Input: the violent and surprising events in venezuela and argentina earlier in the year, which resulted in thousands killed, are an indication of what will happen in coming years.  with its interventionist policy, the united states has negated our peoples' self - determination and embittered the relations between the countries in the area.  by preventing the social forces from acting freely, the united states prolongs the war and eliminates the possibility of achieving true democratization.  the u.s. imperialist policy has weakened in the decade ending today.  latin americanism has advanced and the time of a docile and puppet continent has been left behind.    latin american interests and social forces have matured.  despite 30 years of invasion and commercial freezing, cuba is still unbeaten. nicaragua has resisted, has defeated 10 years of war waged by mercenaries, and is preparing to legitimize its revolution.  in el salvador, the 10 years of counterinsurgency with which the united states has tried to defeat us and which the united states has tried to impose on us have failed.  the insurgency problems that were previously resolved with a few advisers and in a couple of years remain unsettled in el salvador despite a $3 billion aid package, nearly 1,000 advisers, and 10 years of bloody war.  in the past the problem of panama would have been settled with a coup in a few hours' time, but now 2 years of economic freezing, subversion, businessmen's strikes, attacks, and thwarted coups were necessary.  finally, the united states had to use 30,000 men, destroy a country, and fight for 1 week to bring to submission an army and a military head they themselves had trained.    latin americanism is on its way forward.  the decade now beginning belongs to latin america.  the struggle in our continent is of an anti-imperialist nature.  our struggle, as everyone knows, started in central america 10 years ago with the triumph of the sandinist revolution and the beginning of war in our country.  this has turned the region into a true vietnam during this decade.  because of all this, the sacrifice that our struggle entails is great and the process is complex, because both the struggle and the process occur in a changing world situation.  while in eastern europe the areas of influence are disappearing and the peoples' self - determination is opening to an unhindered path, the u.s. empire walks in the opposite direction and clings to its neocolonial domination of latin america and the caribbean.  what is at stake in el salvador is not precisely communism or capitalism, but democracy and the continent's independence.  latin america aspires, not to a restricted society, but to a self-sufficient development and internal social balance with the participation of many social sectors.  the central american societies appear to be polarized in the eyes of both employers and workers, but the need for independence will coalesce all of these forces.  in this context, our struggle, which is essentially for self - determination and democracy, is in the capitalist world the spearhead of the struggle of all latin american and third world countries, which demand these transformations.  all that our people have done these years and all that has been constructed by our combatants, military commanders, political leaders, and those who have worked either as diplomats or guerrillas has now become very significant.  the changes in strategy, the reshuffling of plans, the heroic resistance of the masses, the unity of the revolutionary movement, the political - ideological flexibility, the definition of a political platform adapted to the demand of the struggle, the large number of both local and international relations that have been established, and all that has been constructed with the blood of the best children of the people constitute our full contribution to the construction of democracy and sovereignty in el salvador and latin america and help make the people's victory more likely than ever.  (continued)


Input: a local radio station reported today that a group of people, including members of the salvadoran army, were arrested in the last few hours because of their suspected involvement in the assassination of six spanish jesuits on 16 november.    citing reliable sources, radio cadena yskl stated this afternoon that the suspected assassins were arrested after the investigations of the case had been carried out.  u.s., spanish, and british investigators participated in the investigations.    it has also been learned that president alfredo cristiani will address the country tonight over a national radio and television network, presumably to refer to this subject.

group of people

members of the salvadoran army

salvadoran army


Input: colonel rene emilio ponce, chief of the salvadoan armed forces' general staff, has admitted that 2 officers and 45 soldiers of an elite battalion are "being held in various guarrisons of san salvador" while investigations into the killing of the              six jesuits continue.    according to ponce, these officers and soldiers of the atlacatl battalion were placed at the disposition of the crimes investigative commission, which is studying the case of the jesuits who were shot to death on 16 november.      spanish, british, french, and canadian police agents have participated in these investigations.    these salvadoran soldiers had searched the jesuits' residence 2 days before the killing, ponce told the media today without giving much detail.    however, diplomatic sources stated that the soldiers will be "confined" to their respective garrisons and added that they include "five officers."    francisco estrada, a salvadoran priest who was appointed new rector of the central american university (uca), said that "the president's announcement that members of the armed forces committed this crime, is an important step very seldom taken in this country."  however, this "matter is not over with yet."    "what would really be new is for him to say who did it, instead of just saying that it was the armed forces," the priest told acan-efe and added that he trusts in the "goodwill and ethics" of president alfredo cristiani.    every source consulted with by acan-efe, whether diplomatic or religious, agreed to say that now it is important for cristiani to take one step further and mention the names of the people involved in this murder carried out at uca.    two domestic servants (a mother and a daughter) were killed together with the clergymen, five spaniards, including uca rector ignacio ellacuria, and a salvadoran.    the u.s.  embassy in el salvador also congratulated cristiani today for his efforts to clarify the assassination, as u.s.  congressmen and officials of the (george) bush administration had asked of him.    in fact, diplomatic sources commented to acan-efe that beginning on 22 january, the u.s.  congress is to discuss a new $90 million package of economic and military aid to el salvador that might hinge on the status of the investigations.    the united states has given over $3 billion in military and economic aid to el salvador over the past decade, and at present it is giving about $1.4 million daily, according to salvadoran political sources.    uca rector francisco estrada said that cristiani could take this step because "he is confident that he can control any internal resentment within his government and the armed forces."    a similar opinion was expressed by a european diplomat, who told acan-efe that cristiani is taking a great risk by accusing members of the armed forces of this crime.  he added: " if he has done this, it is because he feels very self-confident."    observers compare the investigation being carried out by the present rightist government with one carried out by the government of jose napoleon duarte, a christian democrat, into the 1980 murder of salvadoran archbishop oscar arnulfo romero.    duarte, who turned over power to cristiani on 1 june 1989, on several occasions attributed the murder of archbishop romero to roberto d' aubuisson, a present deputy and leader of the ruling nationalist republican alliance, but the investigations never led to any concrete results.

officers

members of the armed forces

atlacatl battalion

ignacio ellacuria


Input: here in madrid, the left-wing leader of the salvadoran opposition, ruben zamora, had a meeting just a few minutes' ago with foreign minister francisco fernandez ordonez, before starting a european tour seeking aid to overcome the crisis facing the central american country.  gloria del campo reports from the foreign ministry, santa cruz palace:    (del campo) ruben zamora believes that if, as it has been announced, officials of the salvadoran army are to be brought to trial for the assassination of six jesuits and two employees of the central american university, it will be the first time that this has been done and that, to a large extent, this is due to the pressure of countries like spain, the eec, and the rest of the world.  but, speaking to rne, ruben zamora expressed his reservations about the real identity and responsibility of the perpetrators of the massacre.    (begin recording) (zamora) president cristiani has still not given any names and so we can't say anything because it's all based on rumors.  therefore, the first thing to be seen is who is involved and, secondly, whether they are really brought to trial and, thirdly, whether they really are sentenced for the crime which they have committed.  so, there are still many obstacles in the way before giving a final opinion on the matter.  (end recording)    (del campo) ruben zamora had a 45-minute meeting with spanish foreign minister francisco fernandez ordonez at the foreign ministry. he expressed the need for and urgency of a political solution in el salvador, of aiding -- through the mediation of the un secretary general -- negotiations between the government and the farabundo marti national liberation front guerrillas.  he explained the situation of the democratic forces in el salvador and the need for the political arena to be opened up to promote the peace process.

salvadoran army


Input: some 150 people threw stones at the peruvian embassy in panama city today to protest the presence at the embassy of 12 refugees closely linked to former general manuel antonio noriega.    residents of a nearby neighborhood gathered in front of the embassy shouting slogans against the military and civilian refugees, whom they shouted should be "shot," and against the peruvian government for granting them asylum.    the demonstrators, who broke the windshields of some vehicles passing in front of the embassy, were forced away from the front of the embassy by members of the panamanian public force and u.s. soldiers.    the panamanians who sought shelter at the peruvian embassy are major edgardo lopez grimaldo, spokesmen of the former defense forces; major gonzalo gonzalez, chief of the elite "macho de monte" company; noriega's former secretary, marcela tason; captain narcisa castillero; major heraclides sucre; and seven relatives of the above-mentioned people.       sucre was charged today by panamanian attorney general rogelio cruz with being involved in the assassination of major moises giroldi, who promoted a foiled coup against noriega on 3 october 1989.    peruvian president alan garcia today expressed his willingness to protect "as long as necessary" the former noriega aides who sought shelter at the peruvian embassy in panama.    peru announced on 9 january that it has granted asylum to five panamanian military and seven of their relatives.  the panamanian government said on 12 january that it will not grant safe-conduct for these people, whom it considers "common criminals," to leave the country.    the u.s. government on 11 january said the panamanian public force is in charge of guarding the peruvian embassy and pointed out that the solution to the crisis posed by the presence of the refugees should be handled by the governments of panama and peru.    the peruvian president said today that the government of panamanian president guillermo endara is "unlawful."  he added that panama is being ruled by "the state department, the pentagon, the southern command, and the u.s.  troops."

residents of a nearby neighborhood

peruvian embassy

edgardo lopez grimaldo

gonzalo gonzalez

marcela tason

narcisa castillero

heraclides sucre


Input: a military source, quoting intelligence sources, said today that the salvadoran guerrillas have abandoned their strictly military goals to instead direct their actions against economic targets, within their usual pattern of wearing down the economy.    the source attributed the change in tactics to the "failure" of the offensive launched by the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) on 11 november, in which six guerrilla commanders and all guerrilla troops took part.    according to the fmln, the offensive's goal was to negotiate with the government on a "one-to-one" basis.  in the opinion of the army, however, the fmln was trying to cause an insurrection among the people to grab power.    the source, who requested anonymity, told acan-efe that following the offensive, the fmln decided to "readapt" their military cadres to the traditional "prolonged people's war."    military intelligence believes that with this change in tactics, the guerrillas are trying to "maintain their military presence and thus raise the fighters morale following the disbanding of important military cadres."    following the suspension of the unilateral truce decreed by the fmln between 23 december and 2 january, the guerrillas restarted their actions against the country's economy by blowing-up the country's power grid and shops in san salvador.    economic losses last year due to guerrilla sabotage to the transport, power and telephone systems, and other infrastructures surpassed $100 million, according to official sources.    the source said that the military restructure encompassed the six organizations that comprise the fmln: the revolutionary party of central american workers (prtc), the national resistance (rn), the salvadoran communist party (pcs), the popular liberation forces (fpl), the armed forces of liberation (fal), and the people's revolutionary army (erp).    according to military intelligence, the prtc, rn, and the pcs now operate in san salvador and other important cities of the country, while the fpl operates in the central region, the erp in the northeast, and the fal in the southeast.

farabundo marti national liberation front

power grid

shops


Input: some 150 persons picketed and threw stones at the peruvian embassy on 12 january.  the demonstrators demanded that former panama defense forces (fdp) major edgardo lopez grimaldo, and others closely linked to the former military regime who sought refuge at the embassy, be asked to leave the mission.    the demonstrators shouted slogans against noriega and threw some stones.  they broke the rear windshields of two diplomatic vehicles parked in front of the embassy: a white mitsubishi, license plates cd-325, and a red mitsubishi, license plates cd-142.    "grimaldo...coward killer, come out and show your face," the crowd shouted while the u.s. soldiers guarding the mission gently moved them in the direction of the sidewalk across the street.  some eight members of the new panamanian public force, also guarding the embassy, did not intervene.    despite the shouts demanding "justice and prison" for noriega's followers, no one came out of the embassy located on "f" street, el cangrejo, a middle-class neighborhood in panama city.    major gonzalo gonzalez, commander of the elite "macho de monte" company that foiled the 3 october coup against noriega; heraclides sucre, who has been identified as one of the two officers who "shot" moises giroldi; and marcela tason, noriega's personal secretary are also at the embassy with lopez grimaldo, who was the spokesman for the dismantled fdp.    approximately 40 u.s. soldiers, supported by an armored personnel carrier and three "hummer" armored vehicles, are guarding the peruvian embassy.    at the time of the demostrations, residents in nearby buildings waved white handerchiefs and banged pots and pans, and empty cans.  a similar situation was occurring on the street.    one of the demonstrators told la prensa: "we will stay here until they come out because they must pay for their crimes; we will come back here every afternoon."    the u.s. soldiers cordoned off the area with concertina wire while a group of people "booed" them for doing this.

demonstrators

peruvian embassy

white mitsubishi

red mitsubishi

edgardo lopez grimaldo

gonzalo gonzalez

heraclides sucre

marcela tason


Input: colombian government minister carlos lemos simmonds said on 12 january that as long as the guerrilla groups continue to respond to the government's peace efforts with military actions, the government's response will also have to respond militarily.  minister lemos was referring to the current attacks which have been launched by several rebel groups throughout the country.  minister lemos said that the executive branch is worried about the country's public order, and added that the government is determined to use the army and the police to fight violence.    likewise, lemos simmonds described the guerrilla groups still launching attacks throughout the country as anachronic and out-dated. he said that we hope this situation will change soon, and stressed that seeing what is happening in eastern europe, we cannot understand why many of the rebel groups are bent on imposing a system that they consider ideal when it is being rejected and repudiated by so many states that imposed it.  minister lemos said that the the guerrilla action should be up-dated; the rebels should stop and consider whether the struggle they are waging is worth it since the system they are defending is something of the past.    minister lemos also talked about the wave of kidnappings that is rocking the country.  he said that the government and defense ministries are taking special measures to deal with the situation.  he said that we cannot continue to justify the use of kidnapping as a political weapon and added that the government will deal with all those involved in kidnappings as common criminals.  the minister also asked the people to cooperate with the authorities in locating those areas where the bands of criminals are operating.    the government minister also talked about a dialogue with the revolutionary armed forces of colombia, farc, and said that talking about a dialogue is useless if they continue their subversive activities.


Input: salvadoran president alfredo cristiani today charged that colonel guillermo benavides, director of the military academy, two lieutenants, two second lieutenants, two subsergeants, one corporal, and two soldiers of the salvadoran armed forces are implicated in the assassination of the jesuits.    president cristiani denounced the military men on a radio and television network.  he was accompanied by defense minister general humberto larios, colonel rene ponce, chief of the armed forces staff, and deputy defense ministers colonel orlando zepeda and colonel orlando montano.    the military men are suspected of involvement in the assassination of central america university rector ignacio ellacuria, five other jesuits, and two women in san salvador on 16 november, while the curfew was in force.

guillermo benavides

two lieutenants

two second lieutenants

two subsergeants

one corporal

two soldiers of the salvadoran armed forces

salvadoran armed forces

ignacio ellacuria


Input: now that the investigation has advanced to a significant point, i believe the time is right to say that the results obtained thus far respond to the widespread outcry of the salvadoran people - - in the sense that those charged with criminal actions stand trial so criminals are not left unpunished.  this is the commitment of the government of the republic and the armed forces. however, it is wise to clarify that, in the same manner that people have made demands and condemned the case at issue today, actions resulting from the wave of fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) terrorist violence should also be condemned and punished with the same vehemence.    in the same manner, again we want to urge all salvadorans to abstain from speculating over these regrettable incidents, because that will only hinder the judicial process.  it is necessary that law and justice prevail in our country, so that no one tramples on them.    in regard to this investigation, we wish to reaffirm that an objectivity has prevailed at all times, and that the accused will be sent to the pertinent court so that they stand trial according to the mechanisms established in the constitution and in other laws.    in conclusion, we want to tell the salvadoran people that, although it is true this is a regrettable incident, we must accept it as an unavoidable reality and as evidence to the world that we salvadorans and our institutions have a high sense of justice, morality, and ethics.    as commander of the armed forces, i want to congratulate all its members for their professionalism, dedication, and exemplary conduct, evidenced not only in view of this incident, but also by halting -- in defense of democracy and peace -- the fmln terrorist aggression.  that brilliant historic event will always be present in the hearts of our people, who will render homage to the armed forces for having protected the freedom of our future generations.    thank you very much.  may god bless you.


Input: costa rican president oscar arias today urged guatemala president vinicio cerezo to follow the example of salvadoran president alfredo cristiani and order an "exhaustive investigation into the murder of salvadoran social democratic leader hector oqueli colindres in guatemala 2 days ago.    arias said: "i hope president cerezo will duplicate the actions taken by his counterpart alfredo cristiani in the case of the jesuits who were savagely killed 2 months ago in el salvador."    the costa rican president harshly criticized "hector oqueli's murderers.  this is a horrible crime," he said.    the costa rican president is very moved by the murder of oqueli, because they studied together at the university of essex, great britain, 22 years ago, when arias obtained his doctorate.    "he was a great friend and comrade," arias said, recalling the deeds of the murdered salvadoran politician, who visited costa rica several times to participate in lectures, seminars, and discussions.

hector oqueli colindres


Input: the colombian government has offered full guarantees of due process (garantias procesales) to drug traffickers who lay down their weapons and stop their terrorist activities and smuggling of drugs to other countries, but said it will not enter into deals with them that may violate the constitution or the laws.    the statement, which was the first to be made by an official source, was made by government minister carlos lemos to a television newscast.    commenting on the communique in which the extraditables offer to end their illegal trade, release the hostages they are holding, and stop their attacks in order to obtain from the government and society "respect for our rights and return to our families and communities," lemos said: "the colombian constitution and laws guarantee a due process and right to defense, but of course they also demand that those who break the laws submit to them so that, through the judges and independent of any intervention by the government, the degree of responsibility of each one of them and whether there are grounds for punishment can be determined."    he added: "these persons, the drug traffickers, will enjoy full legal guarantees, but this does not mean that there will be compromises of any kind, because there is no doubt that the government cannot violate the constitution."    explaining that the government has won this war on the basis of making no concessions, lemos said: "i do not see any reason to change our policy of not negotiating when our own enemies have said that this policy has triumphed."    in their communique, which was delivered through two women who were kidnapped and released in medellin, seat of the cartel by the same name, the drug traffickers recognized the state's victory over the criminal organization and at the same time offered to abide by the laws.

drug traffickers

the extraditables


Input: a fierce clash, which lasted almost 1 hour, occurred this evening between government soldiers and guerrilla forces in a western sector of the capital, but no casualties have been reported.    a military source from the sector said that the clash occurred in montebello neighborhood, located in the western section of the capital, and much rifle fire and many powerful explosions were heard.    the montebello neighborhood is a middle-class residential area located near the exclusive escalon neighborhood, which was the site of fierce fighting during the salvadoran guerrilla general offensive in november.    the source indicated that the armed clash began at 2000 (0200 gmt) when an army unit patrolling the western area of san salvador surprised a farabundo marti national liberation front (fmn) column advancing through the sector.    the clash ended 50 minutes later and military sources have reported no casualties on either side.    residents in several neighborhoods said that the firing of various caliber weapons was heard throughout almost all the western and northwestern zones of the salvadoran capital.


