rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (06/14/91)
WEEKLY BRIEFS, JUNE 2 - 8, 1991 General Gramajo--Scholar or Outlaw? When former Defense Minister Hector Gramajo graduated on Thursday from Harvard University, he received more than a diploma. As he was walking to the graduation ceremony, he was served papers for a lawsuit filed against him by the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights. The retired army general is being charged with flagrant human rights abuses against fellow Guatemalans who now live in the United States. The civil lawsuit labels Gramajo as the worst human rights violator in the western hemisphere. The basis of the lawsuit is the Alien Tort Claims Act, which allows non-U.S. citizens to sue other citizens of their country for damages in cases of violations of international law. One of the attorneys bringing suit, Michael Ratner, told an Associated Press (AP) reporter, "We hope this lawsuit exposes Gramajo for who he is: not a scholar, but an international outlaw responsible for the deaths and suffering of thousands." Gramajo has twenty days to respond to the Center for Constitutional Rights lawsuit, in which he is being sued for millions of dollars. If he does not respond he will not be restricted from leaving the country, but could be prevented from re-entering. Army Uniform under Cap and Gown General Hector Gramajo studied at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard during the past year. He participated in the Edward S. Mason Program designed for leaders from developing countries. Gramajo began a Master's program in public administration after resigning as Guatemala's Defense Minister in May of last year. He resigned in time to become eligible to run for president five years later. There is little doubt he has an eye on the presidency in 1995. Gramajo's presence at Harvard received little public attention until this week. On Sunday an article appeared in the Washington Post subtitled "Why is a Ruthless Guatemalan General Getting a JFK School Degree?" Writer Michael Massing said the U.S. government helped finance the general's studies. An unidentifed U.S. official said Gramajo "stonewalled the embassy" on several human rights violations but "if it hadn't been for Gramajo, you'd probably have a military dictatorship in Guatemala." In the Spring 1991 issue of the Harvard International Review, Gramajo callously described the national security plan he designed. The plan seeks to alter military strategy to comply with national interests and improve Guatemala's human rights image. "We aren't renouncing the use of force. If we have to use it, we have to use it, but in a more sophisticated manner. You needn't kill everyone to complete the job. [You can use] more sophisticated means; we aren't going to return to the large-scale massacres..." The plan "provides development for 70 percent of the population while we kill 30 percent." He added "It's not civilized. We know that." When an AP reporter asked Gramajo on Thursday about these statements, he responded "That's a misquote, or perhaps a misunderstanding." Reactions to Gramajo Lawsuit in Guatemala The Guatemalan government said on Friday that accusations against the country's former defense minister have nothing to do with the government itself. General Gramajo is retired and has no tie to the current government, according to press secretary Gonzalo Asturias. The army has also declined to comment. Christian Democratic congressman Carlos Escobedo did defend the retired general. The legislator said Gramajo's advocacy of civilian government precludes his involvement in the crimes of which he accused. Gramajo is credited with putting down two army uprisings during his term as defense minister. Human rights organizations note, however, that violations increased after the uprisings. Gramajo is believed to have struck deals with army officers who led the rebellions, agreements that allowed them more freedom to step up repression against students, unionists and human rights workers. ABC Primetime Airs Interview with Sister Diana Ortiz Diana Ortiz of the Ursuline Sisters of Maple Mount, Kentucky, was kidnapped by Guatemalan security forces on November 2, 1989, and brutally tortured. She escaped from her captors, one of whom was wearing jeans and "a Rambo tee shirt." A year and a half later, she related her story to the public because, as an unlikely survivor, she feels she owes it to the people of Guatemala. Her torturers raped her repeatedly and dropped her into a pit of bodies beneath the floor of the area where she was held. "I don't know how many bodies were in the pit, but I know there were bodies because I felt myself touching, feeling feet, arms. I felt myself walking on heads...I remember thinking that, or feeling that I heard someone crying...I felt the bodies jerking, and the next thing I remember I was...I was aware that I was still alive, and that there were rats all over me. And he took me back to the room where I was interrogated and they raped me again." Guatemalan General Hector Gramajo claimed it was "self- kidnapping". When questioned about the more than one hundred cigarette burns on the woman's body he said it was "simply the the strange love practice of a lesbian cult." He later retracted this statement in a letter to the Catholic Church. When ABC questioned General Morales, who was in charge of the investigation, he responded that the US embassy had started the rumors about the lesbian love affair. Diana said a man named "Alejandro", whom she was "positive" was an American, ordered the torturers to stop and took her from the place she was being held. U.S. officials have refused to talk about the case and claim they still question Diana's story. On Guatemalan television the government featured a witness to the kidnapping whose story "has problems" according to ABC. The network reported that this witness was a petty criminal with a police record. Paul Soreff, Sister Diana's lawyer, called the investigation by the Guatemalan government "a joke". The Guatemalan government now says the case will receive "highest priority." The Ursuline Sisters have demanded the government include one of Diana's legal representatives on its investigating committee. John McRaith, Bishop of Owensboro, Kentucky, stated: "The U.S. government should