pshell@WIENER.PRODIGY.CS.CMU.EDU (Peter Shell) (06/07/91)
URGENT ACTION JUNE 6, 1991
SALVADORAN GOVERNMENT BLOCKS PROGRESS IN PEACE TALKS
BUSH ADMINISTRATION READY TO RELEASE MORE MILITARY AID
The latest round of peace talks between the U.S.-backed ARENA
government and the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN)
ended on June 3, deadlocked over the issue of ending the army's
human rights abuses. During discussions of the army's role in El
Salvador's political life, the government introduced 45 new
amendments to a United Nations document outlining changes in the
armed forces which should precede a cease fire. According to FMLN
negotiators, 22 of the amendments represented substantial changes
to a document which the government had already accepted in
principle at the beginning of this year.
At stake is ending the army's impunity in violating the human
rights of the civilian population. The army refuses to accept the
U.N.'s call for a "purging" and prosecution of officers linked to
war crimes and human rights abuses. Instead, the government
proposes an "evaluation" of the officer corps, with the army
determining who should be removed. The government backtracked on
a number of other points, including placing police forces under the
control of civilian authorities.
Government intransigence in the negotiations has been coupled
with a massive army offensive aimed at the civilian population in
eight of El Salvador's 14 provinces. Army operations have focused
on attacking repopulated communities, including: the capture of
civilians, the destruction of crops, the mining of farm lands, the
firing of mortars into the villages of La Pinuela and El Volcan,
and the assassination of a 65-year-old peasant in San Miguel.
The current offensive, which has involved up to 10,000 troops,
is designed to terrorize the civilian population and strengthen the
government's position in negotiations on a cease fire. Through the
massive deployment of troops, the government is attempting to limit
the size of the territory governed by the FMLN.
ACTION ALERT: Congress Complicit as Bush Administration Bolsters
Salvadoran Armed Forces
With the negotiations at a critical stage, the Bush
administration has informed congressional leaders that it intends
to begin spending $42.5 million in military aid which Congress
withheld last fall. The administration claims that the army may
run out of bullets due to stepped-up fighting. The release of the
aid sends a clear signal to the Salvadoran military that it can
count on the continued backing of the U.S. and has no need to
compromise in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders have decided to postpone
a floor vote on aid to El Salvador, delaying any action until
September at the earliest. Once again, this sends a reassuring
message to the Salvadoran armed forces at the very moment when the
army is increasing its resistance to a negotiated settlement of the
war. By choosing to postpone a floor vote, House Democrats are
collaborating with the administration in its support for the ARENA
government.
It's possible that the Senate may still take a floor vote on
El Salvador before the August recess, making continued pressure on
the Senate crucial.
The administration is likely to begin sending the aid without
any fanfare, hoping to avoid controversy over its El Salvador
policy. Visible public protest is vital for stopping this
escalation of U.S. intervention and forcing Congress to end all
U.S. aid to El Salvador.
Suggested Action:
Call on your congressional representatives to: 1) cut all
aid to El Salvador 2) work to stop the release of the $42.5
million in military aid 3) sign on to the Adams-McDermott bill
which calls for an end to war-related aid to El Salvador. As of
June 3, the Adams-McDermott bill had 105 signers in the House and
9 in the Senate. If your representative has already signed on to
the Adams-McDermott bill, ask him/her to hold a press conference
and publicly push for an end to U.S. aid to El Salvador.
In all your congressional work, emphasize that the Salvadoran
government and armed forces are back tracking in the negotiations
and are directly responsible for the continuation of the war.
Now is the moment to:
1) Organize visible public protest calling on Congress to
oppose the restoration of aid.
2) Increase calls, letters, and delegation visits to
congressional offices demanding a cutoff of U.S. aid.
3) Carry out media work--including op-ed pieces, letters to
the editor, and radio interviews--exposing the role of the U.S. and
Salvadoran governments in blocking forward progress in the peace
talks.