From: lang@igc.apc.org (Andrew Lang)
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive
Subject: Dear Mr Clinton ...
Date: 21 Jan 93 17:08:48 GMT
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Organization: ?
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu

/* Written  6:10 pm  Jan 20, 1993 by codehuca@nicarao.apc.org in igc:carnet.alerts */
/* ---------- "Dear Mr Clinton ..." ---------- */
PUBLIC LETTER TO WILLIAM CLINTON             January 20, 1993
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Dear Sir,

     CODEHUCA, the Commission for the Defense of Human Rights in
Central America, is a regional organization, with consultative
status, category II, before the U.N., that works for the promotion
of human rights in Central America.

     During the last 15 years, our member organizations and
personnel have personally known and experienced the sufferings of
the majorities of the region's populations, victims of military and
violent repression and of poverty and misery. And during these 15
years we have worked with Central American people and organizations
to put an end, once and for all, to these same violations.

     In our region, even though there have been some positive
changes with respect to political and civil rights, violatory
situations such as that of Guatemala continue, resulting in
unabated suffering. The Armed Forces of that country continue to be
one of the worst institutional violators of human rights in the
Americas.

     In many countries of the region, what is particularly
worrisome is the power that the Armed and Security Forces maintain,
against the interests and desires of the construction of civil
society. This results in the perpetuation of the same political
status quo that weakens and prevents the establishment of
democracy. Moreover, it contributes to the perpetuation of the
socio-economic status quo that has the majority of Central
Americans living in varying degrees of poverty and misery.

     The continuing poverty-misery and militarism presents obvious
immediate and future dangers to human rights and peace in Central
America. The underlying causes of the violations have not been
eradicated. Most of the same economic-political conditions of the
1980s still exist. It is for this reason that when talking about
peace, democracy and human rights, the majority of Central
Americans feel hope, and are drawn towards doubt.

     The last three U.S. administrations have certainly their quota
of responsibility for the past and present situations in Central
America. The governments of Ronald Reagan and George Bush
intervened, militarily and economically, on numerous occasions in
the internal affairs of our countries. The support that their
governments gave to certain political interests in our countries,
sectors that have and continue to commit serious violations of
human rights, has served only to worsen the situation of human
rights in our countries.

     For example, the military aggression against the government of
Nicaragua in the 1980s has now become economic aggression against
the present government - and the result has been constant human
rights violations of the majority of Nicaraguans.

     The invasion of Panama, under the guise of four justifications
(protecting American lives, the canal zone and democracy, and the
capture of a drug dealer) that have been shown to be false
justifications for this invasion, is a clear example of an unjust
and painful policy.

     In general, in our opinion, the differing types of military
and economic interventions by the previous administrations has in
no way helped the stabilization of the region nor the possibility
to construct real democratic societies.

     With respect to the above, we respectfully make the following
observations with respect to the U.S.'s foreign policy in the
region:
     -a- the stopping of all military aid, training and financing
of the Guatemalan Army and security forces;
     -b- the pulling out from Panama of all U.S. military personnel
and troops; the full compensation for the victims of the 1989 'Just
Cause' invasion, for loss of life and material destruction;
     -c- full support and appropriate pressure for the full
completion of the Peace Accords in El Salvador, including the
purging from the Armed Forces of those military officials and
soldiers that committed human rights violations during the last 12
years;
     -d- the ceasing of all forms of economic black-mail against
the countries of the region; and
     -e- full respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of
our countries.

     We hope that upon assuming the Presidency of the U.S. that you
inaugurate an era of political cooperation that favours the well-
being of the populations of the region. This cooperation entails
policies and decisions that promote and guarantee full respect for
political, economic, social, cultural and civil rights. You and
your government have the opportunity now to contribute to the
construction of peace and democracy in the region.

     Thank-you for your consideration of this letter.

     Sincerely,

     Directorship of CODEHUCA
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive