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- From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
- Subject: EL RESCATE REPORT August 17-24, 1992
- Message-ID: <1992Aug29.021408.807@mont.cs.missouri.edu>
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- Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 02:14:08 GMT
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- /** reg.elsalvador: 166.0 **/
- ** Topic: report from el salvador 8-17-24-92 **
- ** Written 2:42 pm Aug 27, 1992 by elrescate in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
- EL RESCATE HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT
-
- REPORT FROM EL SALVADOR
- August 17-24, 1992
-
- U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Marrack Goulding,
- left the country on August 17 demanding "concrete actions on the ground"
- from both sides during the coming month. (1) Agreements on rescheduling
- the calendar of implementation were not reached before his departure but
- Goulding said negotiation sessions between the government and FMLN with
- Dr. Iqbal Riza as mediator would continue and compliance will be
- evaluated by the Secretary-General on September 16. "This is a month
- during which both sides should demonstrate a practical commitment to
- comply with the accords," emphasized Goulding. (2)
-
- An ARENA delegation led by Dr. Armando Calderon Sol attended the
- Republican Convention in Texas this week, (3) while rumors circulated of
- intense struggles inside the party. Colonel Sigifredo Ochoa Perez resigned
- as President of CEL apparently at the request of President Cristiani and,
- according to unconfirmed reports, may be named Ambassador to Canada or
- return to the Assembly as a deputy. (4) There are unconfirmed press
- reports that General Mauricio Vargas or Guillermo Sol Bang (5) may
- succeed Ochoa in the post. (6)
-
- For the second time since the peace agreement was signed anti-riot police
- were deployed to control a labor demonstration. Construction workers
- belonging to a FENASTRAS union (SOICSES), have been on strike for a
- month at a supermarket construction site. On August 19 the workers were
- demonstrating in front of the office of the development company when the
- anti-riot squads marched in. Rocks were thrown, several were people
- injured and eight were arrested. "This is not the way to resolve labor
- problems," commented a FENASTRAS leader. (7)
-
-
- "The situation is critical and very sensitive, especially in all that refers
- to ending military dominance."
- Schafik Handal (8)
-
- "There is no magic here. The crisis is in their minds."
- General Mauricio Vargas (9)
-
- Describing the meetings with Mr. Goulding as "transcendental," Schafik
- Handal reported that the U.N. will take a "more active and energetic role"
- in the country. He acknowledged, however, that no agreements had been
- reached and charged that the military was attempting to "hegemonize" the
- National Civil Police. According to Roberto Roca, a date had not been set
- for the demobilization of the second contingent of FMLN combatants; the
- important thing, he contended, is the calendar "in general" and compliance
- with the "necessary social, economic, political conditions" for the
- incorporation of ex-combatants. "The functioning of the PNC and a real
- reduction of the Armed Forces are indispensable." (10) The FMLN leaders
- expressed satisfaction with the September 16 evaluation deadline by the
- Secretary General. (11)
-
- Mr. Goulding's visit was "opportune," declared General Mauricio Vargas,
- because the non-compliance of the FMLN is "transcendental." He dismissed
- charges by the FMLN that the government had not honored 46 accords:
- "They need to pull the cobwebs from their heads," he remarked, "there is
- no charity or privilege here." Vargas accused the FMLN of inventing crises:
- "The crises are cyclical ... to create tensions and destabilize the process."
- (12)
-
- President Cristiani admitted there are problems but said "they all have
- solutions," and added, "Salvadoran people need to have confidence in the
- process and its advance." (13) The President called on the FMLN to be
- "more realistic" and conveyed that he was pleased with the September 16
- evaluation date. "The U.N. will see we have accelerated to the maximum."
