Input: there is a tense calm, interrupted by sporadic shooting, in the exclusive escalon neighborhood of the salvadoran capital today.  at the same time, many foreigners are leaving the neighborhood, which was the site of heavy fighting between the salvadoran armed forces and guerrillas yesterday.    an official of the un office, which is located in the area of fighting, told acan-efe that "all the personnel are fine and we are now evacuating some employees and foreigners living in the area, taking advantage of the cease-fire" that was ordered by the salvadoran guerrillas for several hours.    "we have not seen any guerrillas.  the soldiers are in the area and entrance is restricted.  they are only permitting the evacuation," the official said over the telephone.    a spokesman of the armed forces press committee (coprefa) said this morning that the elite counterinsurgency belloso and atlacatl battalions and troops with artillery are carrying out a special operation in escalon to dislodge the rebels.  the spokesman said the operation will include all of northern san salvador.  however, he said he could not provide further information because "we are still compiling information."    the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) on 29 november resumed its attacks in san salvador, especially in the upper class neighborhoods of escalon, san benito, and maquilishuat and the middle class neighborhoods of jardin guadalupe, la cima, and lomas de san francisco.    after several hours of fighting in the streets of the neighborhoods, the army said it had the situation under control. however, it admitted that the rebels had entrenched themselves in escalon and had seized "the residents as hostages."    the guerrillas announced last night that from 0600 to 1200 (1200 - 1800 gmt) today, 30 november, they "will undertake the evacuation of foreign personnel" in the escalon and san benito neighborhoods in northern san salvador.  the fmln said the measure, which is being heeded by the foreigners living in those areas, is to guarantee the lives of the residents of escalon.    various sources said the rebels have left escalon, but this information has yet to be confirmed.

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln)


Input: the clandestine and liar radio stations of the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) terrorists continue to conduct a disinformation campaign at an international level with the purpose of distorting the truth regarding the aggression these bandits have launched against the salvadoran people.    very frequently they broadcast reports of unimaginable military victories of the fmln.  their liar radio stations say they have occupied the municipalities of soyapango, mejicanos, ayutuxtepeque, ciudad delgado, and others, which, despite the tragedy we are suffering, makes people burst out laughing because everyone knows these are big lies.  these claims are absolutely false.  the residents of those municipalities are going to their jobs, buses are operating, and everyday activities are being conducted in a normal manner.    the liar radio stations of the fmln think they can confuse the public opinion with their false information.  these stations are used for propagandistic and disinformation purposes to make it appear as if the fmln is winning military victories, which they have never attained and which are only in the minds of ortega's puppets, who broadcast from managua.    the people are asking themselves: where are the cowardly terrorist and murderous chiefs of the fmln, shafik handal, joaquin villalobos, and other cowards, who are in managua enjoying a luxurious life and good food?    the salvadoran people are fully aware of the victorious actions of our armed forces, who since the beginning of this genocidal and terrorist fmln offensive have faced the aggressive mercenaries by reducing them to small terrorist groups, which are lost and are irrationally attacking the civilian population.    the fmln has ridiculously claimed to completely control certain municipalities.  all of these lies show that the murderous fmln leaders do not have any arguments with which to conceal their unsuccessful rebel offensive.    their greatest failure has been the salvadoran people's rejection of the rebel actions.  despite so many threats made by the fmln terrorists, our people have never supported them, let alone agreed to accept the weapons that the fmln were offering them if they joined the rebellion.  the fmln and its terrorist offensive, which was conducted with the weapons that dictator ortega has given to the fmln puppets, has failed, and the salvadoran people expect the nations of the free world to condemn this genocidal aggression of international communism.


Input: judging by news agency reports, the development of events in el salvador has reached an extremely dangerous point.  president cristiani's refusal to respond to the insurgents' recent cease- fire proposal has resulted in a fresh outbreak of bloodshed.    having rejected out of hand last week the very idea of the resumption of talks with the farabundo marti liberation movement, the government has made no secret of its intention of quickly driving the guerrillas back into the mountains using u.s. military supplies. "elite" army battalions had already prepared for punitive assaults. but what happened?  the regime's gamble on military force proved futile.  the insurgents regrouped their forces, brought up reserves, and struck a powerful new blow.    the salvadoran drama is increasingly sharply at variance with the improvement of the international climate.  representatives of the united nations, the oas, the eec, the vatican, france, and a number of other countries and organizations are now stressing the acute need to urge the warring sides in el salvador to reach a peaceful settlement based on mutual compromise.  and it is a very great pity that such an appeal has not come from that capital which the salvadoran authorities heed above all others -- washington.    attention is drawn to the urgent evacuation of u.s. citizens from el salvador that was announced yesterday.  i recognize that in the conditions of an armed conflict this is a necessary step.  but it is no secret that in the recent past such actions by the u.s. administration were an ominous symptom of the preparation of overtly interventionist plans.    end the bloodshed -- that is the priority task today.  and the restoration of the dialogue between the government and the insurgents that was broken off should be the first step toward that.


Input: following a soviet order, daniel ortega has been forced to expell from nicaragua the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) terrorist leaders who for years have kept their general command post in managua, with ortega's support and protection.  when the soviet government confirmed that ortega had supplied arms to the fmln, which were secretly intended for the exclusive use of the sandinist army -- as was the case of the sam-7 missiles -- they ordered him to stop supporting the fmln terrorists because this is endangering ussr and u.s. rapprochement policies.  the kremlin has reacted with noticeable annoyance following fidel castro and daniel ortega's direct meddling, which is causing serious divisions within the leadership of the sandinist government because some of the commanders did not agree on supporting the fmln terrorist upsurge.    the expulsion order for jorge shafik handal, joaquin villalobos, and other fmln leaders is expected any moment now.  this will significantly reduce the fmln's political clout.  at the summit meeting between the soviet and u.s. presidents, castro and ortega's aggression, using the fmln against the salvadoran people, will be reviewed following president arias of costa rica's initiative.


Input: immigration director colonel maximiliano leiva reported today that 7 foreigners have been deported from el salvador and 14 will have to leave the country within the next few hours after being declared "persona non grata" for allegedly collaborating with the guerrillas.    leiva told acan - efe that an undetermined number of foreigners have been remanded to the courts, charged with arms possession or for taking part in armed actions in complicity with the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln). leiva said that the seven deportees will be "permanently" banned so they will not be able to return to el salvador.    among the deported are u.s. citizens, dutch, germans, and japanese, added leiva. the salvadoran official did not release the names of the deportees or the foreigners who will have to leave the country in the next few hours.    jennifer casolo, a u.s. citizen, was arrested by the security corps and accused of "arms possession."  grabriela tornago, an italian, was arrested and accused of "financing, recruiting, and being involved with terrorist groups."    according to official sources, casola was arrested at daybreak on 26 november at a house located in the "miravalle" neighborhood, where the army claims to have found a great amount of weapons.  tornago was arrested more than a week ago in the "prados de venecia" neighborhood. police sources said that the italian was preparing a fake wedding at her residence to gather people linked with the guerrillas, who on 11 november started an alleged "insurrection."    leiva assured that the foreigners who are linked to the guerrillas will be remanded to the courts by the security force that makes the arrest.


Input: venezuelan president carlos andres perez referred today to the murder of six jesuits and two women in san salvador and said that "there is a generalized suspicion that no one can hide, and it is that the extreme right and not the extreme left committed these murders."    perez, who expressed his viewpoints about the salvadoran situation during his news conference at the miraflores palace, said that it is very important that these crimes be investigated and that the responsible parties be punished.  he added that he has telephoned salvadoran president alfredo cristiani and u.s. president george bush and told them about this.    the venezuelan president said that in spite of the fact the evidence points in one direction to the authors of the crimes committed on 16 november, "we cannot take any sides in this issue, particularly when we are trying to find a solution, and that is exactly what we have done."    concerning the spanish government's decision to suspend cooperation with the governments of el salvador and nicaragua, perez pointed out that this action is one way of maintaining an active neutrality.    according to the venezuelan president, the spanish stand is one of cooperation so that there will be peace and understanding in central america, because it is withdrawing the aid as long as it is unclear how serious the conflicting parties are about reaching an agreement.

extreme right


Input: the salvadoran armed forces stated this evening that the guerrilla offensive "has failed and has not represented a military threat" to the army following 19 days of strong rebel attacks in the framework of 10 years of war.    army spokesman major mauricio chavez caceres said that "following the failure of the guerrilla offensive which had been prepared for over a year, what we can expect from them (the rebels) is attacks on prominent people and on the economic infrastructure, and actions to scare the population."    the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) renewed its attacks early on 29 november when it attacked the country's most important military installation and set fire to a residence of u.s. military advisers and confronted the army in exclusive neighborhoods in northwest san salvador.    former foreign minister and president of the supreme court of justice francisco jose guerrero died on 28 november when he was straffed by guerrillas, according to military sources.  this took place hours before the renewed fighting which produced 40 casualties among guerrillas and soldiers.    in an official radio and television broadcast, chavez caceres today accused the fmln of destroying some residences in the exclusive escalon neighborhood with dynamite, in northwest san salvador, and of firing on private vehicles in high- and middle-class san salvador neighborhoods.    the military spokesman said: "they (the rebels) have not been able to deal a military blow; they have not been able to put up a fight with a single army battalion or company."    the fmln guerrillas today vacated the escalon neighborhood after holding, for over 24 hours, several houses there, from which they confronted the government troops.    the fmln announced a truce from 0600 to 1200 (1200 to 1800 gmt) today to evacuate foreigners, diplomats, and civilian residents from escalon.    over 200 u.s. citizens left today for the united states because of the fighting, particularly in escalon, a residential area in which diplomats, high-ranking government officials, and powerful businessmen live.    since the beginning of the guerrilla offensive on 11 november, approximately 2,000 people have died and hundreds have been wounded in the fighting between soldiers and rebels, which has also resulted in severe economic losses.

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front

residence of u.s. military advisers

francisco jose guerrero


Input: dominican order superior juan carlos fernandez cid reported in managua today that a spanish priest and four workers of the dominican order -- three salvadorans and one u.s. citizen -- were arrested in san salvador on 30 november.    the dominican superior told acan-efe that the spanish priest carlos diez rojo; salvadorans jose santana, the driver; estela cruz bustamante, director of the order's child care center; and santiago de jesus vasquez, director of the "22 april" neighborhood choir; as well as a u.s. volunteer called scott, were still under arrest in san salvador today.    he stated that he had contacted spanish embassy officials in san salvador this morning, and they confirmed that the san salvador treasury police had arrested the priest diez rojo and the four workers.    according to fernandez cid, a group of policemen raided the parish center in ciudad credisa, a san salvador neighborhood, and arrested the five persons after conducting a search.    the priest was visiting san salvador and had arrived in the city 2 days before the guerrillas launched their offensive on 11 november.    a spanish embassy official in san salvador is presently making efforts to visit carlos diez and the other persons arrested, in the presence of salvadoran officials.    without any official explanations, two priests of the dominican order -- spanish citizen miguel anduez and the u.s. citizen jaime barnee -- were expelled from el salvador 5 days ago.    on 16 november, six jesuit priests -- five spaniards and one salvadoran -- and two women were murdered by 30 men in uniforms who were heavily armed.

30 men in uniform


Input: salvadoran attorney general mauricio eduardo colorado has said that the chief of the armed forces general staff will be summoned to testify in the case of the murdered jesuit priests.  the salvadoran official said that colonel rene emilio ponce must say what military unit of the security corps was guarding the area around the uca (central american university) the day the crime was committed.    (begin recording) (colorado) at this time we consider it necessary for us to summon col ponce and for him to tell us the name of the person, security corps, or headquarters responsible for patrolling the area where the crime was committed.  once we know who was in the area, we will also summon them to see what they have to say. (end recording)    meanwhile, the attorney general said that the amendments to the penal and penal procedural codes approved last week by the legislative assembly will contribute toward the legal struggle against the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front)    (begin recording) (colorado) that the legislative assembly is fulfilling its historic task at this moment is of great significance. the salvadoran soldier who gives his life for freedom is fulfilling his mission and the legally appointed authorities are fulfilling their mission.  (end recording)    according to the government official, at such times of uncertainty created by the increase in violence, the salvadoran people must remain calm and not lose hope.


Input: fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) guerrillas fired a sam-7 missile on 29 november from zacatecoluca and on 30 november fired a similar missile, also from zacatecoluca.  both missed their targets.    the air forces officers involved reported that in both cases the sam-7 missiles were detected by observer planes, which in turn warned the two salvadoran air force a-37 planes that the missiles were headed toward them.  the two planes were flying patrol missions in the zacatecoluca area.  both sam-7 missiles failed to strike their targets thanks to the professionalism of the pilots, who maneuvered to prevent the fmln missiles from hitting them.    the fmln continues to receive soviet arms supplies through cuba and nicaragua, an action which has already been officially denounced to the entire world and which the salvadoran people fully repudiate.  the sandinist government has supplied the fmln terrorists with this type of sophisticated weaponry of soviet manufacture, which confirms that the fmln, apart from having its general command inside nicaraguan territory, has the military support and guidance of the sandinist regime.  official sources believe that the sam-7 missiles fired by the fmln against the air force planes could be among the weapons that were onboard the other small plane that was set on fire by the terrorists after they had unloaded it.    as soon as the salvadoran government learned of the sam-7 shipments to the fmln, they reported it to the international community.  in response to this report, the soviet government, showing great annoyance, ordered a freeze on all arms shipments to the ortega government, which, following orders from fidel castro, supplies military equipment to the fmln terrorists.  it has also been reported that an investigation is under way on the participation of mercenaries from different countries who are fighting alongside the fmln, causing the genocide of the salvadoran people.


Input: nicaragua, which was accused by el salvador at the (united nations) security council on 30 november of worsening the tension in central america, has asked the security council to issue a call for an "immediate" cease-fire and for the resumption of negotiations between the salvadoran government and the guerrillas.    alejandro serrano caldera, nicaraguan ambassador to the united nations, also requested that the council ask un secretary general javier perez de cuellar "to undertake special efforts to achieve and supervise" a cease-fire in el salvador.    without considering the draft resolution presented by nicaragua and released today, the security council last night suspended its meeting, which had been requested by el salvador to report nicaraguan shipments of weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, to the salvadoran guerrillas.    in the draft resolution, nicaragua asked the council to "vigorously" condemn the assassination of six jesuit priests "by a group wearing uniforms" as well as "other indiscriminate acts of violence, especially bombings" by the salvadoran armed forces during the offensive begun by the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) on 11 november.    it also urged the council to work for an immediate cease-fire in el salvador and for the resumption of negotiations between the government and the fmln as "the only way to solve" the salvadoran crisis and as an "unpostponable step" to consolidate the regional peace process.    the draft resolution reiterated the council's support for the central american peace agreements and, in clear reference to the united states, it urged the countries with links or interests in the region not to intervene in the salvadoran conflict.    according to nicaragua, the security council should also express its satisfaction with the forthcoming deployment of the un observer group in central america (onuca).    the first group from onuca is scheduled to arrive on sunday in tegucigalpa, where its headquarters will be located.


Input: salvadoran president alfredo cristiani today said that the salvadoran rebels have fired two soviet - made surface - to - air missiles since they started their offensive on 11 november. according to cristiani, the missiles, which "missed," were fired by the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) in zacatecoluca, in the region's center, where clashes between the army and the rebels continued today.    cristiani admitted he is concerned over "the fmln's plans for strictly terrorist actions," such as "killing personalities, government officials, and relatives of armed forces officers."    he also said his government has not requested any international military aid because the armed forces "can counteract the fmln attacks" and because "the guerrilla threat of taking power in the country by force is not real."    cristiani also said he is willing to talk with the guerrillas only "if hostilities cease."  he asserted that the fmln actions "are linked to domestic events in nicaragua and cuba."    the president said he is "completely sure the armed forces can control the situation because the guerrillas are unable to seize power by force and do not have even the least support of the salvadoran people."    cristiani pointed out: "we cannot give the fmln any chances because it is a minority armed group aided by nicaragua and cuba, a group whuich intends to seize something they have no right to."    "if the guerrillas want to dialogue, let them stop their armed actions. it is high time for them to understand that the people want peace," the president said.    he also announced that "the coffee, sugar, and cotton crops," the country's main export products, "will be harvested with army reservists."    the government headed by cristiani, which today completed 6 months, has estimated approximately $1.2 billion in economic losses resulting from the bloody clashes between the army and the rebels since 11 november.


Input: colonel rene emilio ponce has said that in light of the possibility of the use of missiles by the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front), the salvadoran air force is taking precautions and has changed its flight tactics or adopted new ones.    "the armed forces is determined to confront them, and to achieve their goal the rebels will have to step over the bodies of every single soldier," col ponce said.    col ponce also said that the arrest of u.s. citizen jennifer jean casolo, who was covering up an fmln safehouse, is a hard blow to the terrorists because casolo was responsible for bringing congressional staff and representatives of churches and other organizations into the country.  these people apparently came to the country to provide humanitarian aid to the displaced.    ponce also said that many internationalists join the terrorist groups, thus violating the rights of all the salvadoran people.  ponce said that the leaders of the front groups defined their positions when they joined the fmln to carry out the so-called final offensive, which has proven to be a total failure because the salvadoran people believe in democracy and not communism.    the chief of the general staff also met with foreign correspondents. he said that the fmln currently has the support of only nicaragua, cuba, and russia (as published ), but they do not have the essential support of the salvadoran people; therefore, thye are doomed to political-military failure.  all the fmln has left is its propaganda tactics at the national and international level.    col ponce talked about the casualties inflicted on the fmln terrorists through 0600 (1200 gmt) on 28 november.  ponce said that 1,680 rebels had been killed and more than double that number wounded. col ponce added that the army regrets the heroic deaths of 398 soldiers and approximately 800 wounded in clashes since 11 november.


