patth (Patt Haring) (08/19/89)
Ported from PeaceNET:
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
/* ---------- "C.A. Update August 18, 1989" ---------- */
CONTENTS
.1 NOTES ON REQUESTS FOR U.N. ACTIONS
IN CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE PROCESS (43 lines)
.2 LARGE-SCALE U.S.-HONDURAN MILITARY
MANEUVERS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER (18 lines)
.3 ***COUNTRY NOTES, EL SALVADOR*** (94 lines)
.4 ***COUNTRY NOTES, GUATEMALA*** (137 lines)
.5 ***COUNTRY NOTES, NICARAGUA*** (32 lines)
.6 ***COUNTRY NOTES, PANAMA*** (139 lines)
************ SUMMARIES & ANALYSIS ************
.7 NOTES ON AMERICAS WATCH LETTER ADDRESSED
TO CENTRAL AMERICAN PRESIDENTS (41 lines)
.8 TRANSLATION OF AUG. 7 CENTRAL AMERICAN SUMMIT ACCORDS (24 lines)
.9 AGREE: (108 lines)
.10 BILATERAL ACCORD BETWEEN NICARAGUA AND HONDURAS (35 lines)
.11 HAVE RESOLVED: (54 lines)
August 18, 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)
This is the table of contents for the current issue of the CAU.
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Response 1 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
NOTES ON REQUESTS FOR U.N. ACTIONS
IN CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE PROCESS
On Aug. 16, UN Secretary General Javier Perez de
Cuellar announced he will dispatch a team to Central America
in September to determine what is needed for demobilization
of the Nicaraguan contras. In an Aug. 7 summit agreement,
the presidents of El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala,
Honduras and Nicaragua requested that the UN form a
commission within 30 days to oversee the disbanding of the
10,000 to 12,000 contra fighters encamped in Honduras.
The summit agreement stated that three months after the
group's formation, the demobilization process for the
disbandment, repatriation or relocation of the Nicaraguan
Resistance rebels to other countries should be completed.
On Aug. 16, Honduran Foreign Minister Carlos Lopez
Contreras announced that a formal request had been delivered
by Honduran Ambassador to the UN, Roberto Martinez, to
Security Council president Hocime Djoudi to establish the
peacekeeping force charged with overseeing the country's
border areas with Nicaragua and El Salvador. West Germany,
Spain and Canada are to participate in the peacekeeping
force that must be approved by the five permanent members of
the UN Security Council--the US, the Soviet Union, France,
Britain and China.
Martinez said that the force "would guarantee that
Honduran border areas are not used by rebels of those
countries." He added, "The functions of the force would be
inspection and coercive action when necessary."
Honduras has requested that the Council president
convene a meeting between the US and the Soviet Union with
the objective of reaching an agreement to support peace in
Central America. In addition, Tegucigalpa has requested
that the UN arrange talks between the US and Central
American nations, and between the US and Nicaragua.
According to Martinez, "We are in the final stretch of
the Central American peace process. I don't believe that
once disarmed, there will be any obstacles for members of
the Nicaraguan Resistance to establish themselves in any
country in Central America." (Basic data from AFP, Xinhua,
08/16/89)
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Response 2 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
LARGE-SCALE U.S.-HONDURAN MILITARY
MANEUVERS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER
On Aug. 16 in Tegucigalpa, Col. Francisco Reyes,
personnel chief of the 105th Military Brigade in San Pedro
Sula, told reporters that several thousand US and Honduran
troops will participate in joint maneuvers on Sept. 7-12.
Both armies, he said, will use warships and military
aircraft, and US troops based in Panama are to participate.
According to Reyes, Honduran soldiers are to be
trained in counterinsurgency, and interdiction of drugs and
arms shipments to Salvadoran rebels.
