Input: political life in colombia is still linked with violence.....    (cepeda) colombia is experiencing an extremely severe political and institutional crisis, caused by the incompatibility between the fast developing productive forces and the existing political setup.  for example, last year colombia's economic growth was 4.5 percent.  however, political life continues to be dominated by the two old parties -- the liberals and the conservatives, who maintain a merely formal democracy.  we should not forget colombia's strategic position:  it forms a bridge between central and south america.  all events in colombia affect the neighboring countries.      precisely because of this, the so-called "santa fe-2" document, drawn up by extreme right-wing u.s. politicians, contains a plan to apply pressure in colombia and, more specifically, to expand the so-called low-intensity conflict, one of whose manifestations is the so-called "dirty war" in the country.    accordingly, the violence in colombia is caused by both internal factors -- the crisis of the institutions -- and external ones, namely the policies of the most reactionary circles in the united states.    (sertov) can one expect the peace settlement to be fulfilled under these conditions?    (cepeda) this is the aim of the communist party of colombia (pcc).  at our recent 15th congress, we made a detailed analysis of the situation and concluded that the conflict in colombia must be settled by political means. the pcc raised the question of removing the siege situation that, with a few interruptions, has been maintained for several decades, and of disbanding the paramilitary groups (according to the minister of internal affairs, about 140 such groups are operating).  these groups owe their very existence to the support given by military circles and the clan chiefs to the trade in narcotics.  (i will add in parentheses that this is the reason for the use of the term "narcomilitarism" in colombia.) one of the pcc's demands is that the army should be purged of fascist elements and that a civilian should be put in charge of the ministry of defense.  the party also raised the question of making a start on the necessary democratic reforms, but the government pays no heed to our demands.    the government recently reached an agreement with "m-19," one of the partisan groupings in the country, but did not accept any commitments in practice.  accordingly, there are some doubts over how the lives of the partisan leaders will be subsequently guaranteed.  the largest partisan group -- the revolutionary armed forces of colombia -- is demanding that the government take serious steps to limit the paramilitary groups, in order to conclude a truce.    (sertov) clearly, it will not be easy to achieve peace in colombia.    (cepeda) at the moment, peace supporters in colombia are forming  a broad front, which in practice has an antifascist orientation.  peace depends on how far this front will succeed in expanding, how the contradictions within the government itself regarding the paramilitary groups will deepen, and on whether we will succeed in isolating them.  we are optimists, but also have a great need of international solidarity.    (sertov) how do you assess the political prospects for the united left in your country?    (cepeda) the left forces in colombia are united in the patriotic union that was created 4 years ago.  its aim is to achieve national reconciliation in our country.  however, the union immediately became a target of the organizers of the "dirty war." hundreds of its leaders were beaten up, many of whom were pcc members.  so far, over 1,000 people have died, including jaime pardo leal, leader of the patriotic union, deputy chairman jose anteguera, and others.  threats continue to be made against the union and against the pcc.  all members of the pcc leadership have received death threats.  the same also applies to bernardo jaramillo, the present leader of the union, gilberto vieira, secretary general of the pcc central committee, and others.    on 27 february comrade forero (name as transliterated), pcc secretary for organizational matters, was killed.  his wife and comrades sotelo and sotomayor also died in the atrocity.  next day, we had a meeting with virgilio barco, president of colombia.  he promises to take speedy measures against the paramilitary groups.  however, only 4 days later, anteguera, the former leader of the union of communist youth, was killed at bogota airport.  senator ernesto pisano, one of the liberal party candidates for the presidency, was seriously injured at the same time.  many members of the military were present at the airport on that day, as well as the police chief of the capital, yet only one of the murderers was killed, while the rest escaped.  this is why we told president barco that we had serious doubts about the army's role in this assassination.      next year, presidential elections and elections of the legislative bodies are due to take place in colombia.  the pcc and the patriotic union want to take part in them, but we have warned the leaders of the republic that unless the "dirty war" is ended, we will expose the situation in colombia to the world and regard the election results as illegal.  despite everything, we consider that the patriotic union has a promising future, because its aims are supported by the colombian people.

paramilitary groups

anteguera

comrade forero

comrades sotelo

comrades sotelo and sotomayor

ernesto pisano


Input: president barco vigorously defended colombia's image regarding its struggle against drug trafficking, terrorism, and common crime in a speech he gave in washington this morning.  he pointed to the eradication of illiteracy, commented on the nation's economic indexes, and said that countless colombians have been assassinated in their struggle against drug trafficking.    president barco invited other area countries to join efforts to end drug cultivation, trafficking, and consumption.  colombia cannot fight this evil alone, barco asserted.  he gave specific statistics about blows that have been struck against colombian drug cartels.      (begin recording) (barco) i came to make an appeal to you.  let us all combine our efforts and energies in an alliance that is stronger and better coordinated than that of the drug traffickers.  we need an alliance of nations affected by drug trafficking in order to respond effectively.  drug trafficking is not the problem of a single nation, or even of a group of nations.  it is a universal outrage.  unless we devise strong and effective means of international cooperation to fight against all phases of the problem, a final victory will not be possible.    for this reason, i wish to use this forum to make a new proposal to reflect the sense of urgency that we all feel with regard to this problem. we -- all presidents of the american hemisphere, along with president bush and our other colleagues of those nations most affected by the international drug trafficking scourge -- should meet as soon as possible to jointly exercise the public, political authority conferred upon us by the will of our people. (end recording)    the colombian president reiterated his condemnation of weapons production and trafficking, highlighted colombia's democracy, and said that his country will increase efforts in its continued struggle against drug trafficking.


Input: you mentioned the attack on the residence of vice president-elect francisco merino.  we would like you to give us some details on this.    (cristiani) at approximately 0530 this morning, three explosives were hurled at his residence from an empty lot.  the explosives caused extensive damage to the residence.  there was rifle fire too, but the rifle fire was only to distract security personnel in the area.    the attackers acted like animals.  mr merino is still in the united states with his wife.  he will be returning this afternoon.  their four children and three of the children's friends were at the residence when the attack took place.  the children could have been killed.  those who carried out this attack are people who for a long time have been talking about human rights and about indiscriminate bombings.  this attack endangered civilians.  thank goodness only one of the children was wounded.  one of the girls who was visiting the home was hit by some shrapnel but the wound is not serious.  right now we are getting a doctor to examine the children to see if their hearing has been damaged because two of the devices exploded in the bedroom the children were in.    i believe this is another indication that the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front), far from seeking peace and wanting peace for the salvadoran people, wants to continue its terrorism, its killings -- its irrational killings.  i believe that little can be achieved in the search for peace through dialogue because these people are not sincere when they claim that they want to resolve the problem.    the salvadoran people are tired of violence.  they stated their opinion on 19 march.  the fmln should think carefully because the people have flatly rejected violence and the fmln.  i do not believe that the members of our party will be frightened into abandoning the struggle for the consolidation of democracy, which is something the people want.    i believe that those who want to make the fmln look like martyrs and like persons who work for the good of the people, should know the truth:  they are nothing but savages who lack human qualities and who are indiscriminately killing and wounding civilians who have nothing to do with the conflict.  (continued)

farabundo marti national liberation front

residence of vice president-elect francisco merino

three explosives


Input: one man was killed and another seriously injured this evening when a powerful explosive they were attempting to hurl from a passing motorcycle at a u.s. embassy warehouse in tegucigalpa exploded before they could throw it.    the dead man has been identified as 39-year-old miguel rodolfo aguilar flores of tegucigalpa.  his body was blown to bits by the explosion.      the wounded man has not been identified.  he was admitted in a semiconscious state to the burns unit of the escuela hospital.    according to police, the bomb was chinese-made and might have been detonated by heat from the motorcycle or from friction created as a result of being place between the two men on the motorcycle.    another theory is that the two men dropped the bomb when they tried to throw it at the warehouse, which is located 1 km northwest of the u.s. embassy.  police believe that the bomb was going to be placed in the u.s. embassy warehouse by members of the honduran left to commemmorate what people here call "black april" for the united states.    on 7 april 1988, a mob set fire to the u.s. consulate in tegucigalpa and to 30 diplomatic vehicles.

miguel rodolfo aguilar flores

wounded man

honduran left

u.s. embassy warehouse

powerful explosive


Input: barry melbourne shining path (the peruvian terrorist organization) participated in a meeting that was held in a tucuman city hotel."    he added that "movements of the mpt (movement for the fatherland) have been detected throughout the northwest region of argentina, and we are now trying to find out whether there is any type of connection" between the two groups.    hussey indicated that "we are concerned about those events, but as advisers to the president we limit ourselves to an analysis of the matter, which we then turn over to the intelligence organizations so that they can work on it."    in remarks made to radio el mundo, he stated that "president alfonsin is very concerned," and when asked if an immediate action by subversive groups is expected, he answered: "anything can be expected from those type of people."


Input: the police have arrested jose luis francisco gutierrez, a colombian citizen, 28, who is suspected of being a member of the colombian m-19 guerrilla group.    gutierrez was arrested yesterday while travelling in a car with peruvian engineer miguel rincon rincon in whose possession the police found subversive propaganda from the outlawed revolutionary movement tupac amaru (mrta) of peru.      police intelligence sources affirmed have confirmed the arrest of this colombian citizen and said that it is very important because he may be the liason between the m-19 and the mrta.  two years ago, these groups created the now dismantled "america battallion," which stated some armed operation in colombian territory.      the arrest of jose luis francisco gutierrez brings to three the number of colombians that have been seized and that are under investigation by the antiterrorist police (dircote).  henry vladimir delgado salazar and jose alzate cardona were arrested following the armed attack on the police post at uchiza, in the peruvian northeast, where 10 policemen were killed.

henry vladimir delgado salazar

jose alzate cardona


Input: multi-party talks on incorporating colombia's m-19 rebel group into civilian life wound up tuesday with agreement that the process must be completed by june 30.    representatives of the government, political parties and the m- 19 group, which accepted a truce last month after 16 years of fighting, reached the accord at a "working session" at the national assembly.    no official communique was released, but sources close to the talks said the parties had agreed to continue bi-weekly parleys and to create a general secretariat comprising representatives of each of the delegations.    the roman catholic church was named as guarantor of any final agreement.    the guerrilla group signed its truce march 18 under a peace plan announced in september by president virgilio barco, who has said rebel leaders would be pardoned.    the talks have yet to broach the thorny subject of the 2,500- strong group's handing over its arms.    the guerrilla group was formed in september 1973 as a protest against what it said was electoral fraud committed by then- strongman gustavo rojas pinilla.  its original members were dissident guerrillas from other groups, professionals, workers, students and former soldiers.    in january 1974, the rebel group made headlines by stealing a sword that had belonged to simon bolivar -- who led the wars of independence in most of northern south america -- which they promised to use to "redeem" the country.    m-19's most spectacular operation was its 1985 takeover of the palace of justice in bogota. in the military operation to retake the building, more than 100 people died, including six top judges as well as visitors, employees and rebels.    the rebels were reportedly hired by drug kingpins to storm the building and destroy documents to be used in proceedings to extradite the drug lords to the united states.


Input: honduran guerrillas claimed credit today for the attack on a u.s. army convoy on 11 april in northern honduras in which one person was killed, three or four people wounded, and one vehicle destroyed.    the attack on an 11-vehicle convoy carrying u.s. and honduran soldiers took place 17 km northeast of olanchito, in yoro department, on the northern coast of honduras.      people have been told that u.s. and honduran troops are building a highway for military emergencies and civil development in this area.    in a communique distributed in olanchito, the morazanist patriotic front (fpm) claimed credit for the attack, and said the attack was carried out by the ramon amaya amador commando group (comando ramon amaya amador).    the guerrilla communique stated "the attack was carried out with rifle fire and hand grenades, which neutralized the rearguard of the yankee convoy and resulted in one dead, three or four wounded, and one destroyed vehicle."    the communique added that "the yankees refuse to report their casualties so as not to demoralize their troops.  our rifles will be aimed at the blonds from the north who are today trampling on our sacred fatherland."    the honduran armed forces and the u.s. embassy in tegucigalpa have confirmed the attack, but they did not mention any casualties, although they admit that the last vehicle in the convoy was "damaged" by an explosive device that was hurled at it.    on 1 february, another u.s. military convoy was attacked in the same area by unidentified persons, without causing any casualties but damaging one truck.    that attack was also claimed by the fpm, which said it had wounded some americans.    the fpm first appeared in san pedro sula in 1979 and has taken credit for several dynamite attacks and rural guerrilla actions.    ramon amaya amador, the name used by the honduran guerrilla group, was a leftist novelist who wrote about the social and economic inequalities among hondurans.  he also condemned foreign intervention, particularly u.s. intervention, in honduran economic and political affairs.


Input: a self-named ultra-right-wing commando unit, the "gerardo barrios civic force" (fuerza civica gerardo barrios) tonight claimed responsibility for the dynamite attack that killed salvadoran attorney general roberto garcia today.      in telephone calls to local radio stations, the commando unit stated: "we were born through antisubversive combat; however, we are an essentially democratic force, because we have come to confront the monopolizing and totalitarian efforts of arena (nationalist republican alliance), which will be the ruling party as of 1 june."    the new "death squad" spokesman said:  "we are confronting the worthless (vice president-elect) merino and (arena leader) d'aubuisson.  we recently gave them a dissuasive signal, and today we gave them a second one..."    last week francisco merino's residence was the target of a bomb attack, though there were no casualties (as received).    "we are against every act of intrigue and conspiracy within the armed forces and current acts of repression by the state security organizations, as well as all actions against democratic institutions like the christian democracy."    in conclusion, the communique adds a veiled threat against francisco guerrero, president of the supreme court of justice, who is charged with a "fifth column action."    this is the second "death squad" that has made its appearance in the country in less than a week.    on 14 april, shortly after the attack on merino, the self-styled "guardians of free enterprise" made its appearance and harshly criticized the chiefs of the salvadoran army who "obey pressures from abroad."

fuerza civica gerardo barrios

francisco merino's residence

roberto garcia

francisco guerrero

dynamite

bomb


Input: the leftist morazanist patriotic front today said that it killed a u.s. soldier and wounded "three or four more" during an attack on a military convoy in northern yoro department on 11 april.    in a communique sent to local radio stations, the morazanist patriotic front said they attacked the u.s. troops, which for the past several weeks have been conducting maneuvers in the northern region, with rifle fire and grenades, managing to "neutralize the yankee convoy's rearguard, killing one soldier and wounding three or four.    however, spokespersons for the armed forces public relations directorate today reiterated that only material damage was reported in the attack against the military convoy.    the morazanist front also said that on 1 february, in another attack carried out in yoro department, it inflicted casualties on u.s. army troops.    this clandestine organization was created in the mid-seventies, but its operations within honduras are sporadic.


Input: foreign minister alois mock condemned the killing of 42-year-old josef piescher, a vienna development worker in peru, as a "wicked terrorist attack on a man of goodwill," who had altruistically placed himself in the service of development aid.    the austrian ambassador in lima has been ordered to urge the peruvian authorities to speed up investigations of the murder.  on tuesday (18 april)  a peruvian radio station reported that the guerrilla organization shining path had killed piescher because they took him for an agent of the u.s.  intelligence service, cia.  in an interview for the austria press agency, heinrich stemberger, vienna university professor for tropical medicine and chairman of the amazon aid association, called this accusation "complete nonsense."    in his statement mock expressed the expectation that the local authorities will do everything to meet the austrian interest in clearing up the matter quickly.  he expressed "deep dismay and shock" about the association and expressed his sympathy to piescher's relatives.    on wednesday morning udo ehrlich-adam, the austrian ambassador to peru, stated that the incident was the fourth murder of a person involved in foreign aid projects since last june.  (passage omitted)

shining path

josef piescher


Input: regarding this morning's attack against salvadoran attorney general dr roberto garcia alvarado, a group calling itself the gerardo barrios commando unit tonight claimed responsibility for the attack.  we will now broadcast a telephone call that one of our colleagues in the press department received from a person who identified himself only as a member of this new guerrilla commando unit or death squad.    (commando) our force is called the gerardo barrios civic force.  we were born mainly through antisubversive combat; however, we are an essentially democratic force, because we are opposed to...  (corrects himself) we have confronted the monopolizing and totalitarian efforts of arena (nationalilst republican alliance).  can you hear me?    (reporter) yes, quite clearly.      (commando) hello?      (reporter) i can hear you.  please continue.      (commando) we are strategically confronting the manipulations of the worthless (vice president-elect) merino and (arena leader) d'aubuisson. we gave them our second dissuassive signal today.  we hope they will stop managing government affairs by raiding, removing, appointing, and beheading (degollar) public officials.  this must be dealt with in a different fashion.    we also want them to stop their intrigues and conspiracies within the armed forces and their pressure on the state security organizations, as well as all grievous actions aimed at discrediting democratic institutions such as the christian democracy.  we also want francisco guerrero to stop his fifth-column action in the pcn (national conciliation party) to divide the party.  you cannot take such actions against democratic forces.  this is a second dissuassive signal.  can you hear me?    (reporter) what is the second signal?      (commando) well, only...    (marquez) this was the telephone call received at radio cadena ysu's press department from this new group that calls itself the gerardo barrios civic force, which has claimed responsibility for the attack on salvadoran attorney general roberto garcia alvarado. (end recording)

gerardo barrios commando unit

roberto garcia alvarado


Input: three officials of braspetro (brazilian petroleum corporation international, inc.) have been kidnapped by a group of guerrillas from the medio magdalena petroleum basin, in colombia.    the guerrillas last night attacked the oil well isla tabaco i. they caused a large fire and escaped, taking as hostages brazilian engineers paulo cesar paim de oliveira, augusto carneiro moreira junior, and jose roberto reis, in addition to a colombian citizen who was also working there.      braspetro president wagner freire today released an official note confirming the kidnapping. both braspetro and the brazilian embassy in bogota are working to rescue the brazilian engineers.    so far the guerrilla group has not identified itself or demanded any ransom for the hostages.

