Input: the honduran armed forces today confirmed that heavy clashes took place between honduran and salvadoran troops over the weekend.  according to a local radio station, both honduran and salvadoran civilians and soldiers were killed.      juan sierra, a honduran armed forces source, told reuter: "we are certain there were clashes, but the details will be available later."    the honduran radio station radio america, quoting a farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) source, said an unspecified number of civilians and soldiers were killed when salvadoran troops entered honduran territory on saturday.      the fmln, quoted by radio america, said the fighting in the honduran department of intibuca, on the plains near the salvadoran border, lasted 4 hours.  during the fighting, a salvadoran helicopter bombed honduran civilians, killing or wounding a number of them, the fmln said.    radio america said:  "we do not know the exact number of dead and wounded.  (the fmln) only said it was confirmed that civilians were killed or wounded in the clash."      the troops of both countries have previously clashed at the border as the result of tension caused by territorial disputes and also because of the presence of large contingents of salvadoran guerrillas near the border.  the two armies have previously held joint antiguerrilla operations.  on one occasion, salvadoran soldiers attacked honduran troops, mistaking them for rebels.      the tension between the two countries reached its peak during the so-called soccer war in 1969, when the two countries fought for 100 hours over a territorial dispute.


Input: the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) general command today presented a new proposal for a dialogue to the government that will be headed by president-elect alfredo cristiani.    in their document, the guerrillas promise to refrain from attacks of any kind against leaders of the cristiani administration, to end nationwide transportation stoppages, and, by extension, to suspend attacks against public vehicles.    the guerrillas also pledge to resume the dialogue with the political parties that began in coatepec, mexico, in march.  the guerrillas also propose to the arena (nationalist republican alliance) administration that former major roberto d'aubuisson and all others implicated in the murder of msgr romero be put on trial.  the rebels also demand that d'aubuisson be excluded from all branches of government.    another point in the document calls for the continuation of agrarian reform, including decree 207, and for the nationalization of banks and foreign trade, as was decreed by the government junta in 1980.


Input: at 1400 on 27 may, special honduran troops entered san andres and tierra agria, san gerardo jurisdiction, san miguel department, when arce battalion troops were carrying out an operation in the area.  they clashed near el chengue hill and along the shores of torola river.  during this clash, which lasted 4 hours, arce battalion was supported by two rocket-firing helicopters, a hughes 500, and a a-37 plane.    salvadoran troops sustained numerous casualties, including a wounded arce battalion officer.  honduran troops were pushed back and cornered in los llanitos, santa lucia jurisdiction, intibuca department, honduras.  arce battalion landed troops from four helicopters in that village.  an honduran helicopter, which was evacuating casualties, was attacked and pursued 7 km into honduran territory by a salvadoran helicopter, which fired rockets and machineguns.    arce battalion, which surrounded honduran troops in los llanitos, captured an undetermined number of prisoners.  in this clash, residents of the san andres, (words indistinct) cantons, and residents of los castanos, los llanitos, and la ceibita were rocketed and machinegunned by salvadoran air force helicopters.      there are reports about partially destroyed homes and animals that were killed.  we are trying to investigate the names of the wounded and dead among area residents.    we urge the honduran people to reflect on the seriousness and repercussions of these clashes.  this is the result of the honduran army's policy of involvment in the salvadoran war.      the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) had warned that honduran troops' cooperation and involvement in the salvadoran war, following a u.s. decision, would eventually lead to a clash between the two armies.  it is a secret to nobody that the oligarchs who have reached power with the nationalist republican alliance government are the same ones who promoted the invasion of honduras in 1969 and that the officers who were responsible at the time for massacres, raids, and abuses against the honduran people are the same ones who are in the hierarchy of the salvadoran army.      we believe hondurans must think about this situation, because this level of confrontation with infantry troops and aircraft will set the tone of the conflict for the definition of the border conflict of a government of oligarchs who have always supported an expansionist policy toward honduras.      once again, we call on the honduran people to stop their army's involvement in someone else's war (words indistinct) in el salvador, its main enemy.      we call on the national and internal press, especially honduran media, to visit los llanitos, santa lucia, intibuca department, to confirm these serious incidents.  we call on humanitarian organizations to help the injured civilians.    (signed) (fmln) el salvador, 28 may 1989

salvadoran air force

honduran helicopter

partially destroyed homes

animals

rockets

machineguns


Input: it has been officially reported that more than 500 people have been arrested following violent incidents that occurred here today. the arrested are being held in police quarters. thirty-six people, 11 of whom have bullet wounds, were hospitalized at the clemente alvarez hospital.    jose ignacio rodriguez, who resides at 1500 larrea st., was hit by buckshot and lost one eye.  according to police, five policemen suffered    various types of wounds.  two policemen were hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the clemente alvarez hospital after suffering concussions from blows inflicted on them with their own weapons by looters.    the incident occurred near a supermarket located at the intersection of cordoba and peru streets, where officer oscar martinez and corporal luis gaudani were guarding the supermarket.  they were overpowered by looters after they drew their regulation weapons to fire warning shots in an attempt to deter the attackers.


Input: political proposal to the country's political and social forces and the international community:    the 1 june swearing-in of the nationalist republican alliance (arena) government means the worsening and the prolongation of the war in el salvador.  measures conducive to increasing repression, legalizing death squads posing as civil defense units, giving total immunity to death squad members implicated in murders such as that of msgr arnulfo romero, worsening social conflict with the direct or indirect abolition of fledgling economic reforms, and dismissing public employees en masse create a climate totally unfavorable to talks between the sides.    in the light of the seriousness of the situation, the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) once again makes a new effort and proposes a practical way to open up the possibility of talks and understanding that may lead to a negotiated solution and lasting peace in el salvador:      1.  resumption of talks with political parties.  the fmln feels political parties not participating in the arena government may play the role of sponsors and negotiators of the dialogue until direct negotiations between the government and the fmln is achieved.  during the oaxtepec meeting, the political parties established the need to continue the talks past 19 march. the fmln deems it appropriate now to reaffirm this need and to begin talks at a mutually agreed on place and date.  during these meetings between the opposition parties the fmln, we would propose the following platform of commitments we feel the fmln and the new government must accept as measures conducive toward creating the conditions for a dialogue and direct negotiations between the sides:    2.  political commitments of the fmln:      a.  to abstain from any form of attack against political leaders of the cristiani government.      b.  to suspend nationwide transportation stoppages and thus suspend sabotage of public transportation.    c.  to respect the lives, freedom, and well-being of relatives of political leaders and officers in the government and in the armed forces and to respect their residences.    d.  to continue to refrain from using artillery-equipped platforms, know as car bombs.      e.  to respect u.s. personnel and infrastructure in el salvador.      f.  to suspend sabotage of urban power poles and shopping centers. (continued)


Input: an undetermined number of wounded people, mostly suffering from cuts, and broken windows at the entrance of the velox bank are the initial result of the explosion of a bomb at 1215 (1515 gmt) on the downtown center of sarmiento and san martin streets.    according to the first results of the police investigation, the explosive device had been left on a bicycle that had been left near the bank.

velox bank

bomb


Input: it has been learned from police sources that another device has exploded on the downtown corner of sarmiento and san martin streets, where many banking institutions are located.    the federal police bomb squad is trying to determine the damage caused by this second bomb, which exploded 30 minutes after the one that damaged the windows of the velox bank.

banking institutions

velox bank

device


Input: das (administrative department of security) director general miguel maza marquez emerged unscathed from a dynamite attack in bogota this morning.  a late-model, white monza loaded with 80 kg of dynamite exploded in front of gen maza's vehicle on 56th street and 7th avenue in downtown bogota.    four people were killed and 35 wounded in the terrorist action.  the names of the four people killed have been officially disclosed.  they are omayra castro reyes, franci elena sarmiento, elsa prado cuervo, and policeman leon gomez vigia.    gen maza was taken in a privately owned vehicle to the military hospital.  after a general medical examination, he was released. the first medical bulletin issued states that two children and one adult male are in serious condition.    a large-scale security operation went into effect immediately after the terrorist action against the das director was committed.

maza's vehicle

miguel maza marquez

omayra castro reyes

franci elena sarmiento

elsa prado cuervo

leon gomez vigia

dynamite


Input: it has been officially reported that the workers self-defense, ado (formerly the mao, workers self-defense movement) which was thought to be inactive, has claimed responsibility for today's attack against das (administrative department of security) director brigadier general miguel maza marquez, who escaped unwounded. four people were killed and more than 30 were wounded in the attack.      according to the announcement, an unidentified man claiming to be a mao (as received) member contacted the caracol radio network (words indistinct) approximately 80 kg of dynamite.    the anonymous caller, the report states, said that the attack was perpetrated to avenge the death of ado member claudio medina, who, according to the caller, was tortured to death by the police on orders from the das director.    the ado, which had not carried out any terrorist actions over the past few years, appeared in colombia in 1976, and, 3 years later, staged its first major action by murdering former government minister rafael pardo buelvas.    meanwhile, police explosives experts this morning urged curious onlookers who gathered at the scene of the bombing to evacuate the area because there were reports that three other car bombs had not yet exploded.

workers self-defense

miguel maza marquez

dynamite

car bombs


Input: the civil defense office has reported that four people may have been killed and seven wounded in a fierce clash between policemen and civilians. the civilians were looting stores in san miguel, buenos aires province.    in a report to na, it was said that four people died in incidents that occurred this afternoon at 3400 mitre avenue.


