From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: El Salvador: EL RESCATE REPORT August 10-17, 1992
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 22:55:21 GMT

/** reg.elsalvador: 145.0 **/
** Topic: report from el salvador 8/10-17/92 **
** Written  6:59 pm  Aug 20, 1992 by elrescate in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
EL RESCATE HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT

REPORT FROM EL SALVADOR 
August 10-17, 1992

This week's visit by U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for 
Peace Operations, Marrack Goulding, was described as "routine" 
by the government, military and ONUSAL but the FMLN insisted 
the visit was in response to a crisis. In either case, Goulding 
interrupted his responsibilities in the Yugoslavian crisis to 
travel to El Salvador for a two-day visit which was quickly 
extended to five days, in an effort to resolve not only problems 
with compliance of the peace accords but also to confront 
increasing signs of a "dirty war."

Alarmed by a series of assassinations and attempted murders, 
the FMLN issued a strong statement denouncing recent human 
rights violations and demanding immediate action by the 
President to investigate and prosecute those responsible for 
organizing paramilitary squads. The communique called on 
ONUSAL to play a more aggressive role in the investigation of 
crimes and asked for international participation. An FMLN 
spokesperson later said the FBI and Scotland Yard may be asked 
for assistance. (1)

The first of the five elite battalions, the Bracamonte, 
concluded its demobilization process on August 15 and the 
Belloso Battalion is scheduled to be dissolved by September 
16. The government has yet to provide any compensation to ex-
soldiers and is under increasing pressure as former members 
of the military organize to present demands.

The current U.S. State Department Director of Central 
American Affairs, Peter Romero, has been appointed charge 
d'affaires of the Embassy pending Senate approval of Michael 
Kozak as ambassador. Meanwhile Immigration authorities 
called on religious, national and international organizations to 
present information on foreigners who enter the country "to 
collaborate or work" with them, prior to, or within, 30 days of 
their arrival. The request was made "to avoid distortions or 
bad interpretations" and warned of "sanctions ... including 
deportation" for infractions. (2)


"There is no crisis, but Marrack Goulding comes to resolve it."
EL MUNDO Editorial (3)

"His presence is beneficial but that does not mean a third party 
is necessary to resolve the problems."
President Cristiani (4)

During his weekly press conference, President Cristiani 
officially announced that Marrack Goulding would arrive on 
August 13, "at the invitation of the government." He denied 
that the second visit of the U.N. mediator was due to a crisis in 
the peace process and insisted "all delays are salvageable." The 
President admitted, however, that the process "isn't going as 
well as predicted." (5)

ARENA President Calderon Sol claimed the process is 
"paralyzed" because of the FMLN refusal to demobilize 20% of 
its combatants on July 31, (6) while ARENA Deputy Rene 
Figueroa described Goulding's task as "to verify government 
compliance and FMLN violations." (7) General Mauricio Vargas 
said he "regretted" that the presence of Goulding was 
necessary but said the visit would "help overcome FMLN non-
compliance." (8) The "crisis discourse" of the FMLN was harshly 
criticized by National Press Secretary Ernesto Altschul who 
accused the FMLN of "postponing and postponing" 
demobilization and attributed the problem to a "crisis of 
leadership." According to Altschul, the FMLN is taking "harder 
positions" because of a "lack of authority." (9)

ONUSAL confirmed that Goulding would arrive on August 12 for 
a "routine" visit and said he would "take advantage" of the time 
"to analyze the current situation." (10) "Marathon" meetings 
continued on August 10 and 11 as ONUSAL Director Dr. Iqbal 
Riza met separately with government and FMLN leaders in 
anticipation of the visit. (11)

Schafik Handal denied the visit was routine, emphasizing that 
Goulding was coming "at a very critical moment, in spite of 
other pressing responsibilities." (12) Handal reported that the 
human rights situation would be on the agenda and said the 
FMLN would call for more "intense" participation from ONUSAL 
in the investigation of crimes. "There is a crisis," affirmed 
UNTS leader Humberto Centeno, citing 13 assassinations in 
recent days, "that is why he is coming." (13)