Input: salvadoran people.  it has been demonstrated that labor organizations like the unts (national union of salvadoran workers), cripdes (christian committee for displaced salvadorans), fecmasan, and others are simply politial fronts of the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) because their leaders have directly participated in the terrorist offensive against honest and hard-working citizens.    an example of this is unts terrorist guillermo rojas, who led to their deaths many youths who were deceived with false communist mottos.  these people will have on their consciences -- if they have any -- the spilled blood of children, young people, elderly people, and women who fell victim to the abuses of these vile murderers.    say no to the false union leaders.  say yes to peace and democracy!


Input: the national guard has captured the actual perpetrators, as well as accomplices and harborers, in the case of the attack on the armed forces joint chiefs of staff on 30 october.    the national guard reported that it arrested 15 people last week at various places in here in san salvador and other persons at the offices of the so-called awareness for spiritual and economic recovery of man (concientizacion para recuperacion espiritual y economica del hombre, credho), at the episcopal church on 63 south avenue and olimpica avenue in san salvador.  several persons who were held hostage there on 30 october later appeared at the central police headquarters to report the abuse.    when national guard personnel began the subsequent investigation that same day, it was discovered that the arrested persons had committed other actions in violation of our laws and against the country's security.  after determining that this episcopal church was visited by persons involved in subversive activities and that it harbored a group that is an fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) front, the place was search and it was discovered that, in addition to the church, offices of credho also operated there -- credho is an affiliate of an organization they call diacomias; that 60 persons are employed there; that most of those persons are not parishioners, but credho employees; that credho's director is a priest of spanish origin named luis serrano lorente; and that this priest is now a naturalized salvadoran.    there the national guard personnel arrested jose horacio guzman rivas, jose eduardo sanchez castillo, luis gustavo lopez magana, jose vidal enamorado diaz, elba ruth alfaro valencia, alex antonio tovar flores, jose candelario aguilar alvarez, and randolfo campo benavides. in connection with the same case, they also arrested juan antonio versico nunez, ana julio rodriguez, and jose francisco pastoranges at various places in the ciudad satelite neighborhood.  later on, luis serrano lorente, pastor of this anglican church, was arrested in the lomas verdes neighborhood.  julio cesar castro ramirez and julio eugenia aguilera escobar were later arrested in santa ana, and, lastly, aida margarita gomez de leon was arrested in the don bosco residential neighborhood in santa tecla.    serrano said he is the director of credho and responsible for the aforementioned church.  he asserted that he learned on 29 october that in the churchyard two trucks were loaded with explosives, which were hurled the next day at the military complex of the armed forces joint chiefs of staff.  he decided to remain silent about this, thereby covering for the terrorist criminals who murder humble working people. serrano also said that credho is financed by a front group called diacomias, which has no legal status, but is the channel for aid that is sent in cash by so-called solidarity churches and associations organized in sweden, britain, netherlands, canada, the united states, and australia.  this money is distributed to lutheran, catholic, emanuel baptist, and episcopal churches, as well as to the foundation for promotion of cooperatives (fundacion promotora de cooperativas, funprocoop) and the federation of cooperatives for development (federacion de cooperativas para el desarrollo, fedecoopade).  these groups comprise diacomias and twice a month, one representative from each group meets at the episcopal church to discuss distribution of these large amounts of money, most of which, he said, is delivered to low income communities they have organized that are directed by the fmln front groups.  (continued)


Input: fellow patriots, i am addressing the nation today to explain the government's position concerning the issue of extradition, which was the subject of a very intense debate last night at the chamber of representatives' first commission.    a proposal was put forward to the effect that in the extraordinary referendum scheduled for 21 january -- which is contemplated in the constitutional reform that is currently in its final stages -- an additional question be included with regard to whether or not you, the colombian people, want colombian criminals to be extradited.    this question would join four other issues that had already been approved for submission to popular consultation on 21 january.  on behalf of the national government, the government minister immediately expressed the disadvantages of approving that proposal.    i have consulted with former presidents alberto lleras, carlos lleras restrepo, alfonso lopez, and julio cesar turbay about including the extradition issue in the referendum, and they feel that with the current public order situation, especially when the government has been dealing successfully with the struggle against drug trafficking, it would be disadvantageous to use the referendum to decide on extradition.    the country must not deceive itself as to where we would be headed if we held a referendum on the issue of extradition, and as to the fatal consequences of such an action on the country's morale and on democracy's survival.    initially, i am not talking about extraditing colombian criminals for them to stand trial in other countries, but of extraditing drug traffickers who have committed crimes abroad.  extradition is not punishment for society because it refers only to drug traffickers, neither is it an affront to sovereignty, as some people have tried to portray it.    extradition has been dealt with in colombian international treaties.  the direction of international policy lies within the exclusive realm of the presidency of the republic, according to the constitution.  congress cannot take the initiative of abolishing public extradition treaties by resorting to legislative or constituent provisions.  this is clear in light of colombian public law, and it is imperative according to the vienna convention, which colombia recently approved.  according to this convention, the extradition treaty will prevail over internal provisions.  in other words, the treaties that colombia has signed with regard to extradition cannot be disregarded through internal legislation.  this can only be done through diplomatic efforts such as denouncing the treaties and directly informing the counterpart.    for 100 years colombian law has authorized the extradition of criminals.  i repeat, 100 years, since 1888, and only now, when extradition is applied to drug traffickers, are there objections to its alleged violations of sovereignty.  practically all the countries of the world, with very few exception, have and apply treaties to extradite terrorists or whomever commits crimes against humanity, such as drug trafficking.    over the past 10 years, no more than 30 people have been extradited to several countries that requested the extraditions and complied with the necessary laws.  therefore, extradition is not a general threat against all colombians.  it only affects those who have committed the crime of drug trafficking abroad.  secondly, some people have said that extradition has created violence and, therefore, with its elimination, violence would disappear.  neither is true.    the violence perpetrated by drug traffickers had been suffered prior to the 1979 extradition treaty.  after the treaty went into effect, hundreds of colombians were murdered, including justice minister rodrigo lara bonilla.  in december 1986, a supreme court decision left the extradition treaty inapplicable.  in other words, after this, while extradition was inapplicable, attorney general carlos mauro hoyos was slain, bogota mayor andres pastrana was kidnapped, and newsman guillermo cano, political leader jaime pardo leal, and hundreds of colombians were sacrificed.  (continued)


Input: last year, without extradition in effect, over 600 anonymous colombian peasants were murdered in more than 40 massacres by hired assassins paid by drug traffickers.  there is even more: let us not forget antioquia governor antonio roldan betancur, magistrate carlos valencia, colonel franklyn quintero, and senator luis carlos galan who were murdered when extradition was not in effect.  let us not say that extradition has brought us violence.  a poster found at the farm raided last week, from where pablo escobar escaped read: extradition is violence.  let us not be fooled; violence has been used by drug traffickers by murdering, while fleeing from the reaction of justice, and intimidating colombian society.  it has also been said that extradition is undignified because it sends colombians abroad to be tried, and that it is more dignified for them to be tried and condemned in the country by our own judges.  the drug traffickers, however, have sent more than 200 colombian judges and judicial branch officials to their grave.  for example, the investigation into the murder of dr guillermo cano has meant the death of witnesses, judicial officials, and lawyers and intimidation and threats to all those who want to cooperate with justice to resolve a crime.  how then can we believe these drug traffickers?  can we believe that extradition has caused this violence?  can we have a free and dignified country with these bands of multimillionaire murderers?    i would also like to explain to you why the government considers it harmful and dangerous to submit extradition to a referendum.  we know that extradition is only for drug traffickers.  we know what they have done and what they are capable of doing.  we have suffered from their terrorist actions.  many brave colombians have been murdered for the simple reason of not agreeing with drug trafficking.  do you believe that on this topic of extradition there could be a clean electoral campaign, free from intimidation?  do you believe that those who are against drug trafficking can, without fear, give their opinion?  it would be a campaign slanted by terrorism, intimidation, and drug traffickers' money.    the government cannot subject citizens to an electoral process that would not be to convince colombians, but to intimidate them.  a referendum is for people to express their free and sovereign decision on a topic of general interest.  to include extradition in the referendum would only serve so that a handful -- less than 100 -- drug traffickers can, by using their money and terror, intimidate public opinion, the media, and all colombians, so as to avoid being tried and condemned for crimes that they had committed abroad.    conditions of terrorism do not allow this topic to be decided freely.  i call for good sense, for sensibleness, so that the dark interests of a few private people are not confused with the general interest of all colombians.  i call for colombians not to allow the constitutional reforms that are in the final discussion, or the first referendum in over 30 years, to be used in an opportunistic way to serve selfish interests.  the government is convinced that the constitutional reforms and the extraordinary referendum will be an important advancement for the institutions.  they will allow greater participation by the people in state decisions, in congress, and are without doubt a step toward peace.  i know there are some who say that drug traffickers want peace and tranquility.  i want to say that eliminating extradition will not bring tranquility, but impunity and more violence.  this is why it is advisable that parliamentarians not allow institutional changes to be endangered or the peace accords be put to serious risk due to the inclusion in the referendum of a topic that not only would not be good for the country, but would be dangerous to all colombians.    as is publicly known, i will travel on 3 december at the official invitation of the japanese government.  this is part of colombia's opening to the pacific.  there, i shall meet with emperor akihito; with prime minister toshiki kaifu; with the legislative chambers; with industrial, political, and academic leaders; and with japanese government lending and trade entities.  there, i shall present a true picture of colombia -- a country with difficulties, but with the national resolve to overcome them.  we are a country with a promising future, with hard-working people, and with vast natural resources.  a few criminals will not be able to snatch that future from us.  good night, and see you soon.


