rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (06/14/91)
El Rescate Human Rights Department Report from El Salvador
June 3-10, 1991
"If the government wants war, it's war they'll get." --Radio
Farabundo Marti (1)
"If the FMLN wants war, they will have it." --President
Cristiani (2)
"They should be saying, `If it's peace they want, it's peace
they'll get.'" --Bishop Rosa Chavez (3)
A verbal war heated up this week in large measure directed to
Washington. In the midst of the debate here over who is
responsible for blocking the negotiation process, the FMLN called
on the Bush Administration to "convince the High Command" to
negotiate a cease-fire and the U.S. Congress made an unusual
proposal to postpone the Salvadoran aid discussion until
September in order to pressure both sides for a cease-fire
agreement. Congressmand Joe Moakley initiated the proposal,
apparently with the approval of the Bush Administration.
Moakley and eight other congressmembers also requested the
President to maintain the freeze on $42.5 million in military aid
from the 1990-91 budget. Just two days before the Moakley
proposal, one hundred congressmembers signed a letter to the
Speaker of the House supporting a total cut in military aid and
noted that $100 million still in the pipeline "should be
sufficient." (4) The Moakley proposal averted a strong debate in
Congress, which may explain the "pleasure" expressed by President
Bush. (5)
President Christiani said he supported the postponement. "This
will improve conditions for dialogue." (6) However, Vice-
President Merino criticized any delay "which could encourage the
terrorists" and, sounding reminiscent of Senator Joe McCarthy in
the 1950's, said the delay was provoked by "groups or persons
close to the FMLN who have infiltrated the highest levels of the
U.S. government." (7) General Ponce said any reduction or delay
would "encourage" the FMLN (8) and ARENA President Calderon Sol
warned a delay could be "very dangerous" and advised Congress to
"think carefully." (9)
"He will have to explain a lot of things in Washington,
including the Jesuit case and the lack of progress in
negotiations." --Dr. Ruben Zamora (10)
"Military aid will be a therometer to measure how far the
U.S. government is willing to go in the peace process."
--Bishop Rosa Chavez (11)
On June 6 an announcement was made simultaneously in Washington
and San Salvador that President Christiani will travel to
Washington this week at the invitation of President Bush. White
House spokesperson Marlin Fitzwater noted the "great leadership
and courage" of the President and said Bush "particularly wants
to meet with him, at this moment, to hear his perspective on the
negotiations." (12)
President Christiani will leave June 11, accompanied by Margarita
Christiani, Foreign Minister Pacas Castro, Dr. Oscar Santamaria,
the Ministers of Planning and Economy, the President of ANTEL,
and the President's Private Secretary Arturo Tono. Noticeably
missing from the list is the Minister of Defense or any
representative of the Armed Forces. The President will meet with
President Bush on June 12 and is expected to hold meetings with
congressmembers and extensive press interviews during the three-
day visit.
Dire warnings of guerilla offensives and foriegn arms shipments
have often preceded congressional aid votes and presidential
visits; this occasion is no exception. On June 3, General Ponce
accused the FMLN of delaying a cease-fire aggreement "to organize
another offensive." On the same day General Zepeda charged that
weapons had been sent "recently" from Nicaragua through Honduras.
(13) Two days later Ponce contradicted Zepeda, saying there was
"no confirmed evidence" of arms shipments, (14) but on June 7th
President Christiani cited reports from Military Intelligence of
more weapons "coming from the Sandinistas...including SAM-16'."
(15) The SAM-16 is one of the most sophisticated anti-aircraft
missiles, similar to a U.S. Stinger. The Sandinista Army
responded that its entire inventory of missiles "is accounted
for," (16) and Colonel Ricardo Wheelock declared, "Everything
Christiani said is a lie." (17)
"More military aid will be an explosion at the negotiating
table." --Radio Farabundo Marti (18)
Guerilla radio accused the President of going to Washington to
ask for more military aid, "using the phantom of another
offensive...This could be a serious danger for
negotiations...Peace will not come with more bombs and explosives
from the United States." (19)
Vice-President of the Assembly, Dr. Ruben Zamora criticized the
"belligerent attitude" of President Christiani and said the
Washington trip is an example of the "dependency" of the
President. " He will invent another offensive in order to ask
for more aid...which will be very dangerous for the peace
process." (20)
"The State Department is disillusioned." --State Department
Spokesman (21)
"I am in uninterrupted contact with both sides...I meet with
more than with my own family." --Alvaro de Soto (22), asked
what he does between sessions.
