Input: we are not demanding that they stop their operations as a precondition for negotiating.  however, it should be clear that we are facing the same situation as before, therefore, we have the same rights and will continue our operations until a cease-fire is agreed.    in caracas we committed ourselves to negotiating and holding talks in order to obtain a cease-fire and the necessary agreements for the benefit of the country and the entire nation.    that is the important issue right now.  we have been fighting without that goal, without having any commitment to negotiate anything.  however, that does not mean that the situation should remain the same.  now there is a new factor, a commitment to negotiate and reach agreements on all those topics.  it is very important that the salvadoran people know the contents of the agenda, that they are fully aware of all the topics to be discussed, and that they know the importance of the timetable agreement for discussions and negotiations.  you journalists can help the people understand problem.    (reporter) (words indistinct) commander, when do you expect the fmln to join the process?    (handal) look, deadlines are not the most important thing right now. what is important now is complying with the agreements to reach political agreements.  that is the main aspect of the geneva agreement.  it is possible that some deadlines will not be met. if deadlines are set and the time for implementing them expires, then this is tantamount to wasting time.  this then leads to steps being demanded that in reality depend on the political agreements that are reached and not the deadlines for reaching them.    therefore, according to the agenda and the timetable agreed to here in caracas, the accent is on the political agreements.  those agreements have to do with changes within the armed forces. everything related to the armed forces must be changed.  every factor concerning the armed forces must be reviewed from a certain point or perspective.  changes are necessary; changes must be made and those changes must be significant. these changes must completely transform the armed forces, beginning with its role and influence in determining the country's policies and guidelines.    we have been presenting proposals in this regard for some time. the topic of democratization is closely linked to the topic of the armed forces, to its purging, its reduction, and in sum, its end.  we believe that the country will not always need the armed forces.  as with any institution or historical factor, it emerges, it is maintained for a certain time, and then it tends to disappear.    the country must have the opportunity to develop. it cannot continue along the same path because this would only represent expenses and a heavy burden for the country.    for several decades, the armed forces have meant absence of liberty, real security, and the impossibility of the civilian society to decide the country's path.  elections have been turned into a mere formality, where those who were not elected run the country.    the country is now going through a drama that has also shocked the international public, the murder of the jesuit priests.  everyone is awaiting the results of the investigations and hoping that those who were responsible for this crime will be punished.  we believe that the case of jesuit priests is really grave; it is a drama that reflects the drama of the salvadoran people's history in the current century. (continued)


Input: those accused of the assassination of six jesuits will have a "fair trial" and if found guilty, will be punished whether they are civilians, military, or influential people, supreme court president dr mauricio gutierrez castro said.    the technical investigation commission has determined that some military were reportedly involved in the assassination of the six jesuits and their two maids, which took place at daybreak on 16 november, as reported by president alfredo cristiani on 7 january.    "the local and international community can rest assured the salvadoran judiciary system will not hesitate to enforce the law upon the authors of this horrible crime," dr gutierrez pointed out.    gutierrez said he does not know how many people are involved or their military ranks, because the commission to investigate criminal actions is still conducting investigations and has not presented its report to the tribunal.    however, general prosecutor dr mauricio eduardo colorado maintained that the military suspects "are regrouped and have been put in custody." however, he did not reveal the names or the military ranks of the suspects.    the prosecutor said that the scientific test conducted by the commission to investigate criminal actions and the specialized police working on this case have determined that the crime could have been perpetrated by armed forces members.    "the attorney general office will proceed according to the law and against whoever turns out to be guilty, because it is the constitutional duty of the attorney general's office," colorado said.    asked about this issue, justice minister dr oscar alfredo santamaria, president of the commission to investigate criminal actions said: "we understand that the most recent information on this case was announced by the president of the republic a few days ago."  he refused to make any further statements.    new uca (central american university) rector jesuit francisco estrada admitted president alfredo cristiani has taken "a step forward" by unmasking the suspects in this crime, "because his ethic principles do not tolerate such atrocities."    estrada said he understands why cristiani, during his 7 january speech, did not give any names, "because the investigations are still being conducted."  moreover, there must not only be one suspect, but rather several."    before meeting with the reporters, the uca rector met with officials from scotland yard.  a few days ago, he also met spanish, canadian, and u.s.  policemen who, at the government's request, are assisting the salvadoran commission in charge of clarifying this case.

armed forces members

armed forces


Input: the national police reported today that over 15,000 people have been arrested in lima over the past few hours in a dragnet aimed at uncovering the assassins of former defense minister enrique lopez albujar trint, who was murdered in a terrorist attack yesterday.  the police also stopped 8,000 cars in the search for assassins, who are presumably members of the maoist terrorist organization shining path.    lopez albujar, who left his post at the ministry in may 1989, was riddled with bullets as he was getting out of his car in the lima residential district of san isidro.  lopez albujar, 63, was retired.  he was driving without an escort.    according to the sources, the car in which the criminals fled was abandoned in surquillo district.  the dircote (counterterrorism divison) has identified one of the terrorists as gerardo olivos silva through a composite made from witness' reports.  the police say that olivos silva, a forestry engineer, has participated in other attacks against armed forces personnel in the past.    lopez albujar's murder has made a great impression in peru.  according to political observers, the incident is being regarded as an indication that the shining path intends to continue its terrorist attacks to intimidate the people because of the upcoming general election on 8 april.    some 1600 peruvians were murdered during the last quarter of 1989 due to the political violence surrounding the 12 november municipal elections.

members of the maoist terrorist organization shining path

gerardo olivos silva

shining path

enrique lopez albujar trint


Input: the directorate of judicial police and investigations (dijin) has dismantled the bogota cartel following an operation in which 20 luxury homes were raided in different areas of the city.  according to a dijin report, the police infiltrated the inner structure of the camilo zapata vasquez family.  the noticiero de las siete newscast managed to shoot video footage of the raid on the la maria farm on the outskirts of bogota.  here is exclusive footage and a report by william calderon:    (begin recording) (calderon) anonymous callers informed the authorities about la maria farm, a luxurious ranch located near asuba, a few kilometers from bogota.  at 1900, a goes (special operations group) team surrounded the ranch.  an agent makes sure the main gate is not electrically wired, and the decision to forcibly enter the house is made. they all cover one another as they take their positions.  these men are perfectly trained for this sort of work.  these is a light inside the ranch house, so they assume someone is inside.  tension rises in view of the possibility of an armed confrontation.  as he approaches the ranch, the commander decides to storm it.  moments later, several men open the door without offering resistance and surrender to the authorities.    a patrol enters quickly and controls every corner of the ranch.  other uniformed men support the operation from outside.  they unsuccessfully look for caches.  these three workers who were doing repairs at the ranch were detained as a precaution in the main hall.  meanwhile, the search continues in other areas of the house.  three safes were hidden in different rooms of the ranch house.  one of the safes was built into one of the eight marble-tiled bathrooms.  the huge kitchen was temporarily at the workers' disposal.  near the master bedroom was a large swimming pool with a ground-level window from the sauna and jacuzzi area.  there were several game rooms and tennis and squash courts in the house.    the authorities now have documents and photographs, although the residents of this luxury ranch had left before the raid.      nineteen other operations were simultaneoulsy conducted in bogota.  the authorities said afterward that they felt they had dismantled the bogota cartel.    the dijin released the following report: 10 persons arrested, including jesus evelio zapata lopez, the alleged head of this drug trafficking band that had international connections.    the following was seized: 3 certificates of deposit worth almost 250 million pesos; 1 1977 porsche similar to the one seized from jorge luis ochoa in 1988; 3 toyotas, one of which was sold 4 months ago by an ecuadoran embassy official in bogota; 3 revolvers; 3 pistols; 1 carbine; ammunition; radio communications equipment; 2 false diplomatic licence plates; and cash. (end recording)


Input: salvadoran social democratic politician hector oqueli colindres was kidnapped today in guatemala city, his party reported in mexico city.    oqueli colindres is the secretary of the national revolutionary movement (mnr).  the mnr is directed by guillermo ungo.  oqueli is also socialist international secretary for latin america.    in a communique, the mnr said oqueli had arrived in guatemala on 11 january and was planning to travel today to nicaragua as a member of a socialist international delegation.    the communique adds that oqueli colindres was kidnapped between 0630 and 0700 by heavily armed men while on his way to the airport along with guatemalan social democratic leader gilda flores, who was also kidnapped.    oqueli, who returned last year to el salvador after a long exile in mexico, where he represented the farabundo marti national liberation front and the revolutionary democratic front (fmln-fdr) political-diplomatic commission.

heavily armed men

hector oqueli colindres

gilda flores


Input: the bodies of hector oqueli, undersecretary of the national revolutionary movement (mnr) of el salvador, and gilda flores, a member of guatemala's social democratic party, were found in cuilapa, guatemala, near the border with el salvador, the relatives of one of the victims have reported.  according to the reports, the two bodies appeared to have been shot in their temples.    one of oqueli's relatives, who asked to remain anonymous, told acan-efe that the salvadoran politician still had his personal papers, including his passport, in one of his pockets.    the mnr reported on 12 january that heavily armed men in civilian clothes had intercepted a vehicle with oqueli and flores enroute for la aurora airport and that the two political leaders had been kidnapped and were reported missing.    oqueli was to fly to nicaragua to join an international socialist delegation which will observe the nicaraguan electoral campaign.    according to the relative, guatemalan civilian sources reported finding the bodies to him earlier today,    oqueli departed el salvador on 13 november, 2 days after the guerrillas launched their largest offensive in the recent decade.  reportedly, oqueli had been threatened with death by several people who, through a government radio network, had accused him of being an "accomplice" of the rebels.    the mnr, whose secretary general is guillermo ungo, is a legally registered party which forms the democratic convergence together with the social christian movement and the social democratic party.

