Input: you must know better than i that the israeli government itself, and not only individual israeli nationals, are accused of making security-related deals with various regimes which -- to the civilized western world, at least -- appear to be of questionable repute.  what are the criteria that guide israel's actions as a state and when issuing permits to private companies to make deals with such countries?    (netanyahu) i will not go into the details of the various criteria determined by the defense ministry, which are often related to our own defense issues.  one criterion, however, is clear:  we do not allow cooperation with elements which are not state-affiliated, such as cartels, groups, or gangs.  all these are off limits.  there is no question about that, and no grey areas.  therefore, if the reports from colombia are true, the people acted counter to our policy and in violation of the law.    (friedman) what about working with opposition movements to certain regimes?    (netanyahu) i repeat:  state movements only, or, let us say, state regimes.  this is our policy.  any other action runs counter to our policy.    (dan) when israeli involvement in drug trafficking in colombia is mentioned, do you know the number of israelis referred to?  perhaps the statement is exaggerated, and there are no more than one or two, perhaps three israelis?    (netanyahu) that is a good point; reports are so often blown out of proportion.  we seem to have some kind of reputation which often leads to exaggerated and fantastic -- i do not wish to use the term romantic -- reports in this context.  in any event, there are many reports, and we would like to get to the core of truth behind them.  after that, we will decide what action we can take.  we may take legal steps, take away people's passports, and resort to other methods.    (friedman) in the past, mr netanyahu, you belonged to an army unit in which our finest young people served.  have you found former army friends in any of the mentioned names?    (netanyahu) no, and i hope never to find any.      (dan) do you understand the phenomenon?      (netanyahu) if it exists!     (friedman) yes, if it exists.  our entire conversation is subject to this proviso, because we have no solid grounds for discussion.    (netanyahu) if it exists, i think it reflects the moral corruption of a few individuals.  the state cannot be responsible for what each of its nationals does outside the country.  these people may have succumbed to mercenary or other temptations.  the expression of selling one's soul to the devil is appropriate in their case.    (friedman) deputy foreign minister binyamin netanyahu, thank you very much.      (netanyahu) thank you.


Input: the sinister extraditables group today threatened to kill 10 judges for every colombian who is extradited to the united states.  this is a warning to the government of president virgilio barco who has announced that individuals linked to drug trafficking can be extradited.    the clandestine group, which early this morning set fire to the llano grande country club in rionegro municipality, 40 km north of medellin, sent a letter today to omar garces, first superior court judge of cali, informing him of the threat to kill 10 judges for every person extradited.    garces, who is also president of the association of judicial officials in valle del cauca department, said that the extraditables sent several messages with the threat to various judicial offices in that area of the country, located 500 km from bogota.    as a result of the extraditables' threat, the judges are holding a meeting to weigh the situation and determine the veracity of the warning. however, they decided they will not stop working.    "the time has come to unite around the country's flag to recover colombia's dignity and to prevent its bad sons from continuing to shame it before the world," judge garces said.  he also asked for protection for himself and the other judges in that area of the country.

sinister extraditables group

llano grande country club


Input: la serena investigative police have dealt a hard blow to drug trafficking by arresting four peruvian citizens who entered chile across the northern border with 2 kg of cocaine hydrochloride valued at $160,000.    the drug traffickers were identified as rosa del carmen zabala, 35, residing in miraflores neighborhood in lima, peru; rosenda lucrecia ribane, 34, also residing in miraflores, lima; chauffer oscar augusto portocarrero, 25, residing in punta negra, lima; and ruben uriel garcia, 36, residing in lima, peru.      those people were placed at the disposal of the la serena judge on duty, and the cocaine was incinarated at the la serena regional hospital.    the four traffickers carried the cocaine in sealed packages ready for sale in la serena and other parts of the country.  the packages were held in elastic corsets under their cloths.  the corsets had been impregnated with pepper to disguise the cocaine's characteristic smell.


Input: when much terrorist violence is created and when much street violence is created, everyone is adversely affected; we believe the armed forces have an obligation to prevent this from happening.  we believe that when it prevents violence, it is doing a more professional job than if it allowed it to take place, because once the violence gets started, the consequences of their actions may be a lot more unfortunate.  we believe that the policy of trying to prevent violent plans before they are carried out is something that has produced good results.    of course, the people suspected by the armed forces of supporting the fmln plans are arrested and turned over to the judge once the evidence is gathered.  i can tell you that this is very difficult.  unfortunately many of those who are arrested are later released.  many of them turn out to be innocent because suspicions may turn out to be false and the judge is there to prevent mistakes from being committed.  however, the armed forces are acting within a legal framework.    there are cases such as mr masariego.  when he was released, it was confirmed that there was absolutely nothing wrong with him, and we have here documents proving that.  however, he toured the united states to show off his burnt knee and to say that he had been tortured here in el salvador.  it had been proven that there was absolutely nothing wrong with him when he was released.  the left wants to discredit the government and the armed forces abroad.  however, i do no believe the left has been successful.    (koberg) mr president, an analyst who met with us a short time ago gave his opinion on the possibility of a dialogue and its results.  he was not very optimistic and he said that there were several points that could become obstacles to the dialogue.  one of them was the economic measures.  he said that the fmln could not hold negotiations with the government as long as the government maintained the economic measures it was implementing.  we have learned from the fmln communiques, which always talk about the need to keep implementing the agrarian reform process and other series of points concerning the economic measures.  i would like to ask you, within this framework, what can the government negotiate or what does the government understand by negotiation?  could there be possible negotiation on the economic policy?    (cristiani) i believe the word negotiation here in our country no longer has that generic meaning given by the dictionary.  this word has been manipulated by leftist forces in the sense that to negotiate is to accept what the fmln wants.  according to the left, that is what negotiating means.  i believe the word negotiation has a generic meaning.  a negotiation is to try to find joint agreements to solve a problem and that is what we have been proposing.  we have sought agreements on the largest number of points possible.  logically, not all points will be accepted by the other side and we believe the fmln is making a mistake when it thinks it will negotiate its economic, political, or social platform with the government. the fmln must understand that they have to negotiate their plans for the country with the people.  that is done by political campaigns and by showing their proposals to the public.  if the people are convinced that their proposals are best, they will get the votes and they will have the right to implement their programs and their political, economic, and social programs.    in this case, unfortunately they did not participate; it was our party platform that was chosen by the people.  this gives the government the right to implement what the majority of the people ask of them.    we do not think the fmln should oppose this offering.  the fmln refuses to talk with the government and keeps looking for excuses and setting conditions, such as demanding that the government declare itself temporary before any talks are considered.  they know they are asking the impossible. their true purpose is to refuse to talk seriously, which the salvadoran people wants them to do.  lorena, i do not think we should confuse the various factors involved.  holding a dialogue is not easy, as pointed out by this analyst, whose name i do not know.  the situation is not easy to resolve.  this process could well last many months or even years.  it is necessry to start now with a dialogue in which both sides begin to discuss, not what they cannot agree on, but what we can agree on.  we should begin by trying to eliminate the violence that prevails in the country.  if they find they cannot agree on some of the government proposals, the government should also consider an alternative stance.  the fmln keeps saying that there are no proper conditions for talking.  (continued)


Input: last minute report: in confusing events, police lieutenant alfredo correa and one private were killed in valle department.  no further information on this incident has been made available, other than that authorities are investigating the event.    it has also been reported that 10th army brigade members found and confiscated 2 metric tons of high-grade cocaine at la moneda farm in lechi, caucasia, at the border between antioquia and cordoba departments.  the drug was found in sealed waterproof packages in underground tunnels. this makes authorities believe the drug was ready to be air dropped over the sea to be picked up by drug traffickers. in addition, a large number of arms, a sizable amount of ammunition, as well as automobiles and radio sets were confiscated.  the drug was set on fire in the presence of judges and military authorities.  a clandestine landing strip was also destroyed.    arson seems to be the new criminal style used in antioquia.  in less than 24 hours, four farms have been set on fire.  three of these farms, located near medellin, are owned by political and industrial leaders edgar gutierrez castro, ignacio velez escobar, and augusto lopez.  the most recent of these incidents occurred at the llano grande country club early this morning. several armed men showed up at the site and set the club on fire after threatening and beating up the watchmen.  the amount of the losses has not yet been determined.  the manager did not allow reporters into the place.  it was reported, however, that the attackers identified themselves as extraditables who said the action was being taken in reprisal for the government actions against them.  the armed men left the place shouting that their reaction has just begun and that their struggle will continue. further damage to the club and the loss of human life were prevented by workers who reacted promptly.    the colombian government has taken measures to counteract these actions. the army this afternoon will receive the initial u.s.  tactical support as part of the new antiterrorist offensive, government sources have reported. u.s. military cargo planes will fly to colombia armed twin-turbine bell-212 helicopters.  in addition, the pentagon will ship radio communications equipment.  the helicopters will be flown by colombian military crews, u.s. state department sources said in washington.  for the time being, both george bush's administration and virgilio barco's government are not considering the presence of u.s. military men in colombia.      over the past 72 hours, the army raided five farms, one home, and a bar-restaurant owned by gonzalo rodriguez gacha, camilo zapata, and pablo escobar gaviria.  the raids were conducted by 13th brigade troops in chia, pacho, and bogota.  this farm, known as el castillo de marroquin, owned by zapata and estimated to be worth more than 100 billion pesos, was raided on wednesday afternoon.  according to the army, this veritable fortress, located on the el comun bridge, was managed by retired police major alvaro tovar tovar.  luxurious cars, a gold-ornamented chapel, a swimming pool fitted with a heating system, 15 stables with fine horses, a tennis court, and the impressive castle all make up a farm worth millions.  extensive gardens, long trails, and an attractive lake complement the wonderful natural landscape of the real estate right by the bogota northern freeway.  there are exotic adornments on the walls.  for instance, there is a botero painting worth 4 million pesos.  in one room, there were many electric appliances and a full radio communications set.  the exorbitant wealth is indicated by even a witchcraft room.  (continued)

