From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Guatemala: Army attempts to block return of refugees
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 04:37:11 GMT

/** reg.guatemala: 131.0 **/
** Topic: IPS:Army accused of attempts to sto **
** Written  4:29 pm  Jan  2, 1993 by jbinder in cdp:reg.guatemala **
From: James Binder <jbinder>
Subject: IPS:Army accused of attempts to stop return of refugees

Copyright Inter Press Service 1993, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: GUATEMALA: ARMY ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTS TO STOP RETURN OF REFUGEES

guatemala city, dec 30 (ips) -- representatives of guatemalan
refugees in mexico have accused the army of using intimidation
and repression in an effort to prevent and disrupt next month's
planned return of the first group of refugees.

at a press conference in the capital, two spokesmen of the
permanent commissions for refugees (ccpp), herminio cardona and
ricardo curtz denounced the guatemalan army's alledged intentions
to disrupt the repatriation process, due to begin mid-january.

they said the army and security foces were planning to prevent
the return by applying control measures and ''eventually using
repressive tactics.''

the members of the ccpp's, which represent 45,000 guatemalan
refugees living in camps in the southern mexican provinces of
quintana roo, chiapas, and campeche, said their views were based
on remarks made by guatemalan defence minister jose garcia.

on dec 22, garcia warned that the group of 4,500 refugees due
to return on january 13, had been  ''infiltrated by insurgent
groups''.

the minister said the returnees were seeking to establish
themselves in so-called ''liberated zones'' in ixcan, in the
north western province of quiche, which is considered a guerrilla
stronghold.

curtz said garcia's assertions were ''completely groundless,
reflect a profound ignorance of refugees' motivations and
aspirations, and are contrary to the humanitarian and civil
spirit of the return process.''

for his part, cardona expressed concern at the militarisation
of the return zones and the increased army presence in nenton
(huehuetenango province) and ixcan.

according to both ccpp spokesmen, the armed forces have
intensified their bombardments of civilian communities in
resistance (cpr) in ixcan (communities displaced by the violence)
whose territories adjoin the areas where the first group of
refugees will settle.

last week, two ccpp members were detained by the army for an
hour, despite the fact that they presented identification papers
endorsed by the united nations high commissioner for refugees
(unhcr).

curtz said the men were only released because they paid a 20
quetzal bribe (4 dollars) to the soldiers.

the spokesmen criticised the guatemalan government's ''obvious
indifference'' to the return process, citing its failure to
provide security and basic infrastructure for the safe transfer
of returnees and their ''resettlement in conditions of dignity.''

they said present conditions contravene the return agreement
reached by the ccpp and the government, and an agreement between
president serrano and the unhcr. (more/ips)
----


guatemala: army (2)

both documents establish refugees' right to free movement and
guarantee conditions of security and dignity for their return.

curtz said there is currently a ''climate of fear and deep
concern'' in the refugee camps because of worries about army
repression.

''the refugees are saying: 'if we return they're going to
massacre us', but despite the intimidations we will go home,''
curtz said.

most refugees fled guatemala in the 1980's to escape the
violence and repression unleashed against civilians by the armed
forces.

although violence and human rights abuses are still widespread
in guatemala, the refugees believe their return will contribute
in some measure to the consolidation of peace and democracy in
the country.

the civil conflict between the army and the guerrillas that
began 32 years ago, has left more than 100,000 people dead,
40,000 disappeared and half a million internally displaced.

in april 1991, the government of president jorge serrano and
leaders of the urng guerrillas began peace negotiations which
have stalled due to major differences on the crucial issue of
human rights. (ends/ips/trd-sp/ff/vh/cg/92)

** End of text from cdp:reg.guatemala **

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