NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #20/NN_1992_20.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/6471

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Subject: El Rescate Report 8/31-9/7
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/** reg.elsalvador: 170.0 **/
** Topic: report from el salvador, 8/31-9/7/ **
** Written  4:50 pm  Sep 11, 1992 by elrescate in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
REPORT FROM EL SALVADOR
August 31-September 7, 1992

Salvadorans suffered a heavy economic blow this week with
the simultaneous implementation of the "IVA" (value-added
tax), and hikes in utility rates, gasoline and public
transportation. Opposition organizations vehemently
condemned the measures and are planning massive protest
demonstrations on for Independence Day, September 15.
However, one union leader pointed out "two intelligent
decisions" by the government: implementing the IVA 18 months
before the election and making several concessions to private
enterprise to obtain its participation in the Economic/Social
Forum. A concession was also made to the opposition with the
passage of the Consumer Protection Law after months of delay.

Corruption charges continued this week against several
government institutions including CEL, as Colonel Ochoa Perez
bid farewell to the power company and, apparently, to politics.
He told reporters his retirement was his own decision: "I'm not
leaving like a cork from a bottle of champagne." Asked if he
would be leaving ARENA, he replied, "just as I am not
necessary in CEL, nor will I be necessary in the leadership of
the party." (1) Ochoa said he will remain an "Arenero", "but I
have my own way of thinking which may not be in agreement
with the leadership." (2)

The FMLN political party was legally constituted on September
1, and one leader predicted a victory by a left coalition in
1994. "The greatest advantage the FMLN has," declared Gerson
Martinez, "is its political instinct." (3) Eighty-seven year old
Miguel Marmol also expressed confidence in a victory: "Without
the security forces, without repression, we will win." (4)

Meanwhile, no incidents were reported this week along the
border with Honduras as both countries await the World Court
decision on disputed areas. Presidents Cristiani and Callejas
will receive the ruling together at the El Amatillo checkpoint
on September 11.

"ARENA says: 'First El Salvador, second El Salvador, third El
Salvador,' but it really is: 'First the IMF, second the World
Bank, third AID.'"
Ruben Zamora (5)

President Cristiani insisted the inflationary effect from the
IVA would "not be permanent" but admitted the yearly inflation
rate would be "10-12%" rather than the 8% predicted earlier in
the year by government economic planners. Despite the leak of
a World Bank report critical of the government for delaying
implementation of the IVA, the President denied that the tax
and other structural adjustment measures have been "imposed"
by international institutions and declared that the tax is part
of the government economic program. (6) As the IVA went into
effect, CEL authorities announced a 30% hike in electric rates
and the Director of Transportation informed the press that a
35-50% increase in public transportation rates would go into
effect immediately.


"The population is being condemned to pay the foreign debt
with its hunger."
NotiMundo Editorial (7)

Opposition political parties announced a "National Civic
Protest" against the IVA on September 1, to be "spontaneous,
unorganized and non-partisan." (8) PCN deputies who had voted
for the IVA agreed to support the protest, "as long as it does
not become the personification of the left." (9) On the morning
of the first of September, bus fares and gasoline prices were
up and confusion reigned as businesses and customers
attempted to interpret the IVA regulations. There were
individual protests and complaints on radio talk shows, but the
"Civic Protest" was largely limited to several opposition
deputies who symbolically banged on pots and pans in the
parking lot of the National Assembly at mid-day. "The
government is massacring the people economically," declared
Ruben Zamora. (10)

Union leaders denounced the recent approval of $45 million in
credits to coffee growers and the reduction of taxes on beer
and cigarettes as concessions to private enterprise, promising
a series of protests including a massive demonstration on
September 15. "They have bowed to pressure from the IMF and
AID," said Marco Tulio Lima, "and have shown their willingness
to sell the sovereignty of the country to the highest bidder."
(11) Opposition leaders demanded a reduction of the military
budget and adjustment of the tax burden. "We're not against
taxes," explained a UNTS leader, "but rather against the way
they are doing it. Those who have more should pay more." (12)
FENASTRAS promised that ARENA "will pay the bill" in 1994
for its concessions to coffee growers and beer and cigarette
monopolies, "while burdening the poor with economic
measures." (13)

"These taxes are part of the patriotic contribution to peace."
Dr. Armando Calderon Sol (14)