The exercises will take place in the southern
departments of Choluteca and Valle along the Honduran border
with Nicaragua and El Salvador and in the Atlantic coastal
departments of Cortes, Colon and Gracias a Dios on the
Honduran-Nicaraguan border. (Basic data from AFP, 08/16/89)
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Response 3 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
COUNTRY NOTES, EL SALVADOR
SALVADORAN TEACHERS ON STRIKE
On Aug. 17, members of the National Association of
Salvadoran Educators (ANDES), El Salvador's largest
teachers' union, went on strike. More than 90% of the
nation's schools closed.
ANDES committee member Gilberto Jaime said the strikers
were demanding a monthly pay hike of about $80, improved
teacher training and medical assistance programs, and
increased funding for teaching materials.
An estimated 500 teachers demonstrated outside the
Education Ministry in San Salvador. Minister Rene Hernandez
Valiente met with a delegation of teachers, who demanded
that the government immediately pay some 300 teachers who
have not received their salaries for the past four months.
(Basic data from AFP, 08/17/89)
EL SALVADOR: NOTES ON RECENT REBEL ACTIVITIES
Aug. 12: Unidentified officials told Notimex that rebel
commandos had destroyed 13 buses and mini-buses during the
previous week to protest the government's fare hikes
announced Aug. 1. The Association of Bus Entrepreneurs (La
Asociacion de Empresarios de Autobuses) criticized sabotage
by urban commandos of the Farabundo Marti National
Liberation Front (FMLN), arguing that such actions had
little impact beyond creating more indebtedness for bus
owners.
The FMLN has said that sabotage of public transport
vehicles would continue until the government rescinds the
decree authorizing the fare hike.
--General director for the capital city's electricity
company (Compania de Alumbrado Electrico de San Salvador-
CAES), Miguel Sandoval, said rebel sabotage had caused
nearly $250 million in damages.
Aug. 14: Close to midnight, 25 urban commandos
pertaining to the "Modesto Ramirez" rebel unit attacked San
Salvador's police academy with rifle fire, rocket launchers
and grenades. Some 50 cadets were reportedly in residence.
Early reports indicated that seven persons were wounded, and
material damage was extensive.
In a telephone call to a local radio station, a person
identified as the "metropolitan correspondent of Radio
Farabundo Marti" identified the rebel unit responsible for
the attack.
Aug. 15: Notimex reported that rebel commandos had
destroyed two buses in San Salvador. In the past two days,
said the report, the FMLN had set fire to nine public
transport vehicles. (Basic data from Notimex, 08/12/89,
08/15/89)
EL SALVADOR: NOTES FROM INTERVIEW WITH
RIGHTIST LEADER ORLANDO DE SOLA
[Appearing below are highlights from a recent interview
by Lindsey Gruson of the New York Times (08/11/89) with
Orlando de Sola, a founding financier of the Nationalist
Republican Alliance (ARENA). ARENA began as a paramilitary
group. According to Gruson, de Sola wished to join the
party and run as a legislative candidate in 1986, but was
rejected as "too extreme."]
* "I think moderation, tolerance, centrism can be
extremism...Extreme moderation can be suicidal, which is
what El Salvador is going through now."
* "Exploitation is part of the human condition." De
Sola said he would close the Tahitian-style restaurant he
opened for his wife before allowing a union to organize its
workers.
* De Sola said he believes that all student leaders at
the National University are "Soviet agents" and the school
should be put under martial law.
* According to de Sola, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's
social programs "ruined the United States." He also
attacked ARENA as "soft on communism."
* "Politics is the art of war." De Sola added that
tens of thousands of Salvadorans killed by the rightist
death squads were "communist stooges" who deserved to die.
* De Sola acknowledged that he has an "authoritarian"
and "autocratic" vision for El Salvador: "That's the only
way to get through this crisis. Democracy has too many
limitations. The majority rules whether it's right or
wrong."
* Regarding President Alfredo Cristiani, de Sola said,
"I've been one of the forces who, with others, have been
trying to rescue ARENA from the socialists...I have a lot of
respect for [Roberto] d'Aubuisson and because of that for
Fredy--he's been endorsed, christened, anointed by the boss,
the real boss...But people didn't vote for his kind of
moderation. Basically, people voted for d'Aubuisson, not
for Fredy's kind of sissy policies."