group of guerrillas

oil well isla tabaco i

paulo cesar paim de oliveira

augusto carneiro moreira junior

jose roberto reis


Input: we have now unfolded our military map, on which we have placed a small black circle at each combat site, a red circle at the site of each act of sabotage, and a green circle for each ambush of military vehicles. over the past 24 hours, the black circles on our map have been concentrated in san salvador and the eastern region.  undoubtedly, the most prominent action has been the attack on the navy headquarters in san salvador's densely populated santa anita neighborhood.  we are waiting for an official war bulletin on that action.    one of the most important characteristics of that attack is that it was staged despite the army's presence in the heart of the capital, and it occurred in full daylight.  at noon on friday, a contingent of urban guerrillas got within 50 meters of the navy headquarters and launched an attack with rifles and rocket launchers. every shot hit its target.  armed forces patrols tried to cut off our fighters' retreat through the streets of the capital, but the soldiers were unsuccessful because in san salvador, the people themselves form a mountain that provides cover for our urban guerrillas.    early on saturday morning, we ambushed an army convoy on the pan american highway at el puntillal, yapatztepeque, using eight explosive charges. the ambushed troops were reinforced by other units, with whom we fought for an hour.  this ambush was carried out against enemy armored units.  the result of this action was an estimated 35 casualties, including an officer of the techuacan battalion's recondo unit and a cavalry officer.  for our part, we report the heroic loss in battle of our comrade jackson.    our revolutionary salute to the brave fighters of el puntillal, who inflicted this large number of casualties on 5th infantry brigade troops on the pan american highway.


Input: recently comrade manuel cepeda, member of the colombian communist party central committee politburo, visited czechoslovakia; we asked him for an interview.    (posledni) in the course of a few days at the beginning of march, three leading officials of the colombian communist party and the leftist coalition, the patriotic union (up), comrades forero, sotelo, and antequera, were murdered in colombia.  why?      (cepeda) in colombia the dirty war stemming from the american tactics of so-called low-intensity conflict is intensifying.  the internal political crisis is deepened by an alliance between the powerful drug smuggling clans and the military leadership which is conducting the dirty war.  in the santa fe ii document, formulating future united states policy in latin america, it is even said that unless the united states intervenes in the 1990's colombia will become another el salvador and on a much larger scale.  the so-called extermination operation, also known as the condor plan, is directed against the communist party and up, against the unions, but also against priests who preach liberation theology, and recently this has intensified.  in colombia some elements of fascism openly manifest themselves.  this is manifested in huge and unpunished massacres and in the powerlessness of president barco and his civilian ministers who are not managing to keep the military leadership in check, although the president is the supreme commander of the armed forces.    (posledni) sometimes partisans are also accused of terror.      (cepeda) that is one of the traits of american policy -- to term any kind of revolutionary struggle, of struggle for democracy, and the people's movement as terrorism.  therefore, it also labels the sandinistas in nicaragua as terrorists and the contra rebels as freedom fighters.  by this i do not want to say that the partisans do not make mistakes, we also criticize them.  for example, we condemned the destruction of oil piplines by the colombian partisan organization the national liberation army (eln). we do not agree with kidnapping civilians in exchange for ransom.  we announced that, as long as it is impossible to end the conflict, it is necessary to humanize it and to respect human lives.  these are the tactics of soldiers -- to label the partisans as terrorists and then massacre the civilian population as suspects who are collaborating with terrorism.    (posledni) partisans from the revolutionary armed forces of colombia (farc) offered the government a dialogue about a truce.  how do they want to conduct this?    (cepeda) the farc, which is the strongest element of the colombian partisan movement and a member of its coordinating committee, unilaterally adopted a cease-fire and proposed the creation of a commission for this dialogue.  in it are two former presidents, the liberal lopez michelsen and the conservative pastrana, the chairman of the association of industrialists echeverri correa, and bogota's cardinal rebollo.  the farc wants the government to disband the paramilitary groups.  the former interior minister, gaviria, said that there are 140 of them.  this means that the government knows them.  the farc is demanding the purge of people from the army command involved in the dirty war, that the defense minister be a civilian, that the state of emergency be revoked, and that the road to real democracy be opened.    (posledni) but the government has begun negotiating with partisans from m-19.    (cepeda) the el tiempo newspaper reported that the government promised them representation in parliament by their inclusion as candidates of the liberal party.  this is to involve four seats as long as m-19 lays down its arms and disbands.  the other partisans bitterly criticized this as a blow against the unity of the movement which will be abused for propaganda purposes.  at the same time, m-19 represents only 5 percent of the movement.  it is the intention of the government to divide the partisans.    (posledni) the colombian communist party congress took place in december.  how did it react to the situation?    (cepeda) the party called for peace and outlined the struggle for a pluralist government of transition towards peace and democracy.  at the end of february there was a central committee session which discussed the dirty war.  it stated that, in spite of the terror, there had not been what had happened in similar situations in other latin american countries, namely, mass emigration.  to ensure that this does not happen in the future, the central committee discussed new measures, including the transition of part of the party to the underground.  we will not all transfer, because now we must struggle for open contact with the masses, regardless of the huge risk which is linked to this.    (posledni) where is the party seeking allies?      (cepeda) comrade antequera, as deputy chairman of the up, had established a number of contacts.  however, he was murdered, and senator samper pisano, a politician from the ruling liberal party, was seriously injured during the assassination at bogota airport on 3 march.  the assassination attempt against the 32-year-old prospective politician occurred the day after he announced his candidacy for the presidency.  he announced his support for democratic coexistence, for an end to the dirty war which, as he said, is not in the interest of the colombian people.  therefore, he was not a chance victim.  it is also significant that the closed circuit television covering the airport, which is in the hands of the army, was switched off.  thus, they wanted to prevent the murderers being filmed.  one of them died, they let the other three escape.  at the same time, bogota's chief of police was at the airport along with another 10 colonels and a number of policemen and personal bodyguards.    (posledni) how did the other parties react to the assassination?    (cepeda) a joint document was signed by the colombian communist  party, the up, and the liberal party, on whose behalf the former president turbay ayala signed.  it demands that the government disband the paramilitary squads.  it shows that opinions are beginning to differ, even in the ruling liberal party.  the conservatives are also emphatically criticizing the bloodbath and the passivity of the government, pointing out that their last president, betancur, conducted a dialogue with the partisans.  this is all happening before the elections which will take place next year.    (posledni) the colombian communist party leadership met with the president after the murder of comrade forero.  what was that about?    (cepeda) in the conversation, we pointed to the fact that the defense minister, general guerrero paz, travels around colombia accompanied by the leader of the ultra-right wing, retired general landazabal reyes, who is leader of the paramilitary groups.  we asked why these two are together. the president did not answer us.  at the meeting we also said that, unless the dirty war stops, the colombian communist party for the first time in history will not take part in the elections.  we will not be able to participate, because we are all being murdered.  unless the government gives us a guarantee of security, we will not sacrifice more lives.    (posledni) thank you for the interview.

forero

sotelo

antequera

samper pisano


Input: persons believed to be guerrillas today shot infantry colonel jose linzandro garcia arandi, deputy commander of huehuetenango military zone in northwestern guatemala.      military sources told acan-efe the colonel was driving his private vehicle from huehuetenango to barillas municipality this morning when he was intercepted by a group of heavily armed, unidentified individuals.    the sources added the officer was shot several times and that his bodyguards fought off the attackers, who fled into the mountains in the region.    it is not known whether the alleged rebels sustained any casualties.  the revolutionary organization of the people in arms, one of the four guerrilla groups that compose the guatemalan national revolutionary unity, operates in northwestern guatemala.


Input: the amnesty mentioned by d'aubuisson (nationalist republican alliance leader) is nothing more than the revival of something that has already been soundly defeated.  this proposal is completely out of touch with the current balance of forces and, as we may gather from his statements, essentially reflects the plans of the new arena (nationalist republican alliance) government, which will be imposed on 1 june, to intensify the war.    the salvadoran people are ready to face the warmongering maneuvers of the true representative of arena deaths squads who is now trying to create a terrorist state through new repressive actions.  however, since arena won the march election farce, the salvadoran people are becoming increasingly aware of the need to confront such repressive actions.    arena has nothing new to offer; it is offering old and failed tactics in the face of a new situation in the country; that is, a signficant change in the balance of forces in favor of the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) and the great majority of the people.  this will undoubtedly encourage a struggle as soon as the new arena government is installed.    d'aubuisson and arena will scare nobody with plans that are completely detached from a genuine willingness to achieve peace.  the fmln has presented a prudent peace proposal based on an objective analysis of the current balance of forces.    it is important for the salvadoran people to realize that the degree of unity reached to face arena's plans will be the key to counter the repression that the armed forces and arena are already promoting.


