NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/10361

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Subject: El Rescate report Jan 18 - Jan 25
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/** reg.elsalvador: 129.0 **/
** Topic: REPORT FROM ES, 1/18-25/93 **
** Written 10:41 am  Jan 25, 1993 by elrescate in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
EL RESCATE HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT
REPORT FROM EL SALVADOR
January 18-25, 1993

In an address to the nation in honor of the first anniversary of the peace
agreement, President Cristiani stressed economic recovery and said the main
tasks for the year ahead are the consolidation of democracy and a "state of
law" and the elevation of the standard of living. He called on all
Salvadorans to "forgive" any harm done to them and "not to envy another's
prosperity." (1)

There have been no public developments on progress in the implementation of
the Ad-Hoc Commission report. However, the always-outspoken retired colonel
Sigifredo Ochoa Perez, who publicly criticized the army's handling of the
purging process two weeks ago, is being sent into "golden exile,"
reportedly
as Ambassador to Argentina. On January 18 President Cristiani insisted the
ARENA deputy had "requested" diplomatic assignment. (2)

Initial results of the 1992 national census were released this week.
Officials admitted a 5% margin of error but reported that the population
was
5,047,925 at the time of the survey, with 1,522,126 living in the greater
metropolitan area of the capital. (3)

A major drug bust which uncovered 1700 kilos of cocaine strangely received
scant attention from the Salvadoran press. Anti-narcotics agents announced
the arrest on January 15 of two Salvadorans possibly linked to the Cali
Cartel. According to the report, the drugs arrived from Panama hidden
inside
asbestos paneling and were destined for the U.S.. (4)

During the Sunday Homily, Archbishop Rivera y Damas denounced five killings
this week, all with possible political motives. A local judge was machine-
gunned in his home in a rural area, and a Supreme Court employee was beaten
to death several days after informing ONUSAL that he was being persecuted.
Meanwhile, the bodies of three youths, abducted by heavily armed men in
civilian clothes, were found with signs of torture and thumbs tied behind
their backs. (5)

"We do not believe there will be a change in the foreign policy of the new
President of the United States."
Alfredo Cristiani (6)

"We hope the new Administration will...support the demilitarization,
democratization and reconstruction process in El Salvador."
FMLN Communique (7)

Several Salvadoran political leaders, including ARENA President Armando
Calderon Sol, attended ceremonies in Washington marking the inauguration of
Bill Clinton as the 42nd President of the United States. One ARENA deputy
expressed hope that the party could "continue to count on the friendly
hand"
of the U.S., (8) and Assembly President Roberto Angulo commented that the
country "shouldn't be afraid" of the Democrats, because "they will
understand
our process, our problems, our ideas." (9) President Cristiani
congratulated
Clinton and expressed his desire to work with the new Administration "on
the
basis of friendship and mutual respect." (10) ARENA and the FMLN apparently
agree that the reported continuation of Bernard Aronson until the Senate
confirmation of Mario Baeza as Assistant Secretary of State for Latin
America
is "positive" for El Salvador. (11)

There have been few communiques from extreme right clandestine groups
during
recent months, but the "Civic Movement for a Free El Salvador" published a
message to the new President, noting that the election was decided "only by
the citizens of your country" and calling for a foreign policy based on
"respect without the traditional arrogance of the powerful nations...We
demand respect Mr. Clinton." (12)

There will be no "drastic" changes in U.S. policy toward the country,
according to Ruben Zamora, but a new emphasis on human rights,
demilitarization and the environment can be anticipated, as well as a
revamping of AID projects and guidelines, which have been an "apple of
discord." (13) Philip Chiccola of the U.S. Embassy was asked to comment on
a
recent report by the Foreign Aid Monitoring Project ("After the War: A
Preliminary Look at the Role of U.S. Aid in the Post-War Reconstruction of
El
Salvador."), which strongly criticized AID policies during the armed
conflict
and since the signing of the peace agreement. Chiccola claimed he was not
familiar with the report but denied that AID funding had been used as a
counterinsurgency tool: "It was a program of assistance to a country
suffering serious problems." (14)

Chiccola also made assurances that the Clinton Administration will not
provoke a "massive exodus" of Salvadorans from the U.S.. A wire service
story
from Los Angeles reported this week that several requests have already been
presented to President Clinton to extend work permits for Salvadorans at
least another year. (15)

