From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Guatemala: Cerigua Briefs NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 1992
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 01:09:12 GMT

/** reg.guatemala: 129.0 **/
** Topic: Cerigua Weekly Briefs **
** Written  6:03 pm  Dec 14, 1992 by cerisea in cdp:reg.guatemala **
WEEKLY BRIEFS, NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 1992
Journalists Day in Guatemala

More than one hundred reporters gathered November 30,
Journalists Day, to demand greater freedom of the press in
Guatemala.  Several news organizations have formed the
Council in Defense of Journalists to protest continued
intimidation of their members.  In October a bomb exploded at
the offices of the weekly magazine Tinamit, and in November a bomb
was deactivated at the studios of Guatemala Flash.  Also in
November, two journalists with Teleprensa were attacked.  Marina
Coronado, president of the Guatemalan Journalists
Association, was threatened amid circumstances that remain
unclear.  All that is known is that the incident involved her
vehicle.

Patrullaje Informativo notes recent attacks on the press, including
a November 26 incident in which President Serrano looked on as a
member of his security team struck reporters.  That same day Serrano
tried to intimidate a photographer into turning over a roll of film
with a picture taken of the president and an opposition party
legislator.  The daily Prensa Libre published
the photograph on its front page the following day.

At the Journalists Day event at the National Palace, El Grafico
columnist Carlos Soto remembered journalists murdered or disappeared
under previous military regimes, such as Irma Flaquer, Jose Leon Castaneda,
Jesus Marroquin and Oscar Giron Lemus.

Canadians Legislators Vs. Immigration

The Canadian Parliamentary Subcommittee on Development and
Human Rights has for the second time invited representatives
of the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) to
speak at a hearing, this time in early February.  The
Subcommittee unanimously approved a motion November 26
inviting the URNG to appear before the parliamentary group
"to inform the Subcommittee on the human rights situation and
the status of peace negotiations in Guatemala."  Canadian
immigration officials turned down the visa applications.

Various sectors in Canada have protested the decision by
immigration officials.  Guerrilla Commander Pablo Monsanto
was to lead the small delegation on a ten-day visit in Canada
beginning November 22.  Meetings had been scheduled with
government officials, legislators, scholars, human rights and
religious groups among others.

The Inter-Church Committee on Human Rights in Latin America(ICCHRLA),
which had invited the URNG representatives to
participate in a seminar, called on the Canadian government
to explain why it refused to grant visas to the delegation.
ICCHRLA says the government decision "both prevents our
elected representatives from hearing the testimony they
require in order to fulfill their mandate and hinders the
ability of the Canadian public to participate actively in the
discussion of peace and security policies in the Americas."

Columnist Linda Hossie with The Toronto Globe and Mail says
there were no apparent grounds for refusing the visas. 
She says the incident has caused confusion in Ottawa where
"people inside and outside the government can't see any logic in it."

Religious Workers on Human Rights

The CONFREGUA religious workers conference has expressed its
concern over an increase in accusations made against the
Catholic Church and human rights activists.  The religious
workers are also urging human rights groups to pursue court
action against those who abuse basic rights, regardless of
what position they hold.  In a paid ad over Guatemala Flash November 27,
CONFREGUA also protested military control over the civilian
population and the practice of forcing campesinos to serve in
army-controlled civil patrols.

Menchu Supporters Intimidated

The Guatemalan Human Rights Commission (GHRC) reports that
the army has been questioning villagers in Totonicapan and
Chimaltenango whether they support oppose or are indifferent
to Rigoberta Menchu's winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The
organization says the intent of the census is intimidation.
Those who supported Menchu say they have since been subject
to threats.  The army conducted the survey in late October
and early November.  Local residents also report that
soldiers interrupt school classes to encourage young men to
join the army.

Guatemala Condemns Venezuelan Coup Attempt

Guatemalan officials have denounced the attempted coup d'tat
against Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez November 27.
A government spokesman emphasized that Perez has been an
important ally of the Serrano government.  The spokesman said
officials do not fear a coup attempt in Guatemala although
two weeks earlier President Serrano said there was a
conspiracy to overthrow his government.  At the time, Defense
Minister Jose Garcia Samayoa identified the conspirators as
"frustrated politicians" and former army officials.  The
government spokesman assured that Guatemala is on a "firm
path toward democracy."

Note to subscribers:  During the rest of the month of
December 1992, the Weekly Briefs will be published every two
weeks instead of every week.  Best wishes for the holiday
season from the CERIGUA staff.
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** End of text from cdp:reg.guatemala **

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