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Response 4 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
COUNTRY NOTES, GUATEMALA
GUATEMALA: MUTUAL SUPPORT GROUP (GAM) OFFICE BOMBED
On the evening of Aug. 15, unidentified assailants
traveling in a car drove past the office of the Mutual
Support Group (GAM) in Guatemala City, and shot out windows
of the building. At about the same time, a grenade was
tossed into the office. The explosion caused extensive
material damage.
Fourteen children and five adults were in a back room
of the building at the time. They were later evacuated by
the Guatemalan Red Cross. No injuries were reported.
GAM is an organization for relatives of disappeared,
abducted, and detained persons.
Meanwhile, a less powerful grenade was thrown at the
house of the International Peace Brigades, resulting in
extensive material damage, but no injuries. The Brigades
are comprised of non-Guatemalans who escort members of
popular organizations. (Basic data from 08/16/89 report by
Guatemalan Human Rights Commission/USA)
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN GUATEMALAN TEACHERS' STRIKE
Aug. 10: On Thursday evening, a group of Guatemalan
teachers set up a blockade on the "Rodolfo Robles" bridge
spanning the Suchiate River on the Guatemalan-Mexican
border. Most of Guatemala's public school teachers have
been on strike since June 5. (See CAU 08/11/89 for a
summary of strike objectives, earlier developments.)
Aug. 11: The teachers returned to Guatemala by crossing
the river rather than using the bridge. Earlier, they spent
several minutes on Mexican territory, expressing fears that
they would be forcibly removed by the Guatemalan National
Police. As a result of the same concerns, they decided to
swim across the river.
Aug. 14: In contacts with Mexico's National Education
Workers' Coordinator (CNTE), Guatemalan teachers requested
the mediation of President Carlos Salinas de Gortari to
resolve their conflict with the Guatemalan government. The
CNTE announced that it would formally request Salinas'
mediation on behalf of the Guatemalan teachers in an Aug. 18
meeting with Guatemalan President Vinicio Cerezo, and
organize a solidarity rally outside the Guatemalan Embassy
in Mexico City.
Secretary general of Mexico's University Workers' Union
(SUNTU), Pablo Sandoval, announced that during the Aug. 18
meeting between Salinas and Cerezo, a SUNTU delegation would
travel to Guatemala to demonstrate solidarity with the
Guatemalan teachers' strike.
Aug. 17: CNTE members staged a three-hour rally outside
the Guatemalan Embassy. The teachers delivered a communique
to embassy personnel addressed to President Cerezo urging
him to reach an accommodation with their Guatemalan
counterparts. Embassy spokesperson Abelardo Rodas told
Notimex that the teachers' conflict would be resolved next
week, but would not involve a salary hike. (Basic data from
Notimex, 08/11/89, 08/14/89, 08/14/89)
GUATEMALA: NOTES ON RECENT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
A July 10 report by the Guatemalan Human Rights
Commission (CDHG, Mexico City) provides detailed accounts of
12 suspected political assassinations between June 21 and
July 2. Corpses in these cases were found in or near
Guatemala City (2); Sacatepequez department (5); Jutiapa
(4); and San Marcos (1). In the same period, the CDHG
recorded five abductions, whereabouts of persons unknown as
of July 10. The abductions occurred in Chimaltenango
department (1); and, Guatemala City (4).
Another report by the CDHG, dated Aug. 8, provides
detailed accounts of 10 killings during the July 25-Aug. 1
period. The corpses were found in or near Guatemala City
(4); in Sacatepequez department (1); El Quiche (1); Baja
Verapaz (3); and, Huehuetenango (1). The report contained
accounts of one seriously wounded victim (Retalhuleu
department); and the abduction of a union leader in
Quetzaltenango department who was released a day later.