Just hours before Goulding's arrival, the FMLN members of the 
Joint Working Group announced that 900 weapons belonging to 
the first contingent of demobilized combatants would be 
placed in storage by August 18. (14) The arms, including 
mortars, sub-machine guns, grenade launchers and home-made 
weapons (15) were not stored on June 30 but were maintained 
as a "pressure factor," according to Joaquin Villalobos, to 
force the government to comply with agreements made prior to 
the first demobilization, including facilitating the legalization 
of the FMLN party. (16)


"A job for Mandrake"
Joaquin Villalobos (17)

"We do not see any reason why October 31 should be changed."
President Cristiani (18)

According to a document presented by the FMLN to COPAZ and 
to the United Nations, the government has not complied with 
46 of the agreements on land issues, the National Civil Police, 
the Armed Forces, legislative measures and programs for ex-
combatants. It would take a "magician," declared Villalobos, 
for the government to comply with "two thirds of the 
agreements in less than one third of the time" before the 
October 31 deadline. The FMLN does not want to prolong the 
disarmament/demobilization process, Villalobos said, but the 
calendar "can't be perfect for one side and imperfect for the 
other." He insisted the FMLN will not totally disarm "until the 
hegemony of civil society is clear. We are not going to be 
ingenuous." (19)

The FMLN charged that the government has laid a series of 
"traps" during the past six months to obstruct the process, 
citing serious delays in the development of the PNC, one of the 
most crucial of the accords, as well as continued impunity of 
the Armed Forces and the judicial system, and the refusal of 
ARENA deputies to ratify decisions made by COPAZ. Villalobos 
noted these problems as well as violations of human rights 
including, "the appearance of mutilated bodies." The FMLN 
commander expressed concern at the magnitude of problems 
occurring "in the presence of ONUSAL" and while the FMLN is 
still armed: "If they dare do all this now, what will they do 
after ONUSAL leaves and the FMLN is disarmed?" He insisted 
the FMLN weapons will continue to be the "pressure factor ... to 
assure the democratization of the country," (20) and Schafik 
Handal declared that future demobilizations are contingent on 
"100% compliance ... We comply if the government complies." 
(21)


"This is a routine visit."
Marrack Goulding (22)

"I don't think it is 'routine,' considering the dimension of the 
problem in Yugoslavia."
Joaquin Villalobos (23)

Marrack Goulding arrived at mid-day on August 13, saying he 
was "happy to be back ... on a routine visit." At the airport he 
told the press he would meet with President Cristiani, 
government and FMLN leaders and ONUSAL and said there has 
been "great progress" in the process but admitted there were 
"some problems ... I trust with the help of both sides and the 
participation of the U.N. we will be able to resolve them." (24) 
Meetings were held that afternoon and evening with President 
Cristiani and with the FMLN; both sides presented documents 
to Goulding elaborating their positions on the state of the 
process.                                     The following day Goulding met 
with the ambassadors of the four friendly countries, COPAZ, 
ONUSAL, the Ombudsman for Human Rights, government and 
FMLN leaders. Late in the afternoon ONUSAL announced that the 
U.N. mediator would not leave on August 15 as planned, but 
would extend his visit until August 17. After meeting with 
Goulding, Mexican Ambassador Bassols said the U.N. could 
extend the mandate of ONUSAL, "because there is a lot of work 
to do in the military, political and human rights areas." There 
has been no other public information about the discussions, but 
Bassols hinted at the possibility of a much more aggressive 
role by ONUSAL in the investigation and prosecution of human 
rights violations when he said the mission "could take on 
broader responsibilities ... and could help the United Nations 
transform the traditional concepts of international law." (25)

DIARIO DE HOY immediately denounced any extension of the 
ONUSAL mandate, "which would allow the FMLN to remain 
armed." A columnist accused the Group of Four ambassadors of 
"wanting to prolong the pacification process of the Armed 
Forces" and "undermine its morale through the Truth and Ad-
Hoc Commissions." (26)

Following 5 days of intense discussions with the FMLN and 
government including a total of 3 meetings with President 
Cristiani, Goulding returned to New York at mid-day August 17. 
In a statement to the press, Mr. Goulding said the situation 
was "more complicated that expected" and expressed 
"uneasiness about recent incidents which could affect the 
peace process. He announced that he had presented a "revised 
calendar" to both sides on August 16 and said he will propose 
September 16 as the next date for an evaluation of the process. 
The Secretary General of the U.N. will present a report to the 
Security Council and recommend further action. ONUSAL 
Director Dr. Iqbal Riza will continue discussions with the FMLN 
and government to reach agreements on issues including the 
PNC, land issues, demobilization and the return of local 
government officials to former conflictive zones.

