From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: EL RESCATE REPORT October 26-November 2, 1992
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1992 01:06:04 GMT

/** reg.elsalvador: 136.0 **/
** Topic: report from el salvador 10/26-11/2 **
** Written  5:19 pm  Nov  4, 1992 by elrescate in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
 EL RESCATE HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT

REPORT FROM EL SALVADOR
October 26-November 2, 1992

October 31 came and went without the rumored coup attempt, 
but a final agreement on rescheduling the calendar of compliance 
with the peace accords has not yet been reached. In an address to 
the nation on October 28, President Cristiani, under great pressure 
from the ultra- right, was ambiguous in his response to the U.N. 
Secretary-General's proposal and temporarily suspended 
compliance with all accords related to the military. Boutros Ghali 
sent Marrack Goulding and Alvaro de Soto as his personal 
representatives to resolve the crisis. The two skilled negotiators 
arrived on October 30 for an indefinite stay.

The full contents of the U.N. proposal have not been revealed, but it 
is known that the Secretary-General insisted on a December 15 
deadline for full implementation of the majority of the accords, 
including the demobilization of the FMLN and implementation of 
the Ad-Hoc Commission's report. December 15 has been designated 
the "day of national reconciliation," and Boutros Ghali will 
reportedly attend ceremonies in El Salvador. Opposition politicians 
predict forty-five days of intense work ahead.

The popular movement held a large demonstration on October 31 
in support of the peace process and to commemorate the 
FENASTRAS bombing. Anti-riot police were not present and the 
march was peaceful, but FENASTRAS denounced the attempted 
kidnapping of Sarahi Molina de Huezo on October 27 by "heavily 
armed men" driving a black Cherokee with polarized windows. (1)

Legalization of the FMLN political party should be announced 
November 4, but this week ARENA party leaders met with 
members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to present their 
objections, insisting the FMLN must be demobilized and disarmed 
before being registered as a legal party. "This would be an 
aberration and a profound violation of the law," declared Armando 
Calderon Sol, "inconceivable in a democracy." (2) ARENA Deputy 
Mario Valiente warned that if the party is legalized he will 
personally file a constitutional appeal to the Supreme Court. (3)


"We're full of optimism that things will turn out well."
Schafik Handal (4)

On October 26 the FMLN General Command formally accepted the 
United Nations' proposal to reschedule the calendar of 
implementation. Schafik Handal described the plan as "not totally 
acceptable," but said the FMLN "recognizes the effort of the 
Secretary-General to find a solution." Handal also announced that 
the third 20% of the combatants would be demobilized before 
October 31. (5)

President Cristiani canceled his weekly press conference on 
October 26, saying only that the government was "still studying" 
the U.N. document. (6) His personal representative, Arturo Tono, 
was said to be in New York to present the government response to 
the Secretary General. The head of the ONUSAL Mission, Dr. Iqbal 
Riza, acknowledged the government had not yet responded and 
said there had been "some uncertain days," but he expressed 
confidence that with the U.N. proposal the "uncertainty...will be 
overcome." (7)

An extension of the cease-fire would be a "bad precedent," and 
would "taunt the hopes of the Salvadoran people," declared 
Minister of Defense Ponce, (8) but he said the Armed Forces would 
"accept" the President's decision. (9) Assembly President Roberto 
Angulo insisted ARENA would support "any decision" made by the 
President, but other ARENA politicians said any extension of the 
October 31 deadline would be "unfortunate" and accused the FMLN 
and U.N. of "playing with the good will of the people." To "yield" to 
the proposal would be "denigrating," remarked another unnamed 
ARENA member. (10)

The FMLN called for calm in the face of threats by the "Maximiliano 
Hernandez Martinez" death squad last week and apprehension 
about the government response to the U.N. proposal. "This is the 
hour of truth," declared Joaquin Villalobos, "for the FMLN this is 
the moment to seek maximum guarantees...obviously we are not 
going to jump into a void." (11) Villalobos also announced that the 
FMLN has organized fourteen commissions to oversee compliance 
with the accords during the next 45 days so there will be "no 
danger" of another extension on December 15. (12) He reported 
that the FMLN has asked ONUSAL to take measures to guarantee an 
"effective and dynamic global verification" of compliance by both 
sides. (13)