Input: general miguel alfredo maza marquez, director of the administrative department of security of colombia (das, secret police), blamed "narcomilitary" organizations for a car-bomb attack from which he escaped unharmed today.    maza stated this when he read an open letter he addressed to the nation's attorney general (top prosecutor) alfonso gomez mendez a few hours after the attack.  in that letter, maza states he has attached "overwhelming proof" about the identity of the attackers.    in the terrorist action, which took place in a downtown bogota street at 1210 gmt, four pedestrians were killed and several others injured.    gen maza pointed out that on 25 may, the national police arrested army captain luis javier wulmen camargo, retired, and civilian jose javier rivera and found documents linking right-wing paramilitary groups with today's attack and other political crimes.    maza added that the deputy national police director informed him yesterday that one of those documents found on the retired captain is the "plan" (libreto) of the attack that was carried out against him today.    that document is titled "confidential report for mr de las flores."  the general asked the attorney general to conduct a full investigation of the arrested men and the documents found on them; he urged the attorney general to guarentee the safety of the two arrested men, because "the plan failed and attempts against their lives cannot be ruled out."    in his letter to the attorney general, maza states that the paramilitary groups are financed by the "medellin cartel" drug- trafficking organization and groups moved by political interests that frequently resort to "bribing" and "corrupting officials."    the military man expressed his confidence to the attorney general that the two arrested men and the material found on them will help determine the identity of the planners and perpetrators -- not only of this attack, but of many political crimes.    he added that the incident calls for the attorney general himself to carry out the investigation and; thus, he prefers that das and other organizations abstain from participating.    "i want justice to be served; i want the truth," maza told the reporters after reading the letter.

right-wing paramilitary groups

miguel alfredo maza marquez

car-bomb


Input: mayor santos mauro, a member of the justicialist party, has sent an alarming report which states that the adjacent city of villa gobernador has been virtually raided by looters. villa gobernador has about 100,000 inhabitants and is the third most important city in santa fe province.    mauro went tonight to rosario to ask for military reinforcements in view of the alarming wave of looting being perpetrated, even against private houses.  he was told that some 200 policemen will be sent to villa gobernador.    mauto told the local journalists that "looters have stolen almost everything from the supermarkets, stores, and shoeshops."    the looting began early this morning in all type of stores.  according to the mayor it is still going on, and the private houses which were raided early tonight "were cruelly and treacherously damaged."    a house that has been completely dismantled showed that the looters also used violence.  proof of this was a luxurious piano that was completely destroyed by the looters because they were unable to take it away.    clashes and shootouts have taken place since this morning near the paladini, sugarosa and la tropa de galvez frozen meat packing plants between the police and people who want to steal sides of beef.    the incidents still continue at those plants, but the people have not yet overpowered the policemen.    meanwhile, blackouts caused by sabotage have occurred in several townships of greater rosario where unidentified people stole 100,000 liters of processed milk from a warehouse owned by la serenisima firm located on the corner of santa fe and parana streets.    the interior ministry of the santa fe province has issued its 9th communique reporting that a state of emergency has been decreed in all cities and townships of the rosario department, whose main urban centers are san lorenzo, villa gobernador, and capitan bermudez.


Input: on this 1st day of the transportation stoppage called by the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln), everything is normal in san vicente department.  traffic is 95 percent normal in the departmental capital and in other towns, although bus service has lessened visibly.    the army and security corps have established around-the-clock vigilance on all the primary and secondary highways to counteract any action against the civilian population and private property.    meanwhile, bus depots are deserted and many people are awaiting some means of transportation to go to work, although tomorrow, 1 june, all government employees will have the day off on the occasion of the presidential inauguration.    at dawn today, strong explosions were heard in various parts of the departmental capital, and, as of 0400, intense shooting was heard in the southern part of the department.  air force planes have overflown the area in an effort to determine fmln rebel positions.  at 0500, shooting could still be heard.      it has been reported that 5th brigade troops clashed with fmln columns near (word indistinct) in jiboa, and that helicopter gunships and airplanes lent air support to the ground forces.  regarding the explosions, our source did not disclose where they took place.  it is believed that power posts were sabotaged because there were brief blackouts at approximately 0330 today.  san vicente now has electricity and potable water.    another report indicates that early this morning, flares were used to determine rebel positions in the aforementioned areas.  jiboa sugar mill employees said that the fmln harassed artillery command positions near the sugar mill.    reports indicate that at 0320, harassment began in the western, eastern, and northern parts of the department, and that the rebels had suffered casualties during clashes this morning near the jiboa sugar mill.  the reports point out that no victims or damage have been reported at the mill.


Input: according to an acan dispatch, the honduran armed forces have reported that the salvadoran army chased rebels on land and from the air into honduran territory.  acting honduran foreign minister guillermo caceres yesterday sent salvadoran foreign minister ricardo acevedo a protest note over the armed confrontation between salvadoran and honduran forces.    according to the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front), an unidentified arce counterinsurgency battalion officer was killed in a clash with salvadoran troops that had entered honduran territory.  the rebels added that four salvadoran air force helicopters landed at los llanitos, intibuca department, in honduras, chased and cornered honduran soldiers, and took several of them prisoner.    salvadoran armed forces colonel rene emilio ponce said that the guerrillas are trying to pit one army against the other by distorting the report on the incident.  the honduran armed forces have said repeatedly that the guerrillas' strongholds are in the salvadoran refugees camps and that they constantly enter honduran territory to rest or to replenish their arms and ammunition supplies.  in 1969, honduras and el salvador staged a 100-hour war as the result of a border dispute involving a 450 - sq km area including several islands in the fonseca gulf, the acan dispatch noted.


Input: terrorism seems not to have let up throughout colombia.  bogota, cali, and medellin have been the targets of dynamite attacks. last night, while the country was still in shock over the attack against das (administrative department of security) director general miguel alfredo maza marquez, a shopping mall in medellin was shaken by the explosion of an average - sized bomb at the ciclotecnica store on 33d and 42d streets.  orlando gomez, a street vendor walking through the area, was killed.  two more people were seriously wounded.  one of the victims has not yet been identified. meanwhile, the other victim, giovanni madrigal, is recovering in a medellin hospital.    according to reports by medellin metropolitan police experts, the bomb was left by unidentified individuals at the elite bar's parking lot. several vehicles were damaged by the explosion, which resulted in heavy financial losses.  last week, another medellin shopping mall was also attacked by terrorists.

unidentified individuals

terrorists

ciclotecnica store

vehicles

miguel alfredo maza marquez

orlando gomez

giovanni madrigal

bomb


Input: interior minister eduardo perez beltran has blamed the murder of two u.s. mormon missionaries on narcoterrorists, who want to give it a political connotation.  "drug traffickers might be involved in this crime, and they want to give it political connotations," perez said.    perez said that the mruder of the two missionaries might be a "copycat murder" done with the intention of blaming the "zarate wilka group with having done it."  he added that the group is named after a peasant leader who lived early this century.  the peasant had no political affiliation whatsoever. this is why we can not say with absolute certainty that guerrilla groups are operating in the country.    the fal-zarate wilka group, which claimed responsibility for this crime, left a handwritten message to the effect that their war is to kill "the yankee invaders who come here to massacre our peasant brothers."    referring to the message left at the scene, the interior minister said that an initial analysis of the message reveals that it was written in languague not commonly used by a leftist political organization.  the message is vague when it refers to both national sovereignty and the exploitation of peasants.  this is a crime in which drug traffickers might be involved and to which they want to attach a political connotation," perez said.    perez added that in recent days "there have been rumors that members of the u.s. armed forces have come to bolivia with plans to fight drug trafficking.  we have to reject those rumors."    he said that this crime is in no way linked to the presence of "shining path" terrorists in bolivia.  he said: "if this terrorist group is operating in bolivia, it should have claimed responsibility for this crime, like the national liberation army (eln) did in the 1960's when they revealed that they carried out terrorist activities abroad."    perez stated that murder of the u.s. mormon missionaries should be seriusly analyzed so that a reliable report is released.

narcoterrorists


Input: general mario molina, chief of the bolivian police, has admitted that the country is suffering the effects of psychological terrorism practiced by extremist groups which have not yet been officially identified.  the police chief requested the cooperation of the citizenry by reporting any information on extremists.  he guaranteed that anyone reporting on extremists will remain anonymous.    gen molina said that the police continue to investigate the murder of two american citizens with the aid of u.s. experts who are giving bolivia police logistic and scientific support.  their support, he said, allows the bolivia police their own limitations.      the police chief said that the (words indistinct) objects found in the scene of the murder have been sent to washington for ballistic and laboratory examinations. meanwhile, the police are preparing the identi-kit of the alleged murderers based on the description of witnesses. the police have so far obtained 150 unsworn declarations, 50 written declarations, while the personal (word indistinct) continue. (passage indistinct)