Goulding stressed that October 31 "continues to be an 
important date" but said the process will not end there; the 3 
divisions of ONUSAL will continue "until all accords are totally 
honored." The success of the peace process will be guaranteed, 
he concluded, "only if Salvadorans desire it and reject the 
unacceptable practices of the past." (27)


"If there is not rapid investigation and punishment ... the FMLN 
and other democratic forces ... will be obliged to take the 
defense of life and the peace process into their own hands."
FMLN Communique (28)

In a communique released August 12 the FMLN described the 
"escalation" in violations of human rights as "a very difficult 
situation affecting the peace process." The communique 
outlined incidents of concern including the attack against 
Eduardo Pineda of the Ombudsman's office, lack of any serious 
investigation of the FEASIES killing, the murders of two 
FENASTRAS members and of a cooperative member in 
Sonsonate on July 28 (allegedly by an army sergeant); the 
killings of two ATMOP members in Santa Ana on August 3 and 
6; and the attempted assassination of an FMLN member in San 
Salvador on August 7. Raids of the FEDECOOPADES office and of 
the home of an FMLN leader, both in Santa Ana, were also 
denounced, as well as the increasing number of unidentified 
bodies discovered with signs of torture and threats by 
members of the Armed Forces in rural areas that a "campaign 
against the FMLN and the opposition" will be launched after 
October 31. (29)

The FMLN rejected an interpretation of these crimes as simple 
criminal acts and insisted they are being implemented by 
members of the Armed Forces, National Police, Criminal 
Investigations Commission, village patrols and "typical death 
squads." The communique demanded investigations of these 
incidents by the President "with rapid results," including 
immediate action against all those responsible. "We are 
convinced that this will lead to the necessity to act against 
certain important military officers and well-known extreme 
right elements." (30)

Organizations such as the "Cruzada Pro-Paz y Trabajo" and 
"Movimiento Civico El Salvador Libre" were specifically 
mentioned in the communique: "There are persistent rumors 
that they are planning and carrying out attacks." The FMLN 
called for an increase in the human rights work of ONUSAL and 
"international participation" in investigations and warned that 
a lack of action by the government "will oblige the FMLN and 
all democratic sectors" to take the situation into their own 
hands. (31)

An official government statement was released the same day 
charging that the purpose of the FMLN denunciation "is to 
formulate a false image abroad ... to create obstacles for aid ... 
and the consolidation of democracy." (32)


"Has the dirty war begun?"
DIARIO LATINO (33)

"They want to cloak the dirty war as common crime."
FMLN leader Francisco Velis (34)

According to Guillermo Sanchez of DIARIO LATINO, the far 
right had planned to wait until after the total disarmament of 
the FMLN on October 31 to begin the "dirty war," but because of 
the "vitality" of the peace process, these sectors have become 
"desperate" and have begun to take action. (35)

During the past several weeks incidents of violations have 
been reported in the traditionally most repressive areas of the 
country: Santa Ana, Sonsonate, La Libertad and San Salvador. In 
Santa Ana the ARENA mayor allegedly ordered the Municipal 
Police to investigate all labor and FMLN leaders; soon after 
two ATMOP leaders were assassinated, the FEDECOOPADES 
office and the home of an FMLN leader were raided, and 
unidentified bodies appeared "with signs of torture." (36)

In Sonsonate, members of the FMLN Political Committee have 
received telephone death threats from the "Anti-Communist 
Brigade." (37) The Secretary-General and four promoters from 
CORDECOMS were fired on by six men carrying M-16's near 
Quezaltepeque, San Salvador. The five were pulled out of their 
vehicle and beaten on August 11, following warnings that the 
Secretary-General of the organization was on a target list for 
assassination. (38) Leaders of two women's groups organizing 
in La Libertad department have been threatened with 
"decapitation" by soldiers of the Cavalry Brigade; one organizer 
was warned by a member of the intelligence section of the 
Brigade that he would "put her head on a stake" if she does not 
stop working in the area before October 31. (39) The home of 
another woman, the Secretary-General of the Coordinating 
Council of Marginal Communities, was raided in the capital on 
August 7 by heavily armed men in civilian clothes, wearing 
masks. (40)