Input: the insurgent group alfaro lives, damn it (avc) today reaffirmed the suspension of its armed activities and blamed extreme rightist groups for several attacks and assaults that have taken place in the past few weeks.      avc spokesman patricio leon said the avc "is a serious, responsible organization.  we have put down our weapons; we have suspended all types of armed activities."    in mid-january, the avc signed an unconditional agreement with president rodrigo borja's administration in which it pledged to give up its illegal activities and rejoin the country's political life.    however, news sources blamed the group for 13 bank robberies that have taken place since the agreement was signed and for a series of attacks on a police chief, the home of an army general, and bodyguards of defense minister general jorge felix.    leon said that these actions were intended to undermine the agreement with the government "because the extreme right wing wants to blame the avc, which is now engaged in different activities."    the avc spokesman emphasized his conviction that there are democratic ways of solving the nation's problems.  he disclosed that in the past few hours, the avc formed an organization for political dialogue "so the solutions to those problems will not remain mere good intentions."    patricio leon said the avc's political dialogue organization will begin its activities by seeking a consensus on the amount of an announced wage increase.


Input: president duarte said this afternoon that president- elect alfredo cristiani's peace proposal deserves respect and that one must hope that it will produce results that will benefit the salvadoran people.  the president made this statement at comalpa airport upon his return from the united states.  he added that he will resume his duties tomorrow, even though his cancer has grown.  there has been very negative speculation about the president's health, but he stated that he will resume his duties in the next few hours.    (begin recording) (duarte) the tests i underwent indicate that the liver cancer has grown.  it has not spread but it has grown, which adds to the risk.  i underwent a 5-day treatment, and i will have to return as soon as i pass the presidency on to my successor.  i will return to the hospital on 2 june for another checkup and treatment.    (reporter) when will you resume your duties?      (duarte) immediately.  i am the president and as soon as i set foot on salvadoran soil, i resume my duties. (end recording)     in regard to the searches that have been conducted at various union headquarters, duarte said he was not fully aware of the circumstances in which these were carried out.  however, he said the democratic process must be defended when democratic freedoms turn into libertinism.    (begin recording) (duarte) one must not confuse the freedom of all salvadorans to express themselves, hold demonstrations, join unions, and work for their aspirations with terrorist and subversive actions that attack democracy.  one must not confuse these things.  this is one of the basic points i have tried to make all sectors understand.  i have been creating political opportunities in the country so that gradually we will learn to live freely in a democracy while respecting one another. (end recording)    asked about the united front that arena (nationalist republican alliance) is promoting in the legislative assembly, the president said that if this benefits the country, it deserves support.    (begin recording) (duarte) the establishment of a policy for peace has always been supported by the outgoing president -- in other words, by me. i have publicly stated this, and i have tried to achieve peace through (words indistinct).  it will now be up to another president.  i have to show respect for president-elect cristiani, who must be given the opportunity to begin his term in an atmosphere in which he can present his ideas, proposals, and solutions (words indistinct) to find the path to peace. (end recording)    president duarte did not comment on the peace proposal that was recently announced by arena because, he said, he was not familiar with it, adding that it would be unethical to question the proposals and efforts of the next president.  however, he said that any efforts for peace must be supported.


Input: president-elect alfredo cristiani yesterday announced changes in the army's strategy toward urban terrorism and the farabundo marti national liberation front's (fmln) diplomatic offensive to isolate the new government abroad.    cristiani said: "we must adjust our political-military strategy and modify laws to allow us to professionally counter the fmln's strategy."    during a news conference yesterday morning, the president-elect and member of the nationalist republican alliance (arena) presented the basic viewpoints of his administration, which will replace christian democrat napoleon duarte's administration on 1 june.    as the president-elect was making this statement, he learned about the assasination of attorney general roberto garcia alvarado.  (sentence as published) alvarado was killed by a bomb presumably placed by an urban guerrilla group on top of his armored vehicle as it stopped at an intersection in san miguelito neighborhood, north of the capital.    the fmln is abandoning "guerrilla warfare tactics in rural areas and increasingly resorting to the establishment of civilian fronts in the main cities and to urban terrorism in an attempt to destabilize (the government).  at the international level, the guerrillas are trying to elicit negative reaction toward the new government to isolate us politically from the world," cristiani said.  vice president-elect francisco merino accompanied him.    he added: "obviously, if warranted by the situation, we must resort to legal mechanisms.  should the situation become difficult or impossible to control, our harsher measure would be to declare a state of siege."    since early april, the fmln has been carrying out a strong offensive against private companies and the banking system and has stepped up sabotage actions against telephone and electricity networks.    in addition to the attack on the attorney general, there were other attacks, in which guerrilla deserter miguel castellanos and francisco pecorrini, both of whom were right-wing ideologues, were killed and carlos mendoza, chief editor of analisis magazine, was wounded.  castellanos and pecorrini were connected with that magazine.

urban guerrilla group

farabundo marti national liberation front

armored vehicle

private companies

the banking system

telephone and electricity networks

electricity networks

roberto garcia alvarado

miguel castellanos

francisco pecorrini

carlos mendoza

bomb


Input: colonel rene emilio ponce, chairman of the salvadoran armed forces joint chiefs of staff, has disclosed a rebel plan to destabilize the country through street violence.  col ponce said military intelligence uncovered the plan, which involves several unions and mass organizations.  according to col ponce, there will be violent actions in three departments: san salvador, santa ana, and san miguel.  the unts (national unity of salvadoran unions), the university of el salvador, the mptl (bread, land, work, and liberty movement), and a (word indistinct) shock group, will lead the actions.    ponce said he is revealing this to keep these actions from taking place. however, he said, if they are carried out, the appropriate measures have been taken.  he added the rebels plan to burn vehicles, destroy stores, bomb telephone lines, and step up sabotage of electricity lines.    (begin recording) (ponce) to accompany these violent mass activities, they plan to attack the mariona jail.  we know the unts will pay 7 colons to every participant in a demonstration.  they are also sponsoring a demonstration at a camp for displaced persons.  honest people can rest at ease; the salvadoran armed forces will take the appropriate legal measures to ensure the rights of all citizens.  we have already begun taking some actions to counter any violent actions they may carry out on 1 may. (end recording)


Input: mr president, can you give us accurate information on this clash?    (garcia) i came here (region of los molinos, 8 km northeast of the city of jauja, junin department) with the defense minister and with the president of the joint command to observe the site of a clash that occurred this morning, when an army patrol coming from jauja and heading for julcan intercepted two vehicles carrying a large number of heavily armed subversives.    according to the first reports, based on the documents seized from the subversives, they were heading for concepcion, which they were planning to attack. fortunately, they were intercepted by the army at this place.    we had 6 deaths, among them a lieutenant, while more than 60 subversives died.  a total of 47 fal rifles and submachine guns were recovered.  they were heavily armed and they carried knapsacks with bombs.  they had vehicles an communications equipment.      we came here to support the action by the army, because the army needs our support, and to let the entire country become aware of the seriousness of the situation and of the magnitude and intensity of the struggle that the armed forces are now waging in defense of democracy and of the nation.    i believe that this dramatic event and the loss of our soldiers and officers should make the entire country aware of the enormous responsibility that each and every one of us share in the antisubversive struggle.    all the forces of the state and all the arms of the nation have been placed under the responsibility of the respective organizations, of the joint armed forces command, to fight and to eradicate this terrible threat of subversion. subversive violence has caused death, material losses, uncertainty, fear, and insecurity, and a threat to our democracy.    (reporter) mr president, is there information on the group to which the subversives belong?    (garcia) according to the first reports, they belong to the self- styled tupac amaru revolutionary movement (mrta).    (reporter) mr president, you have two passports in your hands.  what do they say?  where were they issued and to whom did they belong?    (garcia) identification papers were found on almost all subversives, although most of them are forged.  these two bolivian (as heard) passports, however, are among the papers that seem to be legitimate.  these passports mark the arrivals an departures of persons who, as we can see, have misused the right to enter peru.  it seems that there are other foreigners among the dead subversives.  according to an initial evaluation, many of those who attacked the town of juanjui 1 1/2 years ago might be among the dead.    (reporter) mr president, were the owners of those passports the leaders of the subversive group?    (garcia) no, we cannot confirm that they were the leaders, but they were the persons to whom the passports were issued.      (reporter) are there chiefs among the dead subversives?      (garcia) according to the information gathered by the officers, there might be chiefs among the dead.      (reporter) how many, mr president?    (garcia) just a few, perhaps two or three, because of the arm bands they were wearing.    (reporter) the general told us that this is one of the harshest blows that the army has dealt to subversives.      (garcia) is one of the strongest blows, and it will certainly not be the last one.  we have total confidence in the armed forces joint command and we fully support its action.    it is very deplorable, dramatic, and tragic that this dramatic event should convey the image of peru to our own fellow countrymen and possibly to foreign countries. democracy, however, should defend itself.  it is both necessary and imperative that we end this terrible threat through the military power of the nation and through the action of the government, which was elected by the people.    this has been a hard blow, but it should be just one of the hard blows that the police and the armed forces deal until this threat is totally eliminated.    (reporter) thank you, very much. (end recording)