ARENA leaders insist the IVA will provide the revenue
necessary in order to implement the peace agreement. Party
President Calderon Sol justified the tax saying, "the war,
destruction, violence and death in our country have a cost. We
want all Salvadorans to contribute to the peace accords." (15)
Assembly President Roberto Angulo urged the population to use
"common sense" and "not be manipulated" by the opposition.
(16) A PCN Deputy warned, however, of the complexities of
administering the new tax. "If not well-managed," he said, "it
will cause problems for the government." (17) ARENA Deputy
Mario Valiente admitted the party could suffer repercussions
in the 1994 election from the economic measures but said, "it
would be worse to assume the political cost of doing nothing
and then be without services." (18) According to DIARIO DE
HOY, there were "no negative reactions" to the economic
measures except from "urban terrorist squads" who
"threatened to burn busses if fares were increased." (19)

The President of ANEP criticized the government for
implementing the IVA simultaneously with other price
increases, contending, "It is too great a shock." (20) The IVA
tax should be 5% instead of 10%, according to the FMLN, and
utility rates and transportation fares should be frozen: "This is
an attack against the dignity of the population." (21)

"We will join the Forum without yielding on any of our
positions."
Camilo Bolanos, President of ANEP (22)

Following months of internal debate and public discussion, on
September 1 ANEP announced its decision to participate in the
Economic/Social Forum. However, President Camilo Bolanos
conditioned the participation of the powerful private
enterprise organization, warning ANEP will withdraw if there
are any further land occupations. "We agree that 'concertacion'
is necessary," declared Bolanos, "but with a statesman's, not a
politician's, mentality." (23)

Ruben Zamora called ANEP's decision "a positive step" and
added, "This is not the moment for recriminations about the
past but to look forward to the future." (24) The small
business council, CONAPES, announced its "unconditional"
participation in the Forum and referred to ANEP's
announcement as "appropriate and opportune." (25)

The Consumer Protection Law required by the peace accords
has been stuck in the Assembly Political Commission for
months since President Cristiani returned the bill with
recommendations. On September 3 the legislation was finally
passed. "We believe this is only an aspirin for the economic
cancer," declared CD Deputy Silvia Barrientos, (26) "but at
least it gives consumers one mechanism of protection." (27)

"Something is rotten in Denmark."
Dr. Francisco Lima (28)

Jurist Dr. Francisco Lima is stepping up the attack against
government corruption. After publicly charging ARENA with
corruption on a television interview several weeks ago,
opposition deputies proposed that he head a commission to
investigate corruption cases, and President Cristiani asked
that he prove the allegations. In response, the jurist appeared
again this week on television, declaring, "There are cases
where any person of average intelligence can realize that
something is rotten which should be investigated." Lima
claimed he was not criticizing the President but attempting to
cooperate: "I don't want him to become another Collor de
Mello," he said, referring to scandals which threaten to topple
the current Brazilian government. (29)

Dr. Lima enumerated a number of cases which merit
investigation including El Espino and the privatization of
banks, where, "in some cases" minorities have purchased more
shares than legally permitted. He also charged that CEL
recently purchased a $44 million gas turbine engine without
taking bids or consulting the Assembly. CEL then awarded a
scandalous $20 million contract to a firm for installing the
unit when a competitor had submitted a bid for half that price.
Lima cited another recent incident where a government
contract for pharmaceuticals went to a firm owned by
President Cristiani "at double the price" offered by another
company.

Asked about the controversial Rene Garcia case, Dr. Lima said
he met with the former Supreme Court process server in prison
several weeks ago. Garcia told him he had received an offer of
freedom if he signed a statement exonerating Supreme Court
officials from charges of corruption. "If I don't sign I am going
to rot in jail," Garcia said. He signed a document accusing
Ruben Zamora and others of "manipulation" of his case and was
released from Mariona Prison on September 4. Garcia and his
family reportedly left the country immediately for the United
States. (30)

Sounding very much like a presidential candidate, Dr. Calderon
Sol called on the Attorney General to investigate charges of
corruption: "What is Mr. Attorney General doing? Mr. Attorney
General some people have denunciations. Intervene! Investigate!
Corruption cannot go unpunished. We hope ARENA champions the
fight against corruption!" (31) The Attorney General responded
that "despite limited resources" his office is actively
investigating corruption by public officials in institutions
including CONADES, the Banco Agricola, the Banco de Fomento
Agropequario, the Banco Capitalizador as well as
"embezzlement by some city government officials." (32)

