NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #26/NN_1992_26.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/8191

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Subject: EL RESCATE REPORT October 26-November 2, 1992
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/** reg.elsalvador: 136.0 **/
** Topic: report from el salvador 10/26-11/2 **
** Written  5:19 pm  Nov  4, 1992 by elrescate in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
 EL RESCATE HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT

REPORT FROM EL SALVADOR
October 26-November 2, 1992

October 31 came and went without the rumored coup attempt,
but a final agreement on rescheduling the calendar of compliance
with the peace accords has not yet been reached. In an address to
the nation on October 28, President Cristiani, under great pressure
from the ultra- right, was ambiguous in his response to the U.N.
Secretary-General's proposal and temporarily suspended
compliance with all accords related to the military. Boutros Ghali
sent Marrack Goulding and Alvaro de Soto as his personal
representatives to resolve the crisis. The two skilled negotiators
arrived on October 30 for an indefinite stay.

The full contents of the U.N. proposal have not been revealed, but it
is known that the Secretary-General insisted on a December 15
deadline for full implementation of the majority of the accords,
including the demobilization of the FMLN and implementation of
the Ad-Hoc Commission's report. December 15 has been designated
the "day of national reconciliation," and Boutros Ghali will
reportedly attend ceremonies in El Salvador. Opposition politicians
predict forty-five days of intense work ahead.

The popular movement held a large demonstration on October 31
in support of the peace process and to commemorate the
FENASTRAS bombing. Anti-riot police were not present and the
march was peaceful, but FENASTRAS denounced the attempted
kidnapping of Sarahi Molina de Huezo on October 27 by "heavily
armed men" driving a black Cherokee with polarized windows. (1)

Legalization of the FMLN political party should be announced
November 4, but this week ARENA party leaders met with
members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to present their
objections, insisting the FMLN must be demobilized and disarmed
before being registered as a legal party. "This would be an
aberration and a profound violation of the law," declared Armando
Calderon Sol, "inconceivable in a democracy." (2) ARENA Deputy
Mario Valiente warned that if the party is legalized he will
personally file a constitutional appeal to the Supreme Court. (3)


"We're full of optimism that things will turn out well."
Schafik Handal (4)

On October 26 the FMLN General Command formally accepted the
United Nations' proposal to reschedule the calendar of
implementation. Schafik Handal described the plan as "not totally
acceptable," but said the FMLN "recognizes the effort of the
Secretary-General to find a solution." Handal also announced that
the third 20% of the combatants would be demobilized before
October 31. (5)

President Cristiani canceled his weekly press conference on
October 26, saying only that the government was "still studying"
the U.N. document. (6) His personal representative, Arturo Tono,
was said to be in New York to present the government response to
the Secretary General. The head of the ONUSAL Mission, Dr. Iqbal
Riza, acknowledged the government had not yet responded and
said there had been "some uncertain days," but he expressed
confidence that with the U.N. proposal the "uncertainty...will be
overcome." (7)

An extension of the cease-fire would be a "bad precedent," and
would "taunt the hopes of the Salvadoran people," declared
Minister of Defense Ponce, (8) but he said the Armed Forces would
"accept" the President's decision. (9) Assembly President Roberto
Angulo insisted ARENA would support "any decision" made by the
President, but other ARENA politicians said any extension of the
October 31 deadline would be "unfortunate" and accused the FMLN
and U.N. of "playing with the good will of the people." To "yield" to
the proposal would be "denigrating," remarked another unnamed
ARENA member. (10)

The FMLN called for calm in the face of threats by the "Maximiliano
Hernandez Martinez" death squad last week and apprehension
about the government response to the U.N. proposal. "This is the
hour of truth," declared Joaquin Villalobos, "for the FMLN this is
the moment to seek maximum guarantees...obviously we are not
going to jump into a void." (11) Villalobos also announced that the
FMLN has organized fourteen commissions to oversee compliance
with the accords during the next 45 days so there will be "no
danger" of another extension on December 15. (12) He reported
that the FMLN has asked ONUSAL to take measures to guarantee an
"effective and dynamic global verification" of compliance by both
sides. (13)

Felix Ulloa of IEJES lauded the United Nations' proposal and also
urged ONUSAL to assume a "preventative role during this period,
not just to take action when a crisis occurs." (14)


"The government will suspend compliance with all accords related
to the  demobilization, reduction and restructuring of the Armed
Forces."
President Cristiani (15)