several armed men

farms

the llano grande country club


Input: military and rebel sources have reported that clashes between soldiers and guerrillas in the past few hours have resulted in 27 casualties.    the armed forces press committee (coprefa) reported that nine guerrillas were killed in a confrontation with army troops in a village near metapan, santa ana department, in the country's west.    radio venceremos, official voice of the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln), reported that the rebels inflicted 18 casualties, on the army in three ambushes.      according to the clandestine radio station, the ambushes took place on the san salvador - santa ana highway, chalatenango department, and in los masariegos, near san jose guayabal.    the army reported that in the past few hours the fmln continued its sabotaging actions against the country's economic structure with explosive charges on posts of the electric system and telephone junction boxes.    in addition, the army admitted that a uh-1h helicopter was damaged by guerrillas at cinquera, cabanas department, but that no casualties resulted.    according to the military report, the aircraft was hit by fire while supplying troops of military detachment 2 in the north of cabanas department.

fmln

posts of the electric system

telephone junction boxes

explosive charges


Input: salvadoran people, this is radio farabundo marti reporting a new honduran army raid into salvadoran territory.  we also alert the honduran people and the central american community to this incursion.  honduran president jose azcona hoyo has violated the tela agreements.    at 1400 on 24 august, a honduran army patrol entered 3 km inside salvadoran territory at el mono hamlet in nahuaterique jurisdiction, morazan department.  a few days ago, other salvadoran army patrols entered las aradas hamlet in nahuaterique.  we remind you that in the past few days we have been reporting these raids by honduran troops in las filas border area in western chalatenango department.  there have also been raids in arcatao, where honduran troops have ransacked schools, threatened teachers, repressed area residents, set fires, stole villagers' property, and kidnapped some citizens.      we repeat our warning to the honduran troops, especially to the honduran army high command and government.  we will not permit more raids and outrages against civilians in our territory.  (words indistinct) our units will attack the honduran troops.  azcona hoyo, you have been warned.  we urge the honduran people to take action and demand respect for salvadoran sovereignty because this meddling by the honduran army and (words indistinct) in our conflict is our concern (words indistinct).  honduran troops, in complicity with the salvadoran army, carry out all sorts of outrages.

honduran troops

honduran army

schools

villagers' property


Input: federal chancellor helmut kohl has promised the people of colombia the comprehensive solidarity of the federal government in the struggle against the drugs trade and terrorism.  kohl wrote this to colombian president virgilio barco vargas in a telegram, published in bonn today.    in the telegram the chancellor expressed his "deep shock" at the recent terrorist murders of judges, officials, and politicians of the latin american country, including the death of the liberal party presidential candidate, luis carlos galan.    the scourge of drugs constitutes a challenge to the whole community of nations.  the federal republic attributes the greatest political significance to fighting this evil at national and international level, kohl wrote.

terrorist

luis carlos galan


Input: the national intelligence center, cni, reported this afternoon that roberto nordenflyght farias, who killed army lieutenant roberto zegers reed in an armed clash in santiago last sunday, was at the time of his death deputy chief of the manuel rodriguez patriotic front (fpmr) and the stepson of communist leader volodia teitelboim.    in official communique, the cni public relations office says that a review of the documents seized from nordenflyght's home made it possible for the cni to conclude that he was the deputy chief of the fpmr, the armed branch of the chilean communist party (pcch)     nordenflyght, who was killed by a sentry in the armed clash at the tobalaba air field after killing lt zegers, assumed the leadership position within the extremist organization in september 1988, the cni said.    in this capacity, nordeflyght supervised a 21 october attack on a police detachment and residents of the mountain township of los quenes, in the seventh region.    the cni adds that nordenflyght was the son of eliana del carmen farias assif, who has been married to pcch general secretary volodia teitelboim since january 1986.    this was part of a communique released by the cni, the government's security organization.

roberto nordenflyght farias

manuel rodriguez patriotic front


Input: washington, d.c.--the bahamas government is supporting colombia's fight on illegal drug trafficking. "there are lessons to be learned from the recent events in colombia. we applaud the colombian president for the bold steps he is taking, but we must show the cartels that he is not alone," bahamas' foreign minister charles carter said.    the colombian government has stepped up the fight against the traffickers following the killing of a presidential candidate. carter said that "all of us in this hemisphere" must show the drug dealers they are "part of the war".    the bahamas wants to host a meeting this year of leaders of the hemisphere to define a comprehensive strategy for waging an all out war on the production, processing, shipment, distribution and use of illegal drugs. carter told cana that recent events in colombia demonstrated the need for a well planned, coordinated and implemented program which would tackle all aspects of the drug problem. he said his country hoped such a summit could be held before the end of this year.    the foreign minister told cana that his country had indicated to the united states in january a willingness to host the summit but, to date, there was no response from the united states administration.  "we discussed the idea of the summit at the caricom (caribbean community) foreign ministers meeting, the heads of government meeting, at the organization of american states (oas) and we informed the united states by diplomatic note in january of our desire to host the meeting but so far the united states has not responded. whether we would ultimately go ahead with it i'm not sure," carter explained.    carter was against using united states troops in latin america and the caribbean in the fight against drugs, point out that "the democratic traditions in some of our countries would be threatened if we were to resort to the use of force." he said arrangements such as one between his country and the united states for joint policing could extended to involve other countries in the hemisphere.    the foreign minister said that three quarters of the drugs produced are consumed in north america. "we are not the markets.  countries like the bahamas, jamaica, trinidad, cuba and barbados are only used by the drug lords to reach the 3 billion dollar united states market," he remarked. "we aren't really the target and therefore we must focus on the question of demand. and we in caricom, and specifically in the bahamas, are ready to be part of the solution to the united states drug problem."    carter said among the benefits of such a summit would be "a judicial atmosphere" that would let the drug barons, dealers and users "know that they are criminals wherever they are or wherever they go."

traffickers


Input: the full scope of the wave of violence and death that has swamped colombia over the past several years is now beginning to be assessed.  latin america and other parts of the world have remained on the sidelines of that south american country's domestic strife, where human life is almost worthless.  venezuelan president carlos andres perez hit the nail on the head when he told colombian radio caracol that we may not be doing what we must concerning current developments in colombia.  carlos andres perez is concerned that some nations may be getting used to livng in a climate of collective intimidation.    daily events occur in colombia amid a climate of national uncertainty. bands of drug traffickers have built an empire of dirty money and bloodthirsty mafias in deathly complicity with the military deployment of 140 paramilitary groups.  years ago, when these groups announced their guns were aimed at progressive and leftist personalities, they operated with the unspoken complicity of many sectors, including the government.  however, for some time now, the murder victims have been leftists, liberals, conservatives, and even politically independent persons who oppose the chaos created by drug traffickers, landowners, some officers, and paramilitary groups.  luis carlos galan, 46, presidential hopeful, liberal senator, lawyer, and newsmen is the latest victim of this deathly spirial.  his remains (29-second break in reception) luis carlos galan.  drug traffickers have shown their hit list is neverending.  they also bring to the fore the power and scope of the dirty war these people began in the country amid the government's inaction.    many wonder how the paramilitary top command can go unpunished, considering that its chief leaders have been identified, because more often than not the killers do very little to cover their tracks.  looking ahead, the colombian electoral process that will conclude in next year's elections has been dealt a heavy blow with galan's murder.  the remaining presidential candidates will have to conduct their political campaign surrounded by armies of bodyguards, an arrangement widely used in colombia by politicians, labor leaders, judges, artists, and minor officials.  perplexity over what happened in colombia is one of the initial reactions in latin america.  luis carlos galan's murder also calls for condemnation.  perhaps in the future it may help make the continent meditate on whether or not it is advisable to be indifferent to the collective intimidation that prevails in colombia.