Input: the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) general command has agreed to "continue" the dialogue with the new salavadoran government, which was sworn in yesterday.  the fmln also proposes channels to follow for starting the dialogue.    salvadoran president alfredo cristiani of the right-wing nationalist republican alliance (arena) yesterday proposed to the guerrillas that they begin a dialogue to find a political solution that will end the armed conflict in that nation.    a negotiated solution "can lead to peace in el salvador," the fmln asserted in a communique issued today in san jose, costa rica, and signed by commanders francisco jovel, shafik jorge handal, salvador sanchez ceren, eduardo sancho, and joaquin villalobos.      the fmln proposes "coordinating a cease-fire within the framework of an overall negotiation of the conflict," without trying to "apply the same means used in the case of the nicaraguan contras."    in exchange, the rebels demand "the trial of former major roberto d'aubuisson and all those involved in msgr oscar arnulfo romero's murder," as well as "the complete exclusion" of d'aubuisson from any government position.  d'aubuisson, who has denied any involvement in the salvadoran archbishop's assassination, founded arena, which won the 19 march presidential elections.    the guerrillas demand "the disbandment of the death squads." they also want the government not to proceed with the creation of the patriotic civil defense groups.  the rebels request "the immediate release" of labor leaders, mass movement activists, and detained political prisoners, and they demand that murders, kidnappings, and all other forms of repression against the opposition parties cease.    the communique states that the rebels are willing to agree to a cease-fire agreement "when it is agreed upon and implemented under international supervision," as well as to a multilateral cutback of military supplies "of any kind to all the central american governments and groups involved in a conflict."    the fmln command pledges that once the dialogue has been established, it will "refrain from attacking political leaders of the cristiani government" and from enforcing nationwide transportation stoppages.  the fmln offers to "respect the lives and liberty" of political and military leaders' relatives, as well as to "suspend" the use of car bombs in the cities.      the guerrillas also commit themselves to respecting "u.s.  personnel and installations in el salvador" and to suspending attacks on the electrical system and on urban shopping centers.    during the first phase of talks, the guerrillas point out, the political parties not participating in the nationalist republican alliance (arena) government could promote and arrange the dialogue until "a direct negotiation between the government and the fmln" in places and on dates "mutually agreed upon" is achieved.    the insurgent leadership warns that if a dialogue between both parties does not take place, the inauguration of the arena government will mean "the heightening and prolongation of the war in el salvador."      the fmln communique also proposes that agrarian reform be continued.  the rebels also want the nationalization of banking and of foreign trade, unrestricted freedom of information, and respect for the commitment made by the duarte administration to "evacuate the wounded and maimed guerrillas" and to respect the lives of relatives of the leaders of mass movements, opposition parties, and the fmln.

former major roberto d'aubuisson

oscar arnulfo romero


Input: colombian guerrillas today released three brazilian engineers who were kidnapped more than a month ago in bogota.  engineers augusto carneiro moreira junior, cesar paim de oliveira, and jose roberto reis were released today by the national liberation army guerrillas of colombia.  the official announcement was made by acting foreign minister paulo tarso flecha de lima after receiving a phone call from the brazilian ambassador to colombia, alvaro franco, and details of the outcome of this case.    (begin recording) (flecha de lima) i do not have details on how this happened.  those details must be evaluated.  (end recording)    bermeja.  from there they were taken to bogota, capital of colombia, where they boarded a plane that will fly to rio de janeiro after a stopover in manaus.    petrobras has released an official note saying that two of three engineers who were kidnapped in colombia and released today will arrive in rio de janeiro early tomorrow morning.  engineers augusto carneiro moreira junior and jose roberto reis were set free today in the town of barranca bermeja, with the recommendation that they take a taxi to a hotel in bucaramanga where the kidnappers had met with the team of negotiators -- petrobras representative raimundo de oliveira, rio de janeiro oil workers union representative (name indistinct), and representatives of cut.    according to itamaraty, the negotiators acted in a irreproachable manner.  engineer paulo cesar paim de oliveira remained in colombia with his relatives.  this information was made public tonight by petrobras.  itamaraty also reported that the hostages were released without paying ransom, since the colombian guerrillas were seeking only publicity for their movement.

guerrillas

national liberation army

augusto carneiro moreira junior

cesar paim de oliveira

jose roberto reis


Input: official communique number 040.    1. today at 1245 a bus carrying 27 army soldiers was bombed by terrorists near the 12th block of junin street.      2. as a result of the attack 5 soldiers were killed, while 1 officer and 14 soldiers were wounded.  the other soldiers received minor bruises.    3. the lima national security command has ordered the appropriate investigation.      (dated) lima, 3 june 1989     (signed) public relations office of the lima national security command


Input: it was reported here today that over 5,000 people have been arrested in several sectors of lima by police and military patrols following the terrorist attack on 3 june in which 7 members of the security forces were killed.      news media reported today that during combined operations in downtown lima and its outskirts, about 300 vehicles were detained on the roads linking lima with the interior of the country.    the police and military detained about 5,300 people suspected of having participated in the bombing of the bus that carried 24 soldiers of the presidential escort regiment. the attack on the presidential escort regiment, which is known as "husares de junin," took place some 10 blocks from the government palace.    no guerrilla group has claimed responsibility for the attack.  president alan garcia said, however, that according to some policemen, the tupac amaru revolutionary movement (mrta) could be involved in the attack, although shining path involvement is not ruled out.    during a news conference, garcia said that the terrorists could have perpetrated this attack in retaliation for the death of 60 mrta guerrillas in a clash with army forces in jauja, in the peruvian central mountain range, in april.    the murder of the 6 soldiers and 1 policeman raised to 36 the number of people killed by terrorists during the first 3 days of june.  that is an average of 12 deaths each day.    defense minister general julio velasquez giacarini today told the press that he greatly lamented this incident and that prime minister luis alberto sanchez, in his speech at congress on 6 june, will release the guidelines of the antisubversive policy formulated by the government in response to increasing terrorist activities.


Input: a federal court judge in perth has extended a stay of deportation order against a chilean political activist, mr sergio buschmann, and ordered that he be released from detention at perth airport.  australian immigration officials want to deport to mr buschmann on the grounds that he lied in his application to visit australia.    in perth, mr buschmann said he was willing to leave voluntarily in the next few days but feared he might be sent to his death in chile if deported as he is wanted there for alleged terrorist activities.      mr justice (french) ruled that mr buschmann stay at the home of a state labor parliamentarian, mr ian alexander, except when reporting daily to the immigration department pending a full hearing of his case on friday (9 june)


Input: the police have reported that salvadoran presidency minister jose antonio rodriguez porth was seriously wounded this morning during a terrorist attack in which his driver and one of his bodyguards were killed.      unidentified individuals machinegunned rodriguez porth's car as he was leaving his home in the exclusive la mascota neighborhood of western san salvador.      police sources said that rodriguez porth was rushed in critical conditon to the saldivar clinic, where doctors are trying to save his life.    rodriguez porth is one of the most experienced politicians in the new government headed by president alfredo cristiani, which was installed on 1 june.

unidentified individuals

rodriguez porth's car

jose antonio rodriguez porth


Input: salvadoran presidency minister antonio rodriguez porth was assassinated today in san salvador during an attack in which two members of his escort were also killed, the police have reported.      the attack, which took place at 0815 local (1415 gmt), was perpetrated in the capital city by alleged urban guerrilla commandos who machinegunned the minister's residence, according to police sources.    rodriguez porth, 65, was sworn in as minister of the presidency on 1 june.  he was one of the main leaders of the nationalist republican alliance (arena) and of the salvadoran business sector.

urban guerrilla commandos

antonio rodriguez porth


Input: costa rican president oscar arias sanchez has said he is "alarmed" over the assassination of antonio rodriguez porth, salvadoran minister of the presidency, by suspected urban guerrillas early this morning in san salvador.    arias told acan-efe that he fears "increased violence" in that country.    rodriguez porth, an influential leader of the ruling nationalist republican alliance, is the first minister to be assassinated by the guerrillas since the salvadoran conflict began almost 10 years ago.      rodriguez porth, 65, was killed at 0815 (1415 gmt) near his home in san salvador, along with two of his bodyguards, only 8 days after taking office on 1 june.    for his part, luis guillermo solis, chief of the costa rican foreign ministry cabinet, denounced the assassination and said that "it undoubtedly means that the situation in el salvador is becoming more acute, and it makes an agreement between the political forces and the guerrillas more difficult."    actions like these "irreparably harm" efforts to achieve a negotiated peace in that country, the official said.  he expressed hope, however, that the salvadoran situation will not deteriorate further.

urban guerrillas

antonio rodriguez porth


Input: the guatemalan government today condemned the murder of salvadoran presidency minister antonio rodriguez porth in an attack perpetrated by presumed urban guerrillas.    presidential adviser julio santos told acan-efe that his government "regrets" rodriguez' murder, which was carried out early this morning in san salvador.  two of the minister's bodyguards were also killed in the attack.      santos said the guatemalan government hopes the central american agreements known as "esquipulas ii" will help bring peace and democracy not only to el salvador, but to the entire area in the near future.    santos added that although it is still not clear who killed minister rodriguez, it is hoped salvadoran society will achieve peace and that the conflict in that country will not escalate.

urban guerrillas

antonio rodriguez porth


Input: the honduran government today denounced the assassination of salvadoran presidency minister jose antonio rodriguez porth in an attack in which his bodyguard and driver were also killed.      honduran foreign ministry spokesman eugenio castro told acan-efe that what has happened in san salvador "is inhumane," and added that "this is not the way to behave, especially in a country where elections were held and the people select their leaders."    the democratic alternative is the only alternative the central american peoples have, and violence is the biggest obstacle to the democratization process in the countries in the region," castro added.    rodriguez porth, 65, was killed by alleged urban guerrillas, who machinegunned his residence, according to salvadoran police reports.      he was sworn in as the presidency minister on 1 june, 2 hours after alfredo cristiani's presidential inauguration.

urban guerrillas

jose antonio rodriguez porth


Input: the ruling nationalist republican alliance (arena) in el salvador today condemned the murder of presidency minister antonio rodriguez porth and two of his bodyguards perpetrated by presumed guerrillas.    the minister and his two bodyguards died when rodriguez porth's residence in san salvador was machinegunned.      arena deputies did not dismiss the possibility that the ruling party may withdraw president alfredo cristiani's dialogue offer to the guerrillas if it is confirmed that the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) carried out the attack.    however, arena leaders who arrived at rodriguez porth's residence dismissed the possibility that "other groups interested in the continuation of violence" could have perpetrated the attack.  the deputies did not identify these groups.    thus far, neither the guerrillas nor any other organization have claimed responsibility for the murder of the minister, who was one of the most promiment members of cristiani's government, as well as of salvadoran private enterprise.      the salvadoran chamber of commerce also condemned the murder of minister rodriguez porth, who was a former director of that business organization, and recalled his links with salvadoran private enterprise.    president cristiani is currently holding a special government meeting to assess the situation following the minister's death.  an official communique is expected in the next few hours.