heavily armed men in civilian clothes

several people who, through a government radio network, had accused him of being an "accomplice" of the rebels

hector oqueli

gilda flores


Input: in the absence of nicaraguan ambassador franciso lacayo parajon, juan jose membreno, counselor to the nicaraguan embassy in honduras, characterized as ridiculous, statements made yesterday by luis francisco ordonez reyes, who, according to police, is of nicaraguan origin.  ordonez reyes accused jose jesus pena--alleged chief of security for the nicaraguan embassy in tegucigalpa--of masterminding the 7 january assassination of contra commander manuel antonio rugama.    (begin recording) (membreno) we categorically deny that allegation. these accusations against the embassy are ridiculous.  the embassy has no officer or employee with the name of the man identified in the news conference.  there have already been many accounts of this incident that point to the counterrevolution.  we categorically deny these accusations and characterize them as ridiculous.  we have no security officers at this embassy, only diplomatic and support personnel. (end recording)    (alvarez) all the personnel who work at the nicaraguan embassy in tegucigalpa are appointed by the foreign ministry, according to the counselor.    (begin recording) (membreno) all our personnel are nicaraguans.  in regard to what he (ordonez reyes) has invented, we think it is ridiculous.  we only have nicaraguan government personnel working at the embassy. (end recording)    (alvarez) regarding the possibility that counterrevolutionary agents infiltrated the nicaraguan embassy in tegucigalpa, counselor juan jose membreno replied:    (begin recording) (membreno) this happened at the ambassador's residence.  the ambassador learned by chance that one of the residence guards was of nicaraguan origin with alledged counterrevolutionary links. this is what happened.  this case did not occur at the embassy.    (alvarez) is managua interested in eliminating all the contra leaders living in honduras or all people who are linked to the counterrevolution?    (membreno) on the contrary, we respect peoples' lives and that is why we have always been willing to receive in nicaragua all nicaraguans who want to accept amnesty and all those who have in one way or other been involved in the counterrevolutionary campaign.    (alvarez) have there been any more attacks against this embassy or any other type of threat, as occurred a few days ago?    (membreno) no, after the shooting incident at the ambassador's residence, what happened a few days later--here at the embassy--was that a car drove past the embassy at night and knocked down some security rails on the sidewalk. (end recording)

jose jesus pena--alleged chief of security for the nicaraguan embassy in tegucigalpa

one of the residence guards

nicaraguan embassy

manuel antonio rugama


Input: police sources have reported that at least four unidentified individuals in a car today shot at a sentry post of the la tablada 3d infantry regiment and swiftly fled.    the attack took place at 0340 today.  a car was traveling very fast along constituyentes avenue.  shots were fired from it at the sentry post from a distance of some 150 meters.    according to the sources the attackers then fled.  they have not yet been identified.


Input: msgr sergio valech, head of the vicariate of solidarity, has repudiated acts of violence committed by groups of demonstrators in front of the vicariate offices.    according to a report released in the last few hours, political activists have staged lightning demonstrations at the plaza de armas in santiago.  the demonstrators shouted slogans supporting the vicariate of solidarity in its fight against the courts' decision to confiscate the chiloe clinic medical files related to terrorist activities currently under investigation.    the demonstrators clashed with carabineros who were attempting to preserve order at the plaza de armas.    msgr valech said:  those who are throwing stones and creating riots cannot be considered friends of the vicariate of solidarity.    the leftist leader of the christian democratic party, benitez sandoval, was among those detained by the police during the demonstrations.


Input: the government of el salvador strongly condemns the terrorist attacks carried out with explosives today against the committee of mothers of political prisoners and missing in el salvador and against the salvadoran workers national union federation.  as a result of these attacks, several persons were wounded and others died.  the government offers its condolences.    the government repudiates these irrational and criminal actions and the terrorist attack carried out on 30 october by the fmln against the armed forces staff installations, where 1 civilian died and 14 others were wounded.  it is evident that these actions are part of a plot whose objective is to block the dialogue initiated by president alfredo cristiani.    the government has ordered a careful investigation to determine what happened and to file charges against criminal groups that have unleashed this increased wave of terrorist violence to create a climate of unrest and to block the road to peace.    finally, the government of el salvador reaffirms its determination to continue the search for peace through the dialogue, and it states that in spite of these bloody events, salvadorans must remain calm and not give up hopes to find a solution to the conflict through civilized means.    31 october 1989, national secretariat of communications.

criminal groups

fmln

the committee of mothers of political prisoners and missing in el salvador

salvadoran workers national union federation

armed forces staff installations

explosives


Input: the dissemination of a document questioning colombia's oil policy, especially the participation of foreign companies, is reportedly the aim of the publicity stunt carried out by the pro-castro eln (army of national liberation), which kidnapped several honorary consuls, newsmen, and political leaders.    anonymous sources of the leftist group headed by spanish priest manuel perez claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.  they identified themselves as members of the manuel gustavo chacon sovereignty operation, which was named in honor of the leader of the powerful (name indistinct) labor union of ecopetrol (colombian petroleum enterprise), murdered in barrancabermeja in february.    according to the terrorist group, the hostages will be taken to undisclosed locations and will be given a document addressed to the colombian government and the international community.  the document will reiterate the insurgent group's criticism of colombia's oil production infrastructure, which includes several foreign companies, many of them european.

members of the manuel gustavo chacon sovereignty operation

army of national liberation


Input: the armed forces high command said at the legislative assembly that it does not agree with violating the constitution to favor the fmln proposal.  the legislative assembly met this morning with president duarte, as commander in chief of the armed forces; defense minister general carlos eugenio vides casanova; and armed forces chief of staff colonel rene emilio ponce.    the armed forces high command trusts the political parties' maturity and will support any resolution they approve concerning the fmln proposal, the defense minister said following a private meeting with the legislative assembly's directorate board and political commission.    (begin recording) (gen vides) i told the political parties: if you want to give them advantages simply because you do not want your candidates to win, go ahead and do it.  they must decide whether they want to give away the advantages or not; but i think it would be unjust.  a death squad might say: we do not want peace and we will set off bombs until the others change their minds.    this is not the case right now.  we would be simply establishing a precedent.  that is the main danger.  if the constitution is changed at will today then it can be changed again tomorrow, and again until things are just as the rebels want them. (end recording)    the meeting was also attended by napoleon duarte, in his role as commander in chief of the armed forces.    (begin recording) (duarte) i am here as commander in chief of the armed forces.  i fully support the armed forces' decision concerning its unity and the need to (words indistinct) constitution, and the warning that the armed forces will not adopt positions to hinder the democratic process in the country because there has been too much bloodshed and too many lives lost already. (end recording)    it was reported that the fmln proposal was thoroughly analyzed during the meeting, and it was agreed that the constitution cannot be violated to favor minority groups' positions.    the defense minister added:  the armed forces are stronger than ever. he also referred to the u.s. vice president's visit and said that his views coincide with the armed forces' goals, particularly concerning human rights.    the armed forces high command's visit to the legislative assembly is considered the second step taken in response to the fmln's proposal to the legislative assembly.  the first step was to call a meeting of the the political parties, which was not attended by the christian democratic party but served as the basis for future meetings in a so-called neutral place.    the legislative assembly's political commission has not ruled out the possibility of inviting archbishop arturo rivera y damas, who is involved to some degree in the rebel proposal.


Input: the fmln reports to our people and the people of the world the following:    1.  the massacre against the salvadoran workers national union federation (fenastras) was planned in cold blood.  the site and the moment when the fenastras leaders were meeting had been selected.    2.  we have trustworthy information from our intelligence organs that this action was ordered by colonel ponce, that cristiani knew about it and approved it, and that it was carried out by colonel elena fuente as the head of the morbid death squad of the army's 1st infantry brigade in response to our military attack on the army staff.  this behavior by cristiani should surprise no one.  terrorism is an old practice of the nationalist republican alliance (arena).    only a few days ago, arena assassins tried to kill the president of the mortgage bank, mr mason, for not following their orders.    3.  the people demand the resignation of chief of staff col emilio ponce because his responsibility in this criminal action is real.    4.  the fmln has prudently taken time before adopting a definite position.  the government and the armed forces have adopted an irresponsible attitude and have brazenly accused the fmln of the crimes they commit.    in view of this attitude and of the people's indignation, we have to prevent our presence at the dialogue from being used to cover up the government's responsibility in this massacre and to enhance the mask of moderator and negotiator that cristiani has been using to secure political support and u.s. financial support to extend the war.    in san jose, speaking on its view of the war, the government said that it considers popular movements as support organizations of the fmln, and therefore, as enemies of the government in the armed conflict.    we demanded that the government delegation give us a list of those organizations, but to no avail.  the terrorist attacks and massacres are now yielding the lists that were denied to us at the dialogue table.    even before the san jose meeting, the government had greatly increased its repression.  since the meeting, it has increased its detentions and attacked the residences of leaders of the social christian people's movement and the udn (nationalist democratic union), university, fecmasan (msgr oscar arnulfo romero federation of committees of mothers and relatives), and fenastras.  meanwhile, cristiani is maintaining his hypocritical position of moderation.    the massacres, detentions, and repression of earthquake victims, the repatriated, universities, labor unions, peasant cooperatives, mothers' organizations, and other segments of the population show that the war of the armed forces, government, and arena is aimed against the people and, therefore, these groups cannot and will not remain idle.    the salvadoran people have the right to take up arms and exercise their legitimate defense.  the armed people's and revolutionary struggle headed by the fmln is just, legitimate, and necessary.  (words indistinct) two-faced cristiani administration, the fmln has decided to immediately contact the dialogue observers and the church, which is the mediator, to demand through them guarantees for opposition civic and labor groups and a review of the current conditions of the dialogue, negotiation process, and its prospects.  meanwhile, we believe that it is necessary to suspend our participation in the caracas meeting.    (signed) fmln general command: commanders salvador sanchez ceren, francisco jovel, shafik jorge handal, eduardo sancho, and joaquin villalobos     el salvador, 2 november 1989