An Aug. 16 report by the Guatemalan Human Rights
Commission/USA (Washington, DC) provides detailed accounts
of eight assassinations occurring between Aug. 3 and Aug.
15 (Guatemala City, 1; Retalhuleu department, 2; El Peten
department, 5). On Aug. 7 in Guatemala City, a teacher from
Solola department was noticed walking down the street by
anti-riot police. The teacher was stripped and severely
beaten. Two persons were illegally detained in Esquintla on
Aug. 9, and had not been released as of Aug. 15. On Aug.
15, two teachers were seriously wounded by anti-riot police
in San Benito, El Peten. (One of the deaths occurring in El
Peten involved a teacher.) Finally, on Aug. 15, one person
was detained or disappeared in Esquintla.
GUATEMALA: SOLDIER CAPTURED, TREATED FOR WOUNDS & RELEASED
BY GUERRILLAS TO FACE DESERTION CHARGE IN MILITARY COURT
In early August, Army spokesperson Col. Arturo Isaacs
Rodriguez announced that Carlos Perez Lopez, a soldier who
had been captured, given medical treatment and then released
by Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) forces,
will face charges in the military courts. Rodriguez said
that any soldier who "disappears" for three days or more is
treated as a deserter, and that Perez was a "fugitive from
justice."
Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini of San Marcos has called on the
government and the military to ensure fair treatment of
Perez. The soldier's father had requested assistance from
the bishop to locate and release his son. Perez Lopez has
completed 11 months of his obligatory service in military
zone 18, San Marcos. (Basic data from Teleprensa, 08/04/89,
in 08/16/89 report by Guatemalan Human Rights
Commission/USA)
GUATEMALA DEVALUES CURRENCY
On Aug. 17, the Guatemalan government devalued the
quetzal by 2.9%, reportedly as a condition to receive a $70
million loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
(Basic data from AFP, 08/17/89)
GUATEMALA'S FIRST PARTY PRIMARY
On Aug. 13, Christian Democrats went to the polls in
330 municipalities to select a candidate to succeed
President Vinicio Cerezo, marking the country's first
party primary. The favorite was Alfonso Cabrera, a
political ally and friend of Cerezo. In 1988, Cerezo
announced he would back Cabrera.
Cabrera has been plagued by muddled and unsubstantiated
rumors of corruption and involvement in the drug trade. His
brother was arrested for drug trafficking in Miami. Cabrera
is also reported to lack solid and congenial relations with
the army. The Washington Post cited Jorge Skinner-Klee,
opposition politician and lawyer, as saying: "If he's
elected, I don't think Cabrera would last the five years."
(Basic data from Washington Post, 08/14/89)
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Response 5 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
COUNTRY NOTES, NICARAGUA
NICARAGUA: 3% CURRENCY DEVALUATION; 8.5% JULY INFLATION
On Aug. 15, Vice President Sergio Ramirez announced
Nicaragua's 21st currency devaluation of the year to "avoid
distortions in prices and stimulate exports." The new
exchange rate is 20,600 cordobas per dollar, down from
20,000, equivalent to a 3% devaluation.
Recently, the government reported that July inflation
was 8.5%. (Basic data from AP, 08/15/89)
NICARAGUA: FOOD CROP HARVEST SEVERELY AFFECTED BY DROUGHT
Damage caused by Hurricane Joan last October, and
months of drought followed by abrupt downpours have cut the
Nicaragua's harvest to a fraction of its expected size.
Food shortages are expected.
The most recent estimates of losses provided by the
Ministry of Agricultural-Livestock Development and Agrarian
Reform were compiled in mid-June, before a full assessment
of drought damage was possible. The ministry's estimates
indicated 10% of corn plantings were lost; 25% of rice; 26%
of beans; and, 44% of sorghum used for food and livestock
forage.
