From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Proceso 538: Clinton Victory
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 09:06:59 GMT

/** reg.elsalvador: 125.0 **/
** Topic: Proceso 538: International **
** Written 10:41 am  Nov 14, 1992 by cidai@huracan.cr in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
From: cidai@huracan.cr (Centro de Informacion Documentacion y Apoyo a la Invest. - UCAJSC)
Subject: Proceso 538: International

Center for Information, Documentation and Research Support (CIDAI)
Central American University (UCA)
San Salvador, El Salvador
 
PROCESO 538
November 11, 1992
 
INTERNATIONAL:
Clinton's victory augurs poorly for the Salvadoran right
 
     The people of the United States feel that Bush does not
deserve to stay in the White House for four more years. His
excessive focus on foreign affairs, to the detriment of the
nation's serious domestic problems, was one of the principal
factors which undoubtedly made the victory of Bill Clinton and his
party possible. Bush's defeat is attributed to his low level of
credibility: he lied to the nation about the Iran-Contra case and
the Gulf War; his electoral campaign mirrored four years of
governing without regard for U.S. domestic problems; he had nothing
to say or offer about them. The nation wanted to hear an analysis
of the true situation and some concrete proposals; Bush did not
meet these expectations, Perot did not generate confidence and
Clinton gave hope.
     This augurs poorly for the Salvadoran right. Their interests
are best protected by the Republicans, given the high level of
political and ideological identification between the two. It is for
this reason that the right-wing is afraid of the changes which
might ensue once the Democrats take office.
     For progressive Salvadorans and the left in general, the
incoming Democratic administration will be positive, since it is
likely that a "new regional policy" will favor democracy, human
rights and the environment. As a result, they hope for a different
strategy from Bush's approach to political and economic relations
with Latin America, a strategy which more decisively supports the
consolidation of democracy in the region.
     In other words, they hope for a reorientation of U.S. economic
aid to Latin America, toward reduced military aid and more support
for development, particularly in support of those projects which
help consolidate the basis of a free market in the context of free
trade zones. Given the restructuring of the international economy
and the U.S. assumption that it will be the "new leader" in the
world market, such policies could lead our nations to inevitably
serve as support markets in the context of a possible "trade war"
between the U.S., Europe and Japan.
     The progressive forces feel that Salvadoran politics will
receive a new boost, since the positions taken by Clinton and the
Democrats could do much to help achieve the demilitarization of
Salvadoran society, full respect for human rights, and true
compliance with the peace accords. Here is where the right-wing
feels threatened. For them, Clinton's Democratic government brings
back bad memories of Carter 12 years ago. And for a right-wing as
closed-minded as this one, Carter equals socialism. What the right
fails to remember is that Carter was the one who gave the boost to
the war by sending military aid at a crucial juncture.
     In reality, there are few differences between Republicans and
Democrats where foreign policy is concerned. For this reason, there
will probably be little change in the case of El Salvador or the
rest of Latin America, but rather a different emphasis in terms of
democracy, demilitarization and human rights.
     Instead of fearing the new approach to U.S. foreign policy,
the Salvadoran right ought to reflect on how Clinton's victory
could affect the 1994 elections, in which the FMLN is slated to
participate.
     Given that Bush and the Republicans are a model for the
Salvadoran right, the latter feels that it has lost the U.S.
elections. At the same time, the results of those elections have
become a terrible harbinger of the upcoming 1994 elections in El
Salvador. We can see this even more clearly if we recall that ARENA
has governed exclusively for the rich, has increased poverty as
well as the number of poor Salvadorans, has been incapable of
coming up with social policies which help meet the needs of the
majority, and has failed to tell the truth about the peace accords
and the Armed Forces.
     For all these reasons, the Salvadoran right ought to think
seriously about why Bush lost, and draw lessons from it.
 

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

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