The State Department was "disillusioned" at the lack of a cease-
fire agreement in Caracas and accused the FMLN of "attempting to
introduce other issues" including the dissolution of the Armed
Forces, and of "not respecting its own May 30 cease-fire
deadline." (23) Dr. Oscar Santamaria defended the government's
revisions to the U.N. working paper and accused the FMLN of
"rejecting the entire document." (24) Vice-Minister to the
President Ernesto Altschul said the debate on the issue of the
Armed Forces is being "exhausted" and confidently predicted a
cease-fire. "It's just a matter of time." (25)
"Once again we see the military power imposing itself over civil
power," said PDC Deputy Roberto Viera. (26) An FMLN
representative in San Jose agreed that President Christiani
represents a "negotiating position" but said "recalcitrant
sectors" behind him are exerting pressure. (27) On June 5, the
President expressed the position that the FMLN is the "cause" of
the war. "If the FMLN didn't exist as an armed force, what is
happening wouldn't be happening." (28)
Opposition politicians agree that pressure from the military was
responsible for the 44 revisions to the U.N. document. Ruben
Zamora emphasized the weak position of the President and the
necessity for more participation from civil society in the
process. The Democratic Convergence proposed the formation of a
Peace Commission within the Assembly to participate directly in
the talks "not to be a third party at the table but to have a
physical presence during the talks." Zamora suggested the
participation of two members from each party in the Commission
but said his proposal was open for discussion. (29) The PDC, PCN,
and UDN expressed varying degrees of support, but Vice-President
Merino spoke for ARENA referring to the proposal as
"inappropiate...It could disperse attention and delay
agreements." He recommended that deputies "work for peace inside
the Assembly." (30) On June 8, President Christiani declared the
proposal would "violate the Geneva Agreement" and accused
opposition parties of "seeking glory...now that a cease-fire is
possible." (31)
"If the war ended tomorrow...has the justice system changed?
Have the Armed Forces changed? --CD Deputy Dr. Hector Silva
Dr. Alvaro de Soto met with President Christiani on June 6 and
the next round of talks will reportedly be held in Mexico
beginning sometime between June 15-18. Party leaders will meet
with the FMLN either in Managua or Mexico before the next
session, with ARENA refusing to attend if the meeting is held in
Managua. It is also possible that private enterprise leaders
will finally talk to the guerillas.
On June 6, Ricardo Montenegro of the Chamber of Commerce said
business leaders would like to discuss sabotage, the economy, a
cease-fire and respect for private property with the FMLN. (33)
The meeting could take place in Mexico before the next
negotiation session, but according to one source the Chamber had
not yet received a formal invitation. "We're waiting for a fax,"
he said. (34)
"Threats to international organizations reflect the advance
in negotiations." --Bishop Rosa Chavez (35)
The leaflet from the Salvadoran Anti-Communist Front attacking
United Nations and other international institutions was
circulated again this week to business groups and the press. On
June 5, President Christiani responded, saying the government
would fight "all groups or individuals who try to take the law
into their own hands" and would provide security to any
institution which makes that request. (36)
The Ministry of Defense released a statement vowing to fight
"clandestine organizations of the right" and General Ponce said
the Armed Forces would investigate but "there are no clues...as
to their identity." (37) The Democratic Convergence proposed a
resolution condemning the threat which was passed unanimously on
June 6 by the Assembly.
On June 6 the General Assembly of the OAS passed a resolution
condemning human rights violations by the Salvadoran Government,
particularly mentioning "death squads and security forces." (38)
Roberto D'Aubuisson is in the United States again for medical
treatment. There are contradictory reports as to the status of
health, some sources saying his tongue will be removed to prevent
the spread of cancer to his throat. An ARENA Deputy denied
D'Aubuisson was undergoing surgery but admitted, "it will be a
while before he can incorporate into the battlefield again...the
political battlefield, that is." (39)
"Sensationalism and politicizing of the case must be
avoided." --President Alfredo Christiani
The eight day evidentary period in the Jesuit case ended June 3.
Major Eric Buckland was said to be in a "nearby country," ready
to testify but did not appear. "We don't know why," said private
prosecuting attorney Henry Campos. (41) On June 4, Judge Ricardo
Zamora announced a 90-day extension on the evidentiary phase in
order to receive additional testimonies and documentation but
Buckland will apparently respond to written questions in the
United States.
Nine other North Americans will be subpoenaed including
Buckland's sister, Carol, and a reporter for CNN who received
information from the Major before he spoke to his superiors about
the case. Two former embassy officials, Janis Elmore and Richard
Chidester, will be cited as well as six U.S. military advisors
including Colonel Milton Menjivar, former head of the U.S.
Military Group. (42)
The President of the Supreme Court, Dr. Mauricio Gutierrez
Castro, said the prosecution has sufficent evidence to prosecute
the defendants and admitted the state could be responsible for
material and moral damage to the victims. (43)
Generals Ponce and Rubio and President Christiani submitted
written declarations on June 3. Christiani told the press,
"There must be justice...but sensationalism and politicizing of
the case are not beneficial and must be avoided." (44)
No new information was revealed during the first days of the
evidentiary phase according to Jesuit Provincial Jose Maria
Tojeira. The Jesuits will continue pressuring for documents from
U.S. intelligence agencies but he admitted the case becomes "more
obscure" as time passes. (45)
"Many people need land but it can't be given away." --
Ricardo Montenegro, Chamber of Commerce (46)
Increasing social tension is a reflection of the economic crisis
and the hardening of positions at the negotiation table.
Occupations of properties by landless campesinos, a
transportation strike and harrassment of the press are occuring
as President Christiani prepares to travel to Washington.