Statistics released on June 30 by the pro-government
National Union of Farmers and Livestock Growers show
shortfalls of 31% for corn; 50%, beans; 53%, rice; and, 71%
for the type of sorghum used for human consumption. (Basic
data from New York Times, 08/13/89)
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Response 6 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
COUNTRY NOTES, PANAMA
PANAMA: FULL-SCALE U.S. MILITARY MANEUVERS
On Aug. 17, the US Southern Command conducted six hours
of military maneuvers involving all 12,000 troops stationed
in Panama to test combat readiness and defense systems in
and around the Canal. No incidents were reported with the
Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF). In the past three months,
the US has carried out around 20 military exercises,
resulting in a call by the Panamanian government on the UN
to dispatch a peacekeeping force to ease tensions. (Basic
data from AFP, 08/17/89)
PANAMA: REPORT ON DIALOGUE, OAS MISSION
After a two-week break, dialogue resumed Aug. 14 among
representatives of political opposition parties, pro-
government parties, the government and the military. The
principal objective of the dialogue is to develop an
arrangement that would permit a "transfer" of political
power on Sept. 1, or the end of the current presidential
term under Panama's constitution.
Organization of American States Secretary General Joao
Baena Soares arrived in Panama Aug. 16. Soares had
scheduled a meeting with the OAS team comprised of three
foreign ministers to discuss an assessment of the team's
mission.
In Quito, before boarding a plane for Panama, member of
the OAS mission, Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Diego Cordovez,
called on the US and Panama to normalize relations. He also
suggested that Washington lift its economic embargo against
Panama, and cease military exercises in that country.
The talks were suspended Aug. 17, when political
opposition parties demanded that the regime cease human
rights violations and respect freedom of speech. (Basic
data from Xinhua, AFP, 08/17/89)
PANAMANIAN GEN. NORIEGA SAYS HE WILL
NOT YIELD TO U.S. PRESSURE
On the evening of Aug. 10, Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega
said his regime will not yield to US pressure that he quit
as Panama's Defense Forces chief. Referring to opposition
leaders, he said, "Panama will not bow to the law of force
that those barbarians from the North, their lackeys and tame
politicians are trying to impose on it."
Addressing a group of about 20 retired military
officers, Noriega reiterated accusations that the US wants
to replace him with a "docile" government to elude treaty
obligations to turn the Panama Canal over to Panama. "You,"
Noriega said pointing at the retired officers, "are
front-row witnesses of the aggressive and arrogant policies
of the United States towards Panama."
The group of officers calls itself the executive
committee of the Organization of Military Men for Democracy,
Integration and the Liberation of Latin American and the
Caribbean. (Basic data from AP, 08/11/89)
RETIRED MILITARY OFFICERS CONDEMN
U.S. INTERFERENCE IN PANAMANIAN AFFAIRS
On Aug. 11, at the conclusion of a five-day conference,
the executive committee of the Organization of Military Men
for Democracy, Integration and the Liberation of Latin
American and the Caribbean approved a resolution condemning
the "interference of the US government in the internal
affairs of Panama," and called on Washington to cease
"coercive political, economic, diplomatic, psychological and
military pressures" against Panama. The organization's
membership consists of retired military officers. (See CAU
08/09/89.)
The resolution asserted that the Council rejected the
establishment of foreign military bases in the region,
"whatever their origin and motivation." Next, the
resolution condemned the "excessive" presence of US military
forces in Panama, and the "implication that Washington would
use the sovereign territory of Panama as a base for military
intervention in other Latin American countries." (Basic
data from Xinhua, 08/11/89)
U.S. COURT ORDERS FORFEITURE OF $5 MILLION BY PANAMANIAN
BANK FOR DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING
On Aug. 10, the US Justice Department announced that
the Banco de Occidente of Panama had pleaded guilty to
laundering $411 million in Colombian drug money. Later, a
plea agreement was announced out under which the bank is to
forfeit $5 million worth of assets, and the government
is to drop a $410 million civil action suit filed against
the bank. US Attorney Robert Barr (Atlanta, Ga.) said the
bank's net worth was $6.7 million.