chief of staff col emilio ponce

cristiani

colonel elena fuente

morbid death squad of the army's 1st infantry brigade

arena assassins

army's 1st infantry brigade

nationalist republican alliance

nationalist republican alliance

salvadoran workers national union federation

residences of leaders of the social christian people's movement

nationalist democratic union

university

msgr oscar arnulfo romero federation of committees of mothers and relatives

salvadoran workers national union federation

mason


Input: today two people were wounded when a bomb exploded in san juan bautista municipality.  officials said that shining path members were responsible for the attack.    a woman was also murdered today in huamaguilla in another apparent terrorist attack.    police sources stated that the bomb attack involving the shining path caused serious damages.    press sources reported that today they received a shining path document that harshly criticizes the policies of the alan garcia administration. the document also announces that it will soon call for an "armed strike" in the ayacucho department.    a similar strike last november, imposed by the shining path by terror, lasted 1 week.    the same sources also said that reporter luis morales, who works for an ayacucho regional organization, reported that five unidentified individuals attempted to kidnap him.  he luckily escaped.

shining path members

terrorist

five unidentified individuals

shining path

luis morales

bomb


Input: salvadoran reporter mauricio pineda, a sound technician for the local canal doce television station, was shot and killed today in morazan department in the eastern part of the country.    according to canal doce sources, pineda and a team from the "today" newscast were traveling to la union department to cover today's elections.    the vehicle in which the reporters were traveling was machinegunned at a crossroads some 180 km from san salvador.      there has been no official report of the incident, the second of this type in less than 12 hours, following the death last night of roberto navas, a reporter for the british agency reuter.

vehicle in which the reporters were traveling

mauricio pineda

roberto navas


Input: a mercenary group faithful to the warmongering policy of former somozist colonel enrique bermudez attacked an ifa truck belonging to the interior ministry at 0900 on 26 march in el jicote, wounded, killed an interior ministry worker and wounded five others.    the bulletin also reported that between 21 and 25 march, the honduran army carried out harassment attacks on eps border posts.  the report adds that there have been 39 such attacks on nicaraguan positions in the past 3 months.    honduran troops harassed the border area of las piedras, north of teotecacinte, nueva segovia department, with large-caliber machineguns on the morning of 21 march.  that night, the honduran forces attacked a border post in guayacoli, east of teotecacinte.    on 24 march, honduran soldiers harassed the border region of murupuchi, north of teotecacinte, nueva segovia department, with 81-mm mortar fire and rpg-7 rockets.  the next day, honduran soldiers simultaneously attacked the border areas of loma las mesas and los esclavos hill, both southeast of teotecacinte.


Input: farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) urban commandos have denied reports they participated in an attack on vice president-elect francisco merino's home.    at 0530 this morning, unidentified individuals placed three explosive devices at the main entrance of merino's home in the machiliguas neighborhood.  two of the devices exploded.      reports indicate that the perpetrators, who arrived in a vehicle, also fired at the guards protecting merino's residence.  early reports pointed to urban commandos as the presumed perpetrators, but a spokesman for the modesto ramirez central front, in a telephone call, denied the report.    (begin recording) (unidentified fmln spokesman) on this occasion, the fmln must explain that our forces did not participate in the attack in question. the fmln warns that the armed forces are taking advantage of the situation to create confusion and promote true state terrorism.    the fmln condemns the (word indistinct) against our people and warns that these actions will not be allowed to take place without the appropriate response.  the fmln claims responsibility for actions in which it is directly involved.  in this case, we were not directly involved.  the fmln warns that the armed forces are taking advantage of this situation to perpetrate attacks on individuals and institutions which can be easily attributed to the fmln. (end recording)    the fmln described statements made by president-elect alfredo cristiani as irresponsible.  the president-elect immediately condemned the attack and attributed it to the urban commandos.  as a result of the attack, a 15-year-old girl was wounded and considerable damage was reported.  merino is currently out of the country.

modesto ramirez central front

unidentified individuals

farabundo marti national liberation front

armed forces

vice president-elect francisco merino's home

three explosive devices


Input: guerrillas attacked the 1st infantry brigade garrison and the national police station in san salvador's sacamil neighborhood tonight.    according to preliminary reports, at least six fmln guerrillas were killed during the attack.  three policemen, a soldier of the 1st infantry brigade, and four civilians were wounded and taken by the red cross to the local hospital.    urban guerrillas began the attack at 1805.  they struck both the 1st infantry brigade and the national police station in the sacamil neighborhood.    (begin recording) (unidentified military officer) the guerrillas used 60-mm mortars and rpg-18 rocket launchers.  the terrorists traveled in cars.  they destroyed several power poles on 29th street and machinegunned several transformers.  the attack came mainly from the south, where the cohache organization is located, and from the hondua church here.  they also attacked from the northeast, but most of the attackers came from the direction of the national university, firing from there at some (word indistinct) we have in the area.  we had removed the cordon around the university 4 or 5 days ago, and (words indistinct) fired from there.    the wounded include at least three civilians, one of whom is in serious condition and has already been taken by our troops to the military hospital; perhaps five traffic policemen, although this has not been confirmed; and a soldier of the belloso battalion.    no damage was caused here at the garrison.  only a few shells hit the garrison, and these were 60-mm mortar shells, which are not powerful enough to cause damage.  we found six (words indistinct).  as for the rpg's, we found only one (words indistinct) behind the antel (national administration for telecommunications) office (words indistinct).  we found six holes from m-79 shells, but they did not cause great damage.    one of our civilian employees came out slightly wounded from the (word indistinct).    (reporter) colonel, our country will have a new president in a few days. the fmln has called a new transportation stoppage beginning on 31 may and has now attacked the 1st brigade.  based on this evidence, do you feel the fmln will intensify its military actions in san salvador?      (military officer) of course, we are expecting this.  channel 12 has already reported that a transportation stoppage will begin on 31 may. therefore, we believe vigilance must be increased.  we expected this kind of attack.  we have always said we are prepared to repel any terrorist attack, and this was a typical terrorist attack.  from a military standpoint, i do not think the attack was very effective.  the guerrillas used mortars but mostly hurt civilians. (end recording)

urban guerrillas

fmln

1st infantry brigade garrison

national police station

power poles on 29th street

transformers

transportation

60-mm mortars

rpg-18 rocket launchers


Input: oil will not be pumped through the cano limon-covenas pipeline again until 30 may, because it was again blown up today near urum municipality, norte de santander department.

cano limon-covenas pipeline


Input: la paz department police authorities have disclosed that investigations into the murder of two young u.s. citizens are being conducted by a specialized group (not further identified) summoned specially to clarify this crime.    colonel armando santagorda, in a statement to panamericana, said that his group is supported by the chief of police, who has given precise instructions for all policemen to cooperate in the investigations.    moreover, he said that he knew nothing about the arrival in the past few hours of specialized u.s. policemen, allegedly here to cooperate in the investigations that, so far, are under the command and responsibility of the bolivian police forces.      however, santagorda asserted that the institution, in compliance with international agreements, is in permanent contact with police forces of other countries through interpol.    he said that regarding the case of the murdered u.s.  citizens, the police are also exchanging information because the incident is of an international nature. he said that he based his declarations on the preliminary information obtained shortly after the crime.    santagorda said that four peruvians suspects are currently being investigated, and they will have to justify their presence in bolivia.