Input: diplomatic sources have announced that luis sandiga, charge d'affaires at the peruvian embassy in panama, left for lima today following his expulsion yesterday by the panamanian government.    deputy foreign minister juan manuel castulovich announced yesterday that sandiga had been given 72 hours to leave the country and explained that his expulsion was the result of statements by peruvian authorities who denied the legitimacy of the new panamanian government headed by guillermo endara.    endara took the oath of office following the invasion of panama by u.s. troops who toppled general manuel antonio noriega's regime.    castulovich denied today that panama plans to break diplomatic relations with peru, and insisted that the peruvian embassy, where 11 of noriega's aides have sought refuge, "is assured of all the diplomatic guarantees."    nevertheless, castulovich reiterated that the panamanian government "will not issue safe-conducts to individuals accused as common criminals."    among the refugees are four officers of the disbanded panama defense forces.  one of them, heraclides sucre, has been linked by panama's attorney general rogelio cruz to the murder of major moises giroldi, an officer who was killed after leading a thwarted coup attempt against noriega on 3 october.


Input: on learning of the extraditables' statement concerning the release of kidnapped persons and the suspension of drug- trafficking activities, government minister carlos lemos simmonds, expressing his satisfaction, said today that the government has won the war against drug-trafficking without engaging in any negotiations.    (begin recording) (lemos simmonds) i am very pleased, knowing that we have fulfilled our duties and that the authorities who implemented the no-deal policy have won a war that many believed had been lost.  (end recording)    minister lemos simmonds also said that the government will not reverse its extradition policy because extraditions are a legal tool that has been in effect in colombia since 1888.    (begin recording) (lemos simmonds) i signed the decree that reestablished administrative extradition procedures, and i signed it with complete awareness.  i cannot say anything different now from what i said 4 or 5 months ago.  (end recording)    the minister said the government will not negotiate with the drug-traffickers, but also will not act arrogantly in defeating them. he added that new measures aimed at stopping kidnappings in the country are being studied.    (begin recording) (lemos simmonds) of course not all the kidnapped people have been released.  let us hope that the drug-traffickers and extraditables' promise -- that no one will be kidnapped again -- is kept.  the truth is i cannot say that there will be no more kidnappings.  (end recording)    the government has considered the possibility of suspending the extradition of drug-traffickers to the united states if they put down their weapons and suspend their drug shipments abroad.


Input: after listening to reports submitted by the interior and foreign ministers, the bolivian senate today approved the government's decision to extradite colonel luis arce gomez to the united states, where he faces charges of drug trafficking.  arce gomez was the "strongman" and interior minister for the de facto regime headed by general luis garcia meza.    arce gomez, who has been charged with murder, organizing repressive groups, and protecting narcotraffic, had been sought by the bolivian police and the u.s. courts.  he was arrested in santa cruz on 10 december 1989 and extradited to miami in less than 24 hours.


Input: caribbean rights, which groups seven human rights organisations in the region, on thursday joined amnesty international in a campaign denouncing what was described as the "inhumane and violent conditions" perpetrated by the peruvian armed forces.    in a cable to president alan garcia, caribbean rights called upon the authorities to investigate all cases of extrajudicial executions and to punish those responsible. the group said that previously the majority of the victims were peasant families in remote areas and that the victimisation has now been extended to the densely populared districts.    the victims include human rights activists, trade unionists, lawyers, journalists, and others who try to expose abuses at the local and international levels, the cable said. children were reported to be prime targets.    a recent report published by amnesty stated that torture, murder, rape, and disappearances were methods adopted by the peruvian government in combating violent opposition groups like the "shining path" guerrillas. it said most of the victims were secondary school children who are a major recruitment target for the shining path.    the barbados-based caribbean rights stressed in its cable that it was aware of the problems the government was facing with the guerrillas but emphasised that it was the ultimate responsibility of the government to uphold law even in the face of violent opposition.


Input: we already have audio and video signals with lima and la paz.  we talked with peruvian president alan garcia a few minutes ago.  good morning again president garcia.  good morning president paz zamora.  can you hear me?    (paz zamora) yes, i can hear you.  good morning, napoleon bravo. it is my pleasure to be talking to you today.    (bravo) it is also a pleasure for us.  we have teodoro petkoff, leader of mas here in the studio.  as you, president garcia, and teodoro petkoff agreed, the topic to be discussed here today is latin america's future over the next 10 years.  you will discuss the increasing impoverishment of the continent, the population explosion, and economic growth.    the first question is for president garcia.  mr president, in your opinion and taking into account all the problems that latin america is currently experiencing, including the foreign debt and economic stagnation, what can latin america expect over the next 10 years?    (garcia) (words indistinct) socialism, i have, however, (word indistinct) difficult regarding latin america's future.  we cannot (words indistinct) the foreign debt (passage indistinct) exploitation of our countries over the past 10 years.  we cannot forget that over the past 10 years, latin america has been exporting capital and that (words indistinct) paid $250 billion over the past 10 years (words indistinct), $430,000 after the beginning of the decade (words indistinct) $190,000.    (words indistinct) political and military interventionism (words indistinct) which the case of panama confirms.  (words indistinct) democratic or totalitarian societies (passage indistinct) and all endangers the very existence of latin america insofar as there is not a prompt and vigorous reaction from all the latin american political leaders to strengthen our peoples' unity.  that unity will serve as an anti-imperialist instrument of defense and as an instrument for social and economic development.    (words indistinct) favorable conditions for our continent over the next 10 years.  that is the essential protest of all the latin american movements that emphasize the need for democratic socialism, respect for latin american freedom, and especially respect for latin american unity.    (bravo) thank you mr president.  president paz zamora, i am going to ask you the same question.  in your opinion, and taking into account the increasing impoverishment in latin america, population explosion, the drug trafficking problem, the current latin american economic growth, and the foreign debt problem, about which in fact i think i heard -- and i say i think, because it was too early in the morning -- over the eco latin american television network this morning that you are solving the foreign debt problem, what is latin america's future for the last decade of this century?    (paz) my friend napoleon bravo, i have a fairly optimistic viewpoint with regard to latin america's future for this last decade of the century.  i believe we must admit that despite all the difficulties, the foreign debt problem, the misery that exists on our continent, the population explosion, and other problems, since the latin american republics were formed, our continent has never been better than today.  in other words, since the latin american republics were formed, we have never had almost 90 percent of the continent living within democratic systems as we do now.  we have never had the perspectives we had today.  i am optimistic about the future of my country, of latin america, and especially of our three countries.    i am so optimistic that i even want to point out something that touches our souls.  we will begin the decade by winning the world soccer championship in italy.  we must not underestimate soccer, because soccer is culture, too, and represents our peoples' strength.    taking into account that mine is an optimistic point of view, i would like to tell you that over the next 10 years, latin america will face a number of problems.  one of those problems will be to find a way to rejoin an economic, financial, and commercial world from which latin america was gradually expelled during the last decade and even during the 1970's.  (continued)


Input: today, a salvadoran judge ordered the "provisional arrest" of one salvadoran colonel and eight other members of the salvadoran army involved in the massacre of six jesuit priests carried out in san salvador on 16 november.    ricardo zamora, judge of the san salvador fourth criminal court, ordered the arrest of col guillermo alfredo benavides, director of a salvadoran military academy; lieutenants yushy rene mendoza and jose ricardo espinoza; and sublieutenant gonzalo guevara.    the arrest order also includes sergeants antonio ramiro avalos and tomas zarpate castillo; corporal angel perez vasquez; and soldiers oscar mariano amaya and jorge alberto sierra.  the latter is a fugitive from justice.    judge zamora said that the men will be imprisoned in the national police jail.

col guillermo alfredo benavides

eight other members of the salvadoran army

eight other members of the salvadoran army

eight other members of the salvadoran army

eight other members of the salvadoran army

eight other members of the salvadoran army

eight other members of the salvadoran army

eight other members of the salvadoran army

eight other members of the salvadoran army

salvadoran army


Input: in response to reports disseminated by the media with regard to the struggle against drug trafficking and terrorism, the colombian president advises the colombia people of the following:    1. the government's firm, coherent, and efficient policy to enforce the law has had significant results with regard to the control of drug trafficking and terrorist activities.  that policy has created a new situation, which has raised a number of expectations among the people.    2. the actions conducted by the armed forces, the national police, and the administrative department of security have been successful. they will continue to be carried out to complete the dismantling of groups of murderers and narco-terrorist organizations.    3. the national government and the all the colombian authorities will continue to fulfill their duty of enforcing the law and bringing criminals before justice according to constitutional and legal procedures and the options offered by the law.    4. the statements by four former colombian presidents, by the cardinal and archbishop of colombia, and by the president of the patriotic union are patriotic actions intended to spare colombians more suffering and pain.  the government highly appreciates the meaning of those statements.  those statements represent the three colombian parties and the church. (sentence as heard)    5. the country has acted with calm, caution, realism, and responsibility.  the colombian people did not let themselves be carried away by reckless expectations.  the country must maintain that attitude.    6. authorized media spokesmen have mentioned the many questions that the colombian people ask themselves concerning that situation, which only the future can convincingly clarify.    7. the country longs for the complete end to crimes, murders, and attacks against public officials, newsmen, political leaders, and men, women, and children.  the country longs for the release of all those who have been abducted and the definitive suspension of drug trafficking activities.    the government's policy and the enormous sacrifices courageously made by the colombian people seek those objectives, among other things.    8. now that the state's victory and the need to abide by the country's law are admitted, we must walk along the best path to ensure the final success of the government's policy, which has been supported by the colombian people and the international community.


Input: upon proclaiming its victory over the drug trafficking mafias, which have admitted their defeat, colombian president virgilio barco's government announced today that it will continue to enforce the law and that it will continue to bring all criminals before justice.    in a statement delivered to afp at 1630 gmt, the colombian presidency proclaimed the success of its firm policy to make people abide by the law and to fight the drug trafficking mafias.    the document, which is a response to a statement (words indistinct) the extraditables and released (words indistinct), reiterates that the armed forces and the state security organizations will continue the struggle to dismantle all the narco- terrorist organizations.


Input: a call for free elections in panama, support for puerto rican independence, and the condemnation of human rights violations in guatemala and el salvador were some of the conclusions reached at the end of the meeting of the socialist international (is) commission for latin america and the caribbean this afternoon in quito.  the is focused on the situation in panama, reiterating its strong condemnation of the u.s. invasion and demanding "the immediate and unconditional withdrawal" of those troops.  it also demanded that "free and democratic elections be held without foreign meddling."    the is condemned the serious human rights violations and deaths during the u.s. invasion and said it was necessary to establish an investigative commission with the cooperation of the international red cross.  in addition, it asked that the torrijos - carter treaties be respected.  the group also demanded absolute respect for diplomatic immunity and sanctity, and rejected the role of "policeman to protect democracy the u.s. government wants to assign itself."  it noted the urgency in joining efforts to find paths that will lead to the reestablishment of sovereignty and democracy in panama.    moreover, the is voiced support for the efforts the puerto rican independentist party is making to get the u.s. congress to allow a referendum in puerto rico.  the referendum will let puerto ricans decide their political future, within the framework of independence some area countries are demanding.    the is committee also noted its concern over the climate of insecurity and repeated human rights violations the propero avril government is fostering in haiti.  after indicating that this situation "imperils" the elections set for this year, the is called on the government to adopt the measures that ensure human rights are respected.    in addition, the committee condemned the recent murder in guatemala of political leaders hector oqueli colindres and gilda amparo flores arevalo.  it also announced a commission will be sent to the governments of el salvador and guatemala to find the persons responsible for the murders.    on the topic of drug trafficking, the is commission demands that the governments of the developing countries adopt the measures needed to lower internal distribution and consumption of drugs and to fight money laundering.    in conclusion, the commission discussed a preliminary report by an is mission that visited nicaragua to observe the electoral campaign. the report notes that, "considering the country's situation, the mission feels the electoral process has been satisfactory so far."    enrique silva cimma, is vice president and future chilean foreign minister, chaired the 2-day meeting that gathered 64 political leaders from 10 countries of the region and guests from the united states, frg, israel, the international socialist of women, and the inter-american regional organization of workers.    silva cimma said that this and other meetings do not aim at setting guidelines the parties are obligated to follow.  instead, the meetings allow parties to exchange views regarding the need to deal with the fundamental views of this ideological concept within the basic ideal of democratic socialism.

persons

hector oqueli colindres

gilda amparo flores arevalo


Input: salvadoran colonel guillermo benavides gave the order to assassinate six jesuit priests with a peremptory sentence: "everything is at stake; it is either us or them.  these have been the intellectuals who have been guiding the guerrilla groups for a long time."    this is stated in a resolution issued this morning by judge ricardo zamora who ordered a provisional arrest while waiting for the trial of the eight military officers implicated in the crime and the arrest of a third one who has been at large since december.    two lieutenants and a second lieutenant have accused benavides in their depositions as the person who "gave the order" on the evening 15 november at the military school he directed and which was in charge of controlling the sector where the central american university (uca) is located.    "we will start with the leaders.  the university is in our sector and ellacuria is there.  he must be eliminated and i want no witnesses," benavides said to lieutenant yussay rene mendoza vallecillos, according to the latter's testimony.    a few hours later, early in the morning of 16 november, jesuit priests ignacio ellacuria, rector of the uca; ignacio martin baro, juan ramon moreno, joaquin lopez y lopez, segundo montes (spaniards), and amando lopez (salvadoran), as well as their cook, elba julia ramos, and her daughter, celina maricet ramos, were assassinated.    it all happened during the curfew and 5 days after the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) guerrilla groups had launched their largest offensive.    benavides gave the order to lieutenant mendoza, lieutenant espinoza, and second lieutenant guevara cerritos, officers of the atlacatl battalion, an elite unit trained by the united states, which had been sent to the military school.    the soldiers were told that it was necessary "to eliminate the guerrilla groups' intellectual leaders and that they were at the uca," according to corporal angel perez vasquez' deposition.    they were also told that "there was information that some injured terrorist criminals would be taken to the uca" and they were insistently told that "all the people there were terrorists."    according to second sergeant antonio ramiro avalos vargas' version, the mission must be secretly carried out because they would find subversive material and other kinds of material that could be used, such as medicine, boots, and clothes.    according to the military officers' depositions gathered in the judge's resolution, a flare would be fired when they were about to withdraw, to indicate there had been a clash.    second sergeant antonio ramiro avalos vargas says that five of the six jesuits were taken out to the garden and ordered to lie face down, then lieutenant espinoza ordered him and private mariano amaya grimaldi to proceed.    the three officers admitted that they knew about this, but not about their participation in the crime.  the four soldiers admitted their role as executioners, out of loyalty to their superiors and because they were afraid they would be considered traitors.    the judge said there are "enough elements" to establish the participation of colonel guillermo benavides in these actions, including, first of all, the deposition signed by colonel rene emilio ponce, chairman of the armed forces joint chiefs of staff.    ponce said he ordered the creation of a security commando, with headquarters in the military school and under colonel guillermo alfredo benavides' command, to defend the military installations located in the zone which might become the targets of "a terrorist aggression."  the uca is also located in the zone.    the judicial resolution includes the depositions given by all the prisoners to the police, except col benavides, who met with judge ricardo zamora for over 2 hours.    the investigation was carried out by a crime investigation commission which later sent the evidence and findings to an army honor commission that will cooperate in determing who is responsible.

yussay rene mendoza vallecillos

espinoza

guevara cerritos

angel perez vasquez

antonio ramiro avalos vargas

mariano amaya grimaldi

guillermo alfredo benavides

eight military officers

ignacio ellacuria

ignacio martin baro

juan ramon moreno

joaquin lopez y lopez

segundo montes

amando lopez

elba julia ramos

celina maricet ramos


Input: it was officially reported today in lima that peruvian security forces killed 14 terrorists in confrontations that occurred on 20 january in several points of the country.    an interior ministry communique indicates that the armed confrontations occurred in the central mountain junin department and in puno department, in the southeastern part of the country.    the document states that the police intercepted the group following a tipoff by agents who specialize in obtaining information.  the clash occurred in conray, tarma province, junin department, where a combined army-national police patrol killed seven "subversive criminals" including one woman.    the patrol seized two rifles, one carbine, one revolver, and explosives.    in the village of sollocota, the national police repelled a 3-hour attack carried out by approximately 20 terrorists, 4 of whom died.    the interior ministry communique indicates that a patrol pursued the attackers, who withdrew to the area of vilcasusuya where the security forces killed three subversives.  five guns, hand grenades, carbine launched grenades, and abundant quantities of ammunition were seized.    the document states that the army and national police did not suffer any casualties.    the communique only defines the terrorists as "subversive criminals" without indicating whether they belong to the maoist shining path group or to the guevarist tupac amaru revolutionary movement (mrta).    according to press sources, during the month of january there have been approximately 170 deaths, including those of the 20-january confrontations, due to peru's political violence.    a congressional committee is studying the causes of violence.  it has reported that since may 1980, when shining path began its armed struggle, and december 1989 there have been 17,500 deaths due to political violence.