Banco de Occidente in Panama is a subsidiary of a large
bank by the same name headquartered in Cali, Colombia. The
parent bank was also indicted, but the charges were dropped
as part of the plea agreement.
The prosecution followed "Operation Polar Cap,"
described by Attorney General Dick Thornburgh as "the
largest money-laundering crackdown ever carried out by the
federal government." Federal agents said the probe showed
drug traffickers in Los Angeles had laundered $1.2 billion
in several US cities over the past two years. Agents seized
a half ton of cocaine and $45 million dollars in cash,
jewels and real estate. Barr said the conviction of Banco
de Occidente of Panama was "the first time we were able to
identify accounts and the so-called money pipeline for the
Medellin cartel."
The operation, according to the New York Times, has led
to more than 125 indictments in Atlanta, Los Angeles and San
Jose, Calif. The laundering involved hundreds of electronic
transfers of funds among banks in the US, Europe and Latin
America.
The case of Banco de Occidente of Panama marks the
first time prosecutors used a new federal law that permitted
them to seize bank assets after the drug proceeds had been
passed along to Colombia. It is also the first time that a
foreign bank with no operations in the US has been convicted
of money laundering.
According to the Times, prosecutors prefer to use the
forfeiture statutes rather than to seek fines because
forfeited assets go directly toward law enforcement and
prison construction rather than to the Treasury. Next,
forfeited assets, but not fines, may also be shared with
foreign governments involved in an investigation. In this
case, for the first time known to federal authorities, $1
million will go to Swiss authorities and another million
will go to the Canadian government.
Before reaching the plea agreement, Colombian
officials, including President Virgilio Barco and Finance
Minister Luis Fernando Alarcon, lobbied on behalf of the
parent bank to senior US officials. William Richey, one of
the bank's US lawyers, was cited by the Times as saying that
Barco, while in Washington earlier this year, told President
Bush that the bank was not under the control of Colombian
drug lords and should not be punished.
The Times reported that lawyers for Banco de Occidente
said the parent company has assets of about $150 million,
half of which were frozen after the indictment. (Basic data
from New York Times, 08/15/89; AFP, 08/11/89)
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Response 7 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
NOTES ON AMERICAS WATCH LETTER ADDRESSED
TO CENTRAL AMERICAN PRESIDENTS
On Aug. 7, the second anniversary of the Aug. 1987
Central American peace accord, Americas Watch released a
letter condemning continued human rights abuses in four of
the Central American countries. The letter, addressed to
the presidents of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and
Nicaragua, said the "solemn commitments" on respect for
human rights endorsed in the 1987 accord "remain largely
unrealized."
In El Salvador, said the letter, government troops,
right-wing death squads and leftist guerrillas continue to
kill civilians. Citing figures from Tutela Legal, the human
rights office of El Salvador's Roman Catholic Church,
Americas Watch said government forces had killed 39
civilians between January and July 13, death squads 17 and
guerrilla forces 56. It charged military and security
forces with "torture of detainees."
In Guatemala, political killings and disappearances
appear to have increased following a failed May 9 coup
attempt, Americas Watch said, citing two massacres in which
nine persons were reported killed.
Torture, killings and disappearances also were reported
in Honduras, the letter said, pointing out that seven
persons had disappeared in the last two years after being
captured by the military, and that two union presidents and
two student leaders had been killed during the first week of
July.
In Nicaragua, Americas Watch said the government was
responsible for "violent abuses" by soldiers or security
police in the past two years, mainly in remote areas of the
north-central part of the country. These abuses, primarily
directed against suspected contra collaborators, include 89
killings or disappearances since 1987. Americas Watch said
it had received responses to its complaints from the
government in a fourth of the cases, and that some persons
held responsible for such abuses in 1988 have been punished.
(Basic data from Washington Post, 08/07/89)
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Response 8 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
TRANSLATION OF AUG. 7 CENTRAL AMERICAN SUMMIT ACCORDS
[Appearing below is an unofficial translation of two
documents signed by the five Central American presidents on
Aug. 7 in Tela, Honduras. The translation was provided by
Agendas International (Suite 1301, 820 Second Ave., New York
NY 10017).]