four peruvians suspects


Input: salvadoran vice president and interior minister francisco merino referred to the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) document issued hours ago, which denied any responsibility in dr jose antonio rodriguez porth's death:    (begin recording) (merino) the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) has been acting erratically for some time; all its actions are quite erratic.  the fmln plans that the armed forces recently seized include a strategy in which the fmln is to create confusion among the population by not claiming responsibility for certain kinds of actions and crimes.  under these guidelines, the fmln has not claimed responsibility for its actions, to insinuate...(changes thought) to create confusion or give the impression this is a violent situation that has arisen between political groups in the country.    fortunately there is evidence.  the armed forces have the documents that prove that this is a strategy carried out by terrorist groups to perpetrate this kind of action and provoke a confrontation between the political and democratic forces in the country.    other valuable information has been uncovered, but i believe it is more appropriate for the public security authorities to reveal this. terrorists have recently issued declarations revealing this strategy, their modus operandi, and the plans they have for the near future. they have plans to continue dealing blows against the new administration through its officials to force conditions for negotiations in the near future -- as they did with former president duarte's government. (end recording)    vice president merino also referred to another topic in the news, the antiterrorist law:    (begin recording) (merino) we understand the bill has already been sent to the national assembly.  there is (words indistinct) for the defense of democracy, and another one that refers to the antiterrorist law.  the truth is that the executive branch has been quite clear in its position, which was stated by the vice presidency.    the executive branch has clearly stated it cannot let these people continue operating without restrictions or controls, violating the law, disrupting social life, and directly affecting the (words indistinct).  the government and the people must be protected by effective laws so the public security forces can control the situation and so their activities are not interpreted as an abuse of authority.  (words indistinct) penal code that contemplates all the sentences for terrorist crimes; however, they have proved ineffective because they may lack the procedures needed in our current situation. those laws date back many decades; it was never foreseen that el salvador could reach the current deteriorated situation, in which people are killed and the culprits calmly walk away.  newspapers (words indistinct) say that since we are at war, it is easy for them to kill.      (reporter) it is rumored that the law (passage indistinct).      (merino) the provisions already exist; all we have to do is harmonize them.  we must fulfill our obligation.  the constitution (words indistinct) stated that every secondary law should be harmonized with the constitution.  in this case, the penal code, the provisions have been neglected to a certain point, and it is imperative -- if we are going to abide by the constitution -- to adapt them to our situation.  (words indistinct) salvadoran people and no official of a friendly country can interfere with this.    i recently told some journalists who are my friends that vice president quayle's goal was to come and reaffirm his government's support of the new salvadoran government.  he did it on this date because on 1 june he was in charge of the u.s. presidency while president bush was in europe.  his visit to el salvador was not a mere coincidence.  he came to reaffirm the u.s. government's support of president cristiani's government. (end recording)


Input: the police have reported in huancayo, located 315 km east of lima, that alleged terrorists today killed dolores hinostroza, the mayor of mulqui district.  hinostroza, who was at home, was shot five times.      hinostroza's children told police that four hooded individuals broke into the house and shot their mother after having insulted her.    the killers also shouted slogans supporting the armed struggle.      dolores hinostroza, 48 years old, did not belong to any political party. she is the second woman mayor killed this week by alleged commando groups of the maoist shining path.

four hooded individuals

alleged commando groups of the maoist shining path

shining path

dolores hinostroza


Input: blood is flowing in columbia, more abundantly every year.  last year, according to official statistics, there were 4,600 victims of political violence. about half of those killed were peasants.  an "internal war," unleashed by the oligarchy many years ago, is being waged against them.  the activists of the coalition of left-wing parties and organizations, with the participation of the communists -- the patriotic union -- come next, after the peasants.  the people killed include jaime pardo leal, president of its national coordination committee, around 30 deputies, and many municipal advisors and mayors.    the organizers of the "dirty war" and the leaders of the "death squads," and other ultra-right-wing formations and their hired killers, feel that they can go unpunished.  the response to the terror of the right has the armed struggle which has continued for many years and left-wing extremism.    in the past few years, victims of political terror also included representatives of the ruling circles and their law-enforcement organs, waging an unequal struggle against the powerful narcotics mafia.  as a "shadow economy," it is trying to become part of the state structure.  in the past year the narcotics business has "enriched" the country's economy with $2 billion and even proposed that it would pay off the gigantic foreign debt.  the narcotics mafia carries out reprisals against its opponents.  the minister of justice, a member of the supreme court, a director of the biggest newspaper espectador, and, a few days ago, antonio roldan betancur, governor of the department of antioquia were killed.  many prosecutors and judges are leaving the country through fear for their own lives and those of their relatives.    the violence is escalating and the impression is being formed that certain forces are trying to take the attention of the 30 million strong population of colombia away from the urgent resolution of pressing social problems by destabilizing internal life.    soviet society, in the name of observing basic human rights and charity, considers that our conscience cannot be reconciled with the orgy of political terror overwhelming colombia.  we appeal to the public of the world to raise their voices against this evil in the name of the common solidarity of mankind.  drastic actions are needed particularly on behalf of international and national law enforcement organizations.    we consider that in colombia itself, dialogue between opposing sides that are taking the stand of patriotism and political realism is necessary.  the fruitfulness of national dialogue has been proved in practice in the past few years by many countries. the vital interests of the tormented colombian people call for civil peace.

narcotics mafia

antonio roldan betancur


Input: for the second time, unidentified terrorists dynamited the oil pipeline between huila department and barrancabermeja.  meanwhile, ecopetrol (colombian petroleum enterprise) workers are repairing the cano limon-covenas pipeline and cleaning up the arauca river along the venezuelan border, where a huge oil spill was caused by another attack against the oil pipeline.    authorities confirmed that there was a powerful dynamite explosion at the vina-puerto salgar oil pipeline, located approximately 30 km from natagaima, in northern huila department, causing an undetermined amount of crude oil to spill.    this is the second time in less than 1 month that terrorists have attacked the oil pipeline operated by houston oil and ecopetrol.  a few weeks ago, terrorists destroyed the pipeline near aipe, which caused another oil spill.    meanwhile, operators from the state-run oil company yesterday began repairing the cano limon-covenas oil pipeline dynamited on the night of 12 july in arauquita jurisdiction, which forced the suspension of oil pumping from arauca intendancy's oil fields to the gulf of morrosquillo.    members of the contingency team supported by petroven (venezuelan petroleum, inc.) and the venezuelan environment and natural resources ministry are cleaning up a huge oil spill at the arauca river caused by the 7 july attack against the cano limon-covenas oil pipeline.  that attack resulted in a spill of 13,000 barrels of oil, which severely contaminated farming areas and the arauca river, to the point that the potable water service was temporarily suspended in arauca's capital city.

unidentified terrorists

vina-puerto salgar oil pipeline

cano limon-covenas oil pipeline

dynamite


Input: san salvador domestic service in spanish at 0202 gmt on 21 july broadcasts a 1 hour and 11 minute live or recorded speech "to the nation" by salvadoran president alfredo cristiani on "the current situation in the country and the national recovery plan."  no date or place is given.    cristiani begins by saying that this is his first report to the nation after 50 days as president.  he notes that since he assumed power on 1 june, the farabundo marti national liberation front has increased its level of violence and its number of "indiscriminate killings."  he says that there is no reason for this since he expressed on 1 june his desire find a peaceful solution to the conflict in the country.    cristiani says that since 1 june he has repeatedly called for a peace dialogue, adding:  "in order to begin a dialogue of this nature, it must be held in two phases:  naturally, during the first phase both sides must sit down to discuss the mechanisms to develop that dialogue process, a timetable for the talks, and the place where the talks will be held.  in other words, the first phase will be to determine how the dialogue process will take place.  the second phase -- once an agreement is reached on how the dialogue will be held -- is what will be discussed.  in that regard, our government has not set any conditions.  we are willing to discuss any topic, because we know that we must find solutions to many things, and we are willing to do so.  the only condition we have demanded for this dialogue process is that, once it begins, it should not be interrupted for any reason.  we believe that people want peace as soon as possible, and we cannot hold talks for years.  once we sit down to talk, that dialogue should continue until an overall solution is found to the conflict.  that is our government's position, and we maintain that position because we believe it is the most logical one."    turning to economic matters, cristiani says that the country needs to solve three problems:  the fiscal deficit, inflation, and unemployment.  he says that as a first step to begin the national economic recovery is to reform the government's pricing policy, adding:  "we must protect low-income groups, and for this reason we have asked the economy minister to begin a process aimed at eliminating price controls.  we believe that we can eliminate price controls on 230 products without having a major impact on the majority of the public and that we can keep staple products under the control of the economy ministry."  he says that price controls on staples like basic grains, powdered milk, flour, coffee, sugar, vegetable oil and lard, cement for housing, and oil by-products will not be eliminated.    regarding the transportation sector, cristiani says: "we agreed with the transportation sector to deregulate the differential service. to allow them to continue serving low-income segments of the population while charging current fares, we will also allow them to offer the higher-priced service.  in other words, people will be able to choose what kind of service they want to use: whether they continue to use the low-priced service or a better, more comfortable, and faster service."    on electricity rates, cristiani says: "we feel that adjustments to electricity rates should be applied as a result of power that is wasted, that is, because it is power that is being consumed beyond what is needed to live normally.  the increase in electricity rates will be directly proportional to the consumption of energy in each home.  we believe that with this initial measure, the cel (lempa river hydroelectric executive commission) solve problems."    turning to other economic measures, cristiani says:  "we have to take short-term measures too.  in this respect, the most logical step is to take measures that will affect consumption and not revenues. thus, we have asked the finance minister to take measures related to taxes.  he is to consolidate tax payments and only exempt the previously mentioned basic bread basket items from the present 5-percent tax.  we have to start eliminating tax exemptions.  only exports should have some type of monetary incentive because our country is interested in developing its exports.  the rest of the country's economic sectors should be taxed at the same rate."    cristiani adds:  "we are going to modify the system of paying income tax.  we believe that the current system is based on unjust regulations, on revenues earned the previous year that do not reflect a firm's present situation.  thus, we are going to request that income-tax payments be based on a small percentage of the firm's present sales; these are a truer and more accurate reflection of a firm's income."    cristiani says that the country's monetary policy must be aimed at increasing savings to promote domestic economic development.  he says that it is necessary to make interest received on savings accounts in the country's banks more attractive so that capital does not leave the country. regarding the country's currency, cristiani says:  "we feel that currency value should be based on the availability of and demand for foreign exchange.  we do not think it is appropriate for the government to arbitrarily devalue and fix an exchange rate on the salvadoran colon. everything must be based on the foreign exchange our country may have to pay out for imports, because if we were to fix the rate at 10 (colones) to 1 (dollar), the central banks still would not have enough foreign exchange to cover all the importers' demands."    further details as available.