Input: oscar oramas, the cuban ambassador to the united nations, has stated that the arms supplied by the united states and the hundreds of u.s. advisers sent to el salvador are the cause of the terror that salvadorans have had to endure for more than 10 years.    oramas charged that the u.s. assistance has been the main cause of the torture, murders, and disappearances that have become a daily occurrence in the central american nation.    oramas added that despite the great effort made by the u.s. administration to conceal its responsibility for the violence prevailing in el salvador, the international community will not be deceived and the facts that will go down in history will show that the peoples have pointed their accusing fingers at the united states.    the cuban diplomat rebutted the u.s. charges aimed at shifting responsibility to our country for the salvadoran situation.  the u.s. charges were to be expected, oramas said.


Input: central american bishops are "very worried" over the situation of the church and the people in el salvador and panama, "who are enduring a difficult trial," according to a document issued by the episcopal secretariat of central america and panama (sedac).    in the document, signed by 42 area bishops, the bishops "express appreciation for the courageous, evangelic, and patriotic attitude of the panamanian church, guided by its true clergymen, in facing the double aggression they are enduring."    panama is enduring "external sanctions (imposed by the united states) that impoverish the country, along with the open denial of fundamental guarantees and rights to those who disagree with the policy of the current provisional government," the document adds.    regarding el salvador, "we are hurt" by the suffering, death, and destruction caused by the escalation of violence el salvador has been enduring for a decade.    "the use of the civilian population for the protection of armed groups, the intense bombings over densely populated areas (by the army), and the use of the media to stir up people's feelings and increase hatred among brothers are all repulsive," the sedac document states.    the sedac recalls that among the war victims are six jesuit priests, who, from their teaching podiums, tried to shape moral and just consciences among the future builders of society.  it also condemns the "brutal way in which they were massacred, which proves how far down the moral sense and human quality of those who perpetrated the crime has fallen."    regarding peace in central america, the highest ranking leaders of the church in the area point out that there are many factors preventing or hampering efforts to build a long lasting peace.    among the factors the bishops mention is "the persistence of serious social problems -- hunger, unemployment, the high cost of living, and the reality of an underprivileged class -- yet most rulers and other bodies holding power do not show any desire to eliminate these factors."    in addition, the "criminal stubbornness" of searching for a military and armed solution to the situation of violence has generated "the deeply rooted unjustice in our reality, which is aggravated by the outrageous meddling of foreign superpowers."    "the interest of a group or ideologies prevail over the needs and rights of citizens," the sedac documents states.  the heads of the churches of the six isthmian countries add that this hastens the "criminal and immoral" arms buildup, which, with the exception of costa rica, has led people in the area into increasing impoverishment and a rise in their foreign debt.    "the smuggling of weapons to strengthen subversive movements of various tendencies is no less outrageous and criminal than the existence of death squads or paramilitary groups," the sedac document adds.    it is worrying to see how some nations in the area promote campaigns such as "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" (panama), or promote "antiterrorist" laws (el salvador) that can be used for the outrageous abuse of power in order to eliminate adversaries, the bishops pointed out.    to all these evils one must add the flight of capital, the increasing drug trafficking, and the resulting corruption, violence, and death.


Input: now they are still doing the same thing, except that the killings are those of the jesuit priests, the places burned are homes in the densely populated neighborhoods and the un headquarters, and those accused of collaborating with the fmln are the episcopal churches.  the strategy is the same.  the fmln continues to strike at and mock the armed forces.  far from diminishing in number, it has increased in number.  the persecution of the church, the indiscriminate bombings, the press censorship, and, above all, the apparent direction taken by the situation as a result of the armed forces' leadership have shown the world that nothing has changed.  the military continues to be in command, and cristiani's moderation was but a costly makeover.    the u.s. analysts are beginning to react.  after 9 years of investing at all levels to put an end to the capital and the principal cities of the country with a strategic siege, with the theater of operations in the trouble spots, and without any prospect of controlling the situation, the order of the day in the halls of congress is a change of policy and the promotion of negotiation.  all the world is suffering deeply, without the hope of a change of policy. what the u.s. congress is studying is whether it will continue with that policy which does not change at all, which protects the assassins of monsignor romero, the four u.s. nuns, ignacio ellacuria, and five more jesuits.  it is studying whether it is going to continue to support a fascist party and a criminal-ridden armed forces and thus condemn this part of the world so close to their borders to terrible suffering, or whether the time of change has arrived in the united states.  the policy toward el salvador must be changed to achieve the goal of democracy so that pluralism will give way to democracy, justice, and peace.  the united states can contribute to peace in el salvador, but in order to do so it must change its policy.

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Input: official sources have reported that troops from the the 6th infantry brigade and the atonal battalion have engaged in heavy fighting with the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) terrorist criminals on three occasions as the latter have tried to enter the city of usulutan.    spokesmen for the atonal battalion have asserted that their battalion inflicted a large number of casualties on the communist murderers and seized soviet weapons during the latest fighting. meanwhile, troops of the leon battalion reported that they killed two terrorist criminals during a skirmish in las delicias, san miguel jurisdiction.  the sources said that the soldiers seized one 60 mm mortar, one grenade of the type launched with catapults, and other war supplies.  they added that the troops found 1 m-16 rifle, 1,500 rounds of ammunition, and various types of explosives abandoned in el tular village, also in san miguel.    the salvadoran people congratulate the brave armed forces soldiers and urge them to continue their struggle against the fmln's murderous terrorists.


Input: the political negotiations that resulted in jaime paz zamora's installation as president of the republic will again take place in the next weeks to decide who will be installed as mayor of la paz.    the municipal elections held yesterday did not clearly indicate who will be the mayor of the country's biggest city, where the candidates of the populist new political groups and those of the traditional parties received approximately the same number of votes.    according to unofficial returns released by the private television channels, which in previous elections have proven to be very similar to those of the national electoral court, carlos palenque, 45, a radio and television businessman and the leader of the conscience of the fatherland (condepa), has received most of the votes.    palenque received 39.9 percent of the votes cast in la paz, thereby giving condepa 5 of the 13 seats on the town council, which will elect the mayor of la paz on 2 january.    the alliance of the right wing nationalist democratic action (adn) and the social democratic movement of the revolutionary left (mir) has also won five town council seats.    ronald maclean, 40 and of scottish ancestry, the mayoral candidate of the adn-mir alliance, has obtained 36.8 percent of the votes in la paz, where he has been the mayor since l985.    far behind were the former administration's party, the nationalist revolutionary movement (mnr), which received two seats, and the populist solidarity civic union (ucs), led by brewery owner max fernandez, with one town council seat.    the decision as to who will be the new la paz mayor on 2 january is now in the hands of the mnr, but its leaders declined to comment on their position last night.    gonzalo sanchez de losada, the leader of the mnr, last night said on television: "we must be extremely serious in searching for a solution to this problem, or the people will turn their backs on populism."    he said his decision will be "a christmas present."  he insisted, however, that in his opinion the governing adn-mir alliance "will easily fix things between them" because "they are two of a kind."    although the mnr was the party to receive most of the votes in the 7 may presidential elections, it was due to an alliance between two old political enemies -- the adn and mir -- that jaime paz zamora, who had come third in the elections, was installed as president of the republic. "if we applied this same rule to the current problem," sanchez de losada said jokingly, "guido capra (mnr candidate for mayor of la paz) would be elected."    sanchez de losada pointed out that palenque was one of the supporters of the adn-mir governing alliance, which prevented sanchez de losada from becoming president.    according to the opposition, palenque's party gained the la paz development corporation (cordepaz) and "half a ministry" (referring to the communications and transportation ministry) as a result of the alliance.  sanchez de losada warned the bolivian politicians that palenque's populist group, which is growing very fast, has its eyes set "on the l993 presidential elections, not only on the la paz mayorship."    while respect was shown toward ronald maclean, the candidate most criticized by the mnr during the municipal elections campaign was palenque.    palenque stated, however, that the councilmen who on 2 january will elect the next mayor of la paz must "respect the will of the majority."    "we hope that there will be no negotiation (among parties) and that the desire of the majority will be respected," palenque stated.  he is well known, especially because of the beard he wears, which makes him look very much like former u.s. president abraham lincoln.    palenque, who is certain of the support he will receive from the only ucs councilman in la paz, fears that a pact between the adn-mir coalition and the mnr will prevent him from obtaining the mayorship of the most important city in the country.    such an alliance, however, with a greater ideological basis than any other, will have to overcome the grudge that the mnr bears because the adn and the mir "had stolen from it" the presidency of the republic during the last elections, according to commentators.    "we are going to be very responsible, and we are not going to be motivated by personal interests or by any vengeance," sanchez de losada stated, commenting on the negotiations that will take place to designate the mayor of la paz.    like in la paz, the government alliance will have to negotiate support in the other major bolivian cities, where the coalition came in first but failed to win absolute majorities.    the only exception is sucre, where the candidate of the united left coalition, radio reporter omar montalvo, obtained 57.3 percent of the votes, which is sufficient to obtain the mayorship.    the most outstanding points about the elections were the abstention of between 30 and 50 percent of the voters and the almost absolute normalcy during the elections.    the state of siege decreed throughout the country on 15 november due to street confrontations caused by social disturbances did not hamper the electoral process.    the traditional restrictions, however, affected traffic and hampered public transportation, keeping voters from casting their votes. the abstention was also caused by the weariness of the voters, who are voting for the fourth time in 4 years.