Input: the salvadoran army today launched a military operation in san salvador, which included vehicle searches, to prevent a "terrorist" plan that trade unions will supposedly carry out tomorrow following guerrilla orders.    thousands of soldiers and military police are patrolling the capital by land and air, controlling the entrances to san salvador, and have increased searches of vehicles and buses for weapons.    this operation takes place on the eve of a farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) offensive scheduled for tomorrow, when labor unions have announced they will hold demonstrations in san salvador and other cities commemorating international labor day.      the armed forces press committee (coprefa) has televised warnings accompanied by video clips showing street riots, raids on business establishments, and burning of vehicles.    the army's campaign against the workers' march was preceded by raids of four union headquarters in san salvador and the arrest of some 100 members of humanitarian and labor organizations on charges of possessing weapons, explosives, and "subversive" propaganda.    leaders of the major opposition unions and leftist politicians warned today that the threats against the march "reflect an increase of repression" by the future nationalist republican alliance (arena) government before its 1 june inauguration.    in a communique, arena stated that the campaign of violence expected in may "is based on plans by the sandinist government to destabilize area governments."    the guerrillas have warned that they will start a military offensive tomorrow to pressure the government to begin a dialogue that could lead to a political solution of the conflict.    the main salvadoran labor unions denied the charges made by the armed forces and have intensified their calls to their members to march for "peace with justice, work, and liberty."    a war of words has been launced on the media, which broadcasts calls from the army asking workers not to participate in the marches, while unions urge their members to commemorate the chicago incidents at the end of the last century.    msgr gregorio rosa chavez, archbishop of san salvador, today asked the army to "act calmly and without prejudice" against the trade unions.    "we hope authorities will not silence the workers' legitimate clamor for more justice and peace," rosa chavez said.    the prelate said that "labor and peasant groups will march peacefully," and that they are not looking for confrontation, but demanding justice and peace.    according to the armed forces, the guerrillas -- through "front organizations" -- will carry out violent actions, such as sabotages on commercial establishments, banks, destruction of private and public vehicles in san salvador, santa ana, and san miguel.


Input: grupo radial colombiano network radio stations and la rebaja drugstores were dynamited last night in bogota, resulting in the injury of six people and millions in losses.  the damage caused by the shock waves affected nearby vendors and residents.  our reporter hernando martinez has this report.    (begin recording) (martinez) in last night's attack on three grupo radial colombiano radio stations and two la rebaja drugstores, the attackers used bombs that created large shock waves that damaged everything in their path. several homes near the radio stations were seriously damaged.    at the same time, bombs exploded in the san victorino neighborhood, destroying 2 la rebaja drugstores, 6 other drug stores, 7 hardware stores, 30 offices in nearby buildings, and 22 vendor stands.    another dynamite charge was placed today at an establishment that everybody knows as la rebaja, but which is not connected to the la rebaja chain of drugstores.  that bomb was defused.      the police have started looking for the terrorists. (end recording)

terrorists

grupo radial colombiano network radio stations

la rebaja drugstores

homes

other drug stores

hardware stores

offices in nearby buildings

vendor stands

establishment that everybody knows as la rebaja

bombs

dynamite charge


Input: honduran workers today demanded the expulsion of u.s. troops and nicaraguan contras from the country, and they demanded higher wages, measures to control inflation, and the creation of new jobs.    the anti-american feeling was more marked among the members of the leftist united federation of honduran workers (futh), who burned eight u.s. flags.    the demonstrators also burned a coffin symbolizing the burial of the international monetary fund and the u.s. agency for international development (aid).  they also burned a scale model of the u.s. palmerola military base in central honduras.      the honduran labor organizations held separate marches.  those of the right ended their demonstration at the central square, in front of the statue of central american hero francisco morazan, while those of the left ended their march in front of the manuel bonilla national theater.    the conservative confederation of honduran workers (cth) and the general workers federation (cgt) also condemned the presence of u.s.  troops and of more than 10,000 nicaraguan contras in the country.    "yankees get out of honduras," "contras get out," "to pay the foreign debt is to kill the people," and "jobs and not more military aid" were some of the slogans on placards and banners carried by the workers.    the speakers from the main labor organizations demanded that president jose azcona's government respect human rights, amend the labor code, reform the social security institute, increase the minimum wage, and respect the right to work and job security.    "we want a freeze on prices of staples, housing programs, respect for national sovereignty, democratization in central america, and the establishment of the central american parliament," cth secretary general victor artiles said.    the labor organizations stressed that there can be no peace in the country with more than 1.2 million unemployed and a population with deficient health, education, and food services.    they also said they are against the shipment of weapons to honduras and against the creation of new military units.      futh president hector hernandez said that honduras "is not only facing constant pressure to devalue its currency but also daily pressure to devalue our dignity as a nation."    hernandez condemned the presence of u.s. troops and the contras, and he said that "efforts are being made to make us pay for a foreign debt we do not owe."    "that debt was paid a long time ago, and we must ask whether it is the developed capitalist countries that owe us because of their looting of our natural resources," he added.    oscar anibal puerto, vice president of the honduran human rights defense committee (codeh), said that the united states, and not the honduran government, is the one that issues the national policy guidelines.    puerto condemned human rights abuses that have taken place through illegal arrests and the disappearance of more than 100 people.


Input: progressive voices in el salvador are a true alternative to the right-wing terrorist path.  here is shafik handal, secretary general of the central committee of the communist party of el salvador:    (begin recording) (handal) in el salvador and throughout the world, workers and peoples preparing to celebrate may day, international workers day.  in el salvador, may day will be a great journey of struggles against repression, which has increased after the nationalist republican alliance triumph at the 19 march elections.  the journey will also be one of respect for human rights and better economic and social conditions for the working class living in a situation of total poverty and misery.  it will be a journey of struggle for a negotiated political solution to the conflict. it will be a great effort to create a great and broad national movement in which the most varied political, social, and religious forces would converge to begin serious negotiations -- between the government and the army on one side, and the farabundo marti national liberation front on the other -- to reach agreements that will bring a just peace and will thus open up a stage of economic, social, and political development, democracy, and self-determination.  (end recording)


Input: the up to date news team was attacked today by u.s. embassy employees as the newsmen were covering a report on the explosion of two bombs in a building belonging to the embassy.  the explosion occurred at a u.s. embassy warehouse located on san antonio abad street, near the central electoral council complex.    (reporter) tonight, at approximately 1940, a bomb went off at a u.s. embassy warehouse near the central electoral council complex on san antonio abad street in northwest san salvador.  the up to date news team, which was on the scene shortly after the incident, was shooting video footage of the extensive damage done by the bombs when u.s. embassy employees attacked the cameraman and his assistant. the video equipment was damaged.  here is what happened:    (begin recording) (unidentified speaker) (passage indistinct)     (camaraman) we do not deserve to be mistreated like this.      (unidentified speaker) we are not mistreating you.  get out. (end recording)     (reporter) at this point, the camera belonging to the up to date news team was thrown on the floor.  so far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the u.s. embassy warehouse.  shortly after the explosion, a search for the perpetrators of the bombing was begun.

u.s. embassy warehouse

bombs


Input: salvadoran guerrillas today denied having carried out a dynamite attack against a u.s. embassy warehouse in san salvador, an attack official sources have blamed on the guerrillas.  there were no injuries in tuesday night's attack.    official sources report today that urban guerrillas threw two explosive devices from a vehicle at the san jorge warehouse, a u.s.  embassy facility in the san antonio abad neighborhood in northwestern san salvador.      a farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) spokesman claimed that the attack was "a crude maneuver by the salvadoran army and the nationalist republican alliance (arena), which will be governing el salvador as of 1 june, to complicate the guerrilla delegation's u.s. visit."  the rebel source confirmed an fmln decision first announced 3 months ago that no u.s. diplomatic or economic facility in el salvador will be considered a military target.    an fmln delegation will meet today in new york with un assistant secretary alvaro de soto and permanent un representatives from the frg, canada, and spain.  members of the political diplomatic guerrilla delegation, which obtained unrestricted visas, will ask the united nations to participate more actively in the search for a political solution to the salvadoran armed conflict.  the guerrillas will also ask the united nations to remain alert to the situation and to exert pressure on the future arena administration -- to be headed by rightist alfredo cristiani -- to ensure that it respects human rights.    legislative assembly president ricardo alvarenga valdivieso, an arena member, described the rebel delegation's u.s. visit as "dangerous and ridiculous."  "i really do not understand how the united states could grant visas to terrorists," alvarenga said in reference to the u.s. government's denial of a visa to extreme right-wing deputy roberto d'aubuisson, who has been linked to the death squads.    the delegation, whose u.s. visit will last more than 8 days, is headed by salvador samayoa, miguel saenz, and commander mercedes del carmen letona, also known as "luisa."    u.s. embassy officials had destroyed the cameras of the local newscast "up to date," whose reporters attempted to photograph the scene of the attack.

urban guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front

salvadoran army

nationalist republican alliance

san jorge warehouse

explosive devices


Input: deputy pablo li ormeno, of the apra (american popular revolutionary alliance) party, was murdered this afternoon in an attack carried out by three individuals who shot him in front of his own drugstore in the villa el salvador district.    the body of deputy pablo li ormeno is currently at the maria auxiliadora hospital, in villa maria del triunfo district.  he was the victim of a terrorist attack a while ago in villa el salvador.      according to initial investigations, pablo li ormeno was ambushed by two terrorists who were waiting for him inside a car in front of li's drug store, called la mercedita.    so far, two deputies have been murdered in a cowardly fashion by terrorists in less than 15 days.