Death squads are said to be reorganizing in rural areas of the 
country, and in many cases, the members of the squads are 
known to the population. One example is Suchitoto where five 
members of a death squad which operated in the early 80's are 
still in town. Several of them participated in the Civil 
Defense, now dissolved, and they are said to be collecting arms 
and planning to take action. (41)

The Intergremial labor coalition denounced "death-squad style 
political murders" (42) and leader Humberto Centeno charged 
that the installations of the elite battalions are being used as 
training center for soldiers to carry out attacks disguised as 
common crimes. (43) "Cristiani and the High Command know 
the groups of officers who are at the head of the paramilitary 
organizations," declared Centeno. (44)

On August 16 Bishop Rosa Chavez expressed the concern of the 
Church, raising three questions: "How much of the violence is 
due to the culture of violence ... how much is provoked to 
sabotage the peace process ... and how much is intended to 
create a propitious climate for a dirty war? This demands a 
serious response," he concluded. (45)






"The Commission does not have limits of any kind, or a list of 
cases." 
Patricia Valdez, Truth Commission Director (46)

On August 10 the Truth Commission opened its doors to the 
public to receive denunciations of human rights violations 
committed from 1980 to July, 1991, when the ONUSAL mission 
was installed. Director Patricia Valdez said the Commission is 
available "so that each person who has suffered, or who knows 
others who have suffered, can come forward ... to help make 
the truth known." Valdez said the Commission has already 
received a "significant" amount of information and "every case 
deserves support and interest." The success of the 
Commission, she explained, "will depend on the collaboration 
of the Salvadoran people." (47) The three members of the 
Commission will return to the country on August 17 for 
another brief visit.

Meanwhile, the Ad-Hoc Commission is nearing the end of its 
mandate, scheduled for August 19. Human rights organizations 
are demanding an extension, and the Commission members have 
officially asked the FMLN, government and the United Nations 
for another month in which to complete their work. The FMLN 
apparently agreed, but as of August 14, the government had not 
responded. Abraham Rodriguez has been out of the country, but 
Eduardo Molina and Dr. Galindo Pohl have continued 
interviewing up to fourteen officers a day, including Saturdays 
and Sundays. (48)

Felix Ulloa of IEJES expressed support for the work of both 
commissions but demanded that the Truth Commission not be 
"pressured" to establish a symmetry between the "systematic 
violations" of the Armed Forces and the "isolated" violations of 
the FMLN. Ulloa cited the "Index to Accountability" elaborated 
by Los Angeles-based El Rescate which includes documentation 
charging General Juan Orlando Zepeda with responsibility for 
571 violations. "As commander-in-charge of the material 
authors," said Ulloa, "Zepeda could have prevented the deaths 
or torture of hundreds of people." (49)


"Truth and justice have been served for the 'straw men.'"
Jesuit Provincial Jose Maria Tojeira (50)


The Ad-Hoc Commission has received the names of thirty 
officers implicated in the Jesuit case, and Jose Maria Tojeira 
announced that a pardon may be requested for the two 
convicted officers. Tojeira said those "most responsible" for 
the assassinations have not been accused: "The two in prison 
are paying for others who have more responsibility, who gave 
the order." A request for pardons of Colonel Guillermo 
Benavides and Lt. Yusshy Mendoza will be presented to the 
Assembly when the Truth Commission finishes its 
investigation, according to Tojeira, who added that the army 
can find the intellectual authors "if it wishes ... and if not, the 
crime should be considered institutional." (51)


"If I find myself in a critical situation, I am going to steal."
Ex-National Guardsman Gonzalo Alas (52)

"Yesterday we served the Armed Forces, today they turn their 
backs on us."
Ex-members of the Armed Forces (53)


Former members of the army and security forces have been 
increasingly active in demanding indemnities and assistance 
programs. Members of the "Organization Integrated by 
Demobilized Members of the Armed Forces," (OIDEFA), said they 
will demonstrate publicly if they do not receive compensation. 
One ex-National Guardsman warned he would not hesitate to 
resort to crime if necessary in order to provide for himself 
and his family. (54)