Input: delegates to a latin american congress that is being held in lima on missing detainees in latin america today expressed their "concern" that the largest number of detainees and missing people are to be found in the countries that have democratic governments.    "we believe that there are groups that are responsible for the disappearances.  these groups are organized by the state itself to get rid of its political opponents and these groups are equipped with all the resources required to engage in acts of impunity," said the congress spokesperson.    about 200 delegates from 12 latin american countries and from european and u.s. human rights organizations are participating in the ix congress of the latin american federation of associations of relatives of missing detainees that began today and will end on 30 november in lima.    sola sierra, a member of the federation, has told efe that "the on the escalation of these practices, and on the impunity prevailing in all countries where this method of repression prevails."    sierra, a chilean citizen, said that this year the countries with the largest number of missing detainees are colombia, el salvador, guatemala, and peru, "where political violence has increased." however, she failed to mention the number of missing detainees.    sierra, the chilean delegate and the president of the chilean association of relatives of missing people, said that there is no total number of missing people, but that more than 100,000 people have been reported missing throughout latin america since 1981.    "this figure has increased at a frightening rate, and we regret that the largest numbers of cases have been reported in countries with democratic governments," she added.    she said that "neither under a dictatorship nor under a democracy" has the problem of the missing detainees been resolved because the government "always manage to talk its way out of investigating or punishing.    "(the governments) argue that it is necessary to forget the past in order to build the present and that it is necessary to reconcile if peace is to prevail.  but how can there be peace and reconciliation while extremely serious events like the massive killing of human beings continue," she added.    sierra regretted that "there is very strong press censorship, and, what is worse, a self-imposed censorship (autocensura)" in the countries where most missing detainees have been reported.    these situations always lead us to believe that it is the state that promotes this entire policy, that is to say, the use of state terrorism in countries where a state of law, courts, and established legal practices prevail, sierra commented.    in today's session, a member of the peruvian delegation said that over the past 10 years at least 4,000 people, mostly peasants and andean community leaders, who were "arrested by government officials who later denied it," have disappeared.    the member of the peruvian delegation said that, according to official figures, about 15,000 people have been killed as a result of political violence in peru, and that a "negligible number" has been killed in clashes.


Input: the guerrilla attack launched on 11 november has inflicted 4,834 casualties on the salvadoran troops and guerrillas, according to a report issued today by the government armed forces.    the report notes that, in the last 24 days, 1,853 farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) guerrillas and 457 soldiers have been killed, while 1,183 rebels and 1,341 soldiers have been wounded.    over the same period, the military report adds, the army seized 900 rifles of various types and calibers, including 300 ak-47's and dragonovs, 140 grenade launchers, and abundant material to make explosives.    military sources have reported that fmln groups clashed with army troops near zacatecoluca, a department capital located 54 km south of san salvador.  they said that the clashes lasted several hours and that the air force moved in to rout out the guerrillas.    meanwhile, the fmln claimed credit through its clandestine radio for the destruction of an armored vehicle in el puente jurisdiction of san miguel department in the eastern part of the country.  however, this report has not been confirmed by the government.


Input: salvadoran president alfredo cristiani tonight confirmed that he will attend the special summit of central american presidents in costa rica on 10-11 december.  cristiani said over radio and television that he will attend the summit "in defense of the salvadoran people" and to tell nicaraguan president daniel ortega that "under no circumstances is his sending the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) puppets to kill salvadorans justified."    cristiani said today that el salvador "has always been willing to find a solution through peaceful means" but in allusion to nicaragua, he added that "those who seek to sign commitments with the rest of the presidents should also fulfill them."    meanwhile, honduran president jose azcona said today in tegucigalpa that he was willing to attend the summit.  however, costa rican foreign minister rodrigo madrigal said in his country that el salvador and honduras had not officially confirmed their attendance.    according to cristiani, he will confirm his attendance on 5 december.    madrigal predicted that the summit "will not be easy" due to the topics that will be discussed and because the agenda will surely include the alleged nicaraguan assistance to the fmln and the demobilization of the contras as requested by nicaragua.    however, the agenda is being processed and although costa rica offered to host the meeting, "it is not interested in forcing the issue," he emphasized.    madrigal added that what interests costa rica is to serve as a "bridge" for solving the conflict between nicaragua and el salvador, and finding some formula so that the salvadoran and nicaraguan governments will establish a dialogue with the rebels.    he added that it is possible that the foreign ministers of the five countries will meet in san jose on the eve of the long-awaited meeting to prepare for it.    the costa rican foreign minister reported that they are also considering the possibility of inviting foreign ministers from other latin american countries, as well as representatives of the un observer group in central america (onuca).


Input: violent clashes between the salvadoran guerrilla forces and the army today again shook the northwest sector of san salvador, after a farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) column raided the town of san antonio abad.    at least five military and rebel deaths, three stores partially destroyed, and one electric pole blown up are the preliminary results of the clashes in san antonio abad, between 2100 on 4 december and 0200 5 december.    the fmln guerrilla forces today also attacked army positions in ayutuxtepeque, a workers' neighborhood north of the capital, and la cima neighborhood, southeast of the capital, where the clashes were still underway at mid-morning.    the army admitted that one soldier died and five were wounded during the clashes in san antonio abad, a middle class neighborhood located beside the escalon residential area; and at least four rebels were ripped to pieces by a law (light aati-tank weapon) round.    lots of blood and pieces of flesh stuck to backpacks and military uniform fragments were scattered in a-30 meter area within an empty lot in the downtown area of the town.    an officer of the national police's elite pantera battalion, which participated in the fighting, told afp: "the round fell exactly where they were.  at least four died on the spot and many were wounded."    the rebels blew up a grocery store and an electric pole in downtown san antonio abad; and one drugstore and other stores also sustained considerable damage during the fighting.    tension and nervousness prevailed this morning in san antonio abad, where many persons were looking for explosives and tnt left behind by the rebels.    army spokesmen have yet to issue a report on the fighting at la cima and ayutuxtepeque, but the people of ayutuxtepeque said there was fierce fighting in the sector, adding that the rebels entrenched themselves inside the local church to fire at the government's troops.    meanwhile, reports from the interior indicate that the fighting diminished today in the region of zacatecoluca, usulutan, and san miguel, where the military situation was extraordinarily tense until the night of 4 december.    nevertheless, the government today explained that the reduction in curfew hours, from 2100 to 0500 effective last night, does not apply for the city of zacatecoluca, capital of la paz department -- located in the central part of the country -- which the guerrilla forces have been constantly harassing throughout the week.    meanwhile, the fmln warned the owners of commercial and crop dusting airplanes to abstain from using their planmes for the army to conductre reconaissance flights in the region of zacatecoluca and usulutan, "because they will be considered military targets."

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Input: in an interview published in the religious monthly magazine "30 giorni" (30 days), san salvador archbishop arturo rivera y damas has once again blamed the salvadoran army for the murder of six jesuits from the central american university (uca).    rivera y damas said that there are a number of reasons why "only the military could be at the site."  the archbishop of san salvador underlined that the site of the incident "is an area highly controlled by the military," that on the day in question "the curfew or, in other words, martial law was in effect," and that "there is a military neighborhood near the uca."    "all of this leads me to believe that the guerrillas are not responsible.  the operation lasted 1/2 hour and the uniformed individuals stayed there for a good while, 2 or perhaps 3 hours.  had they been guerrillas, they would have attacked and fled immediately," he added.    arturo rivera y damas also underscored that "they took the priests out to the garden, murdered them, exploded devices, burned the house, and stayed at the site for a long time," which "means that they felt sure of themselves."    the archbishop said during the interview that "it has been fully proven" that there are two political lines within the ruling arena (nationalist republican alliance) party: "one headed by president cristiani, and another more radical sector."    rivera y damas said that he does not believe that the guerrillas have been "eliminated" by the army.  " they have not accomplished what they wanted, but, he said, they have not been eliminated, and that is why i still believe that the best course is that of negotiation."    regarding the letter sent to the pope by el salvador's attorney general, in which he advises the departure of a few bishops from el salvador, rivera y damas commented that in a way it was beneficial because "we have never received as much solidarity or support as we are receiving now from the supreme pontiff to the episcopal conferences."    rivera y damas also pointed out that he has been threatened, not only by phone but by radio.