Input: attention: the medellin police are confirming at this time whether it is true that alvaro diego montoya escobar, who is the son of the secretary general of the presidency, has been released near the campos de paz cemetary of the capital of antioquia. as you will recall, montoya was kidnapped on 20 december by the extraditables.    attention: new reports on the release of alvaro diego montoya, the son of the presidency's general secretary, reveal that he was freed today at 0200 in bogota, and not at noon in medellin.

the extraditables

alvaro diego montoya escobar


Input: from the soviet point of view, the question of deliveries of weapons to the government of el salvador takes on, in present conditions, a particular significance.  this was announced today at a briefing by gennadiy gerasimov, head of the ussr ministry of foreign affairs information directorate, who reported the debates opening in the u.s. congress on giving u.s.  military aid to that country.    in recent times, the ussr foreign ministry spokesman noted, certain advances have been outlined in the matter of renewing dialogue between the opposing sides in el salvador.  however, the opponents of national reconciliation in that country are trying to prevent a constructive dialogue between the government and the rebels and are counting on the continuation of bloodshed.  the el salvador president alfonso cristian confirmed the involvement of troops in the murder of priests.  a new victim of the terror is hector oqueli, executive secretary of the socialist international committee on the problems of the countries of latin america and the caribbean basin and one of the leaders of the national revolutionary movement party, said gennadiy gerasimov.    the leadership of the farabundo marti national liberation front, the soviet diplomat noted, has stated its decision to stop conducting further combat operations if the united states halts its military aid to the ruling regime.    in these conditions, gerasimov stressed, the continuation of arms supplies to the salvadoran army in fact plays into the hands of those who blatantly violate human rights and does not promote the strengthening of the positions of those who champion dialogue and national reconciliation in el salvador.  "all of that may become a serious obstacle in the way toward a peaceful settlement in that country and central america in general", he said.

troops

hector oqueli


Input: military authorities have reported that there was an attack this morning against the home of retired colonel carlos humberto figueroa, deputy interior minister, but that there were no casualties.    the report notes that the home of the deputy minister, located in an eastern neighborhood of san salvador, was machinegunned from a passing vehicle.    also, heavy bombing was heard last night, apparently directed against positions of the salvadoran guerrillas on the foothills of the san salvador volcano.

home of retired colonel carlos humberto figueroa

carlos humberto figueroa


Input: an unusual communique signed by pablo escobar gaviria was delivered to el tiempo newspaper director hernando santos castillo.  in this communique, escobar denied that the medellin cartel is divided and stressed that those who told on gonzalo rodriguez gacha were cali cartel members.  for several months, escobar's group has been engaged in a fight to the death with the members of the cali cartel.    escobar's communique even gives the name of the person who collected the reward from the authorities, a reward that had been announced on television as a prize for denouncing el mejicano (rodriguez gacha's alias).    here is more on this communique:    in a new exchange of communiques, a practice that has become common nowadays, escobar decided to write a letter to santos to clarify certain doubts: first, to say that his friends and collaborators have not withdrawn their support as a result of a campaign carried out by the 4th bridage in antioquia, as reported in el tiempo.  escobar stressed that the best proof that his friends have not betrayed or abandoned him is that he is still free.  second, he said that if the government ever decides to fight for peace, it will find a long, endless list of extraditables, drug traffickers, henchmen, and paramilitary group members who want to accompany the government in that process.  third, he accused jorge velazquez, a member of the cali cartel whose alias is "the navigator," of denouncing rodriguez gacha and collecting the reward.  he also accused cali cartel members of denouncing jorge luis ochoa in palmira and of being responsible for the disappearance and murder of antioquia people who visited valle del cauca department.  escobar also charged that cali cartel members placed 700 kg of dynamite in his family's building.  fourth, he noted that his struggle is against the cali cartel not the valle del cauca people and added: i feel great admiration and profound respect for valle people because my wife, victoria, was born in that beautiful land, her ancestors all lived there.  concluding he said that although he has never accepted the cali cartel's peace proposal, he has never rejected dialogue as an alternative for solutions.


Input: colonel rene emilio ponce, chief of the armed forces general staff, today disclosed an alleged plan according to which the guerrillas will attempt to attack military positions in san salvador "to pressure the government into negotiating a political solution" to the armed conflict.    citing military intelligence reports, ponce anticipated that "as of next weekend, until 10 february, the guerrillas will carry out terrorist actions and attacks on military units, primarily in the metropolitan area, in order to influence the international community in a propagandistic manner."    "they are trying to influence the international community so that it, in turn, will move toward negotiating a political solution to the armed conflict," ponce said during a news conference at the general staff's headquarters.    the execution of the alleged farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) plan will coincide with salvadoran president alfredo cristiani's scheduled trip to the united nations at the end of the month.    cristiani will meet on 31 january with un secretary general javier perez de cuellar, to request his good offices in favor of resuming the dialogue with the guerrillas, which was suspended in october.    following november's guerrilla offensive, the government and fmln have expressed a willingness to resume the dialogue, with united nations participation.    ponce pointed out that the "specific areas" the guerrillas will attempt to attack are some of the military positions at the el espino farm in the northwestern part of san salvador, ayutuxtepeque in the northern part of the country, zaragoza and huizucar in the southern part of san salvador, and soyapango in the east.    these areas are among the leading sites of the bloodiest clashes between soldiers and guerrillas during the rebels' harshest offensive 11 november.    the dialogue between the salvadoran government and rebels was suspended in october following a dynamite attack against a labor union headquarters in which 10 workers were killed and 30 others wounded.    prior to the suspension of the dialogue, the government and fmln held two rounds of talks in mexico and costa rica, but failed to reach agreements that would have ended the country's armed conflict.


Input: according to estimates by the u.s. drug enforcement agency (dea), the volume of business generated by the cocaine cultivated and produced by peruvian, bolivian, and colombian drug traffickers when it is peddled on the streets of the united states and europe is $140 billion annually.    according to the experts, cocaine trafficking in colombia may total $100 million if retail sales in the united states and europe are taken into account.    this illegal trade, which amounts to 10 percent of the world arms trade volume, may come to an end if the colombian government accepts the peace offer from "the extraditables," armed wing of the medellin cartel.    of the $140 million, the take of the colombian drug traffickers on a wholesale basis is only $7.13 billion annually, according to a study made by carlos caballero argaez, president of the colombian banking association.    according to caballero, when the cost of raw materials, input, transportation, security, and confiscations is deducted, the net annual earnings of the colombian drug traffickers total $4.060 billion.    caballero asserts that the colombian traffickers export a total of 310 tons per year, of which 270 tons are sold in the united states at an average wholesale price of $19,000 per kilogram, and 40 tons in europe at $50,000 per kilogram.    the expert told efe that the networks of peddlers sell the cocaine at an average price of $200,000 per kilogram, and therefore their gross take may be $62 billion per year.    if the extra profits resulting from diluting the powder by mixing it with other substances is added to this amount, their gross earnings may amount to $100 billion per year.    the dea's estimate of $140 billion is reached by adding to the $100 billion that the colombian cocaine finally generates about $40 billion generated by peruvian and colombian narcotics traffickers.    caballero asserts that colombian drug traffickers invest approximately $1 billion of the net earnings of $4.060 billion in colombia.    according to the colombian federation of real estate markets and un consultants, this money has been invested in 1 million hectares of farmland and ranges, buildings, industries, and tourism businesses.    the $1 billion the colombian drug traffickers have invested annually in colombia during the 1980's represents 2.8 percent of the country's $35 billion gnp.    according to the dea, the 270 tons of cocaine that arrive in the united states from colombia represent 80 percent of the cocaine consumed in that country.    dea sources have reported that the cali cartel, the other colombian mafia organization and second largest after the medellin cartel, controls the wholesale market in new york and part of that in los angeles and san francisco.    the struggle for those markets resulted last year in what the police dubbed the "war among the cartels," and in the killing of 100 members from both organizations.    according to statistics from the colombian national university, 3,000 persons die from drug abuse in the united states every year, while alcohol and tobacco cause 520,000 deaths per year there.


Input: colombian and venezuelan authorities are faced with a serious ecological emergency tonight following the explosion of a powerful bomb placed by guerrillas at the main oil pipeline in colombia, causing more than 15,000 barrels of oil to spill and reach the catatumbo river along the border between the two countries.    reports in bogota point out that the oil spill, which is approximately 3 km long, is slowly moving toward the catatumbo river, threatening to reach venezuela's maracaibo lake within hours.    the dynamite attack was perpetrated, according to colombian authorities, by the army of national liberation (eln), which is considered the most radical rebel group of the many operating in the country.    according to reports, members of that insurgent organization completely blew up a stretch of the cano limon-covenas oil pipeline, in an area close to teorama in norte de santander department.    since last year the eln, which is headed by several former spanish priests, has perpetrated over 30 attacks against colombian oil installations to protest the joint exploitation of crude by the government and multinational companies.