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front

antonio rodriguez porth


Input: the pdc (christian democratic party) condemns the assassination of presidency minister dr antonio rodriguez porth.  it believes violence will not solve the country's problems, is not the way to settle ideological differences, and will not lead to peace and development.    we hope this condemnable act will not be followed by an escalation of violence and revenge that would only serve to further polarize salvadoran society.  the pdc expresses its condolences to the republic's government, that is, the nationalist republican alliance, and rodriguez' grieving family.  we urge the salvadoran people, based on mutual respect, to find a political and peaceful solution to the crisis that is currently afflicting our society.  this is the pdc's position on the condemnable assassination of dr antonio rodriguez porth.    (lopez) dr colindres, do you not believe this could lead to an escalation of violence by the extreme right?    (colindres) we hope reason will prevail in the country.  we believe this or any other incident should not lead to an escalation of violence, because that would only result in more bloodletting among the salvadoran people.  i believe we must not fall for the trap of violence that would only destroy us.    (lopez) it is presumed that this action involved leftist urban commandos of the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln).  do you believe that political group is responsible?    (colindres) let us wait and see what will happen, because it could have been the fmln or ultrarightist factions seeking further polarization and bloodletting.  we do not want to pass judgment yet.  regardless of who did it, this is an assassination, which is not the proper way to solve problems among salvadorans.      (lopez) in the pdc's opinion, what should be the role of the armed forces in the wake of dr rodriguez porth's assassination?      (colindres) i believe the armed forces must continue their policy of professionalism and respect for human rights, because this implies respecting the law and strengthening the institution of the armed forces. they have the constitutional duty to guarantee the safety and calm of the entire population.    (lopez) would you like to add anything?      (colindres) only that we hope this kind of regrettable and condemnable incident will not be repeated.  we also hope that violence and destruction among salvadoran brothers will end once and for all. (end recording)

farabundo marti national liberation front

ultrarightist factions

antonio rodriguez porth


Input: when we asked the foreign ministry why the honduran government has not protested the salvadoran armed forces attacks on honduran army soldiers and a helicopter in los llanitos (intibuca), the answer was very simple, but it shows the importance that is given to national sovereignty and integrity: the armed forces have not informed us of anything at all -- they said -- and what the media says is not accurate.    the newspapers tiempo and la prensa published reports of the incident with photographs that confirmed the aggression, the bombing and shelling of villages in our territory, and provided accounts by eyewitnesses and municipal authorities, but which, according to the foreign ministry, lack credibility or importance.    later foreign newsmen went to these places and confirmed what tiempo and la prensa had reported.  they also obtained other details on the incidents. while the honduran and salvadoran armed forces denied the incident, despite the evidence, the truth is there for the gentlemen of the foreign ministry to see.    according to statements by the villagers who were the victims of the salvadoran aggression, the honduran military threatened them and ordered them to be silent or to lie about what had happened.  it was necessary for the santa lucia mayor to intervene before they could tell newsmen what had happened.  a reporter for la prensa was sidetracked by a commander, no doubt to keep him from doing his job as a journalist.    the honduran army's weapons served to keep the aggression quiet instead of repelling it, to threaten honduran border villagers instead of protecting them, while the army turned its back on the enemy armed forces -- which have trampled on our territory and humiliated us -- instead of fighting them.  in short, the weapons that we hondurans and the armed forces have obtained with so much sacrifice, even at the expense of going without food and medicine, are used against honduras and its people.      this situation should cause us to give much thought to the existence of the honduran armed forces.  we anticipated this when the regional military training and security center (crems) was created exclusively to train 10,000 salvadoran troops -- the same army that invaded us in 1969 and that is attacking us again.    we wonder if we are not acquiring a mercenary mentality in honduras, whereby the state's weapons go to the highest bidder rather than being used in the national interest.  for the past 7 years they have been used for economic -- though ideologically disguised -- benefits.    no national military force can function like this anywhere in the world. in any event, the ideology of any army should be nationalistic, even in the case of powers and superpowers that invent and use internationalist ideologies for their hegemonic struggles.    here in honduras the case of the armed forces is just the opposite.  to the military institute's way of thinking, those who are demanding the defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity are subversives who are allied with subversives from other countries.  an aggression against honduras by a foreign army is legitimized by the people attacked and those who inform and protest are enemies of the fatherland.    this was stated in an editorial of the honduran armed forces' "military projections" program.  the editorial said that the report was issued "without prior investigation" and was based solely "on information provided by these groups to confuse national and international public opinion."    "the irresponsibility of some print and broadcast media directors has reached the point that they are promoting these clearly marxist - leninist subversives, financed by cuba and nicaragua, and those who do not hide their open sympathy with pseudo-professional positions.  they attempt to conceal this by claiming that radio stations or newspapers have unrestricted freedom of expression."    a similar explanation was presented by the salvadoran embassy in tegucigalpa in a press communique distributed to the media, which published and disseminated it -- although it appears incredible -- through the official presidential house bulletins.  we might add that the honduran army has echoed such reports, as an accomplice to a propaganda ploy to cover up an aggression against our country.    we ask, therefore:  "what is left of our national institutions?  what is honduras?  who are hondurans?"

honduran military


Input: according to press reports in lima today, david orosco tello ("comrade merino"), third in command of the shining path guerrilla group, died during a clash with a peruvian army military patrol in apurimac department, southeast of lima.    according to the press, the army patrol killed 15 shining path guerrillas in a clash on 5 june, but orosco tello was only yesterday identified by military and forensic experts of the apurimac department political and military command.    the guerrilla group reportedly suffered 15 casualties, while none of the military men were killed. after the clash, the army seized a light automatic rifle (fal), 2 mauser rifles, 250 sticks of dynamite, 22 homemade bombs, 6 cartridge pouches, a large amount of slow fuse and detonator cord, maps, notebooks, and passports.    the army reported that in another clash with the shining path, which took place in the parinacochas province of ayacucho department, southeast of lima, six guerrillas were killed and a small arsenal -- three mauser rifles, ammunitions for fal, uzi, and akn rifles, dynamite, and propaganda material -- was seized.


Input: deported chilean security was tight at perth international airport as mr.  buschmann, 46, was given an enthusiastic send-off by about 50 local supporters, most of them members of the western australian chilean community.    before boarding his aircraft, mr. buschmann said through an interpreter that he had achieved his goal in australia by publicising the position of the manuel rodriguez patriotic front in chile.      there was no immediate indication of mr. buschmann's ultimate destination, which was expected to be somewhere in europe.    he has refugee status in sweden, the country from which he made his visa application before being allowed into australia last month.  the australian immigration department arranged his sunday night flight on saturday after the federal court here had upheld a deportation order against him on friday.    mr. buschmann had originally planned to spend two months in australia publicising, and raising funds for, the manuel rodriguez movement, which is opposed to the regime of general augusto pinochet and which he heads.    the immigration department cut short his trip, claiming he had made false or misleading statements in his visa application.    mr. buschmann was arrested and detained in perth for three days before being released five days ago on the orders of the federal court to be placed under virtual house arrest pending the outcome of friday's hearing.    he had been staying at the home of western australian state labor member of parliament, dr. ian alexander.    he particularly upset the australian authorities by publicly calling for the assassination of gen. pinochet.  after his arrival santiago applied to canberra for his extradition.


