Police said one
damaged 13 shops in the commercial Santa Calara II area in
the southern part of the capital. The second bomb was
thrown at the Hotel Camino Real and exploded on the front
lawn.
According to the AP, the explosions brought to 28 the
number of bombings in Guatemala City since July 19. The
bombs have killed two people and wounded 20. (Basic data
from AP, 09/10/89)
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NICARAGUA
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NICARAGUA: 3% CURRENCY DEVALUATION
On Sept. 9, the Nicaraguan government devalued the
cordoba by 3%. The new official exchange rate vis-a-vis the
US dollar is 22,000 cordobas.
Beginning Aug. 16, the government commenced a "mini-
devaluation" program. The Sept. 9 move was the third 3%
devaluation since mid-August. The adjustment did not affect
the parallel exchange market where the dollar is trading for
25,000 cordobas.
Fuel prices were increased in line with the
devaluation. As of Sept. 9, a gallon of gasoline was priced
at 41,000 cordobas, or $0.46 per liter.
Inflation for the month of August was 6.6%, the lowest
monthly rate recorded in the past 2-1/2 years. Government
economists expect a 6% rate for the month of September.
Inflation for the first eight months of 1989 is 260.1%.
(Basic data from Notimex, 09/09/89)
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SUMMARIES & ANALYSIS
********************************
DESCRIPTION OF UNITED NATIONS MISSIONS IN CENTRAL AMERICA
[Appearing below are descriptions of UN missions in
Central America. Basic data from 09/10/89 report by United
Nations Information Transfer Exchange (UNITEX Network,
Hoboken, NJ).]
United Nations Observer Group in Central America
(ONUCA)
The creation of ONUCA stems from the request made by
the five Central American governments on March 31, 1989, and
reiterated, after Honduras lifted its reservation, in Tela
(Honduras), on Aug. 7, 1989. The UN Secretary General must
submit a proposal to the Security Council for the
establishment of ONUCA. Its mission implies termination of
aid to irregular forces and insurrectionist movements; and,
the non-use of territory to attack other states.
A preliminary reconnaissance mission composed of
military and civilian personnel arrived in Central America
Sept. 3, and will report to the Secretary General on ONUCA
personnel and equipment requirements. On the basis of this
report, the Secretary General will make a formal proposal to
the Security Council.
United Nations Observers for the Verification of Elections
in Nicaragua (ONUVEN)
ONUVEN was created as a result of the March 3, 1989
request by the Nicaraguan government. On the basis of the
Declaration of Costa del Sol (Feb. 14, 1989), the Nicaraguan
Foreign Minister requested the Secretary General to
establish a group of international observers in order to
verify the electoral process in Nicaragua. ONUVEN
officially opened its offices in Managua and commenced
activities on Aug. 25, 1989. The Secretary General has
appointed Elliot Richardson as his Personal Representative
for the verification of the electoral process in Nicaragua.
Chief of the Mission, Iqbal Riza, has been appointed Deputy
Personal Representative.
International Support and Verification Commission (CIAV)
As envisioned in Chapter I, Annex I, under the
Machinery item of the Tela Agreement, the Secretaries
General of the United Nations and the Organization of
American States decided to establish the CIAV for the
purposes of the "voluntary demobilization, repatriation or
relocation in Nicaragua or third parties of the members of
the Nicaraguan Resistance and their families, as well as
assistance in the demobilization of all those involved in
armed actions in the countries of the region when they
voluntarily seek it."
CIAV functions and activities were scheduled to begin
Sept. 6, 1989. On Sept. 5, 1989, the Secretaries General of
the UN and the OAS announced that as a first step of CIAV
activities, they would send a mission to Honduras and
Nicaragua in order to establish contacts for execution of
its responsibilities under the Joint Plan.
On Sept. 1, 1989, the Secretary General appointed
Alvaro de Soto as his Personal Representative for the
Central American peace process.
BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF UNITED NATIONS
IN CENTRAL AMERICA: AUGUST 1987 - AUGUST 1989
[The following information was prepared by the
Executive Media Service/Office of the UN Spokesperson.
From 09/10/89 report by the United Nations Information
Transfer Exchange (UNITEX Network, Hoboken, NJ).]