army of national liberation

cano limon-covenas oil pipeline

dynamite


Input: milton mateo of hrn, commander borge.  in response to a question from my colleague from el salvador, you said that you hoped for an agreement between the salvadoran rebels and the salvadoran army and government.  you, like all central americans, want peace, but do you not think that this runs contrary to the fact that the salvadoran government has presented reliable proof of military aid (from nicaragua) to the leftist salvadoran guerrillas, and recently, an armed forces public relations officer said that nicaragua is a sanctuary for a subversive group known as the cinchoneros of honduras?    (borge) as for the statement that nicaragua is a sanctuary for a honduran guerrilla group, i wish to say that the statement is not only false, but a serious charge.  i invite anyone who wants to come to nicaragua, including the honduran authorities, to do so.  we will give them absolute freedom to show where the cinchoneros camps are located, where their headquarters are located or their activities are being carried out.  if this exists, it cannot be hidden.  it is very difficult to hide a military training camp.  i assure the honduran government and people very seriously and with a high sense of responsibility, that nicaragua will not provide any opportunity for guerrilla groups from other countries to establish camps in nicaragua, especially when it concerns honduras.    (reporter) what about the salvadoran guerrillas?    (borge) many things have been said about el salvador.  it is said that we supply weapons to the salvadoran revolutionaries.  this charge has been made for many years.  i could say that the airplane that we downed in nicaragua, flown by the famous hasenfus, came from el salvador, but why bring that up?  the fact is that there exists in the world a powerful intelligence agency, known as the cia, which has enormous technical and human resources that can enable it to accurately determine what is happening anywhere, and yet it has never been able to demonstrate that nicaragua is providing weapons to any armed movement anywhere.  therefore, let us put that into the same context as the statement that our relations with cuba are cooling.  we could also point out other lies told about us.  we have been accused of all kinds of things.  we have been called drug traffickers.  we are accused of burning down a jewish synagogue in nicaragua. incidentally, let me tell you that there has never been a jewish synagogue in nicaragua, yet this was said by no less than u.s. president reagan.    thus, they tell all those lies about nicaragua and that is one of the things that they say, just as they say that we are the enemies of human rights, that we persecute clergymen.  note that in nicaragua no priest has ever been imprisoned, murdered, or exiled, except on one occasion because of very special circumstances.  in nicaragua, we have made conscientious efforts to respect human rights, but the main accusation leveled against our country is failure to respect human rights.    we are accused of planning electoral fraud.  there was a poll done by a u.s. firm that gives the sandinist national liberation front (fsln)...  (changes thought) i wish to point out that it is not a sandinist company; it might have very little sympathy for sandinism, but it is apparently a reliable company.  it gives the fsln a majority of 51 percent, and the national opposition union (uno) -- one of the political forces participating in the electoral contest -- 24 percent.    other polls that have been taken have given the fsln close to 69 percent, as opposed to uno, to which they attributed 27 percent.  yet, what is being said?  that there will be electoral fraud.  therefore, that charge and others that have been made, like this one which greatly bothers me, to the effect that we are harboring subversive groups for them to come to honduras... (changes thought) i can guarantee to the honduran armed forces and to the new honduran government that in nicaragua we will not take a single step in that direction.    (reporter) (question indistinct)    (borge) on panama, i do not need to say anything.  the facts speak for themselves.  (continued)


Input: salvadoran vice president francisco merino lopez has said that "the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) does not have the capacity to repeat a terrorist attack like the one launched on 11 november because it does not have the logistical or other necessary support at this time, nor will it have such support in the months to come."    merino said that the fmln repeats its terrorist activities in cycles that must be broken to prevent further suffering and bloodshed.    the vice president said that the salvadoran guerrillas have lost ground in every way and the dialogue must be resumed as the only way to achieve a firm and lasting peace in the country.    "the government of the republic has never been naive regarding the fmln's lack of sincerity during the dialogue, but it is our duty to seek peace through reason, even though we are aware of the fmln's warlike attitude," merino said.    regarding the fmln's desire to participate in the meeting to be held by the president of the republic with the secretary general of the united nations in new york, merino said the guerrillas cannot hope to be on an equal footing with the president of el salvador.    "the president is going to new york to express, once again, the sincerity with which the government seeks to achieve peace through dialogue.  the fmln's hope of having a tete-a-tete with the president at the united nations is totally absurd," the vice president said.    merino said that the guerrilla's only way out is to give up the armed struggle and join in the country's democratic life, although he conceded that the process will be difficult and that it will naturally have to be gradual in order for the guerrilla fighters to feel safe "without having a weapon at the ready."    on the other hand, in reference to the case of the jesuits, in which members of the armed forces have been implicated, merino advised caution regarding statements that various groups in the country might make.    "prudence is necessary in order to get to the truth," merino said. he pointed out that the advances made in investigations of the case prove the degree of democracy that prevails in the country.


Input: roberto d'aubuisson, lifetime president of arena (nationalist republican alliance), has said that there will be no further arrests or detentions of soldiers in connection with the jesuit murder case.    the government's strongman has said it is over, period. d'aubuisson insists that there are no other military men involved in the jesuit case, according to a headline in today's la prensa grafica, in which it publishes d'aubuisson's statements.    we do not believe the prosecutor's office will summon d'aubuisson to present the evidence that has led him to assert categorically that no other senior officers were involved in the assassination of the priests.  we do not believe so, because that prosecutor's office has not been established to summon or to inquire, not even to summon the main suspect in the murders, which have been blamed on the death squads.  one of them is former president jose napoleon duarte, who accused him of being the mastermind of msgr romero's assassination. yet, d'aubuisson goes on completely unscathed.    therefore, roberto d'aubuisson today placed a final period on the investigation of colonel (guillermo) benavides.  obviously, major d'aubuisson, the arena strongman, is placing a final period on the case, and he is telling this directly and publicly to cristiani, the yankees, and the rest of la tandona (reference to the 1966 graduating class of captain general gerardo barrios military academy).    it is imperative for arena members to tell cristiani how far to go with the investigation.  they never approved of having even the lieutenants of the atlacatl battalion investigated.  the heated arguments within the arena leadership have destabilized the government to such an extent that merino's sudden fall is but the tip of the iceberg and d'aubuisson's signal to stop a show of force.  d'aubuisson believes that serving up benavides' head is more than enough, and this is the frank message that arena and the government are sending to the u.s.  congress, precisely at the time the yankee policy on el salvador is under serious scrutiny.    the strongman is telling la tandona: do not worry any more.  we had to give something to the congress, but cristiani's moderation will go just so far.  d'aubuisson continues to be the strongman.


Input: today, 2 days before his meeting with un secretary general javier perez de cuellar, president alfredo cristiani reaffirmed his willingness to hold talks with the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln).  however, cristiani said, the flmn is sending contradictory signals on its commitment to peace.    (begin recording) (marco antonio guevara, correspondent) a few hours before departing on his trip to washington today, the president of the republic reiterated his willingness to resume a dialogue with the fmln, which, he said, is one of the reasons for his visit to the un secretary general.    (cristiani) the main goal is to hold a work session with the un secretary general.  this will be on 31 january.  the goal is to search for and come up with any mechanisms that could ease the resumption of the dialogue process, so all violent actions cease and so we can search for an agreement for the reincorporation of the fmln through political means.  then we will hold a meeting with president bush on 1 february in washington.  we will also visit other government officials.    (guevara) the salvadoran president, who just returned from honduras where he met u.s. vice president dan quayle and other latin american presidents, told newsmen today that he has received offers from the venezuelan president to continue the dialogue in venezuela.    (cristiani) we are determined to search for a solution to the conflict through dialogue.  this is basically what we will discuss with un secretary general perez de cuellar -- searching for elements that would make this possible.  regarding the fmln, we see some contradictory indications at this time.  in some communiques, the fmln is somehow expressing the desire to return to the dialogue process, but, on the other hand, there are reports that the fmln continues trying to plan some attacks on san salvador, in addition to other terrorist actions aimed at the economic infrastructure.  we believe this is contradictory.  however, i myself believe there are some positive elements that will permit resuming a dialogue process that could bring some benefits.    (guevara) asked about reports by the san salvador auxiliary bishop regarding searches at some catholic church offices, cristiani said this should not be something to worry about, because this has been for security reasons.    (cristiani) as part of the things taking place in the country at this time, it is possible that some reports have been totally wrong. however, i do not believe this should be taken at all as a sign of something to worry about.  these actions have been for security reasons, based on reports we have received.  therefore, we must take action, and if there is nothing...(changes thought).  those who have no problem and have not been involved in illegal matters should have nothing to fear.    (guevara) the salvadoran president said he is pleased with the statements by new honduran president rafael callejas, who expressed his total support for the central american peace plan.  concerning an upcoming central american summit, the president said that no date has been set yet and he believes this cannot be done before the nicaraguan elections.  (end recording)