In a communique released January 20, the FMLN welcomed the new President
and
asked for "active support" for compliance with the peace accords, including
the purging of the army, as well as measures "to improve the rights and
stability" of Salvadorans residing in the U.S.. (16) Joaquin Villalobos
declared that the FMLN hopes for a "forceful commitment" to stability and
called for "national unity" in order to request economic aid from the new
government. (17) CODEHUCA (Central America Human Rights Commission) urged
the
Clinton Administration to adopt a "firm policy against impunity" and to
support the purging process. (18)

In the coming months the new administration is expected to rule on the
petition by Salvadoran labor organizations to suspend the preferential
trade
status (GSP) for El Salvador because of labor rights violations. This week
UNOC announced that a delegation will visit Washington to lobby for the
petition but hinted that the request could be withdrawn if the government
makes a commitment to resolve labor problems "through dialogue." Arturo
Magana  explained that the suspension of the GSP would not affect the
majority of Salvadoran producers, "just the 4-5 families who control
exports." (19) The measure could impact seventy export products but the
government would lose little income, according to Magana. The sanctioning,
however, could have an effect on benefits received from other U.S.
programs,
such as the Caribbean Basin Initiative. (20)

ARENA deputies called the possible suspension a "betrayal of the people"
and
predicted that 45,000 workers would lose their jobs if the petition were
accepted. ANEP Executive Director Hector Vidal demanded that any labor
problems be resolved in the Economic/Social Forum and described the UNOC
campaign as a "crime against the nation...It is treason!" (21) The Minister
of Agriculture labeled the UNOC action as "unpatriotic." (22)

"The economy has stabilized and a sustained period of growth has begun."
President Alfredo Cristiani (23)

"They are compensating for half of what people lost last year [through
inflation]."
CD Deputy Juan Jose Martell (24)

On January 18 the President claimed that the economic situation had
stabilized and predicted 5% economic growth this year, as compared to 4.6%
in
1992. Cristiani also announced a two-stage wage increase for state
employees,
10% in March and 12% in October, and reported that the private sector is
also
considering salary hikes. (25)

Ruben Zamora criticized the lack of "substance" in the President's speech
or
any real government economic program. The wage increase, affirmed Zamora,
means that workers will "barely break even" for the purchasing power lost
in
1992 by the end of 1993. The President did not mention the 20% inflation
rate, he added, or the fact that under his administration the trade deficit
is the highest in the nation's history. (26) The Consumer Protection
Committee expressed concern that the wage increase is not sufficient to
meet
minimal living expenses and will encourage price increases on staple goods.
(27) FENASTRAS called for price controls on basic goods, and UNOC leader
Arturo Magana denounced the salary increase as a "miserable offer" by ARENA
in an effort to "look for support" among public workers. (28)

"I repeat...that matters concerning the Ad-Hoc recommendations are between
the Secretary-General and myself."
President Cristiani (29)

There has been absolute silence from the government, U.N. and FMLN on the
state of the purging process. President Cristiani confirmed that ret.
Colonel
Sigifredo Ochoa Perez had "requested" to be assigned a diplomatic post (30)
following his outspoken criticisms of the Tandona several weeks ago. His
sudden departure is seen as a move to undercut efforts of younger officers
said to be conspiring against the High Command. Asked about "turmoil"
inside
the institution, General Juan Orlando Zepeda responded that there was
"anxiety and uncertainty" but not "unrest." (31)

"The struggle between truth and power."
Celia Medrano, CDHES (32)

Four of the army's seven generals went to court this week to pursue
defamation charges against the non-governmental Human Rights Commission
(CDHES) and the UNTS. The Minister and Vice-Minister of Defense  Generals
Ponce and Zepeda made repeat visits on January 18 and 19 respectively; the
Chief and Vice-Chief of Staff, Generals Rubio and Vargas filed charges on
January 20.

General Rene Emilio Ponce claimed he had a "clean conscience" and had not
even been present when the alleged events occurred, declaring that CDHES's
accusations represent "defamation against my reputation, honor and image."
(33) "We have the right to defend ourselves," declared General Zepeda,
"this
is an offense against our honor and image." (34) General Gilberto Rubio
also
denounced the attack against his "honor, dignity and name," and insisted,
"the war is over and reconciliation must prevail." (35) The Vice-Chief of
Staff, General Vargas said the "false charges...reflect the morbid anti-
militarism" in the country and urged other officers to also take their
cases
to court. "We cannot permit the intolerable to become habitual...I am a
public man, I have a name, a family...Silence gives consent. I cannot be
silent." (36)