bands of drug traffickers

luis carlos galan


Input: the kidnapping of five university students and the murder of a prominent businessman in guatemala city this week shook the country and unleashed a wave of criticism against the vinicio cerezo administration because of what critics called "its inability to provide security to citizens."    some of the newspaper headlines today were: "ramiro castillo's murder condemned," "crime against businessman causes general indignation," "deputies ask for end to violence," "the bloodbath must stop," and "call for government minister's resignation."    the five university students who disappeared this week are victor hugo rodriguez jaramillo, his wife, silvia maria azurdia utrera, ivan ernesto gonzalez fuentes, carlos conde, and hugo gramajo.    the human rights commission of the national dialogue, which emerged from the esquipulas peace agreement, expressed its concern today over the latest violence which, it said, is evidence of the violation of human rights in the country.    the committee asked that the lives of the kidnap victims be respected and it added that some of them were "arrested by the security forces in the capital and the country's interior."    ramiro castillo, the president of the banco industrial and one of the most prominent guatemalan businessmen, was shot to death on 24 august by a group of armed men who entered his house in santa catarian pinula, 30 km southwest of the capital.    the authorities said he was killed when he tried to prevent a theft from occurring in his house but sources close to the family ruled out that possibility.    one of castillo's children, 23-year-old ramiro, was also wounded in the incident.    castillo's murder caused anger, especially in the private enterprise sector.    the coordinating committee of farming, commercial, industrial, and financial associations (cacif), which houses the private sector organizations, blamed the cerezo administration and especially the security forces "for their inability to provide security to citizens, and it asked for government minister roberto valle baldizan's resignation because "he has obviously been incompetent in doing his job."

his house

ramiro castillo

ramiro

victor hugo rodriguez jaramillo

silvia maria azurdia utrera

ivan ernesto gonzalez fuentes

carlos conde

hugo gramajo


Input: international news: we open this section with the crisis in colombia and with news which has just reached our newsroom.  the spanish foreign ministry's diplomatic information office has released the following communique endorsed by the 12 member states of the european community within the framework of european political cooperation.    declaration of the 12 on colombia:  the 12 member states of the european    economic community condemn the murders which have occurred in colombia and especially that of senator luis carlos galan sarmiento.  they express sorrow at the disappearance of this man who had stood out in his fight for freedom, peace, and development in colombia.      further on the communique adds: the twelve support the firm will of the colombian authorities to step up the fight against drug trafficking.  they are convinced that the consolidation of its democratic institutions will enable colombia to overcome the obstacles it is facing, the eec communique concludes.  (passage omitted)

luis carlos galan sarmiento


Input: 1. on sunday 20 august, eight fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) disabled war comrades occupied the (san salvador metropolitan) cathedral, where they remain still to protest the violations by the arena (nationalist republican alliance) government of international law as well as non-compliance to the commitments made when the release and exchange of colonel (omar napoleon) avalos was negotiated in panama (in 1987).    2.  the fmln general command greets the disabled comrades and congratulates them on demanding that they be allowed to leave the country and obtain adequate medical attention.  the fmln general command also calls on the salvadoran people and the international community to offer solidarity and support for the just demands of the war disabled.  we recognize and encourage the humanitarian assistance that msgr arturo rivera y damas is giving in finding a just solution to this problem despite the government hindering his work as a mediator in solving the conflict.    3.  on several occasions, the armed forces has assaulted fmln hospitals, captured, tortured, and murdered medical staff and patients.  also, they have captured, tortured, and murdered disabled persons in various circumstances.  this behavior is in sharp contrast with the fmln's strict respect for the hospitals, medical staff, as well as the armed forces' disabled and wounded personnel, although they are vulnerable targets of our actions.  the fmln general command reiterates this policy of principles and demands the same behavior from the armed forces.    4.  following the occupation of the cathedral by the disabled, (president alfredo) cristiani is trying to make the case an object of negotiation, demanding certain actions of the fmln.  this attitude by the arena government might make the problem more complex and make us revert to circumstances we had already surpassed.  the departure from the country of the disabled is a right that the government should respect, and this cannot be considered an issue that can be used for negotiations or blackmail.    we are sure that this just demand which has led the disabled comrades to stay at the cathedral until they and their comrades can leave the country will be supported by all of our people, while international solidarity will leave it clearly established that cristiani, arena, and the armed forces are acting in an unjust and incorrect manner.  (signed) fmln general command, 26 august 1989.

armed forces

fmln hospitals


Input: terrorism continues in medellin.  the metropolitan police this morning defused five bombs and arrested five suspects.  during the operation, the police recovered sewing machines (maquinas de corsar) worth 25 million pesos.  a vehicle and a motorcycle were confiscated.    four police agents from the (words indistinct) boyaca command kidnapped by the so-called army of national liberation (eln) were released on 27 august at 1800 in grenada, eastern antioquia department.  the police agents were kidnapped on 14 august.  police agents jesus bernardo bustos, miguel angel garcia, jairo vargas, and esteban galviz were returning to tama after participating in the national police anniversary celebrations when they were kidnapped on the medellin-bogota highway.    the released policemen have not spoken to their superiors yet and therefore could not talk to the media.  the eln reported that it treated the policemen well and that this release is an action in favor of a more humanized war, which is a slogan these guerrillas have proclaimed in the past 5 years.  shortly before the release of these policemen, the eln kidnapped eliecer de jesus acevedo olarte, the mayor of zaragoza municipality, in antoquia department.

five suspects

army of national liberation

eliecer de jesus acevedo olarte

five bombs


Input: interior minister agustin mantilla today said that border checkpoints have been placed in a state of alert to close the border to colombian drug traffickers, who may seek shelter in an effort to escape the colombian police.  the minister added that antisubversive operations have forced terrorist groups to retreat and to escape into the jungle.


Input: combined army and police forces have raided an office in downtown bogota that apparently served as the "financial headquarters" of the drug trafficking group headed by gonzalo rodriguez gacha, the second most important medellin cartel boss. this announcement was made today by the colombian defense ministry.    it has been reported that the authorities discovered the numbers of the bank accounts the drug trafficker has in colombia and abroad.  the authorities confiscated 30 sophisticated computers, telefax, and other electronic equipment. this has been another severe setback for rodriguez gacha, one of the mafia bosses most wanted by the u.s.  government.    rodriguez gacha, alias the mexican, is considered to be the right-hand man of pablo escobar gaviria, the medellin cartel's top boss.  gacha's group has suffered many losses due to the offensive launched by the government against cocaine trafficking organizations operating in colombia. over the past few days, elite army troops have seized several large farms owned by rodriguez gacha in the town of pacho, as well as luxurious residences in bogota. a son of rodriguez gacha, freddy rodriguez celades, and the group's "chief of finances," fernando galeano berrio--who is wanted by the u.s. authorities--are being held by colombian authorities.      however, despite the "war" the government has declared on the drug trafficking gangs, a superior court has revoked a warrant for the arrest of escobar gaviria, rodriguez gacha, and other persons linked to massacres carried out by rightist military groups being trained by israeli, british, u.s., and west german mercenaries, according to the investigations.    the ruling was made known yesterday. today the country is still amazed, considering that there is enough evidence to prove that the mafia leaders masterminded the massacres, as reported by justice maria elena diaz, who was shot to death last month, evidently as a reprisal for having stated this opinion.    the arrest warrant also included luis rubio rojas, a former mayor of the town of puerto boyaca, an operations center of rightist paramilitary elements, and several army detachment elements who reportedly promote terrorist squadrons.      it has been fully established that armed ultra-rightist groups have been trained by foreign mercenaries, including jair klein, a former israeli army colonel who commanded his country's antiterrorist corps several years ago.

mafia leaders

justice maria elena diaz


Input: colombian president virgilio barco said in a message "to the international community," which was issued this evening by the presidency of the republic, that "the survival of colombia, one of the most stable and oldest democracies in latin america, is in danger."    the colombian president categorically stated:  "we cannot rest until we have destroyed the drug trafficking organizations.  we have captured thousands of people and confiscated millions of dollars in properties and aircraft, and we will steadfastly pursue the drug traffickers despite their resources and more sophisticated weapons."    the presidency said that barco's message was also broadcast by the most important television networks in the united states.    drug traffickers "must understand that they are international fugitives running from a civilized society," barco said in his message.    the president added that "there must be no respite or home for them" and that "there must be no market for their drugs."    barco's dramatic message to the international community was broadcast shortly after it was learned that fabio ochoa restrepo, father of jorge luis, fabio, and david ochoa vasquez -- whose extradition has been requested by the u.s. authorities -- sent a public letter to barco proposing that they start "with a clean slate."    barco added that drug trafficking cartels have to know that they are not just struggling against colombia, because "the whole world is united in its indignation and in its solidarity with the actions we are currently carrying out."    virgilio barco said drug trafficking is "a criminal enterprise that is being nurtured by the habits of millions of cocaine consumers, some of whom are probably listening."    "those who depend on cocaine have permitted the appearance of the most violent criminal organization that the world has known," the president stated.    "what initially seemed a matter of personal habits has had explosive consequences for society," he added.    barco warned the international community:  "naturally, it is more important for you to reduce the demand than for us to reduce the offer.  we cannot fully destroy drug trafficking while it is capable of achieving extraordinary profits and while there are thousands of persons who consume illegal drugs somewhere, in some country."    the colombian government began an all-out war against the drug cartels 10 days ago, following the assassination of senator and liberal party presidential candidate luis carlos galan on 18 august.