Input: colonel mauricio ernesto vargas today has said there is no need or reason for the united states to suspend aid to the country.  however, should we get to that point, the armed forces are ready to continue defending the democratic process.    (begin recording) (alfredo villarreal, correspondent) col vargas believes the u.s. aid is not only a matter of military assistance provided to the salvadoran army, but also a matter of defending the democratic process in the country.  the military officer said it is not possible that a minority, as he termed the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) will affect, with its disinformation methods aimed at countries abroad, u.s. military aid being cut off or decreased.  however, in any case, col vargas said that if the aid is suspended, this would complicate the armed forces plans concerning the counterinsurgency struggle.    (col vargas) i certainly do not believe that we, having a democratic society, have so little capacity to defend the truth.  it can take 100 days to spread a lie, but you can tell the truth in 1 day.  i do not believe that in this context....(changes thought) i believe we are overestimating the left-wing actions.  we view them as being smart, and we see ourselves as fools.  any cut or suspension in the aid will cause problems because it will create further needs whenever we need to fulfill a mission.  therefore, missions will be a bit more complicated, but we will fulfill them.  if marxists -- through their concept of disinformation -- believe they can attempt to harm the united states-el salvador alliance through this process, and that this will lead them to power, they are completely wrong.  they will find an armed forces which will always be firmly determined to defend the democratic process.    (correspondent villarreal) col vargas, in charge of the 3d military zone in san miguel, said he agrees with the decision to prosecute the eight military men, including one colonel and two lieutenants, charged with killing six jesuit priests.  col vargas said those who have broken the law must pay for it, no matter who they are.    (col vargas) the army will feel pain in the event any of its members are involved in actions which violate the principles that rule the armed forces.  this is very painful.  however, if we are building a democracy, there are facts that must be judged according to the norms prevailing in a democracy.  democracy must prevail over people. democracy is more important than individuals and than institutions in individual terms, and more important than the individual interest of people or groups, which cannot prevail over the national interest.    (correspondent villarreal) in the military aspect, col vargas said that as of 1990, in his area of responsibility, they are implementing the plans drafted by the joint chiefs of staff known as "victory and hammer" which has offered, as preliminary results, 53 clashes, 37 guerrillas and 12 soldiers killed, and weapons seizures.  the two operations, he added, have been successful.  (end recording)

military men

military


Input: on tuesday afternoon the police in washington arrested the leaders of a group of demonstrators who had gathered in front of the capitol to demand the suspension of military aid to el salvador.  a few hours later, representatives of several churches asserted that a persecution had been launched in our country against "religious people" and that the aid should be suspended for that reason. the foregone conclusion was that, because of the suspension of the aid, our government would have no other option but to negotiate with the terrorists.    this campaign dates back a long time.  it began with the arrival in el salvador of several jesuit priests from lovaina university in the early 1960's and continued with the founding of uca (jose simeon canas central american university), the active participation of certain priests in the subversive movements, the agitation launched by the alas (not further identified) priests, the tragic episode involving msgr oscar arnulfo romero, and the use of that episode by the left.  el salvador was, and to some extent continues to be, the scenario in which the "theology of liberation" reached its ultimate consequences by placing the inquisitorial fanaticism of certain priests and pastors side by side with the most radical currents of socialism.    the virulence of the onslaught went that far partly because of the passive attitude -- or, rather, the conniving permissiveness -- of the christian democratic regime, which tried to take advantage of the strident campaign to further its own political ends.  duarte never truly distanced himself far from the guerrillas because of his ill-disguised ideological leanings, which led him to coincide in great part with the subversives' tenets and above all with the fanciful idea that the people approved of the establishment of a communist state in el salvador.    it is certainly difficult to counter organized slander, taking into consideration how far certain notions have gone and how much support they receive from the news media in a large part of the world.  the possibilities of successfully countering this propaganda offensive may not be the best, but it would be worse to remain silent and do nothing.  we have yet to see the organization of a true effort to reject the permanent defamation being withstood by the country.    there is no answer to the accusations and insults issued by certain sectors, either.  to allow a person who acts as leader of the terrorists' political front to come to the country and scold president cristiani without having the authorities arrest him for his participation in crimes perpetrated against the republic is to fall into dangerous extremes of tolerance.  was not jennifer casolo allowed to openly represent the subversives for many years without investigating her more closely?  is it perhaps that the laws allow a foreigner to meddle in the country's internal affairs?    how can judges be banned from certain installations, such as the the bombed fenastras (salvadoran workers national union federation) headquarters, universities, and similar places, when there are sufficient grounds to suspect that terrorists are hidden in such places?


Input: in a report for television yesterday you pointed out the ineffectiveness of the guerrillas in colombia. what do you think about kidnappings?    (pizarro) we are living in a time where all have to become up to date, but being up to date does not mean we have to become darker. quite the contrary, it means shedding more light on life.  we are bent on this.  of course, this also means that we have to abandon practices like kidnapping.    (ortega) surely you know very well who your nemesis was 24 hours ago.  what would you suggest regarding military training and orientation in colombia?    (pizarro) armed forces have been organized for centuries to win wars.  in colombia we have to organize the military to achieve peace, particularly peace at home.  the military has a great contribution to make and there are valuable individuals within it.  the democratic lineage does not exhaust itself in guerrillas, and there is also a great democratic quality in the armed forces.    (ortega) what do you feel after killing so many policemen?    (pizarro) we will have to ask the police what they think after killing so many guerrillas.  we have lived in violence in this country.  questions dealing with violence and war should be avoided.    (ortega) what did you feel when you passed in front of the palace of justice yesterday?    (pizarro) i did not do that. i am still looking forward to walking past the palace of justice.    (ortega) what do you think you will feel after what happened in the palace?    (pizarro) well, that this is something to ponder.    (ortega) according to what the people have expressed to me, some colombian sectors find it difficult to believe that you people, who stormed the palace of justice, are the same ones who are among the most protected in this country.    (pizarro) i have always wondered how colombia dealt with the fact that santander was the first man pardoned in colombia.    (ortega) what does that mean?    (pizarro) that means that if santander, a lawmaker, was pardoned after his attempt on bolivar's life, and we are living in a nation built largely on what santander did, the life of men is made of light and shades.  and they have to live as they are.


Input: colombian drug mafias have denied that they are preparing an attack on the life of u.s. president george bush, who will visit this caribbean colonial beach resort on 15 february for an anti-drug summit meeting.    bolivian president jaime paz zamora, colombian president virgilio barco, peruvian president alan garcia, and u.s. president george bush will sign a manifesto in cartagena that was designed in santa cruz de la sierra, bolivia.  the document will outline strategies that they will adopt to fight drug trafficking.    the mysterious clandestine group the "extraditables," -- the armed branch of the medellin cartel drug traffickers -- said in a bulletin released early this morning that the reports of a possible attack on bush in cartagena are false.    "these reports are part of a plan to undermine the credibility of all our peace proposals," the document said.  in the document, the "extraditables" also (words indistinct).    last weekend, the u.s. cbs television network reported the possibility of an attack with rockets and missiles by drug traffickers on bush's plane in cartagena.    in a statement by foreign minister julio londono, the colombian government said that it had no knowledge of terrorist plans against the u.s. president, and added that u.s. and colombian security organizations were capable of guaranteeing the safety of the four presidents.    the extraditables, a mafia group based in medellin, in northwest colombian, has been insisting since 17 january that they want a peace dialogue with the administration of liberal president virgilio barco, who declared war on the drug traffickers in august, 1989.  (continued)


Input: in their initial peace proposal, the extraditables promised the suspension of shipments of cocaine to the united states, the surrender of weapons, and the release of people they have kidnapped.    in complying with these promises, they have released in good condition six hostages and this past monday began to deliver dynamite by abandoning a school bus loaded with 1,000 kg of explosives south of medellin.    in today's communique, the extraditables denied reports that they are holding (colombian foreign ministry official) garcia-pena archila. the communique states that the extraditables have been the victims of unscrupulous people who called the medellin media to say that the extraditables are responsible for the kidnapping.    they say that after having released six hostages, the holding of garcia-pena archila, who is the head of the visa office of the colombian foreign ministry, in bogota, "would be contrary to our peace offers."    garcia-pena archila was recently appointed adviser to the colombian embassy in korea, a post he was scheduled to assume friday, the day he disappeared.    the extraditables announced in their communique of today that within the next few days they will deliver a helicopter belonging to the colombian firm helicol that they had been holding. the helicopter is loaded with 500 kg of dynamite, the communique notes.    the document states that this dynamite "was going to be used against a military objective."  the group led by pablo escobar gaviria notes: "we have demonstrated and we will continue to demonstrate to the country our good will and our wish to have peace and strengthen democracy."

the extraditables

garcia-pena archila


Input: the national police announced on 20 january that it has abundant evidence of the guilt of u.s. citizen jennifer jean casolo, who was arrested on 24 november in her home in the miralvalle neighborhood of this capital, where a large number of weapons and a great quantity of documents belonging to the fmln-fdr (farabundo marti national liberation front - revolutionary democratic front) were found buried in the yard.    casolo was arraigned 8 days (as published) after her arrest, but was released by the judge "for lack of evidence," according to the judicial records.    although in salvadoran judicial circles it is not clear why casolo was released, it is believed that there were political factors involved.    at present, casolo heads groups that have launched a virulent campaign against el salvador in the united states, claiming alleged "religious persecution."    casolo was captured after the terrorist fausto gallardo valdez gave her name to the police, telling them where to find the weapons that he and his accomplices used for terrorist acts.  the prisoner said that the weapons were provided by casolo at her home in the miralvalle neighborhood, which served as a clandestine arsenal.    in view of this confession, the police requested the participation of representatives of the u.s. embassy, who were present in the course of the proceedings and when the weapons were dug up in front of casolo herself.    when casolo returned to the united states, she admitted that she had buried documents in the yard of the house where she lived, but she lied by saying that she did this because "in el salvador people commonly bury documents or jewels to keep them from being stolen by criminals."    sources say that at present, at the head of groups of communists from the united states and other countries who support their salvadoran counterparts, casolo has begun a nationwide campaign to discredit the salvadoran governrment and to pressure congress to reduce or eliminate aid to our country in order to weaken the country institutionally and strengthen the fmln-fdr terrorist groups.    the police report that the terrorist gallardo valdez, from whom weapons and ammounition were seized on 24 november, said that he had obtained the weapons at the home of a woman who appeared to be a foreigner on barcelona avenue, miralvalle neighborhood, in san salvador.    that same day, police investigators located the house, identified the person living there, and invited u.s. embassy officials to participate in the search.    buried at the house they found 103 shells for 60-mm mortars, 213 sticks of tnt, 405 electric detonating caps, 150 feet of slow fuses, 15 knives, 3 cartridge clips for ak-47 rifles, 12,510 ak-47 shells, 9,110 m-16 rifle shells, 325 g-3 rifle shells, and documents.    in her unofficial statement, casolo said that she did not belong to any subversive group or association, and that she did not know how the articles came to be in her house.    on 5 december, casolo and a group of salvadorans were arraigned before a military judge, who 5 days later released them "for lack of evidence."    on 9 december, policemen arrested a woman named ruth esperanza aguilar marroquin, alias marina, who was fleeing after having placed a bomb in the engine of a bus. on being questioned, she said she was an active member of the people's revolutionary army, that the person in charge of logistics was the american, casolo, and that she had obtained the explosive material at casolo's home in miralvalle.    the police have denied casolo's charges that during her detention she was subjected to physical and psychological torture, because it can prove that while casolo was under arrest, she was accompanied by an embassy official, even at mealtime.