individuals

pablo li ormeno


Input: ...for peace.    (cristiani) president duarte has not had the luck of striking a responsive chord in the salvadoran marxist guerrillas.  we hope that with new efforts and with the participation of salvadoran political forces we (words indistinct) peace.  we also believe it is necessary for the salvadoran conflict to be seen in its full dimension:  it is part of a regional problem, and, consequently, the (central american) presidents have discussed the subject of this internal conflict at their meetings.    (reporter) i have a question on bilateral relations.  will your government respect the ruling by the international court of justice (icj) at the hague regarding the demarcation of the border with honduras?      (cristiani) we are going to continue to respect the agreements between the two countries.  we believe that we must begin to resolve all the differences that our two countries may have had as soon as possible.  this is one of the things that we have mentioned to president azcona.  contrary to what some people may have said, we believe that we must seek a solution to the problems between our two countries as soon as possible and continue improving a relationship that had been suspended.    we are going to respect the peace process that is already under way between the two countries, as well as the agreement to take the matter to the icj for resolution.    (reporter) international reports state that violence has increased in el salvador since your party won the elections.  i would like to ask if you tried to contact the guerrillas prior to the elections or are you going to wait for the situation to deteriorate even further?  (words indistinct) take power?    (cristiani) the marxist guerrilla movement in el salvador has publicly admitted that it is increasing its terrorist actions in our country in an attempt to destabilize the new government.  we have not generated any violence; i believe the victory of our party in the recent elections did not represent more violence.  vice president-elect merino headed the delegation that met with the salvadoran guerrillas in mexico, and from the very beginning we have expressed our willingness to seek, via a dialogue, a solution to our conflict.    naturally, we cannot yet act as a government, and we are going to respect the current government's relationship with the guerrillas.  once our administration is in place, we will continue to make the greatest effort to seek a dialogue and a solution.    (reporter) are you planning to ask the united states for an increase in economic and military aid?    (cristiani) no.  during our recent trip to washington, all we said is that we trust that the u. s. government and people are in favor of the strengthening of democracy in el salvador.  on this occasion we benefitted from the democratic process, but this should not generate, a priori, any prejudice against the new salvadoran government that could result in a modification of u.s. aid to our country.    we have not asked for any increase in aid.  we believe that we should develop ourselves and have el salvador become self-supporting.  we hope that with the help of the lord we will achieve this (words indistinct) not because we do not want to maintain our friendship, but because we believe that el salvador can become self-supporting.      (reporter) (question indistinct) (cristiani) frankly, i was surprised by this statement by daniel ortega.  i do not know what he has based his opinion on.  i do not know if this is the result of meetings that he might have had with the members of the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) who have just returned from nicaragua.  however, as we have just reiterated, our intention is to continue with the efforts that have been under way since esquipulas ii was signed, and to seek democracy and peace in central america by means of a joint effort by our countries.    (reporter) it has been confirmed that the next summit of central american presidents will be held in our country in june.  you are slated to attend because you will be inaugurated on 1 june.  what position will el salvador take at the meeting, and to what extent has your government complied with the costa del sol agreements? (continued)


Input: senator luis alberto sanchez has been designated new president of the council of ministers.  this was reported by president alan garcia on arriving at government palace after paying homage in congress to late (apra american popular revolutionary alliance) deputy pablo li ormeno.    (begin recording) (alan garcia) i think it is a barbarous crime which we must repudiate and against which we must all fight.    we need to put all police forces in the struggle against terrorism.  we can no longer scatter our efforts and keep some sectors idle.  i have seen police agents working as drivers, some of them playing the role of great personalities, of chiefs. i have seen many policemen doing administrative work.  we are paying those people and we have trained them to fight against our main enemy, which is terrorism.    i want to tell you that the president of the council of ministers, and with him all members of the ministerial cabinet, have presented their resignations.  prime minister armando villanueva feels that a political renewal is necessary to give an opportunity to the democratic sectors to participate more actively in the struggle against subversion.  the murder of another congressman has led the ministers to present their resignations.    this political renewal must lead all peruvians to join efforts.  we must forget our electoral confrontations and adversities for a while and understand that the struggle against terrorism is more important than the elections.  we must understand that we are at war against terrorism, that we are at war against drug trafficking, and that this war represents a cost of thousands of millions of intis, dozens of millions of dollars.  we must make this tremendous effort to end subversion once and for all. (end recording)


Input: we have learned that there is talk of a coup in guatemala.  so far it is not known who is responsible for this blow against democracy in guatemala. people who have spoken over the telephone from guatemala city with voz de honduras have told us that there are reports in guatemala about a coup d'etat that reportedly occurred early this morning.  guatemalan air force planes are flying over the guatemalan capital.  to date there are no exact reports on the situation.  it has been established that guatemalan air force planes are flying over various parts of guatemala city.


Input: official sources reported today that the salvadoran guerrilla groups have increased their sabotage against the national electrical system in the past few hours, leaving 40 percent of the national territory without electricity, while intermittent blackouts have occurred in the rest of the country.    the entire eastern zone of the country was without electricity today, according to a report from the lempa river hydroelectric executive commission (cel), which stated that on monday, farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) guerrillas blew up several structures in that region.    the report added that the sabotage occurred on the outskirts of usulutan department, where other structures were also blown up early this morning. in this capital, fmln urban commandoes blew up at least three poles supporting secondary lines, and an as yet undetermined number of poles and towers in different locations in the country's central and western region.    in the wake of the new attacks against the electrical system, on monday the cel started a turbogas plant in the eastern city of san miguel to partially solve the country's energy crisis.    meanwhile, national police director colonel carlos guzman said that the fmln will accelerate the sabotage as 1 june approaches, when the right-wing nationalist republican alliance (arena) will take power.    col guzman also announced that military intelligence has discovered "plans to murder" armed forces high command members and future arena administration officials.  guzman added that the plans would be carried out by fmln urban commandos.  "the death threats do not frighten us," he said, without providing details on the guerrillas' plans to carry out the murders.

salvadoran guerrilla groups

urban commandos

farabundo marti national liberation front

structures

poles supporting secondary lines

poles

towers


Input: concerning a last-minute report which international news agencies are attributing to a clandestine radio venceremos announcement of an operation concerning attacks against several military garrisons in various parts of the country, we interviewed colonel mauricio ernesto vargas, commander in chief of the 3d infantry brigade stationed in san miguel.  we contacted him by telephone, as follows:    (begin recording) (sorto) colonel, is it true this is part of a regional or national operation to attack the nationalist republican alliance?    (vargas) i do not know if this is part of a regional or national operation.  all i know is that these are treacherous, cowardly actions, because they are afraid of confronting the soldiers, the 3d infantry brigade military units.  in san miguel, there were five explosions in open areas about 2 to 3 km apart.  there were no casualties or material damage inflicted on the 3d infantry brigade or its installations.  they hit some fuel tanks filled with about 3,000 gallons of gasoline, which started a fire.  however, the fires were in open areas, so there have been no casualties or material damage to the installations.    (sorto) the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) claims it seized el salitre estate and, from there, attacked the 3d infantry brigade.    (vargas) el salitre estate was not occupied.  an old shack on the estate was set ablaze, but the fire department controlled the fire.  i think these are the great revolutionary victories the fmln talks about: attacks against fixed installations that contain no military units, where not even peasants are sleeping at the time.  i believe this is where the fmln says it fights heroically for 4 hours to burn seven patches of crops and how it claims it heroically fights to down power towers, which are unmoving objects.  these are the only great actions it carries out, but these actions are against fixed targets that cannot move.  i repeat, these are cowardly actions that do not confront the soldiers who represent the military abilities of the government and the country.    (sorto) do you have any units combing the area?      (vargas) yes, definitely, we have men in the area.  the truth is that at 0200 today, units were being mobilized.  as i said, these are cowardly actions, carried out in the dark, and the fmln flees when it sees our well-trained men in military uniform.  that is all i have to say.    (sorto) you have permanent guards for san miguel.  some of the market vendors told us for the first time, not a single shot was heard.    (vargas) yes, that is right.  as i said, there have not been any attacks or harassment, just five explosive devices, which does not represent any changes in the correlation of military forces.  the people of san miguel should be calm; we will provide them with security.  the people of the eastern area of the country should be calm, because we will increase our abilities and efforts to provide them with all the security possible.  the fmln will have to pay for being so audacious.    (sorto) the fmln said it was fighting in berlin and alegria.      (vargas) we have no knowledge of any action in berlin and alegria.  we have reports that in san ildefonso, san vicente department -- south of cabanas -- there were problems because the national guard -- which we support throughout the national territory -- reported some catapults had been fired.  however, nothing else happened, and i have no reports of any action in other places.    (sorto) today is mother's day.      (vargas) yes, definitely, greetings to all mothers:  have faith and hope that your sons are here -- from the general to the last soldier -- and they love you very much and are working for you, so you will have the peace and tranquility you need as mothers to generate love and courage for each of your sons.  on behalf of all your sons, the soldiers, to all mothers of the eastern area and of el salvador: receive love and kisses. (end recording)