Input: mr minister (honduran foreign minister carlos lopez contreras): various honduran press sources have reported on the 13 june meeting between the u.s. vice president and leaders of the mercenary groups, among them enrique bermudez, who have been using honduran territory as a base and sanctuary for its criminal actions against nicaragua.    these mercenary groups have continued their attacks against nicaragua, adding new victims to the thousands of citizens who have already suffered the effects of u.s. aggression and the participation and complicity of your government with that illegal policy.    the well-known u.s. policy of maintaining contra forces in honduran territory and its constant criminal attacks against the nicaraguan population -- which have left 163 civilian victims since the costa del sol summit on 31 may -- characterizes the talks between u.s. government officials and contra leaders, as well as the tragic consequences in the loss of human lives and property damage in my country.    while vice president quayle was meeting with the mercenaries, pastoral representatives in waslala and las minas informed the international community of the hundreds of peasants who have been murdered, kidnapped, and tortured by the mercenary groups that infiltrate nicaragua from honduras.      at the same time, the defense ministry reported on the continuation of attacks against agricultural cooperatives, among them one in san jose, tijuana, southeast of asturias, jinotega department, where four peasants were killed on 10 june.      in the costa del sol declaration, the central american presidents committed themselves to carrying out the demobilization, repatriation, and relocation of the mercenary groups currently based in your country. however, your government has supported -- against the legitimate interests of the honduran people -- the option set forth by a u.s. bipartisan agreement aimed at maintaining the contras in honduran territory.      interviews with honduran political leaders, such as the one published in the daily la tribuna in its 13 june edition, clearly state that the u.s. vice president did not go to honduras to solve its economic problems, but to obtain a confirmation from the government that it will not expel the contras from honduran territory.    in consenting to the continued presence in its territory of mercenary forces -- which were created to attack my country -- the honduran government is not only helping to bring more suffering and destruction to the nicaraguan people and nation, but is also continuing the heavy burden on the honduran people, who have also been the victims of criminal and terrorist actions.      with this behavior, the honduran government once again evinces its total  noncompliance with international commitments, which are also expressed in the esquipulas agreements, to not permit the use of its territory to attack other states and to discontinue its support for irregular forces.    the nicaraguan government strongly protests the fact that your country continues to allow the use of its territory to conduct illegal policies that go against the esquipulas agreements and the peace efforts and that violate the principles and norms established by international law to guarantee the peaceful coexistence of states.    your government should reflect on this and heed the calls made by the honduran people themselves, who demand an end to the country's involvement in an illegal and adventurous policy and that the agreements signed in costa del sol calling for the implementation of a joint plan for the demobilization, repatriation, and relocation of the irregular forces based in your country be honored.    i take this opportunity to reiterate my esteem to your excellency.    (signed) miguel d'escoto brockman, foreign minister, republic of nicaragua


Input: the argentina government has sent to brazil a request of preventive imprisonment for the extradition of 16 people (14 argentines and 2 frenchmen) charged with belonging to the "all for the fatherland" terrorist group.  the men are believed to have taken part in the attack on the la tablada military unit in buenos aires province last january.    at the argentine government's request, fernando carlos falco was arrested on 9 june.  he remains in custody in federal police quarters in brasilia, and he is waiting the extradition ruling, which will be made by the federal supreme cort (stf).    another argentine, damian mague, who was also involved in the la tablada attack, was arrested with falco on the same day.  mague was released because the argentine government did not request his preventive imprisonment, the stf said.  in falco's case, the argentine courts have 45 days to send the stf a copy of the legal case against him.  the trial will be based on the legal extradition requisites and not on the criminal accusations against falco.


Input: concerning dr jose antonio rodriguez porth's death, the farabundo marti national liberation front general command reports the following to all salvadorans:    1. as a result of investigations we have conducted, we confirm that the fmln bears no responsibility whatsoever for the attack on dr rodriguez porth.  we delayed making this statement to make certain that there were no circumstantial or other reasons that could have involved us in the attack.    2. following rodriguez porth's death, several groups have conducted markedly vengeful actions.  colonel ochoa perez, for example, has proposed fighting fire with fire.  francisco merino has threatened opposition leaders with death.  ricardo alvarenga valdivieso has proposed repressive new laws.    we hereby warn that if reprisals are taken against the opposition movement, we will take firm and resolute action against any escalation in repression.    3. we find the false commotion among the ranks of the arena (nationalist republican alliance) party repulsive, because everyone knows of their responsibility in killings like that of monsignor romero, of the members of the fdr (revolutionary democratic front) executive committee, and so many others.  we do not believe in their alleged innocence, and do even less at a time when repressive actions are being intensified.    4. our attention has been drawn to the fact that the attack on rodriguez porth occurred within the framework of an intense struggle between the entrepreneurial sector (of arena) and d'aubuisson's supporters to gain control of the party, and within the framework of a dispute for the defense ministry.  in the latter case, rodriguez porth's actions did away with general bustillo's aspirations.  there are precedents for the line of conduct of arena factions and for these internal confrontations.  we recall the attack that roberto d'aubuisson perpetrated against former u.s. ambassador thomas pickering.  we also remember how important men close to major roberto d'aubuission participated in the kidnapping of businessmen. major d'aubuission's silence concerning the attack on rodriguez porth is noteworthy.    the fmln understands the concern of the various national sectors and the international community in the sense that arena may use this fact to justify irrational retaliatory actions.  if a situation is brought about, involving an increase in violence and expansion of the war, it will be the arena government's sole responsibility, not ours.    for this reason, we have raised with the political parties the need to create conditions for establishing a favorable climate for dialogue and a negotiated political solution.  we reiterate our total readiness to contribute toward this effort.  the fmln reasserts to all the salvadoran people that we will continue to adhere to the truth and that that we will be fully responsible for our actions at all times and under any circumstances.    (signed) fmln general command     (dated) 15 june 198, el salvador

francisco merino

jose antonio rodriguez porth


Input: today, the chilean military government has reported the existence of a selective terrorist plan to attack government officials, a plan that could be linked to the shining path, a peruvian terrorist group.      general oscar vargas, the minister secretary general of government, reported on this plan during a 2-hour cabinet meeting that was chaired by chilean president general augusto pinochet.      the minister said that there are clear indications of such a plan, emphasizing that the civilians have great responsibility because the struggle against the subversion cannot be conducted without the assistance of civilians.    gen vargas pointed out that the recent attacks on armed forces and the security services personnel, the robbery of cars -- according to the police, a military truck and 18 private vehicles have been stolen -- and the stealing of car license plates at the municipalities are a clear indication that these groups are about to begin their activities.    this week, several unidentified individuals attacked an army non- commissioned officer, who is a member of the national intelligence center (cni, the secret police) and who was seriously injured, and last week a retired air force officer was murdered.      the minister added that a coordination among all the terrorist groups that are operating in the area has been noticed, especially by the shining path.  this matter was discussed by the peruvian defense minister in a speech he made in lima last week.    concerning the measures taken, gen vargas said: "all government authorities have been instructed to take care."    gen vargas categorically denied that the possibility that general augusto pinochet could run in the presidential elections scheduled for 14 december 1989 was discussed in the cabinet meeting held today at the la moneda presidential palace.    for his part and in a news conference, sergio onofre jarpa, a rightwing presidential candidate and the president of the progovernment national renewal party, said that his nomination "would not make any sense if pinochet runs for the same political sector."    jarpa reiterated that if the incumbent, who has been president since 1973, wants to run for president, "it will be necessary to reform the 1980 constitution" because article 25 prevents the chilean president from seeking re-election.

private vehicles

car license plates


Input: hurtado president cristiani this morning delivered part of the coffee tax, which will be distributed among all the mayors' offices in the country.  after the event at a san salvador hotel, cristiani answered questions, first on the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) communique denying participation in the murder of presidency minister jose antonio rodriguez porth. in the communique, the fmln flatly declared that none of their members had had anything to do with the murder.  cristiani had this to say:    (begin recording) (cristiani) the fmln general command said they had not ordered the assassination and added that apparently a group got out of hand and perpetrated the crime.  i think the fmln has realized the general repudiation this action has elicited.  i am convinced the fmln is trying to excuse the action, thus avoiding all responsibility.  we think they are trying to seek a way out of the problem caused by the assassination of an aged, defenseless person.  but there is no way out for them now.    (hurtado) the fmln has denied that any of its members participated in the action.    (cristiani) of course, they are now trying to deny it after they learned of the repudiation both here and abroad.  in addition, they waited a considerable time to deny their participation.  they had a complete plan against the government.  as you know, the plan is called "all against arena (nationalist republican alliance)."  this murder was part of their plan. rodriguez porth had no enemies.  he was a peaceful man who struggled with his pen and ideas. only an irrational mind, like that of those who advocate violence, could have conceived this action.  i am convinced the fmln did it.    (hurtado) mr president, if you and the (words indistinct) are convinced the fmln is guilty, what will become of the dialogue?    (critiani) we think we should overcome the effect of this heavy blow caused by the loss, not only of a column of the party and of our ideology, but also of a personal friend.  as members of the government, we should overcome our grief and seek the good of the country.  we believe (words indistinct) violence is repudiated and rejected in the country.  it is time for the fmln to talk about its objectives.  they have rejected the opportunity to talk with the government with unacceptable and unjustifiable arguments.  but our proposal for dialogue is still good.  we are willing to sit down and talk with them so this violence can end.    (hurtado) has a commission already been formed?      (cristiani) we are in the process of forming it.  some of the proposed persons have already agreed to be members.  we hope to have formed the commission by the end of the week.  as soon as we have it, we will gladly announce the members' names. (continued)

fmln

jose antonio rodriguez porth


Input: terrorist sergio buschmann, who had been held in preventive custody in alaska, was set free by u.s. authorities.  the chilean government has expressed its frustration over that decision, noting that it will continue to take all necessary steps at every occasion to bring sergio buschmann to court in chile.    the information was made public by chilean foreign ministry spokesman carlos ducci when he released an official communique from the foreign ministry.    (begin recording) (ducci) the foreign ministry was informed today by the u.s. department of state that because of legal technicalities related to interpretations of the bilateral extradition treaty of 1900, it cannot keep sergio buschmann in preventive custody, nor can it comply with the extradition request that is being prepared in chile.  the chilean government makes public its disappointment at this decision by the u.s. department of state and the u.s.  department of justice.  it is not sufficient in the struggle against international terrorism that some countries should limit themselves to expelling the terrorist buschmann from their territory.  we have requested that justice be allowed to operate so that buschmann can be submitted to due process in a case of a strictly judicial nature.    buschmann has been internationally recognized as a terrorist; he has endorsed violence, incited assassination, and raised funds for the purchase of arms to kill chileans.  the u.s. government has had at the proper time the opportunity to inspect the arms clandestinely introduced in chile for terrorist purposes by sergio buschmann.  this act has been publicly condemned by the u.s. department of state, because it revealed the threat international terrorism poses to the security of the hemisphere.  the chilean government has taken and will take all necessary steps at every opportunity to bring buschmann to court, and it must now deplore and reject the impunity with which this avowed criminal will continue to endorse terrorism and violence on the international stage. (end recording)    terrorist sergio buschmann, spokesman for the manuel rodriguez patriotic front, has the status of political refugee in sweden.  when carlos ducci was asked if buschmann has traveled to sweden, he replied that he did not know and that he only has information that buschmann has been set free.