Felix Ulloa of IEJES lauded the United Nations' proposal and also 
urged ONUSAL to assume a "preventative role during this period, 
not just to take action when a crisis occurs." (14)


"The government will suspend compliance with all accords related 
to the  demobilization, reduction and restructuring of the Armed 
Forces."
President Cristiani (15)

"This is not a good day for our country or a good message from our 
President."
Dr. Ruben Zamora (16)

In an address to the nation described as "confusing" and 
"ambiguous," the President announced on October 28 that the 
government would not continue implementation of accords 
relating to the Armed Forces until the FMLN was completely 
demobilized and all weapons destroyed. For "practical reasons," he 
explained, the government would accept the rescheduling of the 
FMLN demobilization, but he rejected a portion of the Secretary-
General's proposal which alluded to "political reasons" behind 
government delays in implementation. (17) For the first time, the 
President's tone was decidedly anti-U.N. and in the elite Escalon 
neighborhood of the capital fireworks were exploded and guns 
fired in the air in celebration.

The first response to the President's speech came from Ruben 
Zamora who called it a "profound deception" and charged the 
President with surrendering to those opposed to the peace process. 
"The danger now," he explained, "is that the whole peace process 
will deteriorate." (18)

Joaquin Villalobos asserted that the "confrontational" speech 
reflected pressure on the President by "extremists." The speech "was 
directed to the United Nations, not the FMLN," he said, "a big step 
backwards." Villalobos added, however, that the FMLN had not 
expected the President to respond affirmatively to the U.N. 
proposal. (19)

Following the President's address, ONUSAL announced that 
Marrack Goulding and Alvaro de Soto would be sent to the country 
at the request of the Secretary-General "to discuss modalities 
necessary to complete the process in an expeditious manner, under 
the verification of ONUSAL." (20) Schafik Handal also noted the 
confrontational tone of the President's speech and said the arrival 
of the United Nations' negotiators was "an emergency decision to 
keep the process on track." (21)


"President Cristiani was very clear...very clear...very clear."
Dr. Armando Calderon Sol (22)

"Sometimes he says 'yes' and sometimes he says 'no'. It is a very 
confused position."
PDC Deputy Simon Parada (23)

ARENA party leaders expressed "unconditional support" for the 
President's speech. In response to criticisms as to the ambiguous 
nature of the statement, Dr. Calderon Sol insisted repeatedly that 
the President was "very clear" and applauded the "wise decision" to 
suspend reduction of the Armed Forces. (24)

UDN Deputy Mario Aguinada Carranza noted similarities between 
the positions of the President and the Maximiliano Hernandez 
Martinez Brigade and declared, "he has become the leader of the 
right and stopped being President of the Republic." (25) In Los 
Angeles, FMLN leader Roberto Caas said the President "gives the 
impression that he is governing for the military and the oligarchy." 
(26)

"Cristiani has chosen to quarrel with the Secretary-General," 
declared Schafik Handal, "Who advised him to do that?" Handal 
also criticized the President for quoting a section of Boutros Ghali's 
confidential letter to both sides which called on the FMLN to 
comply with agreements. Handal then proceeded to read a portion 
of the letter which the President chose not to cite, and which 
strongly criticized "serious delays" by the government in 
implementation. The letter emphasized the importance of 
complying with the Ad-Hoc Commission report, demobilization of 
the elite battalions, the National Civil Police, reforms to the 
electoral system, land transfers and the legalization of the FMLN as 
a political party. The Secretary-General also mentioned that 54 
agreements remain to be completed; five by the FMLN and 49 by 
the government. (27)

Both sides must comply with all agreements "as stipulated by the 
Secretary-General," insisted Handal. The FMLN will not accept 
modifications to the U.N. proposal on issues relating to the Armed 
Forces and has requested daily verification and guarantees during 
the 45-day period ahead, "with multiple evaluations." (28)