Two members of the CDHES summoned for court appearances on January 21 and
22
did not appear. The attorney for the officers charged that the human rights
organization did not have any evidence and was using "delaying tactics."
(37)
However, CDHES lawyer Gustavo Pineda explained that the Commission is
preparing evidence, "taking the case calmly...This is an opportunity for us
to prove what CDHES and other organizations have been saying for years."
(38)

"National reconciliation demands knowledge of the whole truth and cannot be
built on impunity and imposition."
Communique from five human rights organizations. (39)

Five human rights organizations (CESPAD, Socorro Juridico Cristiano,
IDHUCA,
CDHES and the Lutheran Human Rights Office) published a joint statement on
January 19 demanding an end to any further negotiations between the
government and FMLN on the Ad-Hoc recommendations. Calling the talks
"unacceptable" and a "mockery of the accords," they insisted the purging
process "is not a problem between the two sides but an issue of national
interest...The FMLN has nothing to approve or negotiate."

The organizations warned that the fifteen officers who have not been purged
could be "a strong factor of instability," and said the current situation
is
the result of their "immense power" and disobedience to civil authority: "A
truly democratic army cannot guarantee its existence and integrity on the
basis of pressures and threats against society." The statement also
criticized the President for acting "contrary to constitutional principles"
and concluded by stating that reunification of Salvadoran society does not
mean "a clean slate" but demands knowledge of the truth, "which cannot be
built on impunity or imposition." (40)

Juan Ramon Medrano defended the ERP position on the purging process,
insisting the FMLN cannot continue "to mechanically demand 100% compliance"
on dates stipulated by the accords. Medrano said he understood the concerns
of the "average Salvadoran" but that the FMLN knows the problems "faced by
both sides" in complying and is "obligated" to look for methods to
implement
this "delicate and sensitive" accord. (41)

Ferman Cienfuegos also recommended that critics of the FMLN use "caution"
in
reading the "political reality." In a response to the UCA communique last
week, Cienfuegos asked rhetorically what methods the FMLN should use to
force implementation of the purging: "occupation of buildings, street
marches, social pressure, confrontation?" The RN leader explained that
stability of the nation "goes beyond purging and does not depend
exclusively
on the Armed Forces, but on everyone." He stressed the unique nature of the
Ad-Hoc Commission and noted that even the Nuremberg Trials "prosecuted
individuals, not the Nazi army as an institution." (42)

"Differences of emphasis."
Nidia Diaz (43)

In Madrid, FMLN leader Nidia Diaz acknowledged the continuing debate within
the FMLN over the purging but stated that all five organizations agree it
must be completed "in the shortest time possible."  While some are "more or
less satisfied" with the process, she explained, "others of us still see
the
risk of a dirty war or a coup." Diaz told reporters that the "new
situation"
of the country requires more "maturity [inside the FMLN]...in order to
manage
the differences" and declared that any split could damage "the entire
process
of societal transformation." Diaz also said the FMLN party will hold a
national convention in March to "resolve differences" and design an
electoral
strategy. (44)

In an effort to allay rumors of irreconcilable differences, the FMLN issued
a "Message to the Nation" on January 22. The communique explained that the
unity of the organization has never meant "uniformity" and that there has
always been "intense and permanent debate" inside the Frente. This process
was not public during the war, but the "efficiency" of the FMLN depended
"in
great measure" on its pluralistic nature. The different currents within the
Frente are "a sign of strength, not weakness." The communique concluded by
calling for the "active participation" of the population in the debate to
come over the Truth Commission report, expected to be released February 11
in
New York. (45)

"We are contributing to pacification, and I hope we never repeat this sad
history of armed confrontation."
General Juan Orlando Zepeda (46)

According to the peace agreement, the Armed Forces is scheduled to be
reduced
50.2% by January 1994, but as announced by the Minister of Defense this
week,
the process will be completed a year ahead of time. Twenty-five
counterinsurgency battalions assigned to brigades and military detachments
and five of the six elite battalions have been dissolved during the past
several months, with the Arce Battalion scheduled to disband on February 6.
The troop level will be 31,500 by the end of this month.

The army is encouraging voluntary enlistment this year, but as of January
1994 all men between the ages of 18-30 will be required to register.
Meanwhile, the Military School received 100 new cadets this week, and
General
Zepeda said the FAES hopes to contribute to a "new image" of Central
American
armies as "defensive" rather than "offensive" forces. (47)

"A secret structure to spy on civil society."
UNTS leader Humberto Centeno (48)

On January 20 President Cristiani informed the press that "the majority" of
former employees of the DNI (National Intelligence Department) have been
given "administrative posts" in the Ministry of Defense. He explained that
the intelligence agents were given the option of joining the new State
Intelligence Office (OIE) created by the peace accords or transferring to
the
Ministry.

