From: Christic Institute <christic@igc.apc.org>
Subject: CISPES Alert
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: ?
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 14:54:32 GMT

/* Written  7:49 am  Oct  9, 1992 by cispesnatl in cdp:carnet.alerts */
/* ---------- "cispes alert" ---------- */
Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES)

URGENT ACTION ALERT                             OCTOBER 8, 1992

Situation in El Salvador Tense as Problems in 
Implementation of the Accords Remain

     To date, the situation in El Salvador remains delicate as key
points in the Accords have not yet been implemented.  One important
area of non-compliance is land.  Last week, Marrack Goulding, UN
Chief of Peace Keeping, went to El Salvador to mediate between the
government and FMLN in land negotiations.  He came back to NY
several days later without an agreement of any sort.  According to
the Miami Herald, Goulding admitted that an extension of the
October 31st deadline may become necessary due to problems around
the land.  He will return to El Salvador this week with a proposal
to settle the land dispute.  
     Based on progress made regarding land and other issues, the UN
will determine whether an extension of the October 31st deadline is
warranted.  The FMLN has conditioned its demobilization on the
resolution of key problems in the implementation of the Accords. 
Despite FMLN concern that without land, ex-combatants will have
little or nothing to return to, the State Department and the
Cristiani administration continue to pressure the FMLN not to use
the land issue as an excuse to put off demobilizing by the 31st.
     Another unresolved area in the Accords is the Ad Hoc Report. 
President Cristiani has until October 23rd to show that he has
taken action to implement its recommendations.  Alvaro de Soto,
senior political advisor to the UN Secretary-General, told the
Miami Herald, "Cristiani should be given as much leeway as
possible... He's the one on who's shoulders everything rests".  
Amid serious fears that the military will react violently to the
civilian purge, the US sent Gen. George Joulwan, Commander in Chief
of the US Southern Command, and Bernard Aronson, Assistant
Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, to convince the
Salvadoran army that US patronage will continue.  Joulwan praised
the military for submitting to the Ad Hoc review, and criticized
the FMLN for failing to comply with the Accords.  Aronson pressured
the FMLN to comply with the October 31st deadline for
demobilization while assuring the army of continued US support --
support that has been reaffirmed by final congressional approval of
$11 million in military aid this week.
          At present, it seems that the UN strategy is to focus on
the FMLN.  They may want to give Cristiani "as much leeway as
possible" while applying pressure on the FMLN to demobilize without
key provisions negotiated in the Accords having been met.  Our
strategy must be to urge the UN to be objective.  We must guarantee
that the UN does not put unreasonable pressure on the FMLN to
demobilize while allowing the government to skirt its
responsibility to implement the Accords.
     We will heighten our work in defense of the Peace Accords in
three areas.  The National Office will work to set up delegation
visits to the UN, promote an NGO letter to the UN and State
Department, and organize a possible human rights delegation to El
Salvador to monitor the state of the October 31st deadline and the
human rights situation.  On the grassroots level, committees can
pressure the UN and State Department via Congress, and send faxes
to the UN.  Finally, all of CISPES can work on media and visibility
by getting Op-eds published and raising funds and signers for paid
ads in El Salvador.


Suggested Action

1. Send faxes to Marrack Goulding with this message:

     We are deeply concerned about the delicate situation in El
     Salvador.  In the spirit of the Chapultapec Accords, we urge
     you to use the objective power of your office to guarantee
     full and equal compliance of both the Salvadoran government
     and the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front.

     FAX (212) 963-4879

2. Calls to Congress asking them to call or write the State
Department with demands a and b.  Members of Congress should also
write to Cristiani and the UN with demand b only. Demands are
listed below:

     a. US policy should play a positive role in supporting the
     implementation of the Peace Accords and the resolution of the
     land issues.

     b. The report of the Ad Hoc Commission must be made public and
     implemented in a timely manner.

3. Ask local religious and political leaders to publish an Op-ed
around the Ad Hoc report and the human rights situation.  If you do
not have a copy of the sample Op-ed, call your regional office.

4. Begin looking for funds and potential signers for the October
31st paid advertisement in El Salvador.

5. Include information on the Accords in all Caravan, Work-A-Thon,
and fundraising calls and visits.

6.Go on the emergency delegation to El Salvador that is currently
scheduled for October 28th - Novemer 4th, but is subject to change
if the final demobilization date is delayed..
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