Input: 1. during the years of dictatorship, chilean foreign relations were divided into two processes. on the one hand, as the dictatorship became more and more isolated, it was increasingly condemned in international fora and repudiated by international public opinion. on the other hand, as more and more countries and organizations expressed their support for a free chile and generously granted their solidarity to our cause, our organizations and democratic parties became increasingly open to the world. thus, they expanded their horizons and contributed their experiences.    2. during this period, the party has substantially strengthened its international relations and enhanced its vision of the international situation. it has strengthened its ties with the latin american peoples' revolutionary and democratic cause, and it has fully immersed itself in the great debates of world socialism. to these debates we brought our views on a profoundly renewed leftist socialism committed to democracy, development, and social change.    3. our relations with the parties that make up the international socialist (si) and with the si organization itself have been enriched within this context. this strengthening of ties has been the result of two things. first, it is based on the position that in compliance with its principles the si has upheld regarding the chilean situation. in october 1973, a few days after the coup, si chairman willy brandt condemned the end of the chilean democracy and president allende's assassination at the un general assembly. at the time he also said this was a great step backward for those who aspired to achieve socialism through democratic means. since then, the si has been permanently mobilized in favor of chile by making the chilean cause and salvador allende the symbols of all international struggle for democracy and change. it is within this framework of interest and cooperation that the voice of chilean socialism has been heard and our ideas and proposals praised.    4. the second reason stems from the process of expansion and transformation experienced by the si in the past 2 decades. the overall process of change that took place in the world during this period -- the technological revolution, the growing interdependence among nations, expansion of communications, global nuclear and military proliferation, the emergence of developing countries as international counterparts, the worsening of extreme poverty and international inequalities, the progress of liberation struggles in the third world, international awareness of the values of democracy and human rights -- has also effected major changes in the ideas and positions of socialist parties around the world. in this framework, the si has expanded its outlook, has increasingly renewed its ideas and, above all, has accepted pluralism within its fold as well as a broad internal debate about the best way to promote the cause of an autonomous, democratic socialism. it should be noted that this debate acquired a democratic, antifascist content as a result of the major role played by socialist forces that have engaged in a long antifascist struggle. (continued)


Input: danilo barillas, former guatemalan ambassador to spain and leader of the ruling christian democratic party (pdc), was killed today by unidentified individuals in this capital, the police reported.    according to official reports, barillas was heading downtown from his home in southern guatemala city when he was intercepted by a group of unidentified individuals, who shot him down with machinegun fire.    the police said that so far the identities of the attackers are unknown. this is the first pdc leader killed since president vinicio cerezo assumed power in january 1986.

group of unidentified individuals

danilo barillas

machinegun


Input: mr president, one of the topics to be discussed deals with the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln).    (azcona) i believe that at this summit the central (words indistinct).     (reporter) how, mr president?    (azcona) well, i do not know.  it is not easy to solve this problem. none of the problems will be easy to solve.      (reporter) is there a possibility for dialogue?    (azcona) yes, but the nicaraguan government would also have to hold a dialogue with the nicaraguan resistance.    (reporter) i am the voz de nicaragua reporter.  what is your opinion of the agreement reached by the nicaraguan government with the political parties?    (azcona) well, i read the agreement last night and believe it to be a step forward.  incidentally, i read it twice last night and it is a very long document.  i am talking about the agreement with the parties that are truly opposition parties and not the one made with the other parties because these are not really opposition parties.    (reporter) what i wanted was your opinion on the demobilization of the contras from honduras.      (azcona) oh, you are talking about the small document that makes demands, demands, and more demands.  this document has no value.      (reporter) i mean the document signed with the 21 political parties...      (azcona, interrupting) that agreement is valuable but it does not mention the contra demobilization.  the document states that the nicaraguan government and the opposition parties agree that the esquipulas ii and costa del sol agreements should be abided by.  this is the document i read twice, and i believe it is quite serious and a step forward.    (reporter) what will you do to get the mercenaries to leave your country?    (azcona) first, i do not use derogatory terms.  they are nicaraguans who for different reasons disagree with the system in nicaragua.  these nicaraguans oppose the system, and for this and other reasons they have taken up arms against the system and have taken refuge in honduras.  i do not use the term mercenary.  i understand the nicaraguan government uses it and it is all right for them to do so, but i will not answer a question that uses a term that i believe is too derogatory.    (reporter) the demobilization plan has a very firm deadline and is to be completed within 90 days.  do you think...    (azcona, interrupting) no, no.  the 90-day deadline is included in an agreement signed by nicaraguan president ortega with three small nicaraguan leftist parties.  i do not believe this document is very important.  i do believe, however, that the agreement signed by the nicaraguan president and the opposition parties is important because it is based on the esquipulas ii and costa del sol agreements.  (words indistinct) terrorists in el salvador and contras are presently not active, so both situations -- contras and guerrillas -- are different.    (reporter) is it true that president cristiani is going to present a parallel program at the summit?    (azcona) (words indistinct) president cristiani comes to the summit as el salvador's legitimate president.  he has the right to present his points of view.  he has the right to contribute to the solution of problems in other countries as well as to ones in his own country.    (reporter) is there a possibility that a demobilization plan for the salvadoran guerrillas will be studied at this summit if president cristinai presents one?    (azcona) of course.  he has a right to do so.  (continued)


Input: we have reports from the feliciano ama western front and the anastasio aquino para-central front:    the first report indicates that at 0745 on 6 august, snipers attacked the civilian defense post in the village of el ahogado, canton la isla, metapan municipality.  our forces inflicted one enemy casualty.  at 1330 that same day, enemy positions located in cerro majatepeque, masahuat jurisdiction, santa ana department were attacked with rifle fire and they sustained another casualty.    on 7 august, our forces clashed with the 2d infantry brigade, which was carrying out an operation in northern metapan.  following is the result of the clashes: at 0900 we inflicted two casualties, one with a mine and another by sniperfire near finca el pinal.  two more casualties were inflicted at 1025 near plan galan.  we inflicted two more casualties at 1050, when we carried out an ambush with rifle fire at puertas negras.  two helicopters arrived at 1200; one was a transport helicopter and the other was a rocket launching helicopter.  our anti-aircraft units opened fire (words indistinct) and one of the helicopters flew about the area for an hour and fired rockets at the site of the clash.  at 1550, we inflicted a casualty with a mine at el pinal farm, and at 1630 we inflicted another casualty with a mine.  by 1800, we had inflicted 10 enemy casualties, thus concluding this day of victorious combats.    our combat continued on 8 august.  our forces clashed with a combined 2d infantry brigade and national police patrol in the village of las marias, (name indistinct) jurisdiction.  (words indistinct) at finca miramar, inflicting three more casualties on the 2d infantry brigade troops.    the clashes continued on 9 august: at 1600, our snipers attacked the 2d infantry brigade troops near finca el limon, and we inflicted one casualty.    in sum, we have inflicted 16 casualties on the enemy in clashes that occurred between 6 and 9 august.


Input: two criminal attacks, the resignation of three judges, and a 24-hour strike by workers in the judicial sector--this sums up the judicial situation in colombia over the past 20 days.  the chaotic situation unleashed in bogota last night with the assasination of justice carlos valencia began on 28 july in medellin, when motorized paid assasins murdered third public order judge maria elena diaz.  diaz' murder unleashed a wave of protests; 17,000 empemployees from the legal sector staged a strike on 1 august and forced a statement from the government.    (begin recording) (president of national association of the judicial branch antonio suarez) i am warning the country that the next murder in the judicial branch will necessarily result in the collective resignation of all the judges.  (end recording)    protective measures have been adopted for all judges and work continues.  on 14 august, due to death threats against his daughter, first public order judge alvaro medina moreno, who was investigating the wanumen arms-trafficking case and the attack on the das (administrative department of security) director, announced his resignation.  two days later, on 16 august, due to death threats the eighth public order judge in medellin, who was investigating the governor of antioquia's murder, resigned.    shortly before justice valencia's murder yesterday, the seventh public order judge in bogota, who was investigating the search of a building in northern bogota, decided to resign and leave the country.  to conclude, the intimidation of judges led to valencia's murder last night in downtown bogota.    (begin recording) (unidentified witnesses) two people approached valencia and began shooting at him.  valencia's bodyguards stooped down, they did not have time to respond.  when their attackers fled, the bodyguards came out and began shooting wildly.  it was a dangerous situation for people in the area.  (end recording)    stupefied by the criminal attacks on the judicial sector, the government is seeking ways to solve the problems of intimidation.    madrid efe in spanish at 1824 gmt on 17 august reports that "antonio suarez nino, president of the national association for the judicial branch (asonal), has reported that all of colombia's judges today presented their resignations because of the assasination last night of justice carlos valencia garcia.    "the president of asonal announced the resignation en masse of the country's judges, saying they will present their resignations at the country's higher courts, and he requested a meeting with colombian president virgilio barco.    "asonal president antonio suarez said that 'in response to this horrible massacre of the judicial branch, we have decreed an indefinite strike and the resignation en masse of all the judges, because the colombian people are not in any condition to continue killing each other with impunity while the executive branch looks on almost complacently.'"    "asonal issued a communique stating that 'this government lacks the authentic political resolve to guarantee and protect the integrity and lives of illustrious fellow patriots such as valencia.'"