The peace agreement does not strictly prohibit a military intelligence
structure but does clearly state that all state intelligence services will
be
subordinate to civil authority and under the direct power of the chief
executive. The President, however, defended the existence of the military
intelligence section, explaining that its area of operations is "not as
broad" as the state agency. Late last year Cristiani admitted to the press
that all DNI intelligence files had been relocated to the Defense Ministry.

There have been rumors for months of a reorganization of the intelligence
structure within the High Command, but the formation of a "Military
Intelligence Battalion" has not been acknowledged either by the President
or
by military authorities. In an editorial piece written for DIARIO LATINO,
labor leader Humberto Centeno reported that the Battalion has officially
been
created, apparently by the December 31 General Order. Centeno charged that
the new structure has not been announced publicly, because it is intended
to
be a clandestine service "to spy on civil society," on the military itself
and "even on the President." He warned that the "BIM" could be used to
unleash "a dirty war against political enemies." (49)

According to information published by Centeno and confirmed by FMLN
sources,
the Battalion will coordinate S2 (intelligence) officers of all military
units. The Commander of the BIM is Colonel Hector Antonio Gutierrez
Vasquez,
and the head of the C2 (intelligence department) is Colonel Jaime Suarez
Garcia. Colonel Juan Ernesto Mendez Rodriguez, a member of the Atlacatl
Battalion during the time of the Mozote massacre, has been named head of C5
(Psychological Operations) and Lt. Colonel Sidney Yudice Rendon was
appointed
Director of the National Intelligence School. The four officers all have
long
histories of intelligence and "dirty" activities in the security forces and
the army. (50)


ERRATA: In the December 16-January 11 issue, Report From El Salvador
provided incorrect statistics on the numbers of violations attributed by
CDHES to several high-ranking officers. The correct numbers are:

     Colonel Jose Manuel Garcia Prieto: 54 incidents; 169 victims.
     Colonel Jose Mario Godinez Castillo: 214 incidents; 1357 victims.
     Colonel Orlando Carranza: 357 incidents; 1183 victims.
     Colonel Ciro Lopez Roque: 284 incidents; 1085 victims. (51)

SOURCES: 1. NATIONAL NETWORK, 1/18/93; 2. TV 2, 1/18/93; 3. LA PRENSA
GRAFICA, 1/19/93; 4. DIARIO DE HOY, LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 1/20/93; 5. TV 12,
1/24/93; 6. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 1/22/93; 7. INSISTEM, 1/21/93; 8. LA PRENSA
GRAFICA, 1/20/93; 9. TV 6, 1/20/93; 10. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 1/22/93; 11.
TCS, 1/21/93; 12. EL MUNDO, 1/23/93; 13. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 1/20/93; 14. TV
12, 1/20/93; 15. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 1/19/93; 16. INSISTEM, 1/21/93; 17. TV
2, 1/20/93; 18. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 1/21/93; 19. TV 12, 1/22/93; 20. RADIO
YSU, 1/23/93; 21. TV 12, 1/22/93; 22. TV 6, 1/24/93; 23. NATIONAL NETWORK,
1/18/93; 24. TV 12, 1/19/93; 25. NATIONAL NETWORK, 1/18/93; 26. TV 12,
1/19/93; 27. IBID, 1/20/93; 28. TV 6, 1/20/93; 29. TV 2, 1/18/93; 30. IBID;
31. RADIO YSU, 1/19/93; 32. TV 12, 1/19/93; 33. IBID, 1/18/93; 34. TV 2,
1/19/93; 35. DIARIO DE HOY, 1/21/93; 36. TV 12, 1/20/93; 37. TV 6, 1/22/93;
38. TV 12, 1/22/93; 39. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 1/19/93; 40. IBID; 41. IBID,
1/20/93; 42. DIARIO LATINO, 1/20/93; 43. DIARIO LATINO/IPS, 1/22/93; 44.
IBID; 45. INSISTEM, 1/22/93; 46. DIARIO DE HOY, 1/21/93; 47. RADIO YSU,
1/19/93; 48. DIARIO LATINO, 1/22/93; 49. IBID; 50. IBID; 51. IBID,
11/30/92.

Copyright 1993. El Rescate Human Rights Department. This report may be
reprinted on condition that El Rescate is cited as the source.
** End of text from cdp:reg.elsalvador **