farabundo marti national liberation front

old shack


Input: rebel sources have reported that the salvadoran guerrilla movement today inflicted almost 100 casualties on the salvadoran army during attacks on 15 towns in 7 departments.    radio venceremos, the farabundo marti national liberation front's (fmln) official radio station, said the rebels attacked the guards who watch over the town of tejutepeque in the northeastern department of cabanas, inflicting 90 casualties, including dead or wounded.    the salvadoran armed forces, which confirmed the attack, indicated that the rebels sustained 19 casualties, including dead or wounded, while 3 soldiers were killed and 6 wounded in a 2-hour clash that took place in tejutepeque, 60 km northwest of san salvador.      according to the rebels, an officer and a sergeant were killed in the tejutepeque attack, which began early in the morning of 10 may.    the armed forces press committee, coprefa, played down the rebel attack and admitted another three army casualties and the death of one guerrilla during various attacks on army positions throughout the country.    the first guerrilla military bulletin broadcast by the clandestine radio station did not report any rebel casualties.    the new rebel offensive announced in april is called:  "everybody against the nationalist republican alliance (arena) and to struggle for peace." with that offensive the rebels intend to destabilize the new government of president-elect alfredo cristiani, who is an arena leader.    cristiani will assume the presidency on 1 june and will be replacing christian democratic president jose napoleon duarte.    the rebel station added that another three casualties were inflicted on troops of military detachment no. 3, who watch over the town of anamoros in the eastern department of la union.    military spokesmen asserted that one guerrilla was killed during the attack on military positions in chirilagua, san miguel department.    a fuel pump was destroyed by shrapnel from explosive devices hurled by guerrillas against a garrison of the 3d infantry brigade headquartered in san miguel, the country's third most important city.    colonel mauricio vargas, commander of the 3d brigade, said the rebel attacks are "actions carried out under the cover of darkness and are treacherous and cowardly acts because the rebels are afraid to face the soldiers who represent the government and the country's military power."    vargas said the rebels did not inflict casualties on or cause damage to the garrison.    the guerrillas also attacked the soldiers guarding two coffee mills in santiago de maria, usulutan department.  they did not inflict any casualties.    radio venceremos reported that the rebels destroyed the municipal office, a gasoline station, and the civil defense post in el congo, santa ana department.    according to military sources, three members of the so-called civil defense were wounded when their post was attacked in a village near metapan, santa ana department.    a military source added that a telecommunications office was destroyed and five houses damaged by explosives in aguilares, in san salvador's northern suburb.      the rebels said they attacked military positions in chalatenango, san vicente, la paz, and morazan departments in northern, central, and northwestern el salvador, respectively, without inflicting any casualties on government troops.

rebels

farabundo marti national liberation front

municipal office

gasoline station

telecommunications office

houses

explosives


Input: the latest coup attempt against guatemalan president vinicio cerezo is not an isolated event.  it shows the christian democratic government's precariousness.  unable to make good its lukewarm election promises, this government has taken a completely defensive policy.  harassed by attempted coups, government corruption, administrative ineptness, and insurgent activities, cerezo's administration is plagued by evident instability.  his government is still hostage to the military high command, which temporarily surrendered power after many years of dictatorship.    nevertheless, cerezo is the victim of military men who have been kept away from positions of greater power by their fellow officers.  this seems to have been the cause of the most recent plot against the civilian government.  this plot, masterminded by air force officers, was crushed by officers who decided to support the president for the time being.    guatemala, 85 percent of whose population lives in poverty, is plagued by paramilitary groups that spread panic, particularly among the peasant and indian population, in collusion with the powerful and well-armed army. another sign of the government's increasing weakness is that important decisions are made by the military high command, which dominates key economic sectors.    cerezo's power was threatened a few days ago by the disclosure that guatemalan forces for a long time had been staging joint counterinsurgency operations with u.s. soldiers.  this participation casts doubts on cerezo's alleged active neutrality in central america and turns guatemala into just another springboard for the deployment of u.s. forces as part of the so-called low-intensity war.  according to the guatemalan national revolutionary unity, war exercises are staged in guatemala with troops from the u.s. bases in the panama canal area.  on 31 january, a u.s. pilot flying a u.s. plane was killed when he tried to land at the guatemala city air force base.  the rebels asserted the plane was hit by antiaircraft fire.  in addition, u.s. troops were deployed in guatemala's chimaltenango department in november 1988.    shortly after the murder of 22 peasants last february, the guerrillas noticed flights near the scene of the massacre by u.s.  air force chinook helicopters that participated in counterinsurgency operations or in missions to support the guatemalan army.      the most recent coup attempt in guatemala and the discovery of an increasing presence of u.s. troops in that country has placed cerezo's government in a serious, difficult position.  cerezo seems to be forced to obey a society made up of people much more powerful than him.


Input: the peruvian police today arrested 10 people suspected of having detonated a car bomb some 300 meters from government house where president alan garcia and his family were sleeping.    the police reported that the powerful shock wave destroyed windows and doors in a 400-meter radius, but no injuries were reported.    the police attributed the attack to the tupac amaru revolutionary movement (mrta).  the explosion took place at 0150 (0650 gmt) on block no. 3 on ancash street, in front of the san francisco monastery and the national institute of culture.    witnesses told police that they saw three well-dressed young men adandoning the car, apparently activating the bomb by remote control some 100 meters away.  the suspects then fled in another car that was awating them.    this is the second car bomb planted by the mrta since 7 may, when the terrorist group blew up another vehicle in front of the san martin military quarters, an army administrative unit located in the lima disctrict of miraflores.    the mrta, which has detonated about 20 car bombs, began its activities in 1984.  two weeks ago, the army shot 65 mrta members in a clash in jauja, in the central mountian region.    in related developments, the departments of pasco, junin, and huanuco returned to normal today after a 72-hour "armed strike" called by the maoist terrorist group the shining path.  trade, mining, and banking activities in these important andean departments were completely paralyzed during the strike.    one army officer and a civilian died, 5 policemen and 2 civilizans were injured, and some $20 million was lost in property damage during the strike.    the main peruvian mines of lead, silver, zinc, gold, and copper are located in these three departments. approximately 40,000 mineworkers observed the strike out of fear of shining path retaliation.

well-dressed young men

tupac amaru revolutionary movement

shining path

government house

san francisco monastery

national institute of culture

property

alan garcia

car bomb


Input: does your presence here signals the creation of a kind of continental democratic front, similar to the front of military governments of the past?    (larco cox) yes.  the presence here of the foreign ministers of the group of 8, with just one exception, was agreed during a previous conversation in which we decided that paraguay must be given the chance that it deserves following the recent elections that reflected the will of the people.  and this is what we want, the strengthening of democratic institutions.    (reporter) what does all that mean?      (larco cox) it means that the paraguayan opposition was able to perform its supervisory role without obstacles, and that the process was observed by independent journalists, who made use of freedom of expression to guarantee the legitimacy of the process.    (reporter) your remarks are very significant, particularly now that the peruvian government is fighting a guerrilla force that jeopardizes the democratic system.    (larco cox) right.  in peru we are fighting for human rights.  it is a well known fact that the world is rightly concerned about the human rights of those who are arrested during an antisubversive action.  yet there is little concern about the human rights of those who defend democracy, within a democracy.  democracy must defend itself.  in this context the subject of responsibility is not well defined.    (reporter) do you mean that a military government is at times more effective?    (larco cox) no.  it is much more effective for repression, but i made it clear that subversion in a democracy is unjustified and that democratic governments do not promote human rights violations.  if there are any human rights violations in a democracy, they stem from excesses by the repressive forces.    (reporter) what is the diffrence between these types of repression?    (larco cox) it is simple.  in a dictatorship, repression is widespread and almost always arbitrary, and there is no one to defend human rights.    (reporter) it is estimated that alan gacia has already shown that there is a limit to what a charismatic leader can do.  in fact, he is young, handsome, and he is a good speaker.  however, he could not solve the problems.  what does peru need in order to implement the much desired stabilization of the democratic institutions?    (larco cox) peru needs economic stability, because the government experience and with a strong desire to distribute wealth.  the distribution of wealth was done during the first 2 and 1/2 years.  the negative side of this is that domestic consumption was overstimulated. even though it might seem contradictory, our productive apparatus needed more imported materials in order to increase local production.  this led to a dangerous decrease in our reserves.  simultaneousnly, the bank nationalization law was set in motion.  this provided the perfect framework for the destruction of the system.  there was also the early start to the electoral campaign, and finally the radical opposition by the business sector of a democratic government.    (reporter) there has also been a growth in the crime rate and the costly process of fighting the shining path guerrillas in the mountains and in urban terrorist actions.  this could easily lead to the conclusion that peruvian democracy does not have good prospects, right?    (larco cox) quito to the contrary.  democracy will be preserved even if the normal handing over of power to the new administration becomes the only objective of the recently installed cabinet.  this, however, will become the sole objective only in an estreme situation.  there are obviously other objectives, but i want to stress the significance that we attach to the handing over of power to the winner of clean elections, with guarantees for all opposition parties.  this is how the democratic process will be preserved and this is how this government will attain one of its main targets.