Input: nicaragua has denied any links with the assassination of salvadoran presidency minister antonio rodriguez porth 8 days ago, an allegation made by the salvadoran army.  at a news conference, commander bayardo arce, vice coordinator of the executive commission of the ruling sandinist national liberation front, fsln, termed irresponsible the charges made in san salvador that nicaragua trained the commando who killed rodriguez porth.    arce said:  we lack the experience for such attacks and therefore could not have trained anyone.  he recalled that the fsln never resorted to that type of action during its struggle against the dictator anastasio somoza, who was overthrown in 1979.    the salvadoran armed forces have claimed that rodriguez porth was killed by a farabundo marti national liberation front commando trained in nicaragua.  however, that guerrilla group has denied any responsibility for the action.    arce also denied that nicaragua has sent weapons to panama when tension with the united states increased last month, as reported in the u.s. media. i am not surprised by those statements, arce said, adding that the united states continues its efforts to discredit the nicaraguan government with such lies.

commando

farabundo marti national liberation front

antonio rodriguez porth


Input: the united states information service (usis) has reported that salvadoran leftist leaders guillermo ungo and ruben zamora have admitted that the (farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln)) guerrillas killed presidency minister antonio rodriguez porth; the guerrillas have denied responsibility for the crime.    in a communique summarizing the meetings held by u.s. vice president dan quayle during his visit to el salvador this week, usis reported that the guerrillas also killed attorney general roberto garcia alvarado.    ungo and zamora today denied the charges, calling them "totally false." they challenged usis to take back or to clarify its statement published in the morning conservative daily el diario de hoy.    a spokesman representing ungo told acan - efe that "the publication of that statement is a publicity stunt to implicate us in rodriguez porth's assassination.  we deny the charges published today, and we demand a clarification from usis."

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front

antonio rodriguez porth

roberto garcia alvarado


Input: according to a last - minute official report, six guerrillas of the so-called camilist union of the so-called army of national liberation eln died today during fighting with (la popa) battalion troops in the slopes of the perija mountain range.  a military command spokesman said that the fighting took place a scant 10 km from the village of san jacinto in san diego municipality, where four soldiers died last week in an ambush.    police and military forces have stepped up surveillance around the cano limon - covenas pipeline after two new attacks, also by the eln, occurred in huila and north santander departments.    the terrorist attack in huila department took place in la motosa, near aipe municipality, where the pipeline that pumps crude oil between neiva and la dorada was dynamited.  humberto brines traveled early today to the scene of the events and reported the following:    (begin recording) (brines) a new attack was perpetrated last night against the pipeline that pumps crude oil from neiva to dorada.  suspected eln guerrillas placed a dynamite charge at the place called la motosa, near aipe municipality, which completely destroyed the guard post and a stretch of the pipeline.  a fire immediately broke out and the installation was completely gutted.    crude oil pumping was suspended and efforts to contain the fire and to repair the pipeline began at 2300.  the extent of the losses has not yet been assessed.  this pipeline pumps 58,000 barrels of oil per day.  the main pumping station is located in aipe municipality.  workers from (jocol) and ecopetrol (colombian petroleum enterprise) worked intensely all through the predawn hours to repair the pipeline, enabling it to resume pumping operations at 1000.    even though the eln has repeatedly threatened the oil pipelines, work has continued on the construction of a new multiple pipeline in huila, which will pump 138,000 barrels of oil per day between neiva and covenas.  the same pipeline was blown up only 1 month ago, a scarce 25 km from that place. (end recording)

guerrillas

army of national liberation eln

stretch of the pipeline

guard post

installation

dynamite charge


Input: the damage caused by the latest terrorist attacks against the country's oil pipeline has so far been estimated at almost 75 billion pesos. according to ecopetrol (colombian petroleum enterprise), there have been four dynamite attacks on the pipeline in the last 72 hours. because of the attacks, colombia will have to abstain from marketing crude oil abroad for 3 weeks, thus losing $150 million.  the damage caused to the covenas plant amounts to $7 million; another $7 million will have to be spent on repairs.    ecopetrol president andres restrepo londono said that the colombian people will feel the impact of these attacks.  already the royalties given to the municipalities have been suspended, and an increase in fuel prices will be necessary, according to the first special meeting of the country's petroleum enterprise authorities.    meanwhile, the army has increased its counteroffensive against eln (army of national liberation) guerrillas, which have claimed responsibility for the attacks on the oil pipeline, exerting pressure to modify the oil policy.  the latest attack on the pipeline occurred at the lisama installations, located between barrancabermeja and bucaramanga.  eln guerrillas attacked these installlations, which are responsible for producing gas and petroleum.  the guerrillas cut 80 percent of the cables attached to the motors which extract fuel.    a dynamite charge was also placed on the pipeline at km-28 in cano limon-covenas, in the area of carmen, near the tonchala river, in northern santander.  no fuel, however, was lost.  the attacks have now extended to huila department for the first time, damaging fuel installations.  here the oil spill was stopped by closing down the installations.    furthermore, nine guerrillas have been killed, eight more have been captured, and an eln training center has been dismantled.  this is the result of the army's first counterinsurgency actions against those determined to do away with the nation's resources by attacking the cano limon-covenas pipeline.  military authorities have reported that near serrania de perija, cesar department, the 2d brigade's (la popa) battalion troops clashed with eln guerrillas.  the clash resulted in the death of six guerrillas and the confiscation of a great amount of war materiel.    in addition, (words indistinct) the army dismantled an eln urban network, capturing eight of its members.  meanwhile, the 14th brigade's (luciano de luria) battalion troops killed jose antonio velasco, a farc (revolutionary armed forces of colombia) leader.  finally, 5th brigade troops are continuing their actions in the cacatumbo area, where the eln has taken refuge.  the eln, commanded by spanish priest manuel perez, has based its operations in eastern colombia.

guerrillas

eln guerrillas

pipeline

covenas plant

lisama installations

fuel installations

dynamite


Input: the colombian army of national liberation (eln) announced today for the first that that it is willing to engage in a dialogue on the country's oil policy.  the eln has carried out a destructive wave of attacks against the colombian oil industry to force the government to nationalize this industry.    the guerrilla group's willingness to participate in a dialogue is conveyed in a tape sent to conservative senator alvaro leyva from former spanish priest manuel perez, who is the eln's founder and leader.  according to leyva, perez expressed his willingness to meet with him to explain the guerrilla group's ideas on what colombia's oil policy should be.  leyva said that the eln also demanded that nationalization be applied to other natural resources.    furthermore, the eln -- which has previously rejected the government's peace offer -- reiterated its desire to "humanize" the conflict between the guerrillas and the army, so that the civilian population will not be affected.    leyva has played a leading role in seeking a rapprochement between guerrilla groups and the government.  to this end he has met several times with m-19 (19 april movement) and revolutionary armed forces of colombia (farc) commanders, which is why the eln selected him as the bearer of its message.    the eln has concentrated its terrorist attacks against the country's main oil pipeline, which extends 800 km from the eastern to the northwestern regions of colombia.  it has caused millions in losses to the state colombian petroleum enterprise (ecopetrol) and serious ecological damage resulting from oil spills.    in 1988, it attacked the nation's pipelines approximately 50 times, and thus far this year the eln has carried out 21 attacks.  on 16 june, the main oil reserves in the caribbean port city of covenas were virtually destroyed by several dynamite blasts set off by the guerrillas.    this was the eln's most daring and serious attack to date.  the eln claims that the multinational companies that carry out oil exploration and drilling with ecopetrol are "plundering" colombia's natural resources.

guerrillas

colombian army of national liberation

oil reserves

dynamite


Input: mary stanislaus makeil, a u.s. nun, was seriously wounded today when shots were fired at a vehicle in which she was traveling near zaragoza, 20 km southwest of the capital city, church sources have reported.    makeil was traveling with two other nuns of the order of the charity of the incarnate word in a private vehicle along the highway between san salvador and zaragoza, when unidentified assailants in another vehicle opened fire.  juana margarita flores, one of the nuns traveling with makeil, explained that one of the bullets hit makeil near the right ear.    after the incident, the nuns took makeil to san rafael hospital in santa tecla.  however, due to the seriousness of her condition, she was transported overnight to a private hospital in the salvadoran capital city, where she will undergo emergency surgery.      the three nuns work at the oscar arnulfo romero community (coar), which takes care of war orphans.  it should be recalled that in 1980, four u.s. nuns who were traveling from the comalapa airport to san salvador were killed by salvadoran national guardsmen.

unidentified assailants

vehicle

mary stanislaus makeil

juana margarita flores


Input: medical sources reported today that the irish nun, sister mary stanislaus mackey, who was shot in el salvador by several unidentified men, is still in serious condition, but out of danger.  a spokesman for the hospital to which the nun was taken after being wounded along with two other nuns on 21 june, said:  "the nun underwent surgery twice and she will most likely lose her left eye, but she is out of danger."    the two other wounded nuns are u.s. citizen sister ana maria brangan and salvadoran sister juana margarita flores.      church sources have said that mackey is not a u.s. citizen, but an irish citizen who was sent to work in el salvador in 1983 sponsored by the archdiocese of cleveland (u.s.a.).    the same sources told acan-efe that mackey, 72, will be taken to a u.s. hospital within the next few hours, but no further details were given.    salvadoran communications minister mauricio sandoval condemned the attack on the nuns and said that salvadoran authorities are conducting immediate investigations to apprehend those responsible for this attack.

several unidentified men

mary stanislaus mackey

ana maria brangan

juana margarita flores


Input: there was a terrorist attack at the san salvador central market today.  a bomb was thrown at the marvin soda shop, which is by the southern entrance to the market.  there is no information on those responsible for this action, which has caused casualties.  we received a report that one person has died at the rosales hospital.  she was taken along with approximately 20 other people to the rosales hospital.  we were told that this explosion wounded 37 persons, some seriously.  we repeat that we do not know who was responsible for this action, which has brought grief and mourning to many families who go to the market to buy or sell products.  the explosion left a big hole in the tin roof of the marvin soda shop.  the force of the explosion and the shrapnel injured many people.  we were told that one person had serious head wounds while another had serious abdominal wounds.

marvin soda shop

bomb


Input: concerning the terrorist attack on friday, 23 june at the san salvador central market in which 2 people were killed and 30 wounded, the fmln reports to all salvadorans the following:    1.  that the hurling of the bomb at the central market was a terrorist action by the arena (nationalist republican alliance) government, specifically by the armed forces high command.  this action is part of a cold-blooded plan that consists of criminal actions in public places designed to turn people against the fmln.    2.  we hold colonel mauricio guzman aguilar -- who acquired experience in this kind of criminal action when he commanded the 5th brigade -- responsible for this treacherous terrorist action.  this terrorist action complements the current policy of repression by the alfredo cristiani regime.    we condemn terrorism (words indistinct) by arena (words indistinct).    san salvador, 23 june 1989;     farabundo marti national liberation front

armed forces high command

san salvador central market

bomb


Input: nicaraguan president daniel ortega has warned that the united states is pressuring the honduran government to break relations with nicaragua to increase its "aggressive" actions against the sandinists.    during a meeting with industrialists in masaya, 35 km south of managua, ortega sounded irritated in light of the honduran government's threats to break relations with nicaragua.    on saturday, the honduran foreign ministry issued a note to protest statements by nicaraguan foreign minister miguel d' escoto against honduran president jose azcona, whom d' escoto accused of having implemented a "narcostate".    ortega said:  "we do not understand why honduras feels offended when we are the ones who were offended, not them."    "we could have broken relations with the honduran government a long time ago, from the moment honduras was first used as a springboard to attack nicaragua," the sandinist leader stressed.    the honduran foreign ministry yesterday warned, in a veiled manner, that nicaragua because of what it described as " d' escoto's dirty remarks."'    honduras "has reacted with justified indignation, to the point of requesting a break in relations with nicaragua," the honduran foreign ministry added.      d' escoto, who is currently in venezuela, criticized honduras' policy and said that honduras is not the appropriate country to hold the next central american presidential summit.    the head of nicaragua said that the honduran authorities "have offended the nicaraguan people with their words and actions, and they have served as a springboard for the murder of children and the mutilation of the nicaraguan people."    ortega also criticized u.s. vice president dan quayle's visit to tegucigalpa and said that those meetings in which nicaragua was attacked "must be denounced."


Input: the camilist union - army of national liberation eln has carried out a new attack on the pacific oil pipeline in mulalo, yumbo municipality.  the attack occurred at approximately 2200 yesterday when two men on a motorcycle set off 5 kg of dynamite.  the explosion destroyed three sections of the pipeline that carries gasoline from tankers in buenaventura to the (ecopetrol colombian petroleum enterprise) plant in yumbo.  approximately 18,000 barrels of gasoline are pumped through this section of the pipeline daily.  pumping has been halted while the pipeline is repaired. although the exact amount of the damage is still unknown, it is estimated that losses from the spilled gasoline and the damage to the pipeline are close to 20 million pesos.    this is the fifth dynamite attack on the pacific pipeline by the eln in valle del cauca department in the past 6 months.  one occurred in buga municipality 1 month ago, and the other four have taken place in the mulalo area.

two men on a motorcycle

camilist union - army of national liberation eln

pacific oil pipeline

5 kg of dynamite


Input: your close attention, farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) combatants and the salvadoran people in general: the media has reported the murder of roberto armando rivera, director (word indistinct) of the national fire department, by the fmln's modesto ramirez urban commandos (words indistinct).    before the arrival of the murderer cristiani to power, col rivera was the director of the public security academy.  in other words, col rivera was a death squad member who taught torture techniques to be used against the people's movement.

modesto ramirez urban commandos

fmln

roberto armando rivera


Input: an alleged sandinist officer who claims to have carried out espionage activities against the honduran armed forces and government turned himself over to honduran military authorities today.      the individual identified himself as captain adan solorzano martinez, said he had been trained in cuba in 1980, and said was in honduras on an espionage mission with two other members of the sandinist army, whom he did not identify.    solorzano called together a group of newsmen in the city of san pedro sula, in northern honduras, and turned himself over to the military authorities in the reporters' presence.    the officer declined to give details about "delicate matters" about which he will brief the honduran armed forces.  he said they concern his activities in this country since may.    the defector said he arrived in honduras in august 1988 with an identification card from the honduran national registry of persons identifying him as a honduran from comayagua, in the central part of the country.    he told the press he has been a sandinist since 1974 and had been an urban guerrilla leader during the struggle against the somozist regime in nicaragua.    he said the de facto government and the continued retention of power by the sandinists forced him to defect.  he added that groups of sandinists have been infiltrated into tegucigalpa, san pedro sula, and other parts of honduras to cause social destabilization.      he explained that among other activities, their mission was to kill leaders of mass organizations and then attribute the deaths to the honduran armed forces, thereby fomenting social destabilization in the country.    he added that his contacts were outside the country and that he received $2,500 a month to carry out his activities in honduras.      the defector said sandinist officers direct the guerrillas in el salvador and that the assassination in february of general gustavo alvarez martinez, former commander of the honduran armed forces, was plotted in managua.    the defector said alvarez had always been in the sandinists' sights because he was the main promoter of the contras (nicaraguan armed opposition).    solorzano said nicaraguan foreign minister miguel d'escoto has many "delicate things" to say against honduras and costa rica.  (as received)

gustavo alvarez martinez


Input: guatemalan president vinicio cerezo today revealed there have been two attempts to murder him since he assumed the presidentcy on 14 january 1986.      cerezo, who avoided giving details about the two attempts, stated that "there is specific information" about an alleged plan to murder him.  he added, however, that no one can be arrested without evidence.    cerezo asserted that he withdrew last week to santo tomas farm, approximately 43 km south of guatemala city, to think, study guatemala's problems, and rest.      cerezo said he also retreated to his farm to give his security officials an opportunity to reschedule activities and change methods to increase their protection without affecting the population or the relationship between the president and the people.    answering questions about the summoning of four civilians who were linked with one of the plans to murder him, cerezo said they were summoned by the police to provide information about the alleged plan.    the second plan was revealed early this month by hugo arce, a columnist of the guatemalan opposition newspaper el grafico, who   the murder was going to be carried out by a libyan commando unit that had entered guatemala in december 1988 and had been trained in cuba.    cerezo said that arce must tell everything he knows, because otherwise "he would be concealing the plan, which is a crime to do."    other civilians who will also be summoned by the attorney general's office are mario david garcia, nicolas buonafina, both suspected of involvement in the attempted coup of may 1988, and juan maegli.    president cerezo said he trusts his security forces and that it is very easy to display a large-scale protection system, but "that is neither my style nor that of my assistants," cerezo stressed.    cerezo added that the state has security mechanisms to determine whether strange things are happening in the country but those mechanisms cannot always be used as evidence to arrest a person.    cerezo did not provide information about the first alleged plan to murder him.

libyan commando unit

vinicio cerezo


Input: bolivian labor confederation (cob) representatives reported today that three students have been charged with the killing of two u.s. mormon missionaries.  the killings occurred in la paz on 24 may.      the killing of the two u.s. missionaries was claimed by a self- styled "zarate willca armed forces liberation" group. this is the same group that claimed responsibility for the attack on george shultz when he visited la paz in august 1988 in his capacity as u.s.  secretary of state.    in the last few days, bolivian authorities have arrested dozens of university students.  their relatives and cob officials have criticized these arrests, which they claim "are an illegal and arbitrary action."    the cob leaders have reported that those arrested have been identified as constantino yujra, a sociology student; telma salazar, a nursing student; and alberto mendoza, a student at the warisata rural school.    moreover, the social science school of the san andres university has declared itself in a "state of emergency" until the students are released. the school has also called a protest meeting for 30 june.    mormon missionaries jeffrey brent ball and ray todd wilson were the missionaries killed.  the u.s. government has offered a $500,000-reward to anyone who helps with the capture of those responsible for their killings.