drug cartels

luis carlos galan


Input: in view of the recent incidents at tobalaba airport, the communist party of chile (pcch) has issued the following communique:    the dictatorship intends to use still unclear incidents that took place a few days ago at tobalaba airport to create a climate of provocation and alarm with the purpose of disrupting the development of the political process that should lead to a democratic victory on 14 december.    pinochet's open intervention in the development of the electoral process remained clear in his 23 august speech and was recently denounced by opposition leader patricio aylwin and by all opposition political forces.    the declaration issued by the national intelligence center, cni -- an organization that for many years has shamefully violated the most basic rights of the chilean people by using the most cruel and inhuman forms of terror and violence against chilean democrats and whose dissolution has been proposed even by the government's candidate hernan buchi -- intends to misguide the people by once again trying to implicate the pcch in an incident in which it had no participation whatsoever.    the cni declaration, expressly ordered by authorities of the regime, goes to the extreme of infamously manipulating family ties to attack our general secretary, comrade volodia teitelboim.    the regime seeks to create a climate of terror and intimidation in order to impose the antidemocratic demands recently made by pinochet.    to this end, and as pinochet himself has stated, the regime is willing even to resort to force once again.  part of this plan is the murder of luis vargas, who was arrested and tortured by the cni and later thrown out of a fifth- floor window of the military court building after being falsely charged with having an arsenal in his home; the scandalous court decision that leaves unpunished those responsible for the inhuman death of rodrigo rojas denegri and the serious injury of carmen gloria quintana; the shameful supreme court decision clearing those responsible for the horrible crimes against 10 chileans in late 1976; the regime's intention to impose a new amnesty law to leave thousands of cases of violation of human rights in the past 16 years unpunished; the arrest and incommunicado detention of 13 people, among them a pregnant woman allegedly involved in the incidents at the tobalaba airport and for whose physical and psychological integrity we fear.    this is the consequence of pinochet, the cni, and the circles close to the dictatorship's despair in view of the progress made by the democratic struggle and the growing unity of all oposition forces around a single presidential candidate and a common platform designed to democratize the country.    as always when it feels threatened, the dictatorship has decided to divide and confuse the opposition forces.    we appeal to all democrats to come together even more firmly so the level of unity achieved by the opposition sector will not allow such maneuvers to jeopardize the resolute progress toward the much desired democracy and freedom for our people.    we also urge that this provocation be denounced by doubling efforts to overwhelmingly defeat the dictatorship on 14 december, thus taking a decisive step in the struggle to definitively oust this regime of hatred, death, and pain.    signed: americo zorrilla, jaime insunza, and carlos molinas for the communist party of chile.

national intelligence center

the regime

luis vargas

rodrigo rojas denegri

carmen gloria quintana


Input: seven powerful bombs were set off in bogota and medellin early this morning in what seems to be the continuation of the "war" declared by the drug traffickers in reprisal for the major blows they have been dealt by the authorities in various areas of colombia.      according to the initial police reports, six bombs exploded in medellin, the country's second-largest city, where the response from the drug dealers has been more strongly felt in recent days.    the bombs were placed in liquor stores where, according to official estimates, the damage is extensive.    medellin was the first city hit by the drug cartel's "counterattack" after the so-called "extraditables" issued a communique in which they vowed to wage a "war" on the government, judges, businessmen, and journalists nationwide.  the extraditables are drug traffickers sought by u.s. courts.    on sunday, nine bombs exploded and completely destroyed several state-owned banks.    meanwhile, another bomb exploded in bogota in front of a travel agency, but the extent of the damage has yet to be reported.    the intense offensive by president virgilio barco's administration began 2 weeks ago in the wake of a number of criminal attacks that claimed the lives of presidential hopeful luis carlos galan, a high-ranking police officer, and a judge.    the police reported today that for the first time, combined army and police forces raided several properties owned by hernando suarez burgos, (words indistinct) the ruling liberal party, in southwestern narino department.    units of the elite forces, the main ones involved in the operations, also raided the private residence of businessman edgardo barros, president of the sporting soccer club of cali.    police spokesmen also reported today that more than 7,000 people who had been arrested since the beginning of the offensive were released when it was fully proven they had no links with the drug mafias.    meanwhile, approximately 4,000 people remain in custody awaiting judicial rulings.

drug traffickers

extraditables

drug cartel

liquor stores

state-owned banks

a travel agency

luis carlos galan

six bombs

nine bombs

bomb


Input: foreign criminals, including a person of arab origin, participated in the assassination of senator luis carlos galan, the liberal party presidential candidate who was gunned down in bogota on 18 august, according to general miguel maza marquez, chief of the administrative department of security (das).    "there is a person of arab origin, who apparently has been linked closely to the crime," maza marquez told the media today after meeting with colombian president virgilio barco vargas, with whom he discussed the drafting of new security measures to protect the presidential candidates.    the suspect, jubis hazvumb (spelling as received), who was arrested along with four other colombians in bogota 2 days after galan's assassination, "is very much involved," said maza, who in late may was the target of a dynamite attack carried out in bogota, in which he was not wounded.    "we have received enough evidence to confirm that foreigners participated in senator galan's assassination," the das chief said.  he added that the investigations that have been carried out to locate the perpetrators have so far been successful.    "we have reached the conclusion that many people were involved in galan's murder and that it was well-planned," maza said.      he also announced that the presidential candidates will receive, starting today, additional personal security provided by the government.

jubis hazvumb

four other colombians

luis carlos galan


Input: before addressing the issue of colombia, minister shahal pointed out: i do not know about any cartels in colombia, nor did i meet any cattle breeders (reference to the profession claimed (begin recording) (shahal) we have an excellent relationship with colombia in several very concrete spheres.  these include the purchase of coal, for which we signed a 4-year contract during my visit there about a year ago.  that contract has been fulfilled to the satisfaction of both sides.  the colombian coal is excellent, as is the price we pay for it.  we are a very good customer, and the relations between us are very close.  (end recording)    by the way, the trade agreement between the two countries was formulated by the lady in the news, monica de greiff, who was the energy ministry director general during minister shahal's visit to columbia.  at present she is bogota's justice minister, and is hiding in the united states from the drug cartel's assassination threats.    minister shahal stressed that in his meetings with the administration heads in colombia, the latter had lavished praise on the assistance extended by our defense sector to colombia.      (begin recording) (shahal) it is absolutely true.  israel trained colombian defense establishment elements; this was done in the customary way and with the approval of the defense minister.  colombia bought security products from israel, such as the kfir planes, which were the other side of the coal purchase.  on the day i met with the colombian president he signed an order approving the purchase of the kfir planes by the colombian air force.  a day later we signed the coal agreement.  the total value of the deal was about $200 to $250 million for each side.  (passage omitted) (end recording)

drug cartel

monica de greiff


Input: five hundred colombian judges have announced their "joint resignation" in protest of the abolition of the jury, which makes the judges fully responsible for a sentence.  the judges have also complained that they do not have enough official protection.    the judicial branch national association (asociacion nacional del poder judicial) (asonal) reported today that the government decision -- which became effective on 28 august -- "represents a grave danger for the judges, because they are fully responsible for declaring a person guilty and condemning the culprits."    a group of litigant lawyers also announced today that they will not participate in public hearings until the reinstatement of the jury, whose abolition they consider unconstitutional.    asonal secretary general orlando morales told efe that the joint resignation involves 550 judges in bogota and cundinamarca, the department in which the country's capital is located.    the resignation could be announced during the weekend as a "continuation" of the 16 august strike, when 4,600 judges demanded more protection to do their work, morales added.    more than 200 officials have been murdered since the colombian justice system began its struggle against the drug lords in 1981.    three judges have been murdered so far this year.  they were in charge of lawsuits against the most sought after drug trafficking leaders in the country.  the lawsuits were later suspended.    colombian justice minister monica de greiff traveled to the united states on 25 august to request $2.5 million in aid to guarantee the protection of colombian judges and their relatives.      the minister and her 3-year-old son have been threatened by the drug trafficking mafias.

drug trafficking mafias

monica de greiff


Input: the colombian defense ministry in bogota confirmed today that at least three-fourths of the 10,797 people arrested after senator luis carlos galan's murder on 18 august have been released.    the releases took place as the preventive arrest deadlines established in the state of siege decrees issued on 25 august by president virgilio barco's liberal government began to expire.    colonel eduardo arevalo, press director for the defense ministry, told afp that the authorities could only detain suspects for 7 working days.    it is quite different when arrests are made on specific drug trafficking charges, he explained.    "there are no exact figures regarding the persons released, but i can assure you that at least three-fourths of the detainees are involved," col arevalo said.    that proportion of the almost 10,797 detentions made during the operations carried out throughout the country against common criminals and presumed accomplices of the drug trafficking mafias, leads to the assumption that approximately 3,500 people remain in custody at the jails, police inspection offices, and other branches.    the legal situation of these individuals will be established as their terms expire in accordance with the law, arevalo said.    arevalo explained to afp that there have been a few difficulties regarding those who have been detained and arrested, adding that the difficulties stem from the work stoppage in the judicial branch in protest over the assassination of justice carlos valencia in bogota.      he said that among the detainees are three individuals who could be extradited to the united states.    one of the extraditables is eduardo martinez romero, captured while he was vacationing on his farm in tolu, a village in the northwestern province of sucre on the caribbean coast, approximately 750 km from bogota, and his transfer to the united states could come at any moment.    the procedures for martinez romero's extradition were carried out uneventfully after the u.s. embassy made the request.  however, it has been reported that his extradition may be postponed for a few days because the supreme court suspended the deadlines for the election of justices at 27 higher courts.    the supreme court's constitutional chamber and the attorney general have 10 working days to state their positions regarding the legality of the executive decrees, without which the government would have to abstain from authorizing future extraditions.    "we must not act hastily because we do not want to make errors.  some of the extraditables may be innocent," communications minister carlos lemus told afp.

luis carlos galan

carlos valencia


Input: the resignations of three of the judges in charge of investigating the murders of the governor of antioquia, another judge, and the antioquia police commander, were announced today.  moreover, two of the judges left colombia.    meanwhile, almost 4,000 members of the national police and the medellin security forces will patrol the metropolitan area throughout the night. revenue guards (carabineros), goes (special operations group) agents, members of the citizen order department (departamento de orden ciudadano), and traffic policemen will be on alert.    among the measures planned by the metropolitan police for the curfew that begins tonight in medellin are the installation of 18 checkpoints strategically located at the metropolitan area's leading entrances and exits. three hundred and fifty policemen will guard the checkpoints and conduct searches. they will work around-the- clock searching vehicles and individuals traveling in those areas.  the nine permanent and nine mobile checkpoints will be useful in locating weapons, explosives, drugs, criminals, and stolen vehicles.  several of the checkpoints will be reinforced with armored antiriot vehicles in anticipation of clashes.