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Input: colombian judge bernardo jaramillo uribe was assassinated at noon today in medellin, located 500 km northwest of bogota, it was reported today by the national police.    this is the fourth judge riddled with bullets by unidentified gunmen -- apparently paid assassins at the service of the drug trafficking mafias -- in medellin within 5 months. judge maria helena diaz was assassinated on 28 july; medellin higher court magistrate hector jimenez was killed on 17 october; and magistrate mariela espinoza was killed on 1 november.    jaramillo uribe worked as judge of the 13th criminal court in medellin, the headquarters of the medellin drug cartel.    a police report indicates that jaramillo uribe was shot at from two automobiles in the western sector of antioquia province's capital, when he was leaving his office.    the crimes have led to protests and strikes by colombian judges and judicial branch officials, who have demanded better protection from president virgilio barco's liberal party government.    judge jaramillo uribe was investigating the massacre of 43 persons in the town of segovia (located in the west) by a paramilitary group; and the murder of colonel waldemar franklin quintero, commander of the antioquia police.

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Input: the people's anti-aircraft power has begun to become effective.  salvadorans, this afternoon we downed an o-2 airplane in the area of the city of usulutan. radio venceremos reports that the anti-aircraft fire of the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) downed a push-pull airplane this afternoon. at 1615, the fmln's anti-aircraft fire downed a push-pull airplane over the city of usulutan.    later in this program we will provide details of the downing of the push-pull airplane downed in the city of usulutan.  its crew died when the plane crashed.  it is a plane that crashed just as the regime of 50 years of injustice is crashing.  we have downed one of the planes that had been bombing the zacamil neighborhood.  we have downed a plane piloted by those who had been bringing death and destruction to mejicanos, soyapango, and san miguel.  with the downing of this plane, our people avenge the blood spilled by the genocide.  this shows that the fmln's anti-aircraft fire has begun to become effective.

zacamil neighborhood


Input: chimore, cochabamba, 26 nov (presencia) -- the special antinarcotics force, headquartered in the chapare region, is confiscating a monthly average of 500 kg of cocaine as a result of "strict controls and the success of its agents."    colonel mario velasco, commander of the mobile units for rural areas (umopar), has said that, despite equipment and personnel limitations, "our efforts are strong and resolved" and they have allowed us to deal "harsh blows to drug trafficking." (passage omitted)    regarding the presence of colombian "drug traffickers" in this area, col velasco said that there is information on their presence, but "we have not actually had any contacts with them or detained any of them."    col velasco pointed out that investigations based on intelligence data are under way.  these investigations will allow us to learn more about them and, if possible, make some arrests, he said.    col velasco said: "anybody who does not have legal documents, especially foreigners, is being investigated.  we are maintaining strict control at our checkpoints.  we do indeed have information (about the alleged presence of colombians), but, i repeat, we have not had any type of contact with them."


Input: guatemala, where armed groups have continued to run rampant, has been the victim of this intercontinental interest.  nicaragua has been taken over by the sandinist forces, which receive arms of all kinds.    more arms than food, more instructors than agricultural experts, and more arms than finance assistance for industrial development keep reaching nicaragua.    nicaragua has become a distribution center for other countries who raise pirate flags, countries whose leaders know that the soviet union is interested in the five countries of the isthmus.  this is why the soviet union continually aids the salvadoran guerrillas.  the interruption of financial assistance and arms would entail failure of the struggle for power in central america.    over the course of the talks aboard soviet and u.s. ships off malta, bush's position remained in accordance with the interests of both the u.s. and other western countries.  many of these latter countries are threatened by radical and clandestine movements.    we believe that the u.s. president has just taken firm steps toward a direct understanding with the soviet union.  this means that the guerrillas movements in several american countries will have to consent to civilized dialogue so they can coexist with the majority of the population, who desire to live in peace, with work and dignity.    el salvador represents the most dangerous example of this intercontinental penetration.  in this country operates a guerrilla movement heavily supplied with arms and ammunition. these rebels are militarily and otherwise trained for clandestine operations that sow terror in the threatened towns and villages.  the soviet union supplies these arms through cuba.    salvadoran president cristiani expects the accords reached by the two world leaders to cut the supply of war materiel to the fmln.  this materiel has made it possible to kill thousands of salvadorans.    we will have waited for the passage of time to see if it is true that the supply of arms has ceased and that nicaragua has stopped assisting the fmln.    we only hope the fmln will not come to honduras.  the cabinets that draft war plans are now currently discussing the fmln's moving into honduras.


Input: just a few minutes ago two very strong explosions occurred in the center of bogota.  we felt these explosions here at the rcn (radio cadena nacional) building. one of the explosions occurred in the vicinity of the courts in the palo quemado sector, where all the bogota judicial branch offices are located. apparently the other explosion occurred in a street near the presidential palace.    there were two explosions occurring consecutively but very close together, which is why it was felt so strongly.  it initially felt like an earthquake: first the wave and then the explosion.  all the residents in this central area of bogota felt it.    it is also said that the explosion could have occurred closer to the administrative department of security, das, which is located in the same area.  the das headquarters are just around the corner from the judicial branch offices in palo quemado.  the strong explosion that was felt by all of us who work at this hour in the central bogota area took place at 19th carrera and 25th street in palo quemado.  i repeat, two consecutive explosions occurred at 0735 in the center of bogota.    here is some updated information: it was not two explosions, as we had intially believed, but three explosions that occurred a few minutes ago in bogota. one of them was in the palo quemado sector, as we have already reported, in the area where both the bogota courts and das are located.  another explosion occurred in the southern part of bogota at 14th carrera and 28th street south, apparently near an agrarian trust branch in the barrio gustavo restrepo neighborhood.  a third explosion occurred in the central area of bogota.  these three explosions in bogota took place almost simultaneously, just a few seconds apart.    we now have official figures of the explosion near the das headquarters: seven persons were killed, more than 50 were wounded, and approximately 25 vehicles and at least 15 buildings -- including the das offices that were partially destroyed -- were damaged. initially, das officials have estimated that a powerful bomb of more than 100 kg of dynamite placed in a truck was activated.    the huge explosion caused the initial destruction of the front part of the das headquarters, as well as a building where there was a hardware store, and the total destruction of six or seven other buildings.  a crater 15 meters wide and 6 meters deep was created in 27th carrera.    most of the victims of the explosion were in private vehicles and taxis, and only four were walking in the area when the explosion occurred at almost 0740.  officials say initially that there were 50 persons, hit by glass shards and flying pieces of vehicles, injured in the explosion.  officials have indicated that it is possible that the number of victims will increase, as the attack against the das headquarters was very strong.  we repeat: officially, seven persons were killed here in front of the das headquarters.

courts

judicial branch offices

presidential palace

administrative department of security

agrarian trust branch

vehicles

buildings

dynamite


Input: admiral jose toribio merino castro today stated that the chilean government junta has decided to meet twice a week, tuesdays and thursdays, in order to expedite the handling of draft laws currently under consideration.  asked about the political situation in chile, merino said that everything is calm.    (begin recording) (merino) the political situation is calm, except for the leftists, that is, not the leftists in general but those who like throwing bombs and killing people.  they are the ones that are marring an extraordinarily perfect democratic process.  this situation is unique in the world, because i believe that all those who can vote have been registered, at least 99 percent of them. (end recording)    adm merino added that the prevailing calm must continue under the next administration.    (begin recording) (merino) the peaceful atmosphere must continue if we are to live in a democracy respectful of the people and their rights.  what i mean is that as long as there is respect, there will be tranquillity. (end recording)    adm merino stated that the new central bank executive board will ensure greater stability, especially in the exchange rate for foreign currencies.  asked about fidel castro's recent offer to mediate between chile and bolivia, merino said that the cuban dictator has no business meddling in chile.    (begin recording) (merino) (words indistict) fidel castro.  this scarecrow would do better to keep his mouth shut because he has no business meddling in chile.  (words indistinct) a clear idea of perestroyka and the other lessons that gorbachev is teaching (words indistinct).  he is probably thinking that bolivia is about to fall into the hands of the communists because those in the government there are leaning to the left, and that chile will follow suit.  so he figures that he, as a leftist, will have the chance to meddle in chilean affairs.  not so.  nobody except we chileans will handle our affairs.    the best thing this castro can do is stay home.  he already visited chile; i met him and so did others.  he spent a whole night talking to (name indistinct) in punta arenas when i met him.  so he has nothing to do here. (end recording)    adm merino concluded by saying that on the day of the election he will stay in his office, just in case.