ruth esperanza aguilar marroquin

people's revolutionary army

bus

a bomb


Input: the police have reported that tomas evangelista, a leader of the ruling american popular revolutionary alliance (apra) and director of the ayacucho development corporation, was shot dead by terrorists here today.    the police said that a group of hooded individuals early this morning entered evangelista's house and, after tying the hands of his wife and five children, took evangelista out of the house and shot him at least 20 times.    evangelista, who was 50 years old, had held the most important regional apra posts for 30 years.    evangelista's wife told the police that before her husband was killed, the hooded man shouted their support for the pro-maoist shining path terrorist group.  anthropologist abimael guzman, the founder of the shining path terrorist organization, was evangelista's professor at the huamanga university in ayacucho.    the national police have also reported that on 26 january shining path terrorists murdered brothers martiza and john paolo puzo ochoa and their mother marta ochoa in the township of campina, 60 km south of ayacucho.    witnesses told the police that the ochoas were killed because they refused to supply food and lodging to the terrorists.    more than 200 people have died so far this month owing to the armed struggle that the shining path terrorists began in 1980 and that has already claimed the lives of at least 17,700 people and caused damage of over $16 billion, which is the equivalent to the 70 percent of the peruvian foreign debt.

a group of hooded individuals

shining path terrorists

the pro-maoist shining path terrorist group

tomas evangelista

martiza and john paolo puzo ochoa

john paolo puzo ochoa

marta ochoa


Input: president vinicio cerezo said today that "there will be no increase in fuel prices," thus confirming the statement given yesterday, 21 january, by energy and mines minister raul castaneda.    the president added: "what happened was a result of speculation. the gas station owners expected the prices would increase when the quetzal's exchange rate changed, but it did not happen."    he said that "the problem will be solved in a short time because the government of the republic has taken charge of the foreign exchange differential so that it has no impact on the population."    referring to the workers' demands for a salary increase, president cerezo said that "we are facing problems in granting the increase because the 1990 budget has not been approved."    cerezo added: "the executive branch will make the necessary contacts with the congress of the republic to solve the problem by requesting a budget extension and getting the necessary funds to grant a salary increase in the government sector."    president vinicio cerezo will personally supervise the investigating commission which was created last week to solve the double murder perpetrated on 19 january, which resulted in the death of salvadoran political leader hector oqueli colindres and guatemalan lawyer hilda amparo flores arevalo.    the announcement was personally issued by the president in statements he gave to the media this morning in one of the national palace hallways.    oqueli colindres was a member of the national revolutionary movement of el salvador and he was one of the socialist international secretaries for latin america.    the investigation commission is comprised of three representatives of the national defense and government ministries, the attorney general of the nation, the human rights attorney, and the national police and treasury police directors general.    president cerezo said: "the commission's task is to clear all doubts and prove that the government has had absolutely nothing to do with the kidnapping and subsequent assassination of these two persons."    cerezo reasserted that "all doubts will be cleared up concerning this grave act of violence because the government had no participation whatsoever.  the government is not interested in eliminating anyone."    the investigating commission has immediately begun work.  the president emphasized that "he will personally supervise the work being carried out to guarantee the national government's firm intention of not letting this crime, which has been condemned by all the sectors of the nation, go unpunished."

hector oqueli colindres

hilda amparo flores arevalo


Input: at this time, there is heavy fighting and even army bombing of farc (revolutionary armed forces of colombia) camps near uribe in meta department. the clashes are taking place in jardin de las penas, in mesetas municipality, near where the headquarters of the farc secretariat is located.    this reaction by the military is in answer to a farc ambush of a military patrol on 28 january, resulting in five soldiers dead and seven wounded. in addition, the army's intensive actions are also due to the desire to put a stop to farc attacks and kidnappings of political and economic leaders in the area.


Input: president alan garcia has called for calm and seriousness in the political debates among the presidential candidates.  he described one of them as being intellectually immature in view of the constant attacks the latter always makes.  the right, garcia said, must be taught a lesson of maturity and seriousness.    the president said that the first special congressional session will be held from 5-6 february to specifically discuss internal border delimitations.  he also said that no new central bank director will be appointed, which will allow the next administration to do so.    for the time being, the president added, he cannot either confirm or deny that he will attend the antidrug summit in colombia because the situation in panama could change in the remaining 15 days.    (begin recording) (reporter) mr president, there are still 16 days until the cartagena summit.  have you made a final decision on whether you will attend or not?    (garcia) no, i have not made a decision yet because peruvian foreign policy follows its principles, while the president of the republic -- despite what some people may say -- follows his, and these principles are loyal to certain essential concepts.    we are yet not completely sure that the invading country, the united states, is totally willing to or intends to withdraw its soldiers from a small latin american country.  as long as this does not occur, as you must understand, it is despicable and nearly impossible for me to sit down at a table with someone who is abusing a small country with his almighty position.  many things can happen in 15 or 16 days.    i am not saying either yes or no, but i think that things must somehow change for the better in order to hold a cordial meeting. under the current circumstances, it is doubtful that the presidents can hold a cordial meeting as long as one of them is placing an atomic bomb and the threat of invasion on the table.    (reporter) (question indistinct)    (garcia) yes, i think that that magazine is well informed, because there have been some misunderstandings.  as you know, experts from the four countries met in santa cruz de la sierra, bolivia, to prepare a document.  when everything seemed to be ready to sign the final document, one of the countries proposed some modifications changing the structure of the concept.    the first time i went to the united nations, 4 and 1/2 years ago, i told the united states that this is not a problem of helicopters or bullets.  this is a problem of better prices for cocoa, coffee, and annatto seeds.  this is a problem with the processing factories in the higher huallaga valley area and airlines that transport these products to the united states.    this concept has been accepted after 4 and 1/2 years; when it was finally about to be put down in the document in santa cruz, one of the countries modified it, thus hindering further progress in the negotiations.  this subject is now being reviewed, and the summit could be postponed for a few days until we reach full agreement on such an important summit, which was proposed by the peruvian presidency.    we must gather at the cartagena summit with a concrete proposal. it cannot be simply a social gathering.  we are not teenagers who are attending the meeting simply because the president of the most important country in the world will be there.  we cannot go there as desperate and dazzled youngsters to hold his hand.  we must make concrete proposals to obtain funds for peru, work and honor for the huallaga valley peasants, and respect for the latin american countries, particularly since it is clear that the origin of the problem is in the consumers of the rich countries, especially the united states.  (end recording)


Input: the salvadoran guerrillas today reaffirmed their willingness to meet with the government and the un secretary general to agree on a date to resume the dialogue and they proposed a cease-fire in exchange for a suspension of u.s. aid.    in a communique from the general command, the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) expressed the need to "reorient" the terms of the dialogue and negotiation so as to turn them into a national process in which all the country's social and political forces can participate.    "we believe the u.s. aid to the salvadoran government is directed against democratization and the political solution of the conflict. the suspension of that aid could form part of a negotiated agreement that would simultaneously entail a cease-fire," the communique stated.    the fmln's message coincided with president alfredo cristiani's visit to the united nations, where today he will meet with javier perez de cuellar to request his good offices to achieve the resumption of the talks with the rebels, which had been suspended in october.    the guerrillas stated that they hope that cristiani's meeting with perez de cuellar will lead to setting a date for a future meeting.    nevertheless, the fmln recalled the 11 november offensive and warned that the government's insistence of the guerrillas' alleged military weakness "will only lead to greater levels of confrontation."    the guerrillas expressed their "concern" about the salvadoran government and army's rejection of perez de cuellar's mediation role, describing the rejection as "an obstacle to a procedure designed to bring seriousness to the negotiating effort."    "on our part," the communique stated, "we accept that mediation and we have made efforts toward achieving it."    the salvadoran government wants perez de cuellar to play only the role of observer in the dialogue process.    since alfredo cristiani took office on 1 june, the government and the fmln have held two rounds of talks, the first in mexico in september and the second in costa rica in october.    the government maintains that the fmln should give up its weapons and join the political process as a party.  however, the guerrillas demand a purge of the armed forces and amendments to the constitution in exchange for a cease-fire.