- (14) Asked about the future of ONUSAL in the country, the President
- indicated the Mission will be dismantled "little by little" and will
- continue to work "in all its areas" after the October 31 deadline. (15)
-
- In his last interview before departing for another post, Mexican
- Ambassador Hermilio Bassols said the peace process will advance, "with
- limitations and slip-ups." The reconciliation process has begun, "but is
- insufficient" and requires more effort. Bassols insisted the government
- needs additional financial resources in order to implement the peace
- agreements and suggested that President Cristiani use his visit to the
- United Nations in September to pressure for fulfillment of financial
- commitments. "We believe categorically," concluded the ambassador, "that
- the U.S. has an [economic] obligation to the Latin American countries." (16)
-
- Goulding's visit gave "new vitality" to the process, explained jurist Dr.
- Francisco Lima. "When children fight, the father puts things in order and
- gets them on the right track again." Lima predicted, however, that the
- "most difficult" time is yet to come, referring particularly to land issues
- and "constant differences" over interpretation of the accords. (17)
-
-
- "Concrete and urgent measures."
- ONUSAL Press Release (18)
-
- In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Ghali expressed concern about
- the situation but said it was "not alarming." He announced that the U.N.
- ambassadors from the U.S., United Kingdom and France would meet with
- Marrack Goulding in the near future to discuss the peace process. (19)
-
- On August 21 ONUSAL reported that a series of measures "to assure the
- accelerated execution" of delayed agreements would be implemented. The
- press release said the FMLN agreed to complete the "total concentration"
- of combatants and storage of all weapons. The government will initiate
- assistance programs for ex-combatants and the first class of PNC cadets
- will begin in order to deploy the new police force "as rapidly as possible."
- The government also acceded to initiate the process of transfers of state
- lands as well as the verification and purchase of private lands in
- conflictive zones.
-
- Both sides agreed on measures to "rapidly re-establish" public
- administration in conflictive zones and to "define" the public security
- situation in those areas. Steps will be taken to eliminate the Armed
- Forces' Territorial Service which will be replaced by a new system of
- Military Service and Reserves.
-
- Other agreements announced by ONUSAL included the promotion by both
- sides of all pending legislative measures emanating from the Peace
- Accords, intensification of efforts to look for international funding to
- implement the accords and efforts to "facilitate" the incorporation of the
- private sector into the Economic/Social Forum. ONUSAL concluded saying
- both sides "showed signs of the necessary flexibility" to find solutions.
- (20)
-
- On August 21 the 350 FMLN combatants who had been outside the
- designated sites performing public security duties in conflictive zones
- were concentrated, and an FMLN spokesperson announced the schedule for
- further demobilization: twenty percent each on September 21 and 30,
- October 15 and the final 20% on October 31. (21) Salvador Samayoa
- warned, however, that the schedule allows only 25 days to complete "a
- compressed series of actions," and asserted that the demobilization will
- take place "only if the setbacks are overcome." (22) According to Gerson
- Martinez of the FMLN Political Committee the government agreed to
- comply with 42 of the pending accords. (23)
-
- Bishop Rosa Chavez commented on the current state of the peace process,
- saying he hoped the will to comply predominates. "but I don't think it is
- realistic to expect a honeymoon." (24)
-
-
- "I fought so everyone could be happy. For me, this is not happiness."
- FMLN Ex-Combatant (25)
-
- On August 18 the National Secretariat for Reconstruction, through CREA
- ("Creative Associates," a non-governmental organization), distributed a
- "basic package" of household items and agricultural tools to ex-
- combatants concentrated in the "Ciudadela Guillermo Ungo" in Guazapa. The
- "packages," said to be valued at $700 each, included cooking utensils, gas
- stoves and tanks, agricultural tools, bedding, a table and chairs. (26)
-
- "This isn't what we fought for," declared one combatant. "I want to be very
- clear that this isn't everything for us. The most important thing is
- compliance with the accords." (27) A commander agreed that the package
- was insufficient and said the issues of land, housing, education and
- training must be resolved. (28) The land problem, said Commander
- Francisco Jovel, does not only involve the transfer of land to ex-
- combatants: "The fundamental issue is to resolve the agrarian problem for
- the whole country." (29)
-
- According to the Minister of Agriculture, properties over 245 hectares
- represent only 10% of the land needed to resolve the land needs of "7500
- ex-FMLN combatants and 20,000 ex-soldiers." Minister Cabrales announced
- that verification of the FMLN land inventory will begin next week but will
- take three to four months," and the government still must look for funding
- to purchase properties. (30)
-
-
- Hunger and the social and economic situation are forcing us to go to the
- streets."
- Carlos Batres, ALFAES (31)
-
- War-disabled veterans of the FMLN and Armed Forces presented a joint
- proposal to the Assembly on August 19th for legislation which would
- provide indemnities, education and health care to the estimated 12,000
- total disabled ex-combatants of both sides. Gregorio Abarca of ASALDIG
- said the 3000 FMLN 'lisiados' are "in a very precarious situation" and have
- not received any assistance. (32)
-
- IPSFA (Pensions Institute of the Armed Forces) is required to provide for
- disabled veterans, but according to Carlos Batres of ALFAES, soldiers are
- "discriminated against" while officers receive full benefits and
- compensation. Batres responded to charges made by General Ponce last
- week that the members of ALFAES are being "manipulated by the left,"
- saying, "no one here is being manipulated." (33) Later in the week General
- Juan Orlando Zepeda repeated the charges of manipulation and insisted the
- demands of ALFAES represent "an ideological political position." (34)
- According to Zepeda, 24 million colones have been paid to date in
- indemnities to soldiers (35) and there is no discrimination. In fact, he
- claimed, soldiers receive more than officers: "If they could compare what
- we give them, why, officers hardly get anything." (36)
-
-
- "His only reference is that he is a friend of Cristiani."
- Ruben Zamora (37)
-
- "It is absurd to question him before his work has begun."
- Gloria Salguero Gross, ARENA Deputy(38)
-
- When President Cristiani finally announced his choice as director of the
- National Civil Police on July 31 after months of discussion and delays, no
- information was given as to who Jose Maria Monterrey was or what his
- qualifications were for the crucial post, and no questions were asked by
- the press. On August 18 Monterrey was interviewed for the first time and
- was identified as a businessman and alternate ARENA deputy for the
- department of La Libertad. During the interview, Monterrey stressed his
- administrative capacity and his plan to computerize immigration, police
- and motor vehicle records. (39)
-
- Three weeks following the swearing-in, Ruben Zamora stated he was
- "worried" about the choice of Monterrey, "whose only reference is that he
- is a friend of Freddi Cristiani." (40) PDC deputies called for an
- investigation of the appointment which "violates the law," creating the
- PNC. The legislation stipulates that the director cannot be a member of
- any political party and must have a university degree. ARENA had agreed to
- present confirmation that Monterrey fulfilled the requirements but as of
- August 17 had failed to do so. His nomination, insisted Gerardo Le
- Chevalier, is "unconstitutional" and "null." (41)
-
- The unanswered question is why Monterrey was approved by COPAZ as a
- candidate. According to UDN Deputy Mario Aguinada Carranza, his
- nomination was passed by a 6-4 vote; opposition parties refused to accept
- him without first seeing a resume, but the FMLN furnished the necessary
- votes for a majority decision. (42)
-
- ARENA deputies denounced the PDC's "political maneuver." They insisted
- Jose Maria Monterrey is not a member of the party and as an alternate
- deputy does not need to resign in order to qualify as Director. The PDC
- proposal to investigate Monterrey's appointment is being supported by the
- CD and PCN. (43)
-
-
- "We do not have any obligation to anyone. Our only obligation is to the
- truth."
- Belisario Betancur, Truth Commission (44)
-
- "Honorable sirs, foreigners, members of the Truth Commission"
- "Movimiento Civico El Salvador Libre" (45)
-
- The three members of the Truth Commission returned to the country for a
- week-long visit. "We are here to collect testimonies," explained Betancur,
- "not to deepen resentments but to support the truth in a serious and
- responsible way." (46)
-
- Betancur said the members "won't stay inside offices" during their
- monthly visits but will visit areas of the country "which were scenes of
- violations, to receive testimonies." (47) In July the Commission visited
- the site of the Mozote massacre in Morazn and on August 19, Betancur,
- Thomas Buergenthal and Reinaldo Figueredo traveled to Chalatenango to
- meet with survivors of the Sumpul (May 1980) and Guancorito (February
- 1990) massacres.
-
- During a breakfast with foreign correspondents the following day,
- Figueredo commented that the Commission is not following the
- methodology of an "equilibrium" in its investigations. "Everything which
- comes to the Commission will be analyzed and processed," he explained.
- Betancur added, "There are no borders or limits. We can't put out fires, but
- we have an immense willingness to contribute to peace." (48) The former
- President of Colombia disclosed that a list of specific cases and
- "symmetry" of investigations were discussed during the negotiations but
- no agreement was reached, so there is "no limit" to the work of the
- Commission: "Even cases protected by the amnesty can be investigated."
- (49)
-
- General Mauricio Vargas described the mission of the Commission as the
- eradication of impunity "from the whole society." He said the "first act of
- impunity" was "the social disobedience of taking up arms and attacking
- the system." Vargas declared there "is no need to fear the truth ... except
- the ideological truth of pseudo-humanitarian organizations ... which have
- played a role in the insurgent project." (50)
-
- Meanwhile, the "Movimiento Civico El Salvador Libre" continues to publish
- declarations challenging the legality of the peace accords. This week two
- statements were published calling on the Truth Commission to investigate
- cases acknowledged by the FMLN: the "assassination of the glorious patriot
- Colonel Domingo Monterrosa and other immortal heroes," (51) and the
- kidnapping and assassination of businessman Roberto Poma. (52) Both
- incidents are explained in books written by FMLN members and published
- by the UCA, according to the declaration.
-
-
- "We are requesting an extension in order to write our evaluation."
- Eduardo Molina Olivares, Ad-Hoc Commission (53)
-
- According to the calendar, the Ad-Hoc Commission was to complete its
- report evaluating all military officers by August 19, but the members
- have asked for a one-month extension. Eduardo Molina explained that the
- additional time is needed to make a "calm evaluation" following an intense
- period of interviews with officers. (54) A request to extend the mandate
- was made last week to Dr. Iqbal Riza and Marrack Goulding; the FMLN has
- agreed, but as of August 19 the government had not responded.
-
- President Cristiani said he agreed in principle to the request, "within
- reason ... The Commission has worked very hard and it would be difficult
- to say no," he told the press on August 18, but he asserted that he had not
- yet received a formal request. (55)
-
- Commission members will travel to New York in mid-September to edit
- their final report "with greater tranquility," Molina announced. The
- document will be presented to the Secretary-General of the United Nations
- and President Cristiani on September 22 and could be made public "at the
- President's discretion" sixty days after it is completed, according to a
- Commission member. (56)
-
-
- "I haven't lost any sleep over these speculations."
- General Mauricio Vargas (57)
-
- "You can't blame a commander who was responsible for a jurisdiction, just
- because a body appeared there."
- General Juan Orlando Zepeda (58)
-
- The non-governmental Human Rights Commission (CDHES) demanded the
- removal of "at least" 75 high-ranking officers responsible for "war crimes
- and violations." Celia Medrano named Generals Vargas, Ponce, and Zepeda,
- among others and cautioned that failure to remove the 75 will endanger
- the peace process. The CDHES member said she would not be surprised by
- attempts to destroy the files implicating the officers, but "they will
- never find all the evidence that links these officers to criminal acts and
- violence."(59)
-
- Vargas dismissed the charges, referring to the "biased position" of the
- CDHES "during the entire conflict." The Armed Forces will continue to
- exist, he declared, "even if there are unimaginable things which make you
- grind your teeth." (60) He insisted the military institution has "directly
- collaborated" with the work of the Ad-Hoc Commission by providing
- service records of all officers and participating in interviews. The army
- and government "have even paid the cost" of bringing officers stationed
- abroad back for interviews. (61)
-
- CDHES "is not a trustworthy institution," declared General Juan Orlando
- Zepeda, "it lacks any credibility, everyone knows that they receive orders
- from the FMLN." (62) Zepeda added that the Commission had received a
- report from "Tutela Legal ... on acts by some officers in strategic
- positions," and insisted that alleging jurisdictional responsibility for
- crimes committed under the command of an officer "is not logical." (63)
-
- Colonel Julio Cesar Grijalva, Director of the Military School said the
- CDHES list was "exaggerated and biased," but he expressed "confidence and
- faith" that the Commission will do "impartial work." (64)
-
-
- "It gave me chills."
- Dr. Francisco Lima (65)
-
- During an interview on August 20, jurist Dr. Francisco Lima disclosed that
- he had received a copy of a report presented to the Ad-Hoc and Truth
- Commissions by "North American lawyers" [from El Rescate]. Lima
- explained that the report documents 15,700 summary executions, 2308
- forced disappearances, 1560 cases of torture, 965 cases of arbitrary or
- disproportionate use of force, 11,157 cases of indiscriminate or
- disproportionate attacks against civilians: a total of 31,943 victims plus
- an additional 10,424 cases of arbitrary detention. "This is serious," Lima
- declared, "The Commissions will have to investigate this." (66)
-
-
-
- "A spiral of violence ... and strange coincidences."
- Dr. Carlos Molina Fonseca, Ombudsman for Human Rights (67)
-
- Dr. Carlos Molina Fonseca called a press conference on August 19 to
- denounce recent assassinations of union leaders, the attempted
- assassination of a member of his staff, Eduardo Pineda on July 31 and the
- "strange coincidence" of an attack against Pineda's wife on August 17th.
- With Pineda still hospitalized and in critical condition, unidentified men
- detained his wife at gunpoint, threatened her and stole her car, which was
- found the following day. "If this is a message to us," declared Fonseca,
- "they are mistaken. These things will only strengthen us." (68) Fonseca
- announced he would meet with the Minister of Justice the folowing day to
- demand "prompt resolution to these crimes." (69) He presented seven
- recent cases to Minister Hernandez Valiente who "promised to
- investigate." (70)
-
- On August 21 Lt. Colonel Rene Ayala of the Criminal Investigation
- Commission announced that both the assassination of FENASTRAS leader
- Ivan Ramirez and the attempted murder of Eduardo Pineda were "common
- crimes." He identified the murderer of Ramirez as David Armando Flores
- Romero, alias "Pupusa," saying Flores has a criminal record and is "at-
- large ... possibly in Costa Rica." (71)
-
- The violence continued this week with ten assassinations reported; seven
- persons wounded by grenades; ten wounded and three killed during
- assaults; four current or former members of the military/National Police
- killed, two wounded, and one house in San Salvador machinegunned.
-
- The most brutal assassinations were once again reported in Santa Ana
- where the body of Jose Escalante Calderon, 40, was found on August 21
- with hands and feet tied, shot in the head. The skin had been ripped off his
- arms and there were signs that an attempt had been made to burn the body.
- (72) The previous day the body of Jose Luis Linres Nunez, 42 was also
- found in Santa Ana, shot in the head, hands and feet tied. (73) Two ATMOP
- union leaders, one of them from from Santa Ana, reported receiving death
- threats this week, following the assassinations of two other members
- during the past month. (74)
-
-
- "The death squads have been protected and hidden."
- PDC Deputy Arturo Magana (75)
-
- UNOC leader Arturo Magana announced this week that the labor
- organization has received "concrete" information that the death squads are
- being "protected and hidden" and will be reactivated at the "opportune
- moment," October 31, "when the FMLN disarms." (76)
-
- The clandestine "Movimiento Civico El Salvador Libre" denied charges made
- by the FMLN last week that it is responsible for death squad activities.
- "Our struggle is ideas ... never assassination or terror." (77)
-
- UNOC and the human rights organization CESPAD both called on ONUSAL to
- play a much more vigorous role in the investigation of human rights
- violations. CESPAD noted that while "not one bullet" has been fired by
- either army since the cease-fire, "hundreds of lives have been criminally
- snuffed-out ... ONUSAL has the mandate and sufficient resources to
- investigate human rights abuses." (78) The ONUSAL mission's fifth report
- on human rights will be released August 24.