"This is not a good day for our country or a good message from our
President."
Dr. Ruben Zamora (16)

In an address to the nation described as "confusing" and
"ambiguous," the President announced on October 28 that the
government would not continue implementation of accords
relating to the Armed Forces until the FMLN was completely
demobilized and all weapons destroyed. For "practical reasons," he
explained, the government would accept the rescheduling of the
FMLN demobilization, but he rejected a portion of the Secretary-
General's proposal which alluded to "political reasons" behind
government delays in implementation. (17) For the first time, the
President's tone was decidedly anti-U.N. and in the elite Escalon
neighborhood of the capital fireworks were exploded and guns
fired in the air in celebration.

The first response to the President's speech came from Ruben
Zamora who called it a "profound deception" and charged the
President with surrendering to those opposed to the peace process.
"The danger now," he explained, "is that the whole peace process
will deteriorate." (18)

Joaquin Villalobos asserted that the "confrontational" speech
reflected pressure on the President by "extremists." The speech "was
directed to the United Nations, not the FMLN," he said, "a big step
backwards." Villalobos added, however, that the FMLN had not
expected the President to respond affirmatively to the U.N.
proposal. (19)

Following the President's address, ONUSAL announced that
Marrack Goulding and Alvaro de Soto would be sent to the country
at the request of the Secretary-General "to discuss modalities
necessary to complete the process in an expeditious manner, under
the verification of ONUSAL." (20) Schafik Handal also noted the
confrontational tone of the President's speech and said the arrival
of the United Nations' negotiators was "an emergency decision to
keep the process on track." (21)


"President Cristiani was very clear...very clear...very clear."
Dr. Armando Calderon Sol (22)

"Sometimes he says 'yes' and sometimes he says 'no'. It is a very
confused position."
PDC Deputy Simon Parada (23)

ARENA party leaders expressed "unconditional support" for the
President's speech. In response to criticisms as to the ambiguous
nature of the statement, Dr. Calderon Sol insisted repeatedly that
the President was "very clear" and applauded the "wise decision" to
suspend reduction of the Armed Forces. (24)

UDN Deputy Mario Aguinada Carranza noted similarities between
the positions of the President and the Maximiliano Hernandez
Martinez Brigade and declared, "he has become the leader of the
right and stopped being President of the Republic." (25) In Los
Angeles, FMLN leader Roberto Caas said the President "gives the
impression that he is governing for the military and the oligarchy."
(26)

"Cristiani has chosen to quarrel with the Secretary-General,"
declared Schafik Handal, "Who advised him to do that?" Handal
also criticized the President for quoting a section of Boutros Ghali's
confidential letter to both sides which called on the FMLN to
comply with agreements. Handal then proceeded to read a portion
of the letter which the President chose not to cite, and which
strongly criticized "serious delays" by the government in
implementation. The letter emphasized the importance of
complying with the Ad-Hoc Commission report, demobilization of
the elite battalions, the National Civil Police, reforms to the
electoral system, land transfers and the legalization of the FMLN as
a political party. The Secretary-General also mentioned that 54
agreements remain to be completed; five by the FMLN and 49 by
the government. (27)

Both sides must comply with all agreements "as stipulated by the
Secretary-General," insisted Handal. The FMLN will not accept
modifications to the U.N. proposal on issues relating to the Armed
Forces and has requested daily verification and guarantees during
the 45-day period ahead, "with multiple evaluations." (28)

According to an unofficial version of the UN-proposed calendar,
the FMLN will demobilize 20% of its military forces on November
20 and the final 20% on December 15. The government must
comply with a series of political agreements on land transfers, the
National Civil Police Academy, legal reforms, legalization of the
FMLN party and implementation of the Ad-Hoc report by
December 15. The Atlacatl Battalion will demobilize December 8,
followed by the remaining two elite battalions in January and
February. The DNI (national intelligence office) must be definitively
dissolved by November 30. (29)


"In this process I am the obstetrician and Mr. Goulding is the
pediatrician."
Dr. Alvaro de Soto (30)Cristiani, the FMLN and ONUSAL...during this moment
which we consider decisive for the peace process." Mr. Goulding
denied that the President had refused to reduce the Armed Forces.
"What he said is that he is going to try to change compliance with
the calendar. This is one of the points we are going to discuss based
on instructions we have received from the Secretary-General." (31)

Alvaro de Soto's participation is a reflection of the serious and
delicate task of mediation in the days ahead. De Soto's role during
the two-year negotiation process was crucial to its success, and he
explained to the press that the Secretary-General had requested his
assistance once again, as the "obstetrician" of the process, to deal
with "a little post-partum depression." (32) The two negotiators
arrived without a fixed agenda or time limit.