Input: colombia's acting president carlos lemos has said that the narcoterrorists who perpetrated an attack in bogota today that left 31 dead and more than 1,000 injured "deserve no mercy from god."    lemos admitted that the car bomb attack on the headquarters of colombia's secret security police (das) in bogota "is the most serious and the bloodiest" attack ever committed in the country.    lemos, filling in for president virgilio barco who is on an official visit to japan, told afp that controlling the terrorists "is very difficult" because "they enjoy the advantage of surprise."    the acting president pointed out that "the authorities cannot guard every meter of the city streets."    lemos said that the government has stepped up security throughout the capital, and added that a "head-on" struggle will be waged against the drug trafficking mafias that are operating in the country.    "there is no possibility for a truce with drug traffickers," the acting minister said.  he pointed out that "the slaughter," which he had warned about last week before the chamber of representatives, is now under way.    lemos has opposed the inclusion of the extradiction to the united states of colombians charged with drug trafficking in a referendum scheduled for 21 january.    lemos seized that opportunity to urge members of congress (chamber and senate) to keep extradiction as a tool to punish drug traffickers.    a group of parliamentarians have insisted on introducing the extradiction issue in the referendum.  the government believes that this is a pernicious action, because it could increase the terrorism that is scorching the country.    "the colombian government cannot be deprived of a tool such as extradiction," lemos concluded.    last night the chamber of representatives surprisingly approved a constitutional amendment to include the extradiction issue in the referendum.

narcoterrorists

headquarters of colombia's secret security police

car bomb


Input: according to a report issued by the chamber of deputies international affairs commission, drug trafficking is one of the main factors in bolivia preventing a social explosion because it contributes 20 percent of the job opportunities.    "the bolivian labor force is officially made up of 1.7 million people.  the drug business provides one out of every three or four jobs," the report states, taking into account data obtained from government circles.    it adds that the cocaine "boom" in bolivia coincided with the tough economic crisis that has been experienced since 1981 and that the "coca-dollars" have cushioned the social explosion.    "like any other business, cocaine trafficking acquires systems of capital and distribution.  it also has fixed expenditures.  these "investments" include raw material (coca leaves), chemical products and laboratories, chemists, transportation, services (legal and financial), and security, which includes payments of tips to public officials, politicians, judges, and policemen.  in some countries the guerrillas are paid to provide protection," the commission's report states.    the commission reports that santa cruz de la sierra has become a prosperous town partly because of the drug trade.  "one of the clearest effects recorded in the three cocaine areas is that it provides job opportunities," the report states.  it adds that between 750,000 and 1.1 million people are directly employed in the drug business in bolivia.    it states that coca leaf production is what provides most of the job opportunties in this business.  according to the report, 500,000 people are employed exclusively in coca leaf production.    the number of producers in the chapare region is estimated at 36,864, and they are linked in 6 federations, 54 associations (centrales), and 610 unions.  in the yungas zone of la paz, the number of producers is estimated at 26,280, organized into 4 federations, 14 associations, and 650 colonies or communities.    the coca crop is estimated to be 45,100 hectares (data from 1988) in the chapare zone and 19,695 hectares in the yungas area of la paz.    the estimated coca production in the chapare and yungas regions amounts to 117,486 and 73,634 tons per year, respectively.    the official report adds that 12,381 tons of coca were earmarked for chewing and that 132,038.3 tons were used to produce cocaine.


Input: relations between chile and bolivia have been broken.  what do you think is the best way to face bolivia's demand for a sea outlet?    (aylwin) first, chile maintains a firm stand on this subject, a fact that must be clearly understood by the chilean people and the rest of the world.  chile does not have any border conflicts with bolivia.  our border with bolivia has been ratified by an international treaty that was freely approved by our two countries. this treaty constitutes an obligatory norm for chile and bolivia.    second, according to this treaty, chile has always been willing to grant bolivia transportation facilities to ports on the pacific coast.    third, in face of the bolivian aspirations to obtain greater facilities or a new transit system, the first thing to be done is to reestablish diplomatic relations.  this is a bilateral issue between bolivia and chile.  it is not an hemispheric matter or a matter to be decided by international organizations.    i trust that bolivia and chile will reestablish diplomatic relations in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation.  we must be aware that the world is heading toward integration and that it is more convenient for all of us to attain the best and most integrated relations possible.  we must seek solutions and, as the bolivian president recently stated, we must seek imaginative solutions with a 21st century and not a 19th century view.  i hope that within this spirit we will manage not only to reestablish relations with bolivia, but to establish satisfactory relations for the two countries.    (sola) chilean relations with the united states have not been excellent over the past few years, and the murder of orlando letelier is tied into this situation.  what is your opinion on this subject, considering that a u.s. court has requested the extradition of general contreras and colonel espinoza?    (aylwin) well, i hope that chile will maintain the best relations possible with all the countries of the world, including the united states, a country with which we are linked for many reasons.  i discussed this subject with people from u.s. diplomatic, political, and economic circles, and i have noted their willingness to improve relations and solve the problems that are currently separating us as soon as a democratic government is reestablished.    i do not think that an extradition will solve the letelier case because it has already been ruled on by the supreme court.  it is what we lawyers refer to as an adjudged matter.  i think that chile can demonstrate its willingness to help clarify the case and guarantee justice, as it is our (word indistinct) purpose in all human rights problems, so as to satisfy the most demanding consciences of the world. (passage omitted)

orlando letelier


Input: ...the offensive of the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) as of 11 november has been militarily defeated here in the city of san salvador, as well as in san miguel, usulutan, and zacatecoluca, where there was greater activity by the subversives.  logically, after being rejected so much, after having lost so many figthers and war materiel, they do not have the capability to again launch an operation like they did on 11 november.  they will continue with indiscriminate terrorism and selective terrorism.  we have here some of the first evidence. for example, the murder of a person useful to salvadoran society like dr guerrero, the acts of sabotage against the electricity system, the destruction of public transportation.  we can also mention the destruction of some gasoline stations.  basically, what they seek is to systematically destroy the economy of the country, to provoke the closing of some industrial centers, and to bring about economic chaos.    that is why, even though we believed we were taking risks in the military field of national defense, the armed forces changed the curfew hours, so that curfew hours are now from 2300 to 0500.  we did this believing that the economic aspect is very important for the country, and that is why we want to benefit the industrial, business, and farming sectors, so that they will be able to carry out their activities under almost normal conditions.    we also considered that this time of the year we are picking coffee and cotton and harvesting sugarcane, and these are the three main staples of our economy.  these activities are mainly carried out in the evening, and that is why we have changed the curfew hours to benefit businessmen, workers, and farmers so they can support their families.    (reporter) colonel, does the president think that during the costa rican meeting enough pressure can be exerted on nicaragua so that it will suspend assistance to the fmln and the war will diminish in the country?    (ponce) the cynicism of the dictator ortega of the sandinist government has been fully proven.  in the previous meetings within the framework of esquipulas ii, he committed himself to discontinuing support for the fmln.  this total war offensive that has been inflicted upon the salvadoran people should be suspended, because we are sure that the moment nicaragua and cuba -- it is through those countries, rather those governments that the communist bloc has been helping the fmln -- the fmln would weaken tremendously.  (sentence as heard)    as a member of the armed forces, as a member of the high command, i feel very proud about the professional, determined, and courageous attitude with which the officers, non-commissioned officers, and troops of our armed forces have neutralized and defeated the fmln offensive.  in this regard, i believe that the opinions voiced by general thurman are not really in line with what we have lived here inside the country.  (continued)

farabundo marti national liberation front

electricity system

public transportation

gasoline stations


Input: compatriots, as you know, i came to japan to fulfill a mission in this country, which has always expressed its solidarity with colombia.    i have been, however, closely following the country's situation with deep sadness and indignation after the criminal attack on the das (administrative department of security) facilities, which deeply shook all colombians.    i have been in constant touch with carlos lemos simmons, the minister designated to act on my behalf and with my closest assistants.    in the past few days, we have experienced an increase in the vile attacks carried out by the drug trafficking criminal organization. those attacks have taken the life of many innocent colombians.  men, women, and children, who were in the prime of their lives, have been sacrificed by mad actions carried out by criminals, who intend to control an entire people, government, and country through terror and destruction.    they will not defeat us.  we are and will continue struggling.  the war has been declared on the entire country and on democracy.  we will not fall under the control of the narcoterrorists' bloody tyranny.    last night, the country learned about the colombian chamber of representatives's decision to approve the constitutional reforms with the inclusion of the extradition issue in the referendum.    the confirmation that the avianca plane crash was caused by a bomb; the murder of bernardo jaramillo uribe, roving 13th judge of criminal investigation; and this morning's atrocious attack on the das facilities further proves that the decision made by the chamber of representatives is highly unsuitable for the entire country.    we absolutely cannot accept drug traffickers trying to force our legislators to adopt a decision that would only bring more destruction and death to colombia, because if the inclusion of the extradition issue is approved in the referendum, it would not be a decision made by the sovereign will of the people, but by the force of bullets and terror.    colombians have unfortunately paid too high a price to find out what these criminals really think.  they spoke about a truce and then they murdered a judge.  subsequently, the chamber of representatives approved the inclusion of the extradition issue into the referendum and, in good faith, many people thought that was the first step toward peace with the drug traffickers.  they were wrong.  the next day the das facilities were attacked.    those actions prove what those criminals are capable of doing to obtain a favorable decision in the referendum.  they do not conduct an election campaign, but a campaign of terror to attain their goals.    i now reiterate what i said in my speech before leaving for japan. i said that the constitutional reforms with the inclusion of the referendum is highly unsuitable.    i share the sorrow and sadness of all my compatriots, especially victims' relatives.  our indignation must represent all colombians' intention to join efforts and drop personal interests.    compatriots, we must never, we will never succumb to the narcoterrorists.  the stable democracy we have built and defended with great effort for over 1 century is endangered.  throughout its history, colombia has overcome more difficult times.  let us all stand up with faith, courage, and firmness to defend our homeland and freedom.  thank you very much.