motorized paid assasins

two people

maria elena diaz

carlos valencia garcia


Input: during the past few days, violence in colombia has taken spectacular turns.  according to a report which cites reliable sources, it seems that the hand of drug traffickers is behind the assassinations of judge carlos valencia, of the bogota (words indistinct), which occurred yesterday (18 august).  the colombian drug mafia has created a great money and crime empire in colombia with powerful ramifications outside its borders, especially in the united states -- the main consumer of cocaine and other drugs in the world.    yesterday (18 august), venezuelan president carlos andres perez spoke on the phone with his colombian counterpart, virgilio barco, and it is said that the main subject of their conversation was the relationship between youth delinquency and drug trafficking.  it is important to note the words of venezuelan president carlos andres perez.  we must reflect, said carlos andres perez, on the need for us, all venezuelans, to face drug trafficking in venezuela.  we must also acknowledge that drug trafficking is the abominable crime of our times, and that there cannot be any hesitation or compassion toward drug traffickers.  those are the words of venezuelan president carlos andres perez.    in reality, the drug trafficking drama is seriously affecting several latin american countries.  we have the dramatic case of colombia, but the situation also exists in venezuela, bolivia, peru, well, in several latin american countries.  now, the solution to that problem...(rephrases) as has been pointed out by latin americans themselves and their most prominent figures, the final solution to the dramatic drug trafficking problem must be based on putting an end to the consumption of drugs.  that is the main stumbling block in the fight against drug trafficking.  the united states is the main consumption center of drugs in the world, and u.s. policy on drug trafficking is not consistent with the need to put an end and actively repress the consumption of drugs.  u.s.  policy, and all this is very well known in latin america, is based on destroying the plantations of a native plant in the continent, which is coca.  presidents, political and social figures of the continent have said that the solution is not based on the destruction of a native plant but in active fight against drug consumption.    i think that the statements made by the president of venezuela and the dramatic situation that colombia is facing these days confirm that the policy for fighting drug trafficking must be tenacious, strong, without hesitation and compassion.  it must also be based on ending drug consumption by the united states -- the main drug consumer of the world -- which lives precisely from drug consumption and its business.

colombian drug mafia

carlos valencia


Input: the israeli embassy in bogota today confirmed that there are israeli terrorists in colombia engaged in training right-wing paramilitary groups that, according to investigations, are financed by drug-trafficking mafias.    israeli charge d'affairs michel ronen admitted there are several israelis engaged in that illegal activity, but warned that they do so "on their own and do not act on behalf of my government."    moreover, this official denied that jubiz hazvumb, captured 22 august by colombian authorities for his alleged involvement in the murder of senator and presidential candidate luis carlos galan, was an israeli citizen.    according to preliminary reports revealed by the press, the suspect is an israeli mercenary paid by the medellin cartel -- the world's most powerful drug-trafficking mafia -- that appears to be directly linked to the murders of galan, a high-ranking police officer, and a judge last week.    reports disclosing the presence of these terrorists in colombia appeared several months ago when television clips showed a man giving instructions in hebrew to a right-wing paramilitary squad.    similar clips were broadcast by the u.s. television network nbc, prompting a communique from jerusalem which requested colombian authorities and interpol to provide all information on the matter.    acording to the israeli official, the terrorists' actions in colombia run "counter to israel's policies."      investigations by the administrative department of security (das) -- the state's intelligence corps -- disclosed the links between the drug-trafficking mafias and ultraright-wing paramilitary groups.    according to das director general miguel maza marquez, the drug-trafficking organizations, especially the medellin cartel, set up several "schools for gunmen" in a vast region in the interior of the country with israeli, british, u.s. and west german terrorist instructors.  moreover, nbc warned of the presence of south africans.    the paramilitary squads are accused of hundreds of individual murders and massacres against political and labor leaders, as well as peasants and patriotic union leftist militants in different parts of the country.    the authorities are accusing these squads' killers of being behind the crime wave the country has been experiencing since last week, with the murders of people known for their activities against cocaine trafficking.

ultraright-wing paramilitary groups

drug-trafficking mafias

jubiz hazvumb

medellin cartel

luis carlos galan


Input: the station announcer then lists war bulletins from guazapa, from the western part of the country, from the metropolitan area, and from the francisco sanchez eastern front.  the announcer reminds listeners that these reports were not included in the week's events and says: "the first report is from the modesto ramirez central front, guazapa area. at 1000 on 10 august, san carlos battalion troops belonging to the 1st infantry brigade walked into a mined field, which left two soldiers injured at san jose guayabal jurisdiction, cuscatlan department.  at 1800 on 12 august, the san carlos battalion came across mines placed in their path at los lirios.  one soldier was killed and two were seriously injured.  at 1300 on 13 august, atlacatl battalion units walked into a mined field, and there were two casualties.  at 1330 another atlacatl battalion unit walked into a mined field at cerro campanario, guazapa hill, causing one more casualty.  at 1900 on 10 august, urban commandos took a patrol car by surprise.  they dropped a grenade inside the car, injuring four and partially destroying the vehicle."    the announcer continues:  "this successful operation took place outside the avenida cinema in san salvador, scarcely one block from a national guard garrison."    the station announcer lists its reports from santa ana:  "at 0415 on 12 august we inflicted four casualties among troops belonging to the 2nd infantry brigade at (words indistinct).  at 1715 another casualty was inflicted at el pear farm.  at 0130 on 12 august we inflicted one more casualty at puertas negras."    the announcer ends his report by stating:  "the francisco sanchez eastern front reports that at 1500 on 12 august guerrilla units attacked an enemy position in the northern part of morazan department.  the clash lasted 20 minutes and we inflicted two casualties on the enemy."    the radio reports from an anastacio aquino front war bulletin, which states that fmln guerrilla units ambushed the 1st company of military detachment no 2 jr battalion at la pena canton, villa victoria jurisdiction, cabanas department, at 0745 on 14 august, "killing six enemies and wounding four others."    the radio announcer then gives a report coming from the modesto ramirez front in chalatenango department, which states that guerrilla units clashed with bracamonte battalion troops at nueva trinidad jurisdiction at 0900 on 14 august, inflicting two casualties on the "demoralized bracamonte battalion troops."    another report says that a group of fmln guerrillas occupied the town of dulce nombre de maria, chalatenango department, during 5 hours at 1500 on 11 august.    the radio station goes on to air a report stating that guerrilla units attacked a military post with mortar fire, grenades, and m-16 rifle fire, "killing one enemy and wounding another at 1215 on 13 august."  the attack was carried out "only 100 meters away from a checkpoint located at the entrance to the town of la palma."    the next report coming from chalatenango department says that fmln militias sabotaged power lines along the road linking nueva concepcion to the northern trunk highway at 1800 on 12 august.    the announcer then says that guerrilla units attacked 3d infantry brigade troops at los avelines canton, guatajiagua jurisdiction, morazan department, at 1600 on 11 august, inflicting four casualties.  the report states:  "the attack was carried out with hand grenades and rifle fire."  "we report that one of our comrades was wounded in this attack, but not very seriously."    the next report states that guerrilla units inflicted one casualty among the marines battalion in jucuaran jurisdiction, usulutan department, at 1200 on 12 august.    the last report says that fmln units wounded one oromontique battalion corporal at el tablon, jucuaran jurisdiction, at 1630 on 13 august.

fmln militias

fmln

power lines


Input: general miguel maza marquez, chief of the colombian administrative department of security (das), today confirmed foreign participation in the assassination of luis carlos galan, senator and liberal party presidential candidate, on 18 august in bogota.    "a person of arab origin is under arrest and seems to be quite involved in the crime," maza marquez said after meeting with president virgilio barco to discuss new measures to protect presidential candidates.

person of arab origin

luis carlos galan


Input: in the wake of the colombian affair, similar israeli activity has been revealed in neighboring peru and bolivia.  these two countries are known for their cocaine crops and the drug cartel's organized activities.  in addition, extremist right-wing and left-wing organizations there are actively trying to achieve political goals through terrorist activity.    hadashot has learned from a source who was in peru for about 6 months that elements linked to the drug growers spent approximately $9 million on military equipment from israeli arms dealers in 1987.  the equipment included galil rifles, flak jackets, ammunition belts and ammunition, various types of grenades, and communications and night vision equipment.  in 1988 and 1989, in additional deals worth some $6 million, mortars, shells, sniper rifles, and ammunition for light weapons were purchased.    the arms were sent to peru via mexico and guatemala.  at least 3 idf (israel defense forces) reserve officers were in peru for over 2 months in early 1988 to organize fighting units.  the peruvian fighters were presented to the officers as belonging to right-wing political bodies in the country, and the team of instructors included mercenaries from the netherlands and england.    the team of instructors was made up of some 10 people, some of whom were recruited through an israeli-netherlander arms dealer who lives in amsterdam.  the netherlands media is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into the subject despite the surprising lack of interest by the netherlands authorities in the affair.    at the same time, israelis in neighboring bolivia acted as instructors in a course on safeguarding businessmen, guerrilla warfare, and regional defense.  these israelis reached bolivia in the wake of an arms consignment worth some $12 million, which arrived in peru (country as published) via a third party, which purchased it in an african country, which in turn had received it from israel.    following the reports on deals by israelis abroad, the income tax investigations division has begun an inquiry into tax payments on israeli arms deals and training abroad.    in the past 5 years, the scope of commissions paid to arms dealers is estimated at $1 billion.  at least half of it went to big dealers, such as sha'ul eisenberg, marcus katz, pesah ben-or, israces, and others.  they are not under suspicion of trying to cheat or hide information from the tax authorities.