Although an Assembly sub-commission investigation
determined that "no violations of the law" occurred during the
privatization of the Banco de Desarrollo e Inversion, the final
report did admit that an "intent of abuse was detected" by the
Central Reserve Bank. (33) A BCR official explained that "a
group" attempted to purchase 55% of the shares but the
purchases were "disqualified." (34)

During the PDC government, "more people were stealing less,"
remarked Ruben Zamora. "Now there are fewer, but they are
stealing more." (35) On September 5 a judge ordered the arrest
of two former Ministers of Public Works, the former President
of the Central Reserve Bank, and three executives of a
construction company, all charged with participation in a $13
million fraud scheme which occurred during the Duarte
administration. (36)

"We will continue to be revolutionary."
Schafik Handal (37)

The FMLN political party was officially established on
September 1 in the Camino Real Hotel. The ceremonial signing
by 125 founders, including the legendary Miguel Marmol, was
attended by diplomats, political, religious, social and labor
leaders as well as international guests. "The fact that we are
here in the capital and in this hotel cannot be interpreted to
mean that we were given permission," declared Schafik Handal.
"These spaces have been won with our struggle."

Handal referred to persistent rumors of renewed violence after
October 31, saying, "the Salvadoran people will respond" if
there is an attempt "to repeat the 70's." "People are going
around saying, 'wait until October 31, then you will see who is
who in this country'. In the face of these threats we want to
say that we will never be afraid...It is ingenuous to think that
after all that has happened in this country, October 31 is the
'punto final'." The FMLN leader insisted that 100% of the
agreements must be honored: "Any other interpretation is an
attempt to distort the accords." (38)

The FMLN party is based on thirteen "ideological, political,
moral and historic principles" including: "revolutionary
humanism; the primacy of civil society; a democratic-
revolutionary ideology of change; the promotion and defense of
women's rights; the recovery and development of the
environment, and the historic vocation of serving the interests
of the humble majority." (39)

Party organizers will collect 6000 signatures in the coming
days, twice the number required, and a public ceremony will be
held on September 13. According to Eugenio Chicas, the party
could be fully legalized within fifteen days following the
presentation of signatures. (40)

On August 31, 129 former FMLN combatants entered the
National Civil Police Academy as members of the first class.
The night before one cadet commented, "it won't be easy, but it
won't be impossible either. Tomorrow we will be inside the
walls of the Academy making a new history for our country.
Tomorrow, for us and the people, history begins. The revolution
continues." (41)

Meanwhile, on September 7 the press received a communique
from the "Frente Revolucionario Salvadoreno" (FRS), claiming
to represent ex-combatants and soldiers. The FRS charged that
the FMLN General Command has forgotten its "revolutionary
principles" and denounced a "conspiracy" between the FMLN
General Command and the government: "The dignity of a
combatant cannot be bought with machetes and hoes," referring
to the basic assistance packages given to demobilized
combatants. The FRS called on ex-combatants to join and
warned of sabotage to busses and the electrical infrastructure.
(42)

"It's a difficult process but, little by little, they are
advancing."
Lt. Cuellar, Atlacatl Battalion (43)

The "Reynaldo Nochez Marroquin" counterinsurgency battalion
of the First Brigade was demobilized this week, and members
of the Atlacatl Battalion are learning "animal husbandry and
cheese-making" (44) in preparation for civilian life. Military
dexterity exercises were held in several garrisons and soldiers
of the CITFA battalion participated in a campaign called
"United Against Crime," giving lectures to teenagers on
delinquency. (45) The Chamber of Commerce and Fusades signed
contracts with the National Reconstruction Office to provide
vocational training for ex-combatants of both armies, and
Minister to the President, Dr. Oscar Santamaria, promised
"substantial" cuts in the military budget next year as the army
is reduced.

Meanwhile, as soldiers prepare for civilian life, tensions are
reportedly high in the officer corps as younger "tandas"
attempt to dislodge the powerful "tandona." According to a
story released this week, a "very heated meeting" took place
two months ago between Minister of Defense Ponce and Colonel
Mariano Munguia Payes, second-in-command of the First
Brigade. Munguia Payes, a "close collaborator of President
Duarte" and a very popular officer, was later removed from his
post by the High Command and will reportedly be exiled to an
assignment abroad. According to the unnamed source of the
report, some younger officers are "confident" that the results
of the Ad-Hoc and Truth Commissions will "contribute to
destabilizing" the "Tandona." (46)