Input: president julio maria saguinetti yesterday sent a telegram to colombian president virgilio barco vargas expressing his solidarity over the death of senator luis carlos galan.  he said that the "civic spirit" of the people will triumph "over organized crime, its accomplices, and its protectors."    sanguinetti added that it was "with pain and with indignation" that he received the news of the death of the colombian senator, "murdered by criminals at the service of spurious interests."    sanguinetti concluded by saying that he hopes that "this tragic event will strengthen the civic spirit which will eventually triumph over organized crime, its accomplices, and its protectors."

criminals at the service of spurious interests

luis carlos galan


Input: defense minister general filmo lopez uzcategui confirmed today that venezuelan soldiers are being deployed to the colombian border in an effort to detect the possible flight of guerrillas or drug traffickers following the offensive launched by the neighboring country's security forces, after the murder of liberal leader luis carlos galan.    although the defense minister described the situation on the border as "normal," he said that the military presence is being reinforced in apure state on the colombian border.      lopez uzcategui said: "i have issued very precise instructions to further reinforce surveillance and control with military personnel," and he underscored that military commands from both countries are in constant contact.    the minister did not directly deny the possibility that drug traffickers may have entered venezuelan territory, but he stressed that "the measures that have been implemented are yielding results."

luis carlos galan


Input: the local press reported today that a former law student who had been kidnapped has been found murdered in a district in northern guatemala city.  the press notes this is but one more instance in the wave of violence that has gripped guatemala during the past few weeks.      the body of victor alfonso pomas, 30, who was kidnapped on 28 august, had knife wounds and his ears were stuffed with cotton.    in another development, the rujunel junam council of ethnic communities has issued a communique demanding the return of seven kidnapped university students and condemning the death of nine peasants who were members of the civil self-defense patrols in san cristobal verapaz, in northern guatemala. according to a report issued by the army at the time, the nine peasant members of the civil self-defense patrols were killed when a military patrol mistook them for guerrillas.    moreover, the managerial sector's information office (oficina de informacion del sector empresarial -- ofisem) today released statistics showing that violence has increased 1,000 percent in guatemala during the past few weeks.      according to ofisem, compared to 1988, the number of missing persons has increased 600 percent, subversion 550 percent, drug trafficking 200 percent, crime 140 percent, thefts 83 percent, and murders 67 percent.

military patrol

victor alfonso pomas


Input: the police reported that cattleman liberto gutierrez marquez, the alleged front man of the medellin cartel and brother of a former colombian attorney general, was found murdered today approximately 500 km northwest of bogota.      the source said that liberto gutierrez had recently disappeared and apparently had been kidnapped by maoist people's liberation army (epl) guerrillas, but this was not confirmed.    gutierrez' corpse was found today in ayapel municipality, cordoba department, approximately 500 km northwest of bogota, but the date of his death is not known.    liberto gutierrez owned a farm next to the now confiscated napoles farm, which belonged to pablo escobar gaviria, considered the medellin cartel leader.    gutierrez' farm, located in puerto triunfo, a zone in magdalena medio, antioquia department, had a landing strip in which a "turbocommander 2000" -- stolen by drug traffickers from a colombian air force base (fac) in bogota -- had landed on 2 march 1988.    fac fighter planes chased the thieves up to liberdo gutierrez' farm and bombed both the aircraft and the landing strip, as well as the napoles farm, killing a cook who worked in escobar's house.      as a result of the incident it was discovered that the owner of the farm and landing strip used by the drug traffickers was also the brother of alfredo gutierrez, who was appointed attorney general of colombia following the murder of carlos mauro hoyos on 25 january 1988.    because of the suspicion that his brother was a front man for pablo escobar, attorney general alfredo gutierrez resigned on 28 march 1988, 2 months after assuming his post.    the attorney general's resignation occurred during a general offensive in medellin against drug traffickers, following hoyos' murder, during which farms were raided and arsenals and documents confiscated.

maoist people's liberation army

liberto gutierrez marquez


Input: we now have some statements made exclusively to madrid radio by a former member of the chilean secret police.  jose manuel martin medem reports:    (martin medem) the exiles from chile, argentina, and uruguay repeatedly stated that while there were military dictatorships in their countries, the armed forces of the southern half of latin america acted jointlly, without respecting borders, in repression.  in this way, they were able to kidnap an exile from where he had taken refuge and make him return to the country of origin, where many were tortured and murdered.  our colleague, javier gonzalez, has now managed a witness report that confirms these accusations.    (begin recording) (gonzalez) a former member of dina (national intellegence directorate), the chilean secret service under pinochet, has asked requested political asylum in spain.  he is juan jose soto vargas, who worked in the dina citizens' intelligence brigade.  he has turned away from the regime, although he maintained his ideological stance.  soto vargas, a doctor by profession and a pastor of an evangelical church, has made exclusive statements to madrid radio in which he confirms police cooperation between the region's military governments during the period of state terrorism.    (soto vargas) we, in the chilean embassy, worked with the argentine federal police and with the argentine armed forces in the fight against subversion in 1976 and shortly before isabel martinez de peron left power. we also worked jointly with the security forces of uraguay, paraguay, and brazil.  i worked in the chilean embassy in brazil with the agreement of the national information service of the brazilian central agency.  well, relations were the best and this was simply because the south american armed forces, at to install itself in south america or to impose itself through guerrilla tactics and violence.    (gonzalez) soto vargas has already requested political asylum in other european countries, which he has had to leave for different reasons.  he says that he did not torture or kill anyone and that things like this did not happen in chile.  however, he admits that general carlos prats, the head of the army under president allende, was assassinated in buenos aires under orders of the pinochet government.    (soto vargas) there is proof, even judicial proof, that there was participation by high-ranking members of the chilean army who were ordered to carry out assassinations.  for example, when i worked in the military section of the chilean embassy in argentina, gen victor hugo barriera barriera of the army intelligence service an there was talk in the chilean embassy that the chilean high-ranking officer had ordered the physical extermination of prats.  (as heard) (end recording)

general carlos prats


Input: colombian authorities have arrested two men suspected of being involved in the murder of colombian liberal party candidate luis carlos galan: alvaro delgado and jorge andres canaveral.  the suspects were accompanied by two women whose names have not yet been released.    the authorities stated that jorge andres canaveral (words indistinct) appears wearing a hat and holding a sign during the soacha demonstration, during which political leader galan was killed.      the authorities said that the other individual was carrying forged papers and was born in la victoria, valle department.  he was carrying a forged passport under the name of juan carlos gonzalez mesa, born in cali.  (words indistinct) names but born in (word indistinct).    the second individual said he is a 26-year-old bank employee.  he was arrested when leaving el conquistador building.

alvaro delgado

jorge andres canaveral

luis carlos galan


Input: the 12 european economic community (eec) member states thursday condemned the recent series of political assassinations in colombia and expressed support for bogota's efforts to combat the country's drug lords.    in a statement released here by the french foreign ministry, the eec spoke out against the killings, "in particular the murder of senator luis carlos galan sarmiento (spelling as received)."    the 12 states "deeply deplore the loss of a man who fought for freedom, peace and development in colombia," the statement said.      senator galan was killed august 18 while attending an election rally in a bogota suburb.    the 12 also expressed the eec's backing for colombian moves to step up struggle against the country's drug traffickers and said they were "convinced that the strengthening of its democratic institutions will enable colombia to overcome the present difficulties."

luis carlos galan sarmiento


Input: there has been another attack in medellin, the third in less than 24 hours. according to authorities, the target was the pintuco paint factory located in san diego, southern medellin.    there are two differing reports on the attack.  the first one states that a rocket was launched from the mountains.  according to witnesses, the rocket hit a car dealership billboard, which diverted the rocket, causing it to hit the factory's outer wall. other reports say that the blast was caused by a bomb set in an ice cream cart left in front of the building.    four people were injured in the blast and have been taken to the hospital.  several buildings were damaged, as were the windows, roofs, and facades of several car dealerships.  pintuco factory firemen are now clearing up the rubble and broken windows.  the police and the army are conducting investigations.

pintuco paint factory

buildings

car dealerships

bomb set in an ice cream cart


Input: interior minister agustin mantilla today categorically denied that members of the medellin cartel have entered peru.    he reiterated that the border with colombia was closed as a security measure.  he added that the national police are coordinating actions with colombian police and with the garrisons that guard the border towns to prevent drug traffickers of the medellin cartel from entering peru.      minister mantilla made these comments at the police headquarters, where the 8th anniversary of the creation of the police bomb squad was celebrated.