drug trafficking criminal organization

drug trafficking criminal organization

administrative department of security

avianca plane

bernardo jaramillo uribe

bomb


Input: attention. pay close attention to the following information.  farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) troops started to attack enemy positions in san salvador at 2200 on 6 december, entering the city from the north, south, east, and west.    attention. report from soyapango, san salvador. fmln antiaircraft units have downed an armed forces helicopter gunship during the battles that have been ongoing in soypango.  we await the official military report on this action in san salvador.  we are no longer only downing airplanes and helicopters in the interior of the country.  thousands of san salvador residents were able to see the downing of a helicopter gunship in the metropolitan area.  we downed a helicopter gunship that was shooting at the civilian population in soyapango, san salvador.  we had already warned (air force general juan rafael) bustillo.  we are not going to allow women, children, and residents of san salvador to be bombed again.  we are not going to allow more genocidial actions in san salvador.  once and for all, we reaffirm to the fascist command staff that we are not going to allow more bombing in san salvador.  starting right now, gentlemen, the people forbid that you bomb the city.  we forbid you to do so, and for that purpose we will down your airplanes and helicopters.  our people know that an a-37 aircraft was downed in san miguel, a helicopter was downed in san miguel at the beginning of the offensive, a push-pull plane was downed in usulutan, and now this helicopter in soyapango.  we await a report on the possible death of the helicopter's crew.  we await an official report from our comrades in soyapango.    meanwhile, we also have reports that fighting continues at this time in the northeastern area of san salvador.  we await an official report on the number of casualties that have been inflicted on the enemy.  our men have inflicted many casualties on soldiers from the atcatl battalion, belloso battalion, paratroopers battalion, national police, treasury police, 4th infantry brigade, sonsonate military detachment no 6, and 5th infantry brigade during the clashes that have taken place since last night.

armed forces

helicopter gunship


Input: colombian president virgilio barco has brought forward his return to the country by 10 hours, meaning he has cancelled some events he was scheduled to attend in tokyo, and will return to the country around noon on 9 december.  he was initially scheduled to return around midnight on saturday.    president barco told the international community today that in no way will colombia accept the intervention of foreign troops to fight terrorism, violence, and organized crime.  during a news conference with japanese and foreign media representatives in tokyo, president barco also said that the liberal party will probably win the 1990 presidential elections because it has capable people and it is the majority party.  he also referred to a mid-air plane explosion -- a terrorist action, in his words -- and the attack perpetrated against the das (administrative department of security) headquarters in bogota with approximately 500 kg of explosives.    president barco will return to bogota at 0900 on 9 december.  he will depart from narita airport, located 2 hours from tokyo, (words indistinct) meeting with japanese investors and possible buyers of colombian coffee.  the event was organized by the colombian coffee growers association and the gran colombian merchant fleet's representatives in the far east.    (begin recording) (barco) approximately 2 weeks ago an airplane exploded when taking off from bogota, and experts who came from many parts of the world have discovered that it was caused by a bomb placed on board rather than a problem of pressurization.    the other case is the attack which was perpetrated last night, 2 nights ago, against the intelligence headquarters of the national police.  you have read or reported that a large amount... (changes thought) about 500 kg of dynamite placed in a truck exploded and caused the collapse or considerable damage of the general headquarters of the colombian intelligence services.    the terrorist attack was perpetrated against the offices of the das, which is -- as i said before -- where the most important intelligence activities against organized crime and drug trafficking are carried out.  (continued)

general headquarters of the colombian intelligence services

airplane

explosives


Input: colombian president virgilio barco vargas said here on thursday his government will not bow to terrorist threats exemplified by wednesday's bomb explosion in bogota.    barco, who is on a four-day visit to japan through friday, said that such subversive activities are based on the mistaken belief of terrorists that violence can topple the government.    he said his government would fight off such challenges.    a truck, packed with dynamite, exploded in front of the headquarters of the department of administrative security, colombia's federal investigations police, on wednesday.    at least 35 people died and 350 people were wounded in the blast, which is believed to have been related to the colombian government's attempts to eliminate the drug trade.    colombia is said to be the largest exporter of the illicit drug, cocaine, to the united states and other western countries.    the colombian government has intensified its crackdown on the cocaine smugglers since the assassination of a leading presidential candidate on august 18.    barco, speaking at the japan national press club expressed concern about an increase of cocaine consumption in the united states and european countries, and called for western industrialized nations to help stabilize the political situation in colombia, with particular emphasis on more economic support.    asked about the possibility colombia would call on the united states to help solve the problem with armed forces, the president emphasized he has no intention of allowing any interference by foreign countries in his nation.    barco is scheduled to leave japan for colombia friday.

terrorists

headquarters of the department of administrative security

dynamite


Input: attention, national and international press.  this is a report from san salvador.    the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) reports that as of 2200 on 6 december, fmln columns (words indistinct) inside the capital city, staged attacks on military garrisons, and carried out sabotage activities in various parts of the country.    after breaking up the enemy's defensive positions in san salvador, the fmln occupied various areas in the capital.  the general staff installations were attacked with 60-mm mortars. (words indistinct) and air support against our positions.  we are awaiting detailed reports of this attack on the general staff with 60-mm mortars.    simultaneously, our guerrilla columns in san salvador established positions in san benito, escalon, la mascota, and maquiliguat neighborhoods, and also in san antonio abad and the northern periphery of the general staff installations, battling with marines, military detachment no. 7 from aguachapan, the elite battalions stationed there, national police forces, and units from the san benito battalion, which is in charge of guarding the general staff installations.  it is reported that one m-16 rifle, pistols, military equipment, and a large quantity of ammunition were seized from the army.    at 0100, our antiaircraft units opened fire on two helicopters in escalon neighborhood.  one of them was a transport helicopter and the other a gunship.  both were damaged.  meanwhile, our guerrillas also used mortars during an attack on the san benito battalion's positions near zona rosa.  at the same time, an attack was carried out against the cetipol (police instruction center) police academy in santa tecla, using 81-mm mortars.  attacks were staged against the cetipol's peripheral defense from another direction until late this morning.    meanwhile, an attack carried out from the northern part of san salvador led to incursions in soyapango, mejicanos, and ayutuxtepeque. in ayutuxtepeque the fmln carried out annihilation maneuvers against the 1st infantry brigade's soriano battalion, which was stationed on el carmen hill where we killed 15 soldiers and wounded 30.  among these casualties is an officer from the 1st infantry brigade.    the fmln seized five m-16 rifles, one (word indistinct) grenade launcher, (words indistinct), four m-60 machineguns from the annihilated troops.  a military vehicle was partially destroyed, and an enemy patrol was totally destroyed.    pral (long-range reconnaissance patrol) reinforcement units attempted to support the army troops under attack but they were repelled by the fmln.    the electricity system in different parts of the capital city was sabotaged, leaving 90 percent of the city without power.    attention.  here is the report on the helicopter downed in soyapango.  attention.  on 6 december there were clashes in san jose cortez, jurisdiction of soyapango, with the belloso battalion which received strong aerial support up until the afternoon hours. helicopters machinegunned and rocketed this densely populated area. our antiaircraft units, reaffirming our determination to defend the civilian population against aerial attacks, opened fire and hit a gunship.  the gunship fell to the ground at the morazan tobacco company.    guerrilla units simultaneously attacked paramilitary forces in tonacatepeque during the early hours of 7 december, which prompted aerial support because this area is on the air force's security perimeter, but calls from the battalion that was being annihilated on the el carmen hill in ayutuxtepeque went unheeded.    these are the first reports on all the activities under way in san salvador, where at 2200 on 6 december our guerrilla units began to force and break the dam that the high command built at the general staff's bunker (words indistinct) our columns, until they penetrated the aforementioned areas, fighting in the escalon and san benito neighborhoods where the oligarchs live.    actions have also taken place throughout the country.  factories have been sabotaged, strategic highways have been controlled, positions have been established, and towns have been occupied.  we will furnish further information later.

farabundo marti national liberation front

electricity system

81-mm mortars