A former assistant director of the National Police escaped an
assassination attempt on September 4 in Sonsonate,
apparently ordered by someone within the military structure.
Colonel Joel Alejandro Sanchez Paredes, now retired, stated
that two young men on a motorcycle fired at his vehicle with
M-16s. He attributed the incident to "personal vengeance": "As
the head of the investigations department I had to investigate
many members of the Armed Forces involved in criminal
activities...I'm not involved in politics, I am purely military
without any political participation...But I discard the
possibility that this was an attempted robbery. There was a
plan, their mission was to eliminate me." (47)

The three members of the Truth Commission arrived on
September 6 for another short visit to the country, and the Ad-
Hoc Commission members will depart for New York on
September 16 to complete their final report. On September 4
Eduardo Molina reported that the Ad-Hoc had only interviewed
and evaluated 200 of the 2013 officers and revealed that no
captains, first or second lieutenants had been evaluated. (48)

"The September 16 evaluation will be very complex, very
delicate."
Dr. Iqbal Riza (49)

ONUSAL Director Dr. Iqbal Riza said this week that the October
31 cease-fire deadline is still "feasible" but "won't be easy."
On September 16 Dr. Riza and U.N. Assistant Secretary for
Peace Operations, Marrack Goulding, will present an evaluation
of the implementation process to the U.N. Secretary General.
Dr. Riza commented on the importance of the ONUSAL Mission
as a model for the new role of the United Nations following the
end of the Cold War. Since the El Salvador mission was
installed, the U.N. has also taken on peace operations in
Yugoslavia, Somalia and Cambodia. "The experiences of this
mission are of great importance to us," said Riza, who added
that ONUSAL has exceeded its original mandate of simple
verification due to the complexities of the implementation
process: "We are involved to an unexpected degree." (50)

ONUSAL Interim Human Rights Director Roberto Rodriguez
spoke candidly about the human rights situation in a separate
interview. Asked why the latest human rights report focuses
on government violations, Rodriguez explained that the mission
made "observations, criticisms and recommendations" to the
FMLN when they were required, "but the State is the principle
and only guarantor of the law...The circumstances which
provoked violations by the FMLN have disappeared." The
violence attributed to the government is not necessarily direct
action by agents of the State, "but rather due to the failure to
guarantee a state of law."

Questioned about the crime wave, Rodriguez said ONUSAL
investigations have found a "high level" of participation by
members of the military or National Police. He also expressed
concern about the continued threat posed by clandestine groups
which "in one way or another are protected within an
impressive framework of impunity...which allows them to
operate with great freedom." (51)

SOURCES: 1. DIARIO DE HOY, 9/1/92; 2. Radio YSFF, 8/31/92; 3.
DIARIO LATINO, 9/5/92; 4. IBID; 5. TV 6, 9/1/92; 6. Radio YSU,
8/31/92; 7. NotiMundo, 9/1/92; 8. TV 12, 8/31/92; 9. IBID; 10.
TV 6, 9/1/92; 11. DIARIO LATINO, 9/2/92; 12. Radio
Venceremos, 9/2/92; 13. DIARIO LATINO, 9/2/92; 14. TV 6,
9/3/92; 15. TV 12, 9/1/92; 16. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 9/1/92;
17. TV 12, 9/1/92; 18. TV 6, 9/1/92; 19. DIARIO DE HOY,
9/2/92; 20. TV 6, 9/1/92; 21. Radio YSU, 9/4/92; 22. TV 12,
9/1/92; 23. IBID; 24. TV 2, 9/2/92; 25. DIARIO DE HOY, 9/3/92;
26. Radio YSU, 9/4/92; 27. TV 12, 9/3/92; 28. TV 12, 8/31/92;
29. IBID; 30. TV 12, 9/4/92; 31. TV 12, 9/2/92; 32. LA PRENSA
GRAFICA, 9/4/92; 33. DIARIO DE HOY, 9/1/92; 34. DIARIO DE
HOY, 9/4/92; 35. TV 12, 9/3/92; 36. LA PRENSA GRAFICA,
9/5/93; 37. Event, 9/1/92; 38. IBID; 39. DIARIO LATINO,
9/1/92; 40. TV 12, 9/3/92; 41. Radio YSFF, 8/31/92; 42. Radio
YSU, 9/7/92; 43. TV 6, 9/3/92; 44. IBID; 45. DIARIO DE HOY,
1/4/92; 46. Radio YSFF, 9/2/92; 47. TV 12, 9/6/92; 48. Radio
YSU, 9/5/92; 49. TV 12, 9/2/92; 50. IBID; 51. TCS, 9/4/92.

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 **