The Central American Presidents, meeting in the port city of
Tela in the Republic of Honduras on August 5, 6 and 7, 1989;
Taking into consideration and recognizing the important work
undertaken by the Executive Commission at its Ninth Meeting
and by the Technical Working Group, whose efforts allowed
this meeting to take place; and
Considering that, in order to achieve a firm and lasting
peace and ensure implementation of the commitments assumed
by the Presidents in the Declarations of Accords
successively made at Alajuela and Costa del Sol, it is
necessary to comply with the steps agreed upon in Esquipulas
II;
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Response 9 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
AGREE:
1. To ratify their conviction to promote all measures aimed
at compliance with numerals 5 and 6 of the Esquipulas Accord
in order to prevent the use of one's national territory to
destabilize the Governments of the Central American
countries. In keeping with the above, they have subscribed
to the document containing the Joint Plan for the
Demobilization and Voluntary Repatriation and Relocation in
Nicaragua or Third Countries of the Members of the
Nicaraguan Resistance and Their Families, and on assistance
for the demobilization of all persons involved in armed
activities in the countries of the region, when they
voluntarily request such assistance.
2. To promote direct and mutually agreed upon resolutions
to those disputes that may arise between various Central
American countries. The Presidents of Guatemala, El
Salvador and Costa Rica thereby lent their moral support to
and endorsed the Agreement between Honduras and Nicaragua
regarding the case before the International Court of Justice
in The Hague.
3. To ratify the appeal to armed groups in the region that
still persist in the use of force, particularly the
Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), to abandon
such actions. Toward this end, they have approved Article
III on assistance for the Voluntary Demobilization of the
FMLN. In Article III, the FMLN is vehemently called upon to
put an immediate and effective end to hostilities, in order
to engage in a dialogue which will lead to a cessation of
the armed struggle and to incorporation of the members of
the FMLN into the institutional and democratic life of the
country.
4. The Presidents recognize the efforts of the Government
of Guatemala to strengthen its process of national
reconciliation through extensive and permanent dialogue in
which the National Reconciliation Commission occupies a
leading role. They likewise express their desire that this
dialogue will serve to consolidate the democratic, pluralist
and participatory process and, in accordance with numeral 1
of the Esquipulas Procedure and domestic legislation,
reiterate an appeal to armed groups to abandon those
activities which contradict the spirit of this accord and
join in institutional political life by taking part in
the process of national reconciliation.
5. In light of the fact that Honduras and Nicaragua have
arrived at an agreement which includes the withdrawal by
Honduras of its reservation regarding the enactment of the
said Plan and the reiteration of the Honduran request to
send an international peace force to Honduran territory, the
Central American Presidents agree to request the United
Nations to adopt the necessary measures for establishing the
verification mechanism for security matters.
6. To ratify the call made by the Executive Commission at
its Ninth Meeting that the Central American Commission on
Environment and Development hold its First Meeting in
Guatemala City on August 30 and 31, 1989 so that work be
undertaken to prepare the draft convention governing its
nature and functions.
7. To reiterate the importance of the Central American
Parliament as a forum in which the peoples of the area will
discuss and formulate recommendations on the political,
economic, social and cultural problems of Central America.
It is essential that the treaty establishing the Central
American Parliament should enter into force as rapidly as
possible.
8. To forcefully condemn drug trafficking and abuse. The
Central American Presidents commit themselves to promulgate
laws and adopt drastic measures to prevent our countries
from becoming bases for drug traffickers. To achieve these
goals, regional and international cooperation will be
sought, agreements will be signed with countries affected by
such illicit trafficking, and steps will be taken to permit
effective control of drug trafficking.
9. The Central American Presidents agree to entrust the
Executive Commission with the task of discussing and
approving the document concerning political verification,
which will be ratified by the Presidents at their next
meeting.