Input: this station has learned that three persons have been killed at the jose maria cordoba international airport, in the town of rio negro, antioquia department. one of the persons killed was wearing a military uniform, but we still do not know if he was in disguise or if he belonged to the security corps.  according to preliminary reports from the antioquia police, this was an attack on the installations of the jose maria cordoba airport.  i repeat: this is a preliminary report by the antioquia police.  right now, top officials and antioquia police chiefs are on their way to the airport.  the airport has been sealed off, and people are trapped inside offices there.  no one is allowed near the scene of the violent shooting that took place there just a few minutes ago.    a search is under way throughout rio negro's san nicolas valley, where the airport is located, for the perpetrators of this attack, who are now believed to be driving two yellow renaults and are being pursued by the police.  i repeat: so far, we know that three persons have been killed inside the airport.  one of those killed was wearing a military uniform.  the antioquia police have reported that this was an attack on the airport installations.    we still have not been able to learn if the attack was targeted against anyone in particular.

installations of the jose maria cordoba airport


Input: two persons were injured in dynamite attacks perpetrated this evening against two bank branches in this northwestern colombian city.    the first police reports indicate that a bomb exploded in front of the state-owned agrarian board in the suburbs of manrique, and another at the agrarian board branch in the sector of aranjuez.    one person was seriously wounded in each of the terrorist attacks, but no deaths were reported.    the device which exploded in manrique destroyed the bank building and a bus that was parked in front of the building, and caused considerable damage in several stores nearby.    the explosion in the other branch was of a lesser magnitude, and it broke windows and caused damage inside the offices.    the scant police information said that the devices were apparently left in front of the two bank branches minutes before the curfew began for the 6th consecutive day--precisely to counter the wave of terrorism caused by drug traffickers.    these represent the second and third dynamite attacks in medellin this evening. the previous one took place 2 hours earlier and blew up a police post, but failed to injure its five occupants.

drug traffickers

state-owned agrarian board

agrarian board branch

bus

stores

dynamite

bomb


Input: das (administrative department of security) director miguel maza marquez confirmed today that the government and the judicial authorities had known for over 1 year that there were mercenaries in our country, but police authorities apparently prevented an investigation that had been ordered, as a matter of fact, by a female judge.  our reporter hernando corrales has the details:    (begin recording) (corrales) if the authorities in charge of an operation near puerto boyaca on 18 july last year had not sabotaged it, the foreign instructors at the service of the medellin cartel would now be jail.  on that date, marta lucia gonzalez, second judge of public order, wrote a file note saying that the judicial inspection was unjustly torpedoed with the argument that nothing had been found and that this argument was senseless and illogical since absolutely no one other than the undersigned judge could decide if he or she had anything to inspect, or if he or she should or should not conduct the judicial proceeding.    the document, which is contained in the dossier on the massacre in la hondura and la negra, uraba region, says that she was left 2 days inside a plane at the airport of the texas petroleum company in puerto boyaca and that the police authorities accompanying her failed to explain to her why they had not taken any action.    (unidentified speaker) in fact, she and several das inspectors encountered some obstacles.  the attorney general's office was informed of these obstacles in order for it to make an investigation. i think that when she and the das personnel were preparing to go to puerto boyaca it was already known that these people would be present there for these proceedings and this was quite worrisome.    (corrales) as is known, judge gonzalez had to leave colombia because her life was threatened, and her father, former boyaca governor alvaro gonzalez santana, was subsequently murdered.    moreover, gen maza marquez said further that the fact that a payment is being offered for the capture of pablo escobar and gonzalo rodriguez gacha does not mean that other persons accused of being capos of the mafia are not being sought too.    (maza) we are taking action the length and breadth of the country. we are not showing any special considerations because we intend to act indiscriminately.  what we want is to fight a scourge that has greatly harmed all colombians.    (corrales) the das director said that if anyone being held in connection with the investigation of the killing of luis carlos galan is released, that does not mean that the investigations are not proceeding well.  (end recording)

marta lucia gonzalez

alvaro gonzalez santana

luis carlos galan


Input: the topic about violence and the procedures adopted by the government to counter it were discussed on 18 september during the inauguration of the christian democratic international world assembly.  guatemalan president vinicio cerezo gave the inauguration speech and revealed the plans to destabilize the country.    (begin recording) (cerezo) there are some stubborn people who refuse to accept that people want to live peacefully and freely.  there are even some people who are using violence to impose their ideas; there are some people who want to counter the guatemalan people's ideas with confrontation and polarization.  those persons are preparing right now a plot against guatemala's democracy.  it is perhaps the most cruel, harsh, and audacious plot ever prepared in the nation's 4 years of democratic history, because -- and i want you to carefully listen to this -- they have decided to kill prominent political and labor leaders so that the people blame the government -- remembering the tragedies which occurred in the past and the illegitimate governments which decided to keep, with death and repression, the privileges that they had not earned.    these people are trying to create a rift between the guatemalan people and government; they want us to fall into a trap. (end recording)    president cerezo addressed the delegates of 54 countries who are participating in the christian democratic international world assembly, asserting that the efforts to be exerted by his government to counter terrorism should be understood by the international community.  he said no one should condemn his government without fully understanding the situation.    president cerezo also pledged to use every available means to locate those who perpetrate acts of terrorism.    (begin recording) (cerezo) -- (broadcast in progress) ...criminals and we are already looking for them!  (applause) and we will punish them according to the law, to give back to the guatemalan people the liberty that they have enjoyed for 3 and 1/2 years -- because it is the result of many years of sacrifice! (applause) (end recording)


Input: authorities have officially reported that several bank offices were adversely affected tonight in the chapinero neighborhood of northern bogota when two bombs exploded, causing minor injuries to a child and a security guard.    the first bomb exploded by the door of a banco de occidente branch at 2115 local time (0215 gmt), and the shock wave damaged other nearby banks.    following the explosion, a 9-year-old boy who lives near the banco de occidente was wounded by pieces of glass, said his relatives, who took him to the "marly" clinic near the area.    at the same time, another bomb exploded at a banco popular branch, two blocks away from where the first explosion took place, police said.    other banks and shops were damaged by the second explosion, and the security guard at the banco popular was also injured by pieces of flying glass, the authorities said.    according to preliminary reports, two men placed the explosive devices and left the scene on foot.    both of these attacks tonight, attributed to the drug trafficking cartels, took place after 10 bombs exploded early this morning in the teusaquillo area in downtown bogota.  the bombs were placed in nine political offices of the liberal and social conservative parties and in another bank office.

two men

drug trafficking cartels

bank office

banco de occidente branch

other nearby banks

other banks

banco popular branch

shops

political offices of the liberal and social conservative parties

explosive devices

10 bombs


Input: i have been in touch with general octavio vargas silva, national police operational commander and inspector.  gen vargas has said that the two people who were killed in the attack that took place at suba municipality last night have not yet been identified.    (vargas) two people were killed and five others were wounded as a result of the attack.  the two people who were killed are yet to be identified.  those wounded include three employees of the gas station where the car bomb went off and two people who were walking by the gas station at the moment of the explosion.  preliminary reports have estimated that the explosion caused 70 million pesos in losses.    (carrillo) general, approximately how many kilograms of explosives were in the car bomb?    (vargas) apparently it contained 60 kg of dynamite.  the dynamite was placed inside an old station wagon.  something must have happened to the people who were inside the vehicle at the time of the explosion -- the two people who were killed.  apparently the car bomb went off by accident.  it was not supposed to have gone off at that gas station.    (carrillo) have the people who were killed been identified?    (vargas) no, not yet.  we are trying to identify them now.    (carrillo) are there special security measures to counter this wave of terrorism?    (vargas) yes, of course.  we are carrying out a series of joint actions with the bogota police department and administrative department of security personnel to neutralize terrorist actions.  we are carrying out those actions in areas we consider critical or vulnerable and in other areas where we are counteracting and neutralizing terrorist actions, as i told you.    (carrillo) are there secret agents throughout the entire city?    (vargas) yes, we have uniformed and civilian personnel guarding the city right now.  we also have the support of the bogota police department, of dijin (directorate of judicial police and investigations), and of cijin (expansion unknown). they are cooperating with us.  they are guarding areas we consider critical or places that could be targets of terrorist attacks.    (carrillo) what other measures have you adopted along with the 13th infantry brigade and the bogota mayor?    (vargas) we have implemented a number of measures, such as increasing personnel on the streets and human and material resources. in addition, we have established chekckpoints in areas we consider critical and are carrying out a number of operational activities that will help us locate these criminals.