7 August 1987
The Presidents of the five Central American countries
(Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua)
signed the Guatemala Procedure, also known as Esquipulas II.
Among other things, the agreement expressed the will of the
five Governments to engage in a national dialogue and to put
into effect a general amnesty. They also envisaged the
creation of a National Reconciliation Commission in each of
the five countries.
The presidents requested the Secretaries General of the
United Nations and the Organization of American States to
establish the International Verification and Follow-up
Commission (CIVS). The CIVS would provide security
arrangements toward preventing support for irregular forces
or insurrectional movements. In addition to the Secretaries
General, the Foreign Ministers of the Contadora Group, the
Support Group and the five accord signatory nations were
members of CIVS.
16 January 1988
After receiving the final report of the CIVS, the five
Central American presidents signed the Alajuela Declaration
which ratified Esquipulas II in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
14 February 1989
In view of the lack of progress in implementing the
Esquipulas Agreement, the five Central American Presidents
met in El Salvador for their third summit. The ensuing
Costa del Sol Declaration emphatically renewed the will of
signatory governments to comply with Esquipulas II. In
addition, the Government of Nicaragua announced its decision
to call general and free elections on 25 February 1990, and
to that end to reform the electoral laws and the laws
governing the media. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega
also announced his government's decision to invite the UN
Secretary General to send observers for verification of the
electoral process throughout Nicaragua.
The Presidents also agreed to draw up within 90 days a
joint plan for the demobilization, repatriation and
resettlement of the Nicaraguan Resistance in Nicaragua or
third countries. They also asked the Secretary General to
proceed with arrangements to establish a mission for the
verification of Esquipulas II security provisions (ONUCA).
31 March 1989
In a note addressed to the Secretary General, the five
Ministers of Foreign Affairs requested the establishment of
a mechanism (ONUCA) for the verification of Esquipulas II
security provisions. The request contained a reservation by
Honduras related to a pending case between Honduras and
Nicaragua in the International Court of Justice. Because of
the reservation, the Secretary General was unable to act on
the request.
3 July 1989
After reviewing reports produced by the preliminary
missions sent to Nicaragua in April and May 1989 in
connection with the Government request for verification of
the electoral process, the Secretary General agreed to
monitor the process, taking into consideration the
following: (a) the request had the support of the five
Central American Presidents; (b) General Assembly resolution
43/24 provided the Secretary General with the necessary
elements to proceed; (c) verification was to take place
throughout the entire electoral process and in all voting
districts; and, (d) the Nicaraguan elections were perceived
to be an element of the Central American peace process as a
whole.
Thus, the Secretary General and the Government of
Nicaragua signed the agreement implementing the verification
mission, known as ONUVEN.
27 July 1989
The Security Council adopted resolution 637/1989
expressing support for the Guatemala Agreement and the Joint
Declarations, calling upon the five Presidents to continue
their efforts to achieve a firm and lasting peace in the
region and lending the Council's full support to the
Secretary General to continue his mission of good offices in
support of the Central American Governments.
7 August 1989
In a summit meeting that took place in Tela (Honduras),
the Central American Presidents adopted three key documents:
1. The Tela Declaration, which endorses and ratifies
the Esquipulas II Plan and the Alajuela and the Costa del
Sol Declarations.
2. The Joint Plan for the voluntary demobilization,
repatriation or relocation in Nicaragua or third countries
of the members of the Nicaraguan resistance and their
families, as well as assistance for the demobilization of
all those involved in armed actions in the countries of the
region when they voluntarily seek it. The Plan provides for
the creation, by the United Nations and the Organization of
American States (OAS) Secretaries General, of an
International Support and Verification Commission (CIAV).
3. The Agreement between Honduras and Nicaragua, a
bilateral instrument whereby the Government of Nicaragua
commits itself to postpone and eventually to withdraw the
suit filed against Honduras before the International Court
of Justice once conditions regarding implementation of the
Joint Plan and prevention of the use of the Honduran
territory by irregular forces have been met.
The third agreement cleared the way for the
Secretary General to send a reconnaissance mission to the
region in order to assist in preparing a formal proposal to
the Security Council for the establishment of ONUCA.
---
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