Two years after the signing of the Esquipulas II Peace Plan,
the Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras and Nicaragua reiterate their resolve to comply
fully with all the commitments and agreements stipulated in
the Guatemala Procedure and the Alajuela and Costa del Sol
Declarations, particularly those pertaining to the
strengthening of the processes of national reconciliation
and the perfecting of the democratic processes, for which
strict compliance with the agreements reached is
fundamental.
The Central American Presidents agree to meet again before
the end of the year in the Republic of Nicaragua.
The Central American Presidents thank the people and
Government of Honduras, and in particular President Jose
Azcona Hoyo, for the hospitality extended to them.
Tela, Honduras, August 7, 1989.
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
Response 10 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
BILATERAL ACCORD BETWEEN NICARAGUA AND HONDURAS
The President of the Republic of Honduras, Jose Azcona Hoyo
and the President of the Republic of Nicaragua, Daniel
Ortega Saavedra;
Acting in their roles as chief executives of their
respective States and with the moral and political support
of Presidents Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala, Alfredo Cristiani
of El Salvador and Oscar Arias Sanchez of Costa Rica;
Inspired by the noble purpose of maintaining peace,
friendship and cooperation between the Republics of
Nicaragua and Honduras, countries united by strong
historical ties of friendship and brotherhood;
Keeping in mind the commitment ratified in the Esquipulas
Accords of August 7, 1987, of preventing the use of one's
national territory to assault other States;
Keeping in mind also the Declaration of Costa del Sol of
February 14, 1989, where the Central American Presidents
committed themselves to "prepare in a period of no more than
90 days, a Joint Plan for the Demobilization and Voluntary
Repatriation or Relocation in Nicaragua and in Third
Countries of the Members of the Nicaraguan Resistance and
their Families", and
Motivated by the will to always maintain open the
possibility of resolving differences through peaceful means,
including the International Court of Justice to resolve
controversies that threaten the peace and security between
States,
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
Response 11 of 11
/* Written 5:22 pm Aug 18, 1989 by ladb in cdp:carnet.ladb */
HAVE RESOLVED:
To agree to an extrajudicial agreement in relation to the
procedure brought by Nicaragua against Honduras before the
International Court of Justice on July 28, 1986. The
aforesaid agreement is based on the following:
A) On August 7, 1989, a Joint Plan for the Demobilization
and Voluntary Repatriation or Relocation of the Nicaraguan
Resistance and Their Families was agreed upon. The
execution of this Plan shall begin immediately after the
establishment of the International Commission of Support and
Verification (CIAV), no later than September 6, and shall
end 90 days thereafter by means of a certification signed by
the Secretaries General of the United Nations and the
Organization of American States attesting to the complete
fulfillment of the Plan.
B) The presence of the Contra and their camps in Honduras
does not contribute to the democratic process already
underway in Nicaragua. The President of Honduras commits
himself to officially convey, in the appropriate manner,
before the United Nations Security Council a petition by his
government to form and dispatch to Honduran Territory an
International Peace Force to impede the use of Honduran
territory by irregular forces.
C) Once compliance with all the previous points has been
achieved and certified in the corresponding report by the
International Commission of Support and Verification, in
accordance with the Joint Plan for Demobilization, Nicaragua
will desist from the procedures against Honduras in the
International Court of Justice.
The President of Nicaragua, confident that the Government of
Honduras will lend its full cooperation in order to comply
in good faith with the Joint Plan for Demobilization, within
the established time period, commits the Government of
Nicaragua to request a delay from the International Court of
Justice for the presentation of its memorial until the date
when, in accordance with the Joint Plan, an official report
on compliance has been presented.
Upon receiving the official report of the International
Commission of Support and Verification on the compliance
with this Joint Plan, Nicaragua shall desist from the
procedures against Honduras in the International Court of
Justice.
Given in the City of Tela, Republic of Honduras, on the
seventh day of August nineteen hundred and eighty-nine.
---
Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
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