Input: tabatinga (amazonas state) -- in tabatinga, 1,700 km from manaus, police, with the support of the brazilian army and the southern unified command (east of colombia, yesterday began an offensive against the drug traffickers of the medellin and cali cartels.  romeu tuma, director general of the federal police department, planned the police action in a meeting with general augusto rodrigues arango of the southern unified command and colonel luis fernando guzman vasquez of army headquarters in leticia, colombia.    tuma said that the drug traffickers left medellin and cali in small airplanes, probably with false documents, to go to manaus, where they would prepare to leave for europe and the united states.  all the hotels of manaus are under strict surveillance.    the first attempts by the drug traffickers to enter brazil were discovered when the police found three imported cars.  the cars, which are luxury models made in the united states and japan, are included in a list of 26 cars sent to the federal police by the colombian justice ministry.  the cars were left by an unidentified colombian at a car wash in tabatinga.  as the cars were not picked up by their owners for several days, the owner of the car wash removed the cars's tires and called the federal police, who took the cars to police facilities yesterday.    tuma believes that the drug traffickers were planning to stay in brazil after the murder of several colombian officials, but in the face of the offensive mounted by president virgilio barco, they decided to move on.    tuma already has the warrant for the arrest of 12 members of the medellin and cali cartels from the colombian justice ministry.  general rodrigues arango said that the brazilian border with colombia is well guarded by brazilian army troops.


Input: two unsuccessful attacks were perpetrated in medellin last evening shortly before the curfew was enforced.  one attack was aimed at the ecopetrol (colombian petroleum enterprise) fuel storage tanks and the other against the country club.  however, the curfew resulted in a miracle last night: not a single person was killed in medellin.    the decrease in public transportation including buses, jitneys, and even private vehicles began around 2100.  people living in medellin and itagui rode clinging to the vehicles' doors in clusters in order to get home on time and avoid arrest by the authorities.

country club


Input: ricaldone institute director father giusseppe coro protested today the murder of a young mechanics student and later attempts to involve the institute in illegal activities in this country, which is at war.  the ricaldone insitute is one of several important schools run by salesian priests in el salvador.    father coro stated during a news conference that student miguel ernesto miranda reina, 18, "who was the best mechanics student in the institute,' was despicably and cowardly shot in the back when he was about to approach his house in western san salvador on 22 august. father coro accused the "atlacatl" battalion soldiers, particularly an officer, "a lieutenant, sergeant, or whomever," who later attempted to distort the event by stating that the young student was a "rebel" because he wore rebel boots and had a rebel book.    the salesian priest, who has lived in this central american country for the past 16 years, said that the student was returning home after working on his thesis as he was to graduate this year.  the student wore the school's uniform, had his identification papers, and carried a book on religion that showed jesus christ with a beard on its cover.    father coro stated that since it was not enough to kill an innocent young man who was an honor student, the soldiers had started to keep a watch on the institute, to stop students to harrass them mentally by asking them if they knew miranda reina, to place a checkpoint in front of the murdered student's home, and other similar measures.  he added that if these measures are not stopped, the salesian community in el salvador will protest to the military high command.    father coro stated that the salesian community feels affected by these actions as their schools have always educated the young so that they can earn a livilihood and that these measures -- possibly ordered by mid-level commanders -- hinder their activities and causes instability in the student body that does not promote educational advancement.

soldiers

lieutenant, sergeant, or whomever

miguel ernesto miranda reina


Input: two bodies, new victims of the guatemalan violence, were found today shot to death in the united nations park, about 22 km south of guatemala city.  both bodies bore signs of having been tortured, their hands tied behind their backs, with a coup de grace shot through their foreheads.    despite numerous people having visited the morgue to try to locate missing relatives, the bodies had not been identified by this afternoon.    at first it was thought they might be two of the seven kidnapped university students.  many messages have been addressed to the government demanding an immediate investigation.    this afternoon, the association of university students (aeu), trade unions, and members of the human rights group "mutual support group" (gam), marched to demand from the government the reappearence of the kidnapped (words indistinct).    meanwhile, the disappearance of another student has been reported. he is hector salvatierra, a national university student of journalism, bringing to eight the number of students kidnapped during the past few weeks.

hector salvatierra


Input: there has been a terrorist attack against el espectador newspaper in western bogota.  yolanda gomez and j.j.  pinilla report.  (pinilla) according to a report we received a few minutes ago from the fire station, a truck bomb exploded inside a gas station next to the el espectador newspaper installations, which is very close to the bogota customs office.  the blast caused great damage, and one or two buses were totally destroyed.  it is estimated that the losses amount to several millions (currency not specified).    (gomez) there is a large deployment of police, firemen, and ambulances here on 68th avenue near the el espectador installations. according to the preliminary reports, it seems some people were injured inside the el espectador building because some windows were broken due to the blast.     announcer that is correct yolanda, we have learned there are at least three injured inside the el espectador installations due to the bomb explosion.  as you reported, the police have confirmed a bomb exploded inside a vehicle parked at a gas station next to the el espectador newspaper installations.  please continue.    (gomez) the bomb exploded at the gas station on 68th avenue. the gas station is totally destroyed, nothing remains of the gas station, not even the gas station billboard.    (announcer) we have called lucia de ojeda at the bogota red cross. this is radio cadena nacional.  could you please tell us about the names and the condition of the injured taken to the red cross.    (ojeda) eight or nine people have arrived at the red cross--we do not have the exact number--including a woman.  there is one dead person who has not been identified since he has no identification papers.    (announcer) so one person has died.    (ojeda) among the injured here are heriberto lopez gonzalez, 53; jaime orlando suarez, 24; noralba beltran, 23; gloria carranza, 25; leon alvaro vitorino, 32; daniel mantilla, 26; maritza martinez, 38; gladys paez; pedro ortiz, abel portillo, and carmen rosa gutierrez.    (announcer) you said there is one dead person.  had he died before he arrived at the red cross or did he die at the red cross.    (ojeda) he is a young man, who has no identification papers.    (announcer) do you have any reports on the injured?    (ojeda) they are badly injured.  some are slightly injured but there are others badly injured.    thank you mrs ojeda.

el espectador newspaper

gas station

buses

heriberto lopez gonzalez

jaime orlando suarez

noralba beltran

gloria carranza

leon alvaro vitorino

daniel mantilla

maritza martinez

gladys paez

pedro ortiz

abel portillo

carmen rosa gutierrez

truck bomb


Input: the so-called extraditables have claimed responsibility for the attack on the newspaper el espectador facilities in bogota this morning.  el espectador president luis gabriel cano said he received the phone call in which the group claimed responsibility for the attack.    meanwhile, there is confirmation of an attack on a property owned by the cano family in islas del rosario.    (begin recording) (cano) they (not further identified) burned a few vacation cabins at a small islet i own on rosario island.    (unidentified reporter) have you calculated the losses caused by the attack on rosario island?    (cano) no, i do not have specific data yet, because i have been unable to communicate with the people there.  fortunately, the watchman on the property was unharmed.  i was pleased to know that, because i was afraid for him.  property can be replaced, but human lives cannot.  (end recording)    while the losses caused on el espectador were being estimated, various phone calls were received at the newspaper regarding the dynamite attack.    on 3 september a reduced version of el espectador newspaper will circulate.  approximately 250,000 copies of el espectador will circulate.    (begin recording) (cano) we are making huge efforts to circulate tomorrow.  even if tomorrow's issue of our newspaper has only two or four pages, el espectador will circulate on 3 september and will continue to circulate.  (end recording)

extraditables

newspaper el espectador facilities

vacation cabins


Input: bogota inravision television cadena 2 broadcasts a series of reports, totaling about 10 minutes, on the 2 september bomb attack carried out against the facilities of the bogota newspaper el espectador.    the first report begins by saying that the facilities of the newspaper el espectador were the "target of a brutal terrorist attack in which many innocent people were injured."  the report adds that "today a truck bomb carrying almost 200 kg of dynamite went off at a large gas station located next to the facilities of the newspaper el espectador.  the attack is one of the most serious terrorist attacks conducted in bogota in the last few months."    the next report says that "today's explosion caused a true hospital emergency in bogota.  one person was killed and 86 others injured, including 6 who were seriously injured as a result of the attack."    the report states that "the newspaper el espectador was virtually paralyzed today, although its directors said that it will circulate tomorrow no matter what.  hernando santos, chief editor of the colombian newspaper el tiempo, even offered workshops and rotary presses to assemble and print el espectador if that were necessary."    the report continues that "losses of over 200 million pesos occurred as a result of the explosion in western bogota this morning. the newspaper el espectador facilities were left as if they had been bombed."  the report adds that most of the interior was "visibly" destroyed and that there are cracks in the outer and inner walls of the building.    the report includes recorded statements by el espectador general manager alfonso cano who states that "el espectador has followed a specific line for the last 102 years.  that line will not change because we were the targets of a bomb attack or because its reporters are killed.  we will circulate tomorrow even if we print a 2-page newspaper."    finally, the report concludes by saying that "in a few minutes the newspaper el espectador directors will issue a communique on the attack in which they will express their rejection of these terrorist attacks."

