From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Guatemala: US-based refugee office opens
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 08:30:11 GMT

/** reg.guatemala: 133.0 **/
** Topic: National Refugee Office Opens **
** Written  6:05 pm  Jan  4, 1993 by cwands in cdp:reg.guatemala **
                   IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

              NATIONAL COORDINATING OFFICE ON 
                 REFUGEES AND DISPLACED OF 
                         GUATEMALA 
                          (NCOORD)

National Coordinating Office On Refugees and Displaced of Guatemala
(NCOORD)
59 E. Van Buren St., Suite 1400
Chicago, IL., 60605, U.S.A.
Tel: (312) 360-1705
Fax: (312) 939-3272
email: PEACENET; cwands



As of today, January 4, 1993, the National Coordinating Office On
Refugees and Displaced of Guatemala (NCOORD), based in Chicago,
Illinois, U.S.A. opens it's doors.


The purpose of the office is:

1. To function as a clearinghouse of information
   - Between the refugees/displaced and their representatives to the   
     U.S.
   - Between NGO, Religious and accompaniment project between          
     Mexico/Guatemala and the U.S.
   - Between national and regional efforts in the U.S. working in the  
     NGO, Human Rights, Accompaniment and Solidarity Organizations in  
     the U.S.

2. To help provide a forum for developing comprehensive strategies in
the U.S. to benefit the refugees/displaced of Guatemala.


The initial priorities of the office will focus on:

* The collective, organized and voluntary return of the Guatemalan     
     refugees in Mexico (scheduled to begin this month), 
* The three zones of CPR's (Communities of Populations in              
     Resistance in the Ixcan and Ixil areas of Quiche and in the Peten 
     department),
* The refugees who remain in Mexico, represented by the Permanent      
     Commissions who represent the vast majority of those organized in 
     refugee camps and ARDIGUA (the Association of Dispersed Refugees  
     from Guatemala). 


National campaigns will be developed in the areas of:

- Accompaniment
- Assistance and Development (Non Governemental)
- Human Rights
- Policies of the U.S. and Guatemalan government (as it relates to the 
  refugees and displaced)


Structure of the NCOORD:

The structure of the NCOORD consists of a national coordinator
working to support a steering committee of representatives of nine
national and regional organizations, and an advisory committee of over
20 U.S. non governmental national and regional organizations.  


National Coordinator; 

Curt Wands


The National Steering Committee of the NCOORD is made up of:

Mike Clarke;      Witness for Peace
(Tentative);      Journey Home Campaign
Martha Pierce;    Chicago Committee on the Return
Margie Swedish;   Religious Task Force on Central America
Michael Willis;   Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala   
                  (NISGUA)

(And four others, to be approved)


We request an on-going communication and coordination with you on
any and all materials, information and activities relating to the
Refugees and Displaced of Guatemala.  


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

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