constantino yujra

telma salazar

alberto mendoza

zarate willca armed forces liberation

jeffrey brent ball

ray todd wilson


Input: diego morales, leader of cochabamba's peasant federation, is seriously injured and in a coma.  he is being treated at a chimore hospital.  umopar (mobile units for rural areas) agents fired machineguns at the area from helicopters to scare the local population after coca producers blocked the road to stop an umopar vehicle to fire.    hugo zalazar from the single trade union confederation of bolivian peasant workers said that umopar agents protect drug traffickers.  the confederation will convene a national emergency meeting to protect coca growers from violent umopar raids.  (passage omitted)    the bolivian labor confederation (cob) condemend the raids and denied that peasants had ambushed the umopar patrol.  cob leader alejandro guzman reports:    (begin recording) (guzman) i must say that the report of an alleged ambush is completely false.  peasants have not captured umopar or dea hostages.  there was, however, a violent attack against companero diego morales on his land, in front of other coca growers.  (end recording) (passage omitted)    umopar forces have also arrested 30 peasants in puerto san francisco, chapare, after a police patrol was forced to release 2 drug traffickers and had to flee from a crowd of nearly 1,000 peasants.    social defense under secretary genaro marquez said the incident occurred after a mine-man umopar patrol captured two drug traffickers.  the peasants intercepted the vehicle in which the two drug traffickers were being taken to chimore.  the police agents had to release the drug traffickers after the peasants threatened to shoot them.      the crowd continued to threaten the patrol, forcing the umopar agents to flee into the woods.  the peasants -- some 400 strong -- burned the umopar pickup and chased the police into the woods.    under secretary genaro marquez explaints:    (begin recording) (marquez) yesterday, umopar raided some areas during the morning and clashed with a large group of peasants in puerto san francisco, who attacked the patrol after learning what happened to diego morales.  the agents had to release two drug traffickers they were bringing with them.  they were able to flee the area after some difficulties but will continue investigating.  (passage omitted) (end recording)    marquez said the 30 arrested peasants will be questioned to determine their responsibility in the incident and those who are innocent will be released.  marquez also said police seized arms and sticks of dynamite.

agents

umopar

diego morales

machineguns


Input: a propagandistic scandal was promoted in honduras yesterday, with the report that an alleged nicaraguan spy, who had surrendered to honduran authorities, "had the mission of assassinating president azcona, archbishop santos, presidential candidates, and honduran opposition leaders."    honduran media identified the alleged defector as orlando solorzano martinez, whom they claimed was trained in cuba.    regarding this case, it is recalled that at other times in honduras, alleged nicaraguan military defectors have been presented to make charges against the sandinist government.  in most cases, such citizens did not exist under the names cited or simply were not connected with the nicaraguan armed forces.    as is known, honduran president azcona hoyo's government has recently used the pretext of nicaraguan foreign minister d'escoto's statements in caracas to threaten to break relations with nicaragua.


Input: regarding the death of edgard chacon, today, 30 june, the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) states the following:    1.  the fmln had nothing to do with the death of edgard chacon.    2.  edgard chacon, ideologist of the orlando de sola group, was killed as the result of a war that has been unleashed among rightist groups with the participation of cia (central intelligence agency) operatives.  this assassination was a response from the alfredo cristiani faction, with the support of the cia, to the killing of (late minister of the presidency) rodriguez porth, whose assassination has been attributed to the roberto d'aubuisson faction.    we urge the people and the media to be on the alert and not to be confused by what the people involved in the killings say.      (signed) fmln    (dated) 30 june 1989

cia

alfredo cristiani faction

roberto d'aubuisson faction

edgard chacon

rodriguez porth


Input: salvadoran president alfredo cristiani has blamed fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) guerrillas for the murder of political analyst edgar chacon and has stressed that, despite these actions, he is undeterred from his intention to sit down and talk with the rebels to put an end to the conflict.    president cristiani said that his government would not be blackmailed by the wave of violence unleashed by the fmln.  the president said that these actions only serve to confirm the weakness of the fmln, which seeks power through violence.    (begin recording) (cristiani) the fmln's powerlessness and inability to do battle using ideas rather than violence became evident again today.  the fmln has again tried to silence the voice of another salvadoran who fought with words and thoughts.  in every sense, this has been a cowardly act and it can only be described as that.  it is the work of sick minds.  i believe that this is what the fmln has proven to be -- a group of sick people who do not understand the clamor of a people who wish to talk rather than use violence, a people who want peace in el salvador.      we are on the side of the salvadoran people, and the salvadoran people want us to do what we can to achieve peace in el salvador.  because we wish to do what the people want, we will always have the doors open in the hope of achieving peace in our homeland. (end recording)

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front

edgar chacon


Input: four colombian leftist guerrilla groups announced today that they are willing to promote a direct peace dialogue with the government of president virgilio barco, this will bring to five the number of rebel groups that have reportedly accepted the peace proposal the colombian president made in september 1988.    the leftist m-19 (19 april movement), which appeared in the mid-1970's, kidnapped 20 ambassadors in an attack on the dominican embassy in bogota, and occupied the justice palace in november 1985 -- an action that resulted in the deaths of 100 people -- has been holding peace talks with the barco government since december.    bogota's radio cadena nacional reported that the revolutionary armed forces of colombia (farc, communist), the marxist-leninist popular liberation army (epl), the indian quintin lame commando unit, and the revolutionary workers party (prt) attended a guerrilla summit held in the paramo de sumapaz mountains, in southwest bogota, this weekend.    during the guerrilla summit, the fourth since the creation of the simon bolivar guerrilla coordinating board (cngsm), a document was drafted proposing direct dialogue with the government.    according to the document broadcast by radio cadena national, a dialogue, similar to the one being held with m-19, "would serve to establish the necessary conditions for peace and national harmony."    contrary to what could have been expected, the proposal was not sent to president barco, but to misael pastrana borrero, former opposition social conservative party president who ruled from 1970 - 1974.  pastrana is a member of a commission of notables created to mediate for peace.  this commission should analyze the proposal and present it to the government in a few days.    apparently also participating in the simon bolivar summit were delegates of m-19 and the eln, a group that has unleashed a violent campaign to destroy the oil industry infrastructure, particularly the leading cano limon-covenas oil pipeline that crosses the country east to west and covers nearly 800 kms.    the document stresses the need to reach a peaceful political solution to the armed conflict, which the country has had to put up with for the past 40 years.    the signatories of the document asserted that "direct dialogue with the government is one of the mechanisms that could lead to a solution."  the government must carry out its struggle against the so-called paramilitary (self-defense) groups with even more determination, the document said.    they also demand an end to the "dirty war."    meanwhile, it was learned that former president misael patrana borrero has summoned the notables commission, comprised of fabio echeverri correa, president of the national association of industrialists (andi) and cardinal mario revollo correa, to a meeting on monday to review the document and present it to president barco.    the proposal presented by the farc, the epl, the quintin lame, and the prt -- organizations that have been abiding by the unilateral truce since early this year -- leaves the eln as the only active colombian guerrilla group.      however, that subversive group, led by spanish priest manuel perez, announced last week the possibility of opening channels for peace if a date is set for a meeting, in the near future, to analyze the country's current oil policies.    the eln has offered to stop its attacks if the oil industry in the country is nationalized.


Input: in an attack that occurred near san salvador a group of unidentified persons this evening wounded mauricio gutierrez castro, president of the supreme court of justice.  one of his bodyguards was was killed.      the president of the supreme court of justice, who took office on friday, was slightly wounded in the neck.    gutierrez castro, a 48-year-old man, was returning to san salvador from the beach in la libertad when his car was shot at near the town of zaragoza, approximately 10 km from san salvador.  gutierrez castro was in the car with his two sons.    one of his bodyguards, whom the authorities did not identify, died on the spot, while his children and the other member of his escort were not injured.    in a declaration in which he condemned all types of violence in the country, "regardless of where it comes from," the supreme court of justice president told the media that he did not know if he was the target of the attack.    gutierrez castro replaces francisco jose guerrero, who completed his 5-year term.    no organization has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.    the last attack with similar characteristics occurred in june, and the authorities attributed it to the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln), but the guerrilla organization denied the accusation.    on that occasion three unidentified men shot and killed 65-year- old presidency minister antonio rodriguez porth.

group of unidentified persons

mauricio gutierrez castro


Input: police sources have confirmed that a guerrilla was killed and two civilians were wounded this morning during an attack by urban guerrillas on the security post of a neighborhood inhabited by many high-ranking salvadoran military officers in this capital.    the attack, carried out with rocket launchers and rifles, was launched at 0600 against a national police post guarding the manuel jose arce neighborhood.    the military neighborhood is located near the armed forces general staff headquarters, in southern san salvador.      residents of the area told the press that a group of six urban guerrillas attacked two police checkpoints, damaging a private residence and wounding a woman and a girl.    policemen dispatched to the scene reported that they did not sustain any casualties.    the armed forces press committee also reported today that urban guerrillas blew up at least three power lines, wounding a civilian.      san salvador judicial authorities also reported that two people died from bullet wounds in san salvador on sunday night, under circumstances that are under investigation.

urban guerrillas

group of six urban guerrillas

national police post

private residence

power lines

rocket launchers

rifles