During an interview on "World Net" the same day, U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs, Bernard Aronson,
congratulated the FMLN on the demobilization of the third 20% of
its combatants but said the international community "will not
permit" another extension of the "armed peace" beyond December
15 and called for a complete weapons inventory.

Aronson insisted the government will comply with the reduction
of the Armed Forces and the dissolution of all elite battalions. He
acknowledged the "good will" of the President and warned that the
United States would use "all legal means" against groups that
attempt to hinder the process. The State Department official said he
has no plans to visit El Salvador before December 15 but would
come "as many times as necessary," and insisted that the
international community "will not abandon" El Salvador. (33)
Earlier in the week it was announced that Aronson will retire from
the State Department for more "remunerative pursuits,"
independent of the outcome of the November 3 U.S. election. (34)


"The peace accords have become a trap for the government and for
the Armed Forces which keep it in power."
Civic Movement for a Free El Salvador (35)

The "Civic Movement for a Free El Salvador" continued its publicity
campaign against the accords and in defense of the Armed Forces.
Daily announcements in the press also attacked ONUSAL and
Tutela Legal. According to the Civic Movement, Tutela Legal is
"part of the FMLN plan" to discredit the Armed Forces, "accusing
them of massacres and human rights violations during acts of war
and legitimate defense." (36) On October 29, Celia Medrano of the
non-governmental Human Rights Commission reported that
leaflets displaying a photo of Maria Julia Hernandez [Director of
Tutela Legal] were being distributed in Soyapango and other areas
of the capital. (37)

National Press Secretary Ernesto Altschul denied that threats by
the Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez Brigade and other groups are
part of an "orchestrated campaign," as charged by the opposition
last week. Altschul asserted that "citizen groups," like the Crusade
for Peace and Work and the Civic Movement "have the right to
express their point of view." (38) General Vargas agreed: "Why can
the communists say what they want and not the right? Everyone
has to defend their own rights as they consider appropriate." (39)

ARENA President Armando Calderon Sol denied that any links
exist between the party and clandestine groups like the MHM
Brigade. "We repudiate, reject and condemn this and must discover
who these bad Salvadorans are." (40)

FMLN leader Juan Ramon Medrano filed defamation charges
against Ernesto Altschul who last week accused Medrano of
organizing a "terrorist hit squad." At the time, Altschul claimed the
information came from a "reliable source" that he could not reveal.
Medrano went to court on October 29 saying the FMLN is going to
"test" the legal system: "I hope Mr. Altschul presents the proof he
says he has." (41)

Joaquin Villalobos announced that he and Jorge Melendez would
file charges against the News-Gazette for "reporting" that the two
ERP leaders were conspiring to kill each other. Using the legal
process, affirmed Villalobos, "is another element of guarantee" for
the FMLN. "Up to now we have been protected because we were
armed. Now we want to believe in a state of law, we want the
judicial system to prove to us it can work." (42)


"Only the President has the list. Anything else is pure speculation."
General Ponce (43)

"...pure speculation."
Assembly President Roberto Angulo (44)

"...pure speculation."
Foreign Minister Pacas Castro (45)

"...speculation.
President Cristiani (46)

"...speculation."
Press Secretary Ernesto Altschul (47)

Government and military officials have refused to comment on the
contents of the Ad-Hoc Commission's report though persistent
rumors continue that both Generals Ponce and Zepeda are on the
list of officers to be discharged or transferred. Commission member
Eduardo Molino met with General Ponce on October 26 and later
said he was "encouraged" by the general's response. The "hot potato"
is now in the hands of the President, commented Molina. (48)

President Cristiani faces the dilemma of allowing an "honorable"
departure for those officers named in the report and at the same
time complying with the agreement. The government response to
the United Nations proposal apparently contained an extension
well into 1993 for compliance with the Commission
recommendations and was rejected by Boutros Ghali. The President
is "walking on the edge of a knife," commented a newspaper
columnist. (49)