On August 12 disabled Army veterans held a demonstration in 
front of the Ilopango Air Force Base to demand indemnities and 
to denounce "abuse of authority" by Air Force Commander 
Hector Lovo. According to the ex-soldiers, Lovo ordered the 
eviction of their families from a farm in La Paz which he 
purchased for himself despite the fact that the land had 
previously been designated for war-disabled soldiers. (55) Ex-
soldier Jose Antonio Guatemala told the press he was 
discharged three months ago after nine years active duty in the 
DMIFA and has not received any compensation. (56)

Dr. Oscar Santamaria responded the following day, saying the 
government would provide assistance to veterans "as soon as 
possible." (57) Asked about the possibility of former soldiers 
and security force members resorting to crime, General Juan 
Orlando Zepeda contended that the "patriotic formation" they 
received while on active-duty would prevent them from 
becoming criminals. "We haven't taught anyone to steal because 
they are hungry," he said. "We trust that the formative aspects 
and values ... will be stronger than these economic 
motivations." General Zepeda asked ex-soldiers to be "patient 
and not demand what the government cannot immediately 
provide." (58)

On August 16, members of ALFAES (Association of War-
Disabled of the Armed Forces) announced a march and 
demonstration on August 27 which will include the 
participation of disabled former FMLN combatants and 
members of the civilian population. ALFAES will also present 
legislative proposals to COPAZ and the Assembly this week. 
(59)

The 268 FMLN war-disabled who returned from Cuba last month 
also protested the lack of assistance programs. "We haven't 
received anything," said a member of ASALDIG, "no food, health 
care, education or housing." (60) Meanwhile, a controversy 
erupted over the apparent refusal of the government to allow 
another 34 ex-combatants to return from Cuba this week 
aboard a Cuban plane. According to government officials, the 
documentation of the ex-combatants is not in order. (61)


SOURCES: 1. EL MUNDO, 8/14/92; 2. DIARIO DE HOY, 8/14/92; 3. 
EL MUNDO, 8/13/92; 4. DIARIO LATINO, 8/10/92; 5. TV 12, 
8/10/92; 6. DIARIO LATINO, 8/10/92; 7. TV 12, 8/13/92; 8. 
Radio Venceremos, 8/13/92; 9. TV 12, 8/13/92; 10. TCS, 
8/12/92; 11. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 8/12/92; 12. Radio YSU, 
8/12/92; 13. DIARIO LATINO, 8/13/92; 14. IBID.; 15. IBID.; 16. 
TV 12, 8/14/92; 17. IBID.; 18. TV 12, 8/10/92; 19. TV 12, 
8/14/92; 20. IBID.; 21. Radio Venceremos, 8/13/92; 22. IBID.; 
23. TV 12, 8/13/92; 24. Radio Venceremos, 8/13/92; 25. 
DIARIO DE HOY, 8/15/92; 26. IBID.; 27. Radio YSU, 8/17/92; 28. 
INSISTEM, 8/12/92; 29. IBID.; 30. IBID.; 31. IBID.; 32. LA 
PRENSA GRAFICA, 8/13/92; 33. DIARIO LATINO, 8/10/92; 34. 
TV 12, 8/11/92; 35. DIARIO LATINO, 8/10/92; 36. TV 12, 
8/11/92; 37. Radio YSFF, 8/13/92; 38. DIARIO LATINO, 
8/14/92; 39. DIARIO LATINO, 8/13/92; 40. Radio YSFF, 
8/10/92; 41. Interview, 8/12/92; 42. TV 6, 8/12/92; 43. 
NotiMundo, 8/13/92; 44. TV 12, 8/13/92; 45. TV 12, 8/16/92; 
46. TV 12, 8/10/92; 47. IBID.; 48. Interview, 8/14/92; 49. TV 
12, 8/13/92; 50. EL MUNDO, 8/14/92; 51. TCS, 8/11/92; 52. TV 
12, 8/13/92; 53. TV 12, 8/12/92; 54. TV 12, 8/13/92; 55. 
Radio YSFF, 8/12/92; 56. Radio YSU, 8/12/92; 57. TV 12, 
8/13/92; 58. IBID.; 59. TV 12, 8/16/92; 60. TV 12, 8/14/92; 
51. NotiMundo, 8/13/92.


Copyright  1992, 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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** End of text from cdp:reg.elsalvador **

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