have, by now, been able to clear itself of what Sister Diana has accused them -- or own up to their cooperation...Are they hiding something?" The day the "Prime Time" interview with Diana Ortiz aired, Senator Tom Harkins (D-Iowa), introduced a bill in the Senate called "The Promotion and Respect for Human Rights in Guatemala Act 1991" which links the solving of the cases of human rights violations in Guatemala with financial assistance to that country. The bill specifically mentions Sister Diana's case and has political support from Kentucky Democratic Senator Wendell Ford. Refugees Labeled Subversives Vice President Gustavo Espina refused to discuss six conditions proposed by refugees living in Mexico when he met with representatives on Tuesday. The Permanent Commissions (CCPP) representing the refugees said they were accused by Espina of being subversives, a charge they emphatically deny. In Friday's Prensa Libre, the Vice President claimed he had not suggested the refugees were guerrillas. He said he told them that some of their proposals were the same as the URNG's and he did not want to think they were linked to the rebel organization. Espina said he could not discuss the refugees' six conditions with the CCPP because they are political issues that must be dealt with in negotiations with the URNG. The CCPP gave the following account of what happened at the Tuesday meeting: The Vice President ignored the agenda his advisors had agreed to earlier and which included the six conditions. Espina insisted the refugees provide a list of names of those who want to return, specifying who did and did not own land in Guatemala and the location of the properties. The CCPP said conditions for the refugees' return were what must be discussed and asked members of the Intermediary Commission to mediate, given the two divergent positions. Roberto Rodriguez, chief of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees in Guatemala, offered to develop an agenda which would seek to reconcile the differences. The Vice President did not respond to the offer. He ended the meeting by telling the Permanent Commissions to send him their study of the refugees' land ownership. The Congressional Committee on Indigenous Issues is proposing an action to charge Vice President Espina with slander for accusing the refugees of using the same language as the guerrillas. Radio Guatemala Flash reported that representatives of several Congressional committees are offering their support to the refugees. One Year Later--Army Officer Acquitted An army captain charged with the murder of Michael Devine has been acquitted by a military court. First Army Captain Hugo Contreras was accused of involvement in the kidnapping and murder of the U.S. citizen last June. The victim's widow, Carol Devine, has filed an appeal to overturn the decision. Just two weeks ago, Devine filed charges against Army Colonel Guillermo Portillo, who commanded the Peten military zone where her husband was murdered. When the military courts refused to take action, she took the case to the Supreme Court. One year after the crime, only five low-ranking soldiers and one civilian are under arrest. On Wednesday Prensa Libre reported that the U.S. embassy expressed satisfaction with actions taken in the case and confidence that it will soon be resolved. The army captain's acquittal was reported on the same day. Controversy Over Police Support From Carabineros An assistance program from Chilean "carabinero" police experts has placed newly-appointed Interior Minister Fernando Hurtado in the "eye of the hurricane," according to commentary on Notisiete television. Criticism has come from many sectors. Legislator Francisco Reyes of Rios Montt's Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG) party said Tuesday he hoped he was wrong in questioning their presence, but many years of repression and human rights violations have been attributed to the carabinero force. Hugo Morales of the United Labor and Popular Action (UASP) said assistance from the carabineros can only serve to "technify repression." Four carabinero officers have already arrived in Guatemala as advisors to the National Police. They were presented to Congressional leaders on Monday. The carabineros explained their role in Chile and clarified that they had nothing to do with the repression during the Pinochet dictatorship. Interior Minister Fernando Hurtado said the carabineros have been asked to assist in training the national police force in human rights issues. He said those who oppose their presence are "against the system" or have problems in adapting to changes. CPRs Say Suffering Continues In a Wednesday press conference, members of the Communities of Population in Resistance (CPR) said the army repression they have suffered should be considered in the negotiations between the government and the URNG. The residents said that despite what President Serrano says, his army continues to violate their fundamental rights on a daily basis. The communities repeated their demand to be recognized as a civilian, non-combatant population. Army sources quoted in El Grafico deny the CPRs' accusations. They say the URNG is using the peasants to get the army out of the area so they can take control. A multi-sector delegation made a second visit to the CPRs on June 1-3. Religious and human rights workers visited the communities of Xeputul, Caba and Santa Clara in Quiche province. Delegates saw war injuries suffered by some residents and said many children have contracted malaria, diphteria, measles and smallpox. Note: Watch for regular updates on PeaceNet conference Carnet.guatenews during the next round of peace negotiations. The government and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) are scheduled to meet in Mexico from June 17 to 22. ***************** In the U.S. and Canada subscribe to Weekly Briefs by sending check or money order to: ANI PO Box 28481 Seattle, WA 98118 Subscription fees in the U.S. and Canada: $18 for 6 months, $36 for one year. Elsewhere, contact: CERIGUA Apartado Postal 74206CP 09080 Delegacion Itzapalapa Mexico, D.F. Telephone: 5102320 - FAX 5109061 - Telex (17) 64525 Also please send us your comments and suggestions to the Seattle address or by email to cerisea on PeaceNet. ** End of text from cdp:reg.guatemala **