Joaquin Villalobos acknowledged that the purging process will
conclude after the final disarmament of the FMLN but said a "long
delay" would not be acceptable. He refuted charges by the ultra-
right that the Ad-Hoc Commission is "destroying" the army, saying
the most positive position for the institution would be to carry out
all the reforms, admit the errors of the past and "transform itself
into an institution which guarantees the [security of the] state." (50)

In his letter to both sides, Boutros Ghali emphasized that
implementation of the Ad-Hoc report is "obligatory," according to
Schafik Handal, who added, "the findings are not just
recommendations." Handal insisted the purging process must be
completed in its totality. If forensic teams were to carry out
excavations in the entire country, asserted Handal, "we would find
traces of all that the Armed Forces did against the civilian
population during the war." (51)

Meanwhile, former First Brigade soldier and death squad member
Cesar Joya Martinez has been held in Mariona Prison under tight
security since his October 23 extradition from the United States.
Minister of Justice Rene Valiente said he hoped Joya Martinez could
provide information on officers who directed clandestine
organizations. "He is being prosecuted for a crime and has given
declarations on other crimes, which must be proven." (52)

Under Salvadoran law a person accused of a crime cannot testify in
a homicide trial. Celia Medrano of the non-governmental Human
Rights Commission urged judicial authorities to consider Joya
Martinez a witness rather than a criminal. "Joya Martinez is a
product," she insisted, "Joya Martinez is a witness. Why prosecute
him for the murder of two people by torture and not prosecute
Zepeda who was his commander, who knew about and directed all
those actions from the First Brigade?" (53)

The Ombudsman for Human Rights, Dr. Carlos Molina Fonseca
acknowledged that Joya Martinez "could be running a risk" in
Mariona Prison "because of all the people he can name." Dr. Molina
Fonseca said members of his staff will visit the former soldier
regularly. (54)

Meanwhile, the three members of the Truth Commission left the
country on October 31 following a five-day quiet visit, including a
trip to Mozote. The Commission concluded its period of receiving
denunciations on October 31 and will devote the months of
November, December and early January to further investigation
and completion of its report. The Commission members will
return periodically to oversee the work of the sixteen-member staff.
Executive Director Patricia Valdez said the Commission was "very
satisfied" with the information received, "from both sides, from the
government and non-governmental organizations." (55)

SOURCES: 1. YSFF, 10/27/92; 2. YSU, 10/27/92; 3. TV 12, 11/1/92;
4. TV 12, 10/26/92; 5. IBID; 6. EL MUNDO, 10/26/92; 7. TV 6,
10/26/92; 8. DIARIO DE HOY, 10/27/92; 9. YSU, 10/27/92; 10.
DIARIO DE HOY, 10/27/92; 11. TCS, 10/28/92; 12. IBID; 13. TV 12,
10/28/92; 14. IBID; 15. National Network, 10/28/92; 16. TV 12,
10/29/92; 17. National Network, 10/28/92; 18. TV 12, 10/28/92; 19.
YSU, 10/29/92; 20. TV 12, 10/28/92; 21. EL MUNDO, 10/29/92; 22.
Notimundo, 10/29/92; 23. TV 12, 10/29/92; 24. TV 6, 10/29/92; 25.
TV 12, 10/29/92; 26. LA OPINION, 10/30/92; 27. TV 12, 10/30/92;
28. IBID; 29. DIARIO LATINO, 10/30/92; 30. EL MUNDO, 10/31/92;
31. IBID; 32. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 10/30/92; 33. LA PRENSA
GRAFICA, 10/31/92; 34. LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 10/29/92; 35. EL
MUNDO, 10/28/92; 36. EL MUNDO, 10/30/92; 37. Radio
Venceremos, 10/29/92; 38. TV 12,  10/27/92; 39. TV 12, 10/30/92;
40. EL MUNDO, 10/28/92; 41. TV 6,12, 10/29/92; 42. TV 12,
10/28/92; 43. TV 6, 10/26/92; 44. IBID; 45. IBID; 46. IBID; 47. TV 12,
10/27/92; 48. LA OPINION, 10/28/92; 49. DIARIO LATINO,
10/26/92; 50. TV 12, 10/28/92; 51. DIARIO LATINO, 10/29/92; 52.
TV 12, 10/26/92; 53. IBID; 54. DIARIO LATINO, 10/28/92; 55. TV
12, 11/1/92.

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 **