According to an unofficial version of the UN-proposed calendar, 
the FMLN will demobilize 20% of its military forces on November 
20 and the final 20% on December 15. The government must 
comply with a series of political agreements on land transfers, the 
National Civil Police Academy, legal reforms, legalization of the 
FMLN party and implementation of the Ad-Hoc report by 
December 15. The Atlacatl Battalion will demobilize December 8, 
followed by the remaining two elite battalions in January and 
February. The DNI (national intelligence office) must be definitively 
dissolved by November 30. (29)


"In this process I am the obstetrician and Mr. Goulding is the 
pediatrician."
Dr. Alvaro de Soto (30)Cristiani, the FMLN and ONUSAL...during this moment 
which we consider decisive for the peace process." Mr. Goulding 
denied that the President had refused to reduce the Armed Forces. 
"What he said is that he is going to try to change compliance with 
the calendar. This is one of the points we are going to discuss based 
on instructions we have received from the Secretary-General." (31) 

Alvaro de Soto's participation is a reflection of the serious and 
delicate task of mediation in the days ahead. De Soto's role during 
the two-year negotiation process was crucial to its success, and he 
explained to the press that the Secretary-General had requested his 
assistance once again, as the "obstetrician" of the process, to deal 
with "a little post-partum depression." (32) The two negotiators 
arrived without a fixed agenda or time limit.

During an interview on "World Net" the same day, U.S. Assistant 
Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs, Bernard Aronson, 
congratulated the FMLN on the demobilization of the third 20% of 
its combatants but said the international community "will not 
permit" another extension of the "armed peace" beyond December 
15 and called for a complete weapons inventory.

Aronson insisted the government will comply with the reduction 
of the Armed Forces and the dissolution of all elite battalions. He 
acknowledged the "good will" of the President and warned that the 
United States would use "all legal means" against groups that 
attempt to hinder the process. The State Department official said he 
has no plans to visit El Salvador before December 15 but would 
come "as many times as necessary," and insisted that the 
international community "will not abandon" El Salvador. (33) 
Earlier in the week it was announced that Aronson will retire from 
the State Department for more "remunerative pursuits," 
independent of the outcome of the November 3 U.S. election. (34)


"The peace accords have become a trap for the government and for 
the Armed Forces which keep it in power."
Civic Movement for a Free El Salvador (35)

The "Civic Movement for a Free El Salvador" continued its publicity 
campaign against the accords and in defense of the Armed Forces. 
Daily announcements in the press also attacked ONUSAL and 
Tutela Legal. According to the Civic Movement, Tutela Legal is 
"part of the FMLN plan" to discredit the Armed Forces, "accusing 
them of massacres and human rights violations during acts of war 
and legitimate defense." (36) On October 29, Celia Medrano of the 
non-governmental Human Rights Commission reported that 
leaflets displaying a photo of Maria Julia Hernandez [Director of 
Tutela Legal] were being distributed in Soyapango and other areas 
of the capital. (37)

National Press Secretary Ernesto Altschul denied that threats by 
the Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez Brigade and other groups are 
part of an "orchestrated campaign," as charged by the opposition 
last week. Altschul asserted that "citizen groups," like the Crusade 
for Peace and Work and the Civic Movement "have the right to 
express their point of view." (38) General Vargas agreed: "Why can 
the communists say what they want and not the right? Everyone 
has to defend their own rights as they consider appropriate." (39)

ARENA President Armando Calderon Sol denied that any links 
exist between the party and clandestine groups like the MHM 
Brigade. "We repudiate, reject and condemn this and must discover 
who these bad Salvadorans are." (40)

FMLN leader Juan Ramon Medrano filed defamation charges 
against Ernesto Altschul who last week accused Medrano of 
organizing a "terrorist hit squad." At the time, Altschul claimed the 
information came from a "reliable source" that he could not reveal. 
Medrano went to court on October 29 saying the FMLN is going to 
"test" the legal system: "I hope Mr. Altschul presents the proof he 
says he has." (41)