gas station

newspaper el espectador facilities

truck bomb

almost 200 kg of dynamite


Input: the narcotics trafficking "capos," those "extraditable" to the united states, "are in colombia; they have not sought refuge abroad," national police chief general miguel gomez padilla told the press today.    "i am sure that they are in colombian territory.  we have evidence to that effect," the general said, adding that the police "have an entire unit ready to be taken to any point of the country at a moment's notice" should any of the "capos" be found.    some of the 12 "extraditables" -- jorge luis, juan david, fabio ochoa, pablo escobar, gonzalo rodriguez gacha, and gilberto rodriguez orejuela -- have been pointed out as being the kingpins of the cali and medellin narcotics trafficking groups.  they are responsible for exporting 80 percent of the cocaine used in the united states.    although he admitted that the police do not have "exact information," gen gomez padilla pointed out that many of the documents seized in the last 2 weeks from the narcotics trafficking organizations-- inventories, accounts, and property titles--"allow us to progress in our campaign against the narcotics trafficking networks."    the police chief added that "the police are carefully evaluating the documents seized.  no political or public figure has been found to be involved with narcotics trafficking as a result of these papers," he said, but he admitted that bribery is one of the most important "elements of destabilization" that the multimillionaire cocaine mafias use.    gen gomez padilla admitted that the police department has also been the victim of bribery cases.  "thank god there are only a few cases, just four or five," but these have been detected in time and those found have been punished.    he also said that "we have had some exemplary men who have given their lives for their professional work."    in the last 3 years, 1,300 policemen have been killed while working on cases related to narcotics trafficking, gomez padilla reported.  he also admitted he himself has received death threats.    miguel gomez padilla stressed before the foreign press that "colombia is a sovereign nation that has a very qualified and professional armed forces," and that in order to fight narcotics terrorism "we do not need foreign forces."    with this remark, gen gomez again rejected the possibility that the united states might send troops to fight the narcotics trafficking groups in colombian territory.    "the fact we need equipment and technological support is something else," the police chief said, adding that "we welcome any amount of money."    gomez padilla pointed out that "as never before, the army, the secret agents, and the police are truly comitted to the struggle and have assigned 80,000 units to fight directly or indirectly against narcotics trafficking."    as of 18 august, when the government launched its most recent  offensive against narcotics trafficking and adopted measures that included extraditon, the production and marketing of cocaine "has nearly stopped," gomez padilla said.    the general stated that the narcotics traffickers are seeking new marketing routes and new border areas to install the cocaine refining laboratories.    he added the colombian topography -- mountainous and with very dense jungles -- conceals the narcotics traffickers and their installations, "but sooner or later we are going to find them; they cannot hide forever."


Input: the presidents of the republic of china and the republic of guatemala jointly denounced terrorists and drug-pushers as "two major pollutions of the world" monday.    in a joint communique they signed before guatemalan president marco vinicio cerezo arevalo concluded his six-day visit here, the two heads of state reiterated their determination to promote world peace and international co-prosperity.    president cerezo and president li teng-hui signed on the communique in taipei monday morning.  the guatemalan presidential entourage left for home in the afternoon.    the communique said the world countries should respect each other's national sovereignty, respect their people's freedom of choice, and refrain from intefering with domestic affairs of other countries.    every country's foreign policy should also be governed by the principles of peaceful solutions to disputes, not invading others' territories, and respecting the sovereignty of natural resources of individual countries, said the communique.    cerezo and li expressed concern over armaments and international disputes which might aggravate tension in the world.    they also "strongly denounced" all terrorist actions and planting and pushing of drugs, saying the two are "major pollutions of the world."    the two presidents pointed out that peace efforts reaffirmed by five central american presidents in three recent summits to promote mutual respect and peaceful co-existence are "extremely important."    the roc and guatemalan presidents said they were satisfied with the successful development of bilateral ties, reaffirming their resolute determination to continue and strengthen various cooperative programs between the two nations.    their joint review of implementation of various treaties and accords between the two countries concluded that these bilateral agreements have formed a broad base for them to consolidate their respective democratic development, according to the communique.    president cerezo thanked president li for the roc's financial, agricultural, industrial and technological assistances to guatemala. the two said these cooperative projects should continue.    the two heads of state also expressed satisfaction over increasing exchanges of visits by government officials which have successfully promoted economic cooperation between the two countries.    they agreed that such exchanges and economic cooperation should continue in order to boost mutual friendship and benefit their peoples.    recognizing cultural and sports exchanges' contribution to consolidating bilateral friendship and promoting peace, the two presidents agreed to strengthen the exchanges by increasing invitations and quota for scholarships.    cerezo in the meantime cordially invited president li to visit guatemala.  the latter accepted the invitation with great pleasure, and asked their staffs to arrange the details.    during his stay here, cerezo has been warmly and courteously welcomed and treated.  he has also been conferred an oder of the highest honor to a civilian leader.  before his departure, he gave a press conference to talk about his visit.


Input: medellin -- an bombing attack attack on 3 august occurred at a branch of banco popular, at the intersection of 49th avenue and 50th street, itagui municipality, to the south of aburra valley. five individuals were injured, and severe structural damage occurred.    the injured were 19-year-old robinson ramirez, 30-year-old roberto arcesio pabon, and 40-year-old hugo morales, and two other unidentified individuals who were treated at itagui's san rafael hospital and other hospitals in antioquia department's capital.    an official report states that the blast completely destroyed the bank facilities and caused severe damage to nearby businesses and several area residences.    it is worth noting that this new attack was carried out a few minutes before the 5th day of a curfew, which was ordered on 30 august by the municipal government.  in ordering a curfew, the municipal government followed the example of medellin mayor juan gomez martinez.

branch of banco popular

nearby businesses

several area residences

robinson ramirez

roberto arcesio pabon

hugo morales


Input: two people were killed and 12 were wounded today, including 3 members of the antioquia police, in an attack at the jose maria cordoba airport in rionegro.    several men traveling in two vehicles arrived at the airport's main entrance at 0715 during the usual morning rush hour.  one of them, wearing colombian army fatigues, got out of a red renault and indiscriminately opened fire on the people who were undergoing routine searches at the airport entrance.  one person was killed, and 12 were wounded.  the airport security police then killed the attacker.  there was general chaos at the airport, a situation that could have caused a greater tragedy.  the motives and the identities of those responsible for the new violence are so far unknown.    in a last minute report, we have learned that an explosive device was also defused in the jose maria cordoba aiport in rionegro.

one of them, wearing colombian army fatigues

jose maria cordoba airport

explosive device


Input: a c-123 hercules plane has been dynamited in monteria.  according to the das (administrative department of security), the airplane belongs to the drug enforcement agency.  the plane had been flying to cali last week, but it had to land at the los garzones airport, located 10 minutes from monteria, after developing mechanical difficulties.    the c-123 hercules plane was dynamited by drug trafficking gangs as it sat in a dark section of the los garzones airport of monteria. airport sources said the gray plane had been in route to cali last week, but its crew had to leave it in monteria because of its mechanical defects.  the powerful dynamite charge was placed underneath the plane.  the explosion destroyed a large part of the cabin, instrument panel, and controls.  the explosion occurred during a heavy downpour.  the authorities reported that there were no casualties.    the airplane was under special protection, but the guards were inside the airport when the explosion occurred.  only the airport personnel and civil aeronautics watchmen were at the terminal when the explosion occurred.