Four hundred troops of the Second Brigade and security forces
arrived at the Amalunga farm in Santa Ana on June 3 and were met
with machetes, sticks and rocks, as the seventy campesino
families who occupied the land on February 25 refused to leave.
(47) The troops withdrew but returned the following day with a
legal order and evicted 150 people from the land. DIARIO DE HOY
accused "a leftist deputy" of "leading the hordes" (48) and
Prseident Christiani said he regretted...that some deputies
supported the illegal land takeovers. (49)
UCAFES (Union of Coffee Cooperatives) protested the continuing
land occupations and demamded the government "correct the
problem...The campesinos are being used to subvert the legal
order." (50) The Civic Patriotic Committee began a series of
radio ads asserting that "humble campansinos...are being
manipulated...by front organizations playing the game of the
FMLN." (51)
In the Assembly, PDC Deputy Arturo Mangana proposed a resolution
calling for the government to avoid evictions and confrontation
and to open negotiations with the owners of idle properties. (52)
CD Deputy Juan Jose Martell met with a delegation of campesinos
on June 7 and told them, "the Assembly must be a battle trench
for the campesinos." (53)
CONFRAS, the confederation of agrarian reform cooperatives,
claims 43 properties have been occupied, a total of 17,726
manzanas and reports three evictions to date. "More occupations
are coming," said a CONFRAS leader, "For every eviction there
will be two occupations." (54)
Bus owners went on strike June 10 and were warned of "drastic
sanctions" by the Assistant Director of the Ministry of
Transportation who accused leaders of being
"leftists...participating in the preparatory phase of an FMLN
offensive." (55) The association bus owners, AEAS, led two
stikes last year demanding the government subsidize
transportation due to the spiraling cost of spare parts; a tire
which cost 800 colones in 1989 now costs 2000 colones, according
to AEAS. (56) Two thousand busses were reported on strike on the
morning of June 10, with 90% of transportation in the
metropolitan area paralyzed.
The ACAN-EFE press office was broken into this week and National
Police raided the Radio Vanguardia news office on June 8, without
a search warrant. Reporters were prevented from entering the
northern Guazapa area on June 7 to cover the exhumation of the
body of a guerilla, killed and mutilated by the Atlacatl
Battalion in May. The Inter-American Press Society (SIP) in
Miami protested increasing restrictions on travel against
journalists and the National University filed a habeus corpus
petition in the name of all Salvadorans against travel
restrictions and safe conduct passes. "It's like going from one
country to another," said a lawyer, "Freedom of movement in this
country is based on arbitary decisions from the High Command."
(57)
SOURCES: 1. Radio YSKL, 6/6/91; 2. TV 12, 6/5/91; 3. TV 12,
6/6/91; 4. Radio Horizonte, 6/4/91; 5. Diario de Hoy, 6/8/91; 6.
Radio Horizonte, 6/7/91; 7. La Prensa Grafica, 6/8/91; 8. TV 12,
6/5/91; 9. TV 12, 6/4/91; 10. Radio Horizonte, 6/7/91; 11. Radio
YSU, 6/9/91; 12. La Prensa Grafica, 6/7/91; 13. TV 12, 6/3/91;
14. TV 12, 6/5/91; 15. El Mundo, 6/7/91; 16. TV 12, 6/7/91; 17.
Radio YSU, 6/9/91; 18. Radio Horizonte, 6/9/91; 19. Radio
Horizonte, 6/7/91; 20. TV 12, 6/7/91; 21. Diario de Hoy, 6/4/91;
22. La Prensa Grafica, 6/6/91; 23. Diario de Hoy, 6/4/91; 24. TV
12, 6/3/91; 25. TV 2, 6/3/91; 26. TV 12, 6/3/91; 27. El Mundo,
6/3/91; 28. TV 12, 6/5/91; 29. TV 2, 6/6/91; 30. TV 2, 6/5/91;
31. TV 12, 6/8/91; 32. TV 12, 6/3/91; 33. TV 2, 6/6/91; 34.
Interview, 6/6/91; 35. Radio Horizonte, 6/9/91; 36. TV 2, 6/5/91;
37. Diario Latino, 6/5/91; 38. Diario Latino, 6/7/91; 39. Diario
Latino, 6/4/91; 40. Radio Horizonte, 6/5/91; 41. TV 12, 6/3/91;
42. El Mundo, 6/7/91; 43. TV 12, 6/5/91; 44. Radio Horizonte,
6/5/91; 45. Radio Horizonte, 6/9/91; 46. Radio Horizonte, 6/6/91;
47. TV 2, 6/4/91; 48. Diario de Hoy, 6/5/91; 49. Radio YSKL,
6/5/91; 50. La Prensa Grafica, 6/4/91; 51. Radio Sonora, 6/8/91;
52. TV 12, 6/5/91; 53. El Mundo, 6/7/91; 54. TV 12, 6/7/91; 55.
TV 12, 6/8/91; 56. TV 12, 6/7/91; 57. TV 12, 6/6/91.
Copyright 1991, El Rescate Human Rights Department. This report
may be quoted and partially reprinted on condition that El
Rescate be cited as the source.
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