-
- Bishop Rosa Chavez lamented the "alarming increase in bloodshed," saying
- recent victims included "business leaders, members of the Armed Forces,
- farmworkers, workers, community leaders, teachers, cooperative
- members ... It is imperative to urgently and objectively analyze this
- serious situation." (79)
-
- SOURCES: 1. EL MUNDO, 8/17/92; 2. Radio YSU, 8/17/92; 3. LA PRENSA
- GRAFICA, 8/18/92; 4. Radio YSU, 8/22/92; 5. Guillermo Sol Bang is a
- member of the ARENA Executive Committee; he was kidnapped for ransom
- last year and held for several months before being released; 6. TV 6,
- 8/23/92; 7. TV 12, 8/19/92; 8. DIARIO LATINO, 8/17/92; 9. TV 12,
- 8/19/92; 10. DIARIO LATINO, 8/18/92; 11. TV 6, 8/17/92; 12. TV 12,
- 8/19/92; 13. Radio YSU, 8/18/92; 14. DIARIO LATINO, 8/18/92; 15. TV 12,
- 8/18/92; 16. Ibid.; 17. TV 12, 8/20/92; 18. ONUSAL Communique #89,
- 8/21/92; 19. DIARIO LATINO, 8/21/92; 20. ONUSAL Communique #89,
- 8/21/92; 21. Radio YSU, 8/22/92; 22. Radio Venceremos, 8/22/92; 23.
- Radio YSU, 8/22/92; 24. TV 6, 8/23/92; 25. TV 6, 8/18/92; 26. LA PRENSA
- GRAFICA, 8/17/92; 27. TV 2, 8/18/92; 28. TV 12, 8/20/92; 29. TV 2,
- 8/17/92; 30. Radio YSU, 9/19/92; 31. TV 12, 8/19/92; 32. Ibid.; 33. Ibid.;
- 34. Radio Venceremos, 8/22/92; 35. Radio YSFF, 8/22/92; 36. TV 12,
- 8/21/92; 37. TV 6, 8/18/92; 38. TV 6, 8/19/92; 39. TV 6, 8/18/92; 40.
- Ibid.; 41. INSISTEM, 8/18/92; 42. TV 6, 8/19/92; 43. Radio YSU, 8/21/92;
- 44. TCS, 8/20/92; 45. EL MUNDO, 8/20/92; 46. DIARIO LATINO, 8/18/92;
- 47. DIARIO LATINO, 8/20/92; 48. Ibid.; 49. DIARIO DE HOY, 8/22/92; 50. TV
- 12, 8/19/92; 51. EL MUNDO, 8/20/92; 52. EL MUNDO, 8/21/92; 53. TV 6,
- 8/17/92; 54. Ibid.; 55. DIARIO LATINO, 8/18/92; 56. TV 6, 8/19/92; 57. EL
- MUNDO, 8/18/92; 58. Radio Venceremos, 8/22/92; 59. DIARIO LATINO,
- 8/17/92; 60. EL MUNDO, 8/18/92; 61. TV 12, 8/19/92; 62. EL MUNDO,
- 8/22/92; 63. Radio Venceremos, 8/22/92; 64. TV 12, 8/20/92; 65. TV 12,
- 8/20/92; 66. Ibid.; 67. TV 12, 8/19/92; 68. NotiMundo, 8/20/92; 69. TV
- 12, 8/19/92; 70. Radio YSU, 8/20/92; 71. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 8/21/92;
- 72. EL MUNDO, 8/21/92; 73. DIARIO LATINO, 8/20/92; 74. Radio
- Venceremos, 8/22/92; 75. TV 12, 8/17/92; 76. Ibid.; 77. EL MUNDO,
- 8/19/92; 78. EL MUNDO, 8/18/92; 79. Radio YSAX, 8/23/92.
-
-
- 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.
-
-
- ** End of text from cdp:reg.elsalvador **
-