drug trafficking gangs

c-123 hercules plane

dynamite charge


Input: fully aware of our responsibility and the magnitude of the challenge, the pcch and the leftist sector, as part of the opposition, will spare no sacrifice to secure an important victory by electing patricio aylwin president of the republic and establishing a decisive majority in congress for the opposition, including the united left and the pais (broad party of the socialist left).    in our opinion, said volodia teitelboim, this is not just an electoral campaign.  we do not see it as separate from the social mobilization carried out by people burdened by hundreds of daily problems, a mobilization to recover their rights to food, jobs, health, housing, and education -- to a way of life worthy of human beings.    five or six million hungry and poor chileans is a scandal, and they deserve a share of the wealth of those who took over the country's government.    we need to demand and defend the respect for life that has not been guaranteed during these past 16 years in our fatherland.  a single day does not go by without a defender of freedom becoming a victim of the regime's repressive apparatus.    the communist representative added: we want peace for chile.  we want the deadly violence and terrorism unleashed on 11 september 1973 to end once and for all.    the chilean dilemma continues to be democracy or dictatorship, liberty or tyranny, perpetuation in power or a new life.  volodia teitelboim has indeed made a call to get organized, to unite, and to convince.  the perpetuation of power is now called hernan buchi.  we must all unite to defeat pinochet.  buchi is his man.    teitelboim pointed out that the people did not make a mistake. they just had to change a letter of buchi's propagandistic slogans to restore the truth: buchi is not the man; rather, he represents hunger.    in its 15th congress the pcch made a call to defeat the minister who has made millions of people poor, the minister who has now become a demagogue and is promising the moon and an unrealistic world for the people; that is, the minister who is promising everything he failed to accomplish in his years as minister.    buchi's insincere promises are surpassed only by another talkative presidential candidate of the regime: mr errazuriz.    volodia teitelboim then added: in order to guarantee the victory of democracy, it is necessary to organize the united forces of all those who hope for liberty.    we hereby call for the creation of millions of commandos for democracy and broad committees across the country to display initiatives, encourage imagination, and form caravans of people who will give explanations from door to door and from person to person, implementing a fervent and overwhelming dynamic capable of changing chile on 14 december 1989.    our people have always played an outstanding role in the crucial crossroads of the 20th century.  they are playing it now, fighting wholeheartedly, convinced that the victory of democracy will represent a significant step toward respecting human rights, an emphatic and righteous no to impunity, and a substantive yes to liberty for all political prisoners and to the dissolution of the cni (national intelligence center).    the outstanding communist leader and intellectual said that these are days for generosity and spiritual grandeur.  seeking democracy, we are shaking hands with all those with whom we have had disagreements in the past.  we want to emphasize this.  although we are motivated by different political concepts, this is a creative time for a common denominator, joint actions, and for everyone to lend a hand.    if the opposition marches united toward 14 december, it will achieve a overwhelming victory that will be registered in chilean history as a golden date of extraordinary significance.    such a victory will finally restore a right that has repeatedly been requested and violated: the right to rejoice and to trust in the future with the certainty that no one will slip unnoticed through the shadows of the night to kill a chilean with impunity.    the people, added volodia teitelboim, are beginning to paint the walls with a slogan: the people win, the dictatorship is over.  the dictatorship will end and the people will win.    if we win in 14 december and doubtlessly we will, and if we -- always acting in unison -- immediately spoil pinochet's plans, we will (word indistinct) then the president of the president or the perpetual boss.    the top leader of chilean communists warned that the dangers and difficulties demand that we remain alert and work even harder.  we must bury all attempts by the general and his faithfuls to stop or reverse chile's progress toward new horizons.    volodia teitelboim pointed out that patricio aylwin, during a meeting at the opening ceremony for the christian left party offices, expressed his desire to be able to implement a truly democratic government that will make all chileans active again in democratic life.  this purpose reflects the sentiments of a vast majority of the people who want to turn the bloody page of the dictatorship and put an end to political and social neglect and to the divisions between humans, between pariahs and privileged ones, and between first-class, second-class, or third-class people, where some enjoy every right while others are denied even the right to live.    in his speech over a partial radio network, the pcch secretary general said: we dream about and strive for a chile without missing people, without executed people, without burned youths, without political prisoners, without exiles -- a fatherland of equals among equals.  (continued)


Input: officials from colombia's avianca airline denied reports today that a bomb had been found and defused inside one of its airplanes in the city of medellin.  this report is related to the "war" that the drugtrafficking mafia has declared on the country, a war that has been intensified in recent hours.    according to the report, police anti-explosive experts defused a powerful charge of dynamite found in an avianca 727 plane that arrived in medellin from pereira with 180 passengers aboard.    the report, broadcast by a television news program after having been confirmed by a civil aeronautics official, stated that the bomb was found by the plane's crew members after they detected a heavy smell of powder shortly after landing.    this situation, which has been blamed on the "nervousness" the country is experiencing, took place only a few hours after a man dressed in a camouflage military uniform killed 1 person and wounded 13 others with a machinegun at medellin's jose maria cordoba international airport.    the killer, whose possible ties with drug-trafficking organizations are being investigated by the authorities, fired indiscriminately on people waiting in line for their tickets to bogota, according to witnesses.

man dressed in a camouflage military uniform

drug-trafficking organizations

avianca 727 plane

charge of dynamite

machinegun


Input: a new terrorist action shook medellin in northwestern colombia this evening when two men riding on a motorcycle threw an explosive device at a police post located in the exclusive suburb of el poblado.  miraculously, the three policemen and two civilians who were inside escaped injury.    the post, known as an immediate attention center (cai), which plays the role of a police control post, was destroyed by the explosion of the device.    three policemen and two civilians were inside the post, which was not fully operational because it had not been completely built, but managed to escape.    one of the policemen told afp that they saw two men on a motorcycle swiftly passing by the cai and then throwing a red plastic bag.    the three policemen and the two civilians managed to run a few meters down the street before the device exploded.    although the device's power has yet to be established by experts, the detonation was strong enough to destroy the structure, measuring approximately 11 square meters.    precisely 1 month ago the same cai had been destroyed when its walls were being constructed.    a woman who passed through the area at the time of the attack was not injured either, even though her vehicle sustained considerable damage, particularly the windows, which were destroyed.    the new terrorist action occurred 12 hours after a man was involved in a spectacular shoot-out at the jose maria cordoba airport in medellin, where the gunman and a young man died and 10 persons were wounded, including three policemen.    the cai's destruction occurred 4 hours after the beginning of the curfew, imposed by mayor juan gomez martinez 6 days ago in an attempt to curtail the terrorist actions which have shaken the city, birthplace of the medellin drug cartel.

two men riding on a motorcycle

gunman

immediate attention center

vehicle

explosive device


Input: the defense ministry has reported that a group of unidentified individuals today killed angela de guerrero, wife of colonel carlos guerrero of the administration and logistics department of the armed forces general command, in northern bogota.    according to a military report, angela de guerrero was waiting for a relative in front of a supermarket when she was shot from a moving vehicle.    a police operation is now being carried out in search of the criminals.

group of unidentified individuals

angela de guerrero


Input: police sources have confirmed that jecar antonio neghme cristi, 28, political leader of the movement of the revolutionary left, mir, died instantly last night when he was hit by 12 bullets fired from 2 different weapons in an attack that occured while he was walking home from his party office.    some documents were found at the scene of the crime. one of the leaflets found stated: killed for betraying the revolutionary struggle and the people. yellow and bourgeois (as heard).    according to the investigators, neghme's body received 18 bullet wounds, caused by 12 direct hits. the attack was carried out by a group of armed individuals in a moving car. nothing is known about the attackers.    carabineros personnel went to the scene of the crime after receiving a telephone call. homicide experts from the civilian police arrived a little later. they immediately conducted the appropriate investigations where the mir spokesman was gunned down.  neghme was killed some 50 meters from the bernardo o'higgins promenade, at 10 west bulnes street. the street is poorly illuminated. it is believed that there were no eyewitnesses of the crime.    according to police sources, two automatic weapons were used; one a 7.65-mm and the other a 9-mm. the police added that neghme was not carrying a weapon. a briefcase found near his body contained some speeches and a book on chilean history.

group of armed individuals

jecar antonio neghme cristi

two automatic weapons


Input: a salvadoran government commission will meet with leftist rebels before 15 september in a preliminary dialogue to end almost 10 years of civil war, it was reported today by a high-ranking official.    president alfredo cristiani will announce on 7 september the creation of a commission and the date and place of the talks with the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) representatives, it was stated by communications minister mauricio sandoval.    "the meeting will be held before 15 september," sandoval told reuter.    sandoval's statements were given after fmln commander ana guadalupe martinez said today in mexico city that the rebels had accepted a government proposal to hold talks before 15 september, the anniversary of el salvador's independence.    "we think that the meeting could be held in mexico city, and on 7 september we will announce a series of measures to facilitate the dialogue" -- the first between cristiani's right-wing government and the fmln, martinez said in a news conference.    she did not rule out the declaration of an unilateral cease-fire. "perhaps yes, perhaps no," martinez answered when asked about it.    sandoval said that the talks could be held in costa rica or mexico.    "it is almost sure that the talks will be held in mexico," he said.    sandoval said that the progress achieved toward the talks was proof of the pledge assumed by the government which was sworn in on 1 june to solve a conflict which has cost el salvador more than 70,000 lives.    "specific steps are being taken in the search for peace," he said.    government officials have emphasized that the first round of talks will probably prepare the groundwork for future, more substantial, talks.    sandoval did not say who would comprise the government's dialogue commission but officials had previously said that the armed forces and the church would not be represented -- a previous fmln demand.    "we accept that the government commission that will attend the dialogue be composed as the government wants," commander martinez said today.  "we believe it is negative for the army not to participate in a dialogue where the war will be discussed.  it will be a mistake for the military not to attend the meeting."    vice president francisco merino told reporters on 4 september that the armed forces -- and the opposition political parties -- would be included in what he described as a "support commission" that would play an advisory role in the talks.    three rounds of talks between the fmln and president jose napoleon duarte's christian democratic government, which concluded its term on 1 june, failed to achieve progress toward the solution of a civil war.    today's announcement of a peace dialogue occurred amid fierce clashes between government troops and rebels in several parts of el salvador.    a major clash occurred in eastern morazan department, where the rebels killed 14 soldiers and 2 officers.    the armed forces also said they had caused "numerous" rebel casualties during a clash which occurred near chilanga, but they failed to provide exact figures.