Joaquin Villalobos announced that he and Jorge Melendez would 
file charges against the News-Gazette for "reporting" that the two 
ERP leaders were conspiring to kill each other. Using the legal 
process, affirmed Villalobos, "is another element of guarantee" for 
the FMLN. "Up to now we have been protected because we were 
armed. Now we want to believe in a state of law, we want the 
judicial system to prove to us it can work." (42)


"Only the President has the list. Anything else is pure speculation."
General Ponce (43)

"...pure speculation."
Assembly President Roberto Angulo (44)

"...pure speculation."
Foreign Minister Pacas Castro (45)

"...speculation.
President Cristiani (46)

"...speculation."
Press Secretary Ernesto Altschul (47)

Government and military officials have refused to comment on the 
contents of the Ad-Hoc Commission's report though persistent 
rumors continue that both Generals Ponce and Zepeda are on the 
list of officers to be discharged or transferred. Commission member 
Eduardo Molino met with General Ponce on October 26 and later 
said he was "encouraged" by the general's response. The "hot potato" 
is now in the hands of the President, commented Molina. (48)

President Cristiani faces the dilemma of allowing an "honorable" 
departure for those officers named in the report and at the same 
time complying with the agreement. The government response to 
the United Nations proposal apparently contained an extension 
well into 1993 for compliance with the Commission 
recommendations and was rejected by Boutros Ghali. The President 
is "walking on the edge of a knife," commented a newspaper 
columnist. (49)

Joaquin Villalobos acknowledged that the purging process will 
conclude after the final disarmament of the FMLN but said a "long 
delay" would not be acceptable. He refuted charges by the ultra-
right that the Ad-Hoc Commission is "destroying" the army, saying 
the most positive position for the institution would be to carry out 
all the reforms, admit the errors of the past and "transform itself 
into an institution which guarantees the [security of the] state." (50)

In his letter to both sides, Boutros Ghali emphasized that 
implementation of the Ad-Hoc report is "obligatory," according to 
Schafik Handal, who added, "the findings are not just 
recommendations." Handal insisted the purging process must be 
completed in its totality. If forensic teams were to carry out 
excavations in the entire country, asserted Handal, "we would find 
traces of all that the Armed Forces did against the civilian 
population during the war." (51)

Meanwhile, former First Brigade soldier and death squad member 
Cesar Joya Martinez has been held in Mariona Prison under tight 
security since his October 23 extradition from the United States. 
Minister of Justice Rene Valiente said he hoped Joya Martinez could 
provide information on officers who directed clandestine 
organizations. "He is being prosecuted for a crime and has given 
declarations on other crimes, which must be proven." (52)

Under Salvadoran law a person accused of a crime cannot testify in 
a homicide trial. Celia Medrano of the non-governmental Human 
Rights Commission urged judicial authorities to consider Joya 
Martinez a witness rather than a criminal. "Joya Martinez is a 
product," she insisted, "Joya Martinez is a witness. Why prosecute 
him for the murder of two people by torture and not prosecute 
Zepeda who was his commander, who knew about and directed all 
those actions from the First Brigade?" (53)

The Ombudsman for Human Rights, Dr. Carlos Molina Fonseca 
acknowledged that Joya Martinez "could be running a risk" in 
Mariona Prison "because of all the people he can name." Dr. Molina 
Fonseca said members of his staff will visit the former soldier 
regularly. (54)

Meanwhile, the three members of the Truth Commission left the 
country on October 31 following a five-day quiet visit, including a 
trip to Mozote. The Commission concluded its period of receiving 
denunciations on October 31 and will devote the months of 
November, December and early January to further investigation 
and completion of its report. The Commission members will 
return periodically to oversee the work of the sixteen-member staff. 
Executive Director Patricia Valdez said the Commission was "very 
satisfied" with the information received, "from both sides, from the 
government and non-governmental organizations." (55)

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

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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