cries@mtxinu.COM (09/02/89)
/* Written 5:58 pm Aug 30, 1989 by cries in ni:cries.regionews */
/* ---------- "ElSal: I/view Atilio Vietes - PDC" ---------- */
THREE VOICES FROM EL SALVADOR - PART 2
(cries.regionews from Managua August 30, 1989
88 lines 3813 bytes)
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ATILIO VIETES
Assistant Secretary-General of the Christian
Democratic Party (PDC)
**Q. Why did the PDC agree to meet with the FMLN in Mexico?
**A. Because of the concern shared by everyone about the
"fascistization" that ARENA is bringing about in the country
and because the hardline sectors are seeking to prolong the
war in order to buy time to be able to do it. Because of
this, the three opposition parties [PDC, National
Conciliation Party - PCN, Democratic Convergence] decided to
see both Cristiani and the FMLN in order to hear their
points of view on peace.
We realized that Cristiani, as an individual, really wants a
negotiated solution. But he doesn't know concretely how to
do it because of resistance coming from inside ARENA and the
army. As well, the FMLN has shown its willingness to
negotiate. So we want to act as a bridge, as witnesses, but
the role of mediator should be returned to Monsignor Rivera
y Damas.
**Q. Are the PDC and the guerrillas finding common ground?
**A. Yes. We are coming closer together and, above all, we
coincide in the analysis of what ARENA is doing in power.
But this has to do with a circumstantial confluence just
like is happening in the present situation among the
opposition parties. It's happening with the unions, too,
between the UNOC [National Union of Workers and Campesinos -
aligned with the PDC] and the UNTS [National Union of
Salvadoran Workers - aligned with the FMLN-FDR]. From here,
to speak of a joint government, there's a long way to go,
although we don't exclude that possibility out of hand.
**Q. What do you think of the Tela agreements?
**A. Cristiani has had serious problems inside his party for
having ratified the contra demobilization plan and for
recognizing the strength that he gave to the FMLN. Perhaps
he did it without thinking or maybe he was convinced (like
someone who thinks politics is reduced to economics) that a
prolongation of the war would prevent the development of a
successful economic model a la Pinochet in Chile. But in
reality, at Tela, Cristiani put himself in a straight jacket
and now he has to negotiate.
**Q. Why do you now insist so much on negotiations? When you
were in power, you simply demanded that the FMLN surrender.
**A. The truth is that there was a lot of mistrust of Duarte
by the US and by the army which has been our natural enemy.
And just like [former US president] Carter was not allowed
to reach disarmament agreements with the USSR and Reagan
could do it with Gorbachov, in the same way, we'll see
Cristiani arriving at an understanding with the FMLN. It
must also be said that the FMLN is different today.
**Q. But how can negotiations happen if the military keeps
saying there's nothing to negotiate with an FMLN which they
consider to be weakened and resorting to terrorism?
**A. That's very simplistic reasoning. The country has gone
backwards in everything because of this war. I think
negotiations may go on for a long time, but they'll begin
soon. And even within a constitutional framework,
discussions must be held not just about guaranteeing
conditions but also about programs. Even in the US Congress,
the majority favor negotiations and they'll influence the
Bush administration which criticized us for going to Mexico,
warning us not to be useful idiots of the left.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
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