two people who were killed

gas station

car bomb

60 kg of dynamite


Input: colonel rene emilio ponce, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said today that the offensive launched on 26 september by the farabundo marti national liberation front, fmln, was a mistaken step taken by the rebels within the context of the dialogue process with the government, which was resumed in mexico.    col ponce said that with this attitude the rebels are not showing a real desire for peace, and he described it as a propagandistic action.    today, during his tour of various areas of conflict, col ponce said that recent fmln attacks on various military positions as part of its latest campaign following the unilateral truce was a serious mistake on the part of the rebel commanders, as they have been carried out in the midst of a dialogue between the rebels and the government, which has been described as continuous.    (begin recording) (ponce) that shows there are, on the one hand, the proposals and what the terrorist leaders call their desire for peace, and, on the other hand, the real actions.  i think that the campaign the fmln has mounted nationwide was a bad step, because it does not show a real and sincere desire to seek peace in our country. (end recording)    colonel ponce added that the request for reducing the number of troops as stated in the guerrilla proposal is a political move.  he played down the latest rebel offer presented to the government in mexico.    (begin recording) (ponce) the proposal was aimed at improving the fmln's image abroad, which had deteriorated in one way or another. the proposal can be discussed; however, we in the armed forces are not the ones who will discuss it or who will decide whether it can or cannot be accepted.  it is a political decision, and the armed forces will accept the decision made by the government.  the military commanders are not the ones who must decide on the number of troops the institution should have.  this is a decision to be made by the legislative assembly, based on the requirements and threats the country may be facing. (end recording)    colonel ponce visited the positions of the army's belloso and atlacatl elite battalions in the towns of perquin in morazan department and la laguna in chalatenango department, near the honduran border, where fighting is taking place.  during this military tour, col ponce said that it has been demonstrated that there is no liberated or permanently occupied territory in el salvador.  however, the rebels claim they control that area of intense conflict where the war has left its indelible mark.


Input: such an unconditional cease-fire does not correspond to the spirit of the esquipulas and tela agreements and the accords the government and the fmln signed in mexico in which the sides clearly agreed to find solutions in the area and in el salvador.  asking for an end to the war and negotiations is like demanding that the situation be changed without having won the war.  in addition to being unrealistic, this is a formula for not negotiating and continuing the war.    in the esquipulas ii documents, the governments urge the sides to agree to a cease-fire.  the tela accords also appeal to the salvadoran government to reach an agreement with the fmln in the spirit of the esquipulas ii accords.  this particular agreement links the cessation of hostilities to democratization, social justice, and self-determination as a harmonious, indivisible whole.  this concept is supported by the un security council in its resolution 637 of 27 july 1989.  in addition, the first paragraph of the mexican accord reads as follows: the salvadoran government and the fmln will talk in an effort to reach an understanding through negotiations to conclude the armed conflict through political means as soon as practicable. the salvadoran government and the fmln will foster the country's democratization and reunite salvadoran society.  the dialogue is meant to serve as an instrument for reaching an agreement on cessation of hostilities.  the agreement that the government signed in mexico says nothing of talking about or negotiating the fmln's demobilization but mentions negotiations to encourage democratization to agree on the cessation of hostilities.    by increasing the number of human rights violations, cristiani is closing the door to democratization.  this, plus his refusal to reach an agreement with the fmln, makes him guilty of noncompliance with the commitments that the government made at esquipulas.    3.  in accordance with the commitment we made in mexico and with the regional accords, we reiterate our full willingness to agree with the government on a cease-fire as soon as practicable and to attend the upcoming negotiation meeting in costa rica.  for this meeting, we have included in our peace proposal an agreement on a cease-fire based on the following points: reforms to the judicial system; cessation of repression; trial of both those guilty of the murder of monsignor arnulfo romero and those found to be members of the death squads; enforcement of the 1980 economic and social reforms; and suspension of the economic measures that exacerbate the crisis and the war; purge of the army; constitutional amendments; holding the 1991 elections ahead of schedule; minimum operational guarantees to establish geographical areas for the forces to maintain an effective cease-fire.    after strong opposition to the presence of the un and oas secretary generals' representatives, who will serve as witnesses at the dialogue table, cristiani agreed to invite them to the costa rica meeting.  we hope he keeps his word because this will lend seriousness to the process and guarantee the negotiations initiated in mexico.    signed the fmln general command

arnulfo romero


Input: police have confirmed that a bomb exploded early this morning in front of the offices that former president raul alfonsin has in this city. the explosion broke the windows of neighboring buildings and a woman was wounded slightly in an arm.    the attack occurred at 0320 (0620 gmt) in front of the ricardo rojas cultural center, located at 132 ayacucho street, where the former president has offices for his political activities. the explosion wounded the arm of beatriz iero, damaged the doors and walls of the offices, and broke the windows of neighboring buildings.    personnel from the 5th police precinct are investigating.

ricardo rojas cultural center, located at 132 ayacucho street, where the former president has offices for his political activities

neighboring buildings

beatriz iero

bomb


Input: a peruvian diplomatic source said today that judging by peru's stance on the political and social situation in the isthmus, the peruvian government "is uncomfortable" with the presence of the panamanian ambassador in lima.    the source, who requested anonymity, also said that the presence of panamanian ambassador bertran sherr it "can only be understood as being of commercial and personal interest."    the source told efe that the eventual removal of panama from the group of eight and its replacement by a new member will be decided this wednesday in ica (peru) during the summit of the presidents of argentina, brazil, colombia, mexico, peru, uruguay, and venezuela.    panama's role in the group of eight has been suspended because of that country's current political situation.    the same source dismissed the idea that peru may be planning to break diplomatic relations with panama because this would affect peru's links with the panamanian people and "this is not the position of the group of eight member countries."    panama has had an ambassador in peru for 40 years, but only for "personal reasons".    in the private dialogue with efe, the source said that "the panamanian ambassador seemingly does not understand the messages sent by the peruvian government through its recent actions."    in early september the peruvian government removed its ambassador to panama, mr mario castro arenas, for an indefinite period and downgraded relations between the two countries to the level of charge d'affaires.  peru did this after announcing that it would not recognize the legitimacy of the new panamanian government headed by francisco rodriguez.    asked if the panamanian diplomat would be invited to leave the country, the source said that "this has not been considered because that would imply breaking relations with panama, and peru does not want to go that far."    in comments to a television reporter last sunday in lima, foreign minister guillermo larco cox said that president alan garcia will propose the definitive expulsion of panama from the group of eight.    the foreign ministers of argentina, brazil, mexico, uruguay, and peru began a 2-day meeting in trujillo today and their agenda includes the situation in panama, the fight against drug trafficking, terrorism, the foreign debt, and the integration process.    trujillo, 550 kilometers north of lima, is normally a quiet area, but it now gives the impression of being a militarized city.  this military presence is aimed at deterring sabotage and attacks by terrorist groups.    at least 5,000 policemen and soldiers are guarding all entrances to the city.  there is even heavier security at the plaza de armas zone, where the foreign ministers will meet.  no vehicles or people are allowed in that area.


Input: "the extraditables," the armed branch of the medellin cartel have claimed responsibility for the murder of two employees of bogota's daily el espectador perpetrated today in medellin, a source from that newspaper told efe.    miguel soler rodriguez, el espectator's circulation manager and martha luz lopez, the correspondent's office administrator, were killed today in separate attacks carried out by gunmen in medellin, colombia's second largest city and capital of the antioquia department.    shortly after the murders, an anonymous call was received at el espectador's office in medellin, threatening to kill all the editors and office personnel who do not resign in 3 days.    "the extraditables," the voice said, "do not want that newspaper circulating in antioquia anymore."    martha luz lopez, 35, who worked for el espectador 11 years, was killed by two men on motorcycles who intercepted her car at a corner and shot her several times. at the moment of the attack, she was accompanied by her mother martha lopez orozco de lopez, who was wounded.    soler, who was 45-years old and had worked for 25 years at el espectator, was also killed by unidentified individuals while he was on his way back to his residence.    soler, who was in charge of advertising and circulation of el espectador in medellin and the northwestern area of colombia, was married and the father of three children.    the main offices in bogota of el espectador, the newspaper most threatened by colombia's drug trafficking mafia, were partially destroyed on 2 september when a car bomb explosion injured over 90 people.    newspaper director guillermo cano was murdered as he was leaving his office on 17 december 1986. this crime was attributed to the medellin cartel, which together with the cali cartel, is considered to be among the most important organizations in the world involved in the trafficking and distribution of cocaine.    newspaper attorney and journalist hector giraldo galvez, who was the civil prosecutor in the investigation into guillermo cano's homicide, was also murdered in bogota on 29 march.    el espectador has characterized itself by rejecting and condemning drug trafficking and other criminal activities involving mafiosos.

the extraditables

two men on motorcycles

unidentified individuals

drug trafficking mafia

the extraditables

main offices in bogota of el espectador

miguel soler rodriguez

martha luz lopez

martha lopez orozco de lopez

car bomb