Input: a u.s. helicopter used to provide assistance to the guatemalan army crashed this evening when trying to land at the military airport in guatemala city.      according to initial reports, several passengers were injured, including u.s. personnel, who were taken to the military hospital in guatemala city.      according to information supplied by the guatemalan army, the u.s. aircraft was being used to help carry food and supplies to towns that are hard to reach.    according to reports sent by guerrilla groups to guatemalan newspapers -- which have published these reports -- these flights are all part of the military support in the fight against the subversives.    there is no information yet on the type of aircraft involved in the accident, which resulted when "it lost power" before landing, according to initial reports.  u.s. army "chinook" helicopters are used in guatemala for various operations carried out between guatemala city and areas far distant from the capital.      this is the fourth aircraft accident occurring in recent months.  a guatemalan air force (fag) "pilatus" airplane crashed some months ago in chimaltenango province, and its pilot died in the accident.  a fag helicopter recently plunged into the peten itza lake, located in northern guatemala; two crewmen died and two survived the accident.    the army's official version reported that these accidents were caused by bad weather or mechanical failure.  guerrilla reports, which have been published in local newspapers, say that the aircraft were shot down by their antiaircraft units.


Input: guerrilla urban commando units attacked the home of national assembly president ricardo alvarenga valdivieso today at noon, killing a national police officer guarding the house.    the attack took place at approximately 1330 and was allegedly perpetrated by guerrilla urban commando units.  during the attack, national police officer fidel sanchez sanchez was seriously wounded.  he was taken to a military hospital by members of alvarenga's security police.  alvarenga was having lunch in his home when the police officers guarding his home were attacked.    witnesses have reported that four youths in a red pickup truck shot at the policemen from a distance of 20 meters.  this led to an exchange of gunfire, alarming residents in the colonia miramontes area.    alvarenga accused the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) of being directly responsible for the attack.  he attributed the attack to the fact that he is opposed to allowing 100 handicapped guerrillas to leave the country.  alvarenga added that the insurgents' attitude has definitely closed the door on the possibility of carrying out this evacuation.    (begin recording) (alvarenga) it cannot be.  today, more than ever, i insist that these handicapped guerrillas should not leave the country.  if the salvadoran president, all of them, and the justice minister allow these handicapped guerrillas to leave, then we will keep fighting against that type of action.  why not take the children who have been maimed out of the country?  so many children have been maimed by bombs!  i would like to see at least one salvadoran child be taken to a large hospital in germany.      it is not necessary to go to such extremes.  am i making myself clear? tell me, how can we speak of humanitarian acts when our salvadoran children, our youth are being maimed?  i just want to say that i cannot assure you that we will prevent guerrilla coercive actions.  the legislative assembly cannot prevent this.  what we can do is legislate.  we need to legislate a bit more to give our people security.  if that is a problem for the fmln and, for this reason, it has elements it wishes to destroy... (changes thought) look, they can destroy me.  this is true.  i do not want it to happen, but they can destroy me.  but others like ricardo alvarenga will come forward. (end recording)    the attack took place on bernal avenue in colonia miramontes, a few minutes after alvarenga entered his home.  alvarenga suffered no injuries. the fmln has not yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

guerrilla urban commando units

farabundo marti national liberation front

home of national assembly president

ricardo alvarenga valdivieso

fidel sanchez sanchez


Input: the general command of the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) states:    1.  by rejecting our proposal aimed at transforming the elections into a path to achieve peace, the nationalist republican alliance (arena) turned the 19 march elections into a process of war.    2.  arena will establish a government supported only by the votes of a mere 18 percent of voting-age salvadorans, which makes it an illegitimate government and a government of minorities for minorities.    3.  ever since election results were revealed, there has been a significant increase of repression against the people in the form of arrests, murders, searches, raids on labor and association offices, attacks against universities, and so on.    4.  arena is already announcing, and in many cases already implementing, antipopular measures such as the formation of death squads under the name of patriotic civilian defense, the annulment of decree 207, devaluation of the currency, privatizations, establishment of a state of siege, and other measures that will hurt the people.    5.  arena's policy toward the evacuation of people maimed in war shows that the arena government will further dehumanize the war.    6.  as a first reply of our front to the arena government, the general command decrees a national transportation stoppage beginning at dawn on 31 may.  the measure must be complied with on all highways of the country and in the cities.  we urge all our units to enforce this decree and our people to actively participate in the stoppage to repudiate the death squad's government at the very moment of its inauguration.    (signed) fmln general command commanders francisco jovel, eduardo sancho, shafik jorge handal, leonel gonzalez, and joaquin villalobos.


Input: our army is essentially the people's army, because it was born of the people.  throughout these many years of war, hundreds of countrymen have spilled their blood for the land on which they toil to achieve justice, democracy, and better living conditions for the people. these are the people's most heartfelt desires.  in the struggle against the enemy, we have committed errors in military procedures that have resulted in casualties among the people.  to quickly and radically correct these regrettable procedural errors, the farbundo marti national liberation front (fmln) general command orders all commanders and combatants of our military units to study and implement the following instructions, which must be strictly fulfilled:    1.  under no circumstance must populated areas be mined.  mines must be placed where enemy troops travel.  all precautions must be taken in highway ambushes so the mines will only affect enemy patrols and transport vehicles.    2.  in the plans to attack enemy garrisons, the commanders must always evaluate the civilian population's situation.  every effort must be made to carry out clean attacks.  if there is any possibility, even after all alternatives have been explored, that persons having nothing to do with the enemy would be affected if the attack is carried out, the operation must be suspended.    3.  before punishing the owners of private vehicles and buses who violate the provisions of the transportation stoppage, our units must be absolutely sure the owner violated the provision.    4.  in carrying out sabotage operations, it must be considered who would be affected by the action.  to the same extent our sabotage operations must be implacable with the regime and the oligarchy, those operations must not affect workers, small owners, peasants, or the lower classes.    5.  before carrying out executions, an exhaustive investigation must be conducted until it is confirmed that the target of the operation is an enemy of the people.    6.  all our military operations, including the executions, must be publicly recognized so as to avoid confusion with the enemy's dirty war procedures.    every fmln combatant must bear in mind that we are committed to the people and that our struggle is of the people and for the people. therefore, we must act consistent with this revolutionary principle.    (signed) fmln general command, may 1989


Input: interior minister eduardo perez beltran has discarded the possibility of a new, quote, terrorist or guerrilla group, unquote, outbreak in the country. he made this statement referring to the murder of two u.s. missionaries last wednesday night.    to remind the people of this case, during the evening of 24 may two u.s. citizens, who belonged to a religious organization, were murdered by a self-styled zarate wilka armed forces of liberation (fal) group in downtown la paz.    the interior minister added that this alleged organization that claimed responsibility for the murder, has no ties with the peruvian shining path terrorist group.      (begin recording) (perez beltran) to this moment, and due to the seriousness of the case, i do not dare to admit the existance of any relationship between these two terrorist groups. if the shining path is operating in bolivia, it should announce that it is in fact shining path that is committing these crimes.    we can say the same thing about the national liberation army in the 1960's, when it did not hide its identity. this was an international group. they arrived in bolivia without hiding their international identity, and there are many bolivians who can tell us about the national liberation army.    now, if this crime was committed by the shining path, then it was committed by the shining path and not by the zarate wilka group. i do not want to discard this possibility, however, i do not want to admit it as something verified and confirmed. our obligation, as members of the executive branch, is to release the results of something obvious, fully verified and confirmed. (end recording)    the interior minister added that the existence of the self-styled fal-zarate wilka group and of shining path members in bolivia is doubtful, because in the criminal cases recorded in cochabamba and in oruro recently, the police discovered that common criminals, and especially those linked to the world of drug addition and drug trafficking were directly involved in those crimes.    regarding the murder of the two missionaries in la paz last wednesday, the interior minister stated that no one has been detained, but that the investigations by the intelligence services continue.    (begin recording) (reporter) (question indistinct)     (perez beltran) no. we cannot suppose the existence of a terrorist group in bolivia.      (reporter) and what about these murder cases?    (perez beltran) i do not know. many people can be hiding behind this zarate wilka group. we do not know anything about this zarate wilka group. we do not know anything about their political leanings, or what party is behind this group. this could have been a common crime, or maybe not.    but we cannot just go out and say: yes, this group last night machinegunned these people, that they escaped, etc. this would mean a very irresponsible behavior. the executive branch wants to deal with this case as seriously as possible and not cause the people to panic.    we must do something for the country. we should unite our forces, all coalition parties, the ruling party, the executive branch, the armed forces, the national police, and all bolivians, to defend our democracy. this would represent a real bolivian struggle against those who intend to disrupt our process of liberty, to fight for the future of our children and of the fatherland. (end recording)

zarate wilka armed forces of liberation


Input: the murder by machinegun fire of two u.s.  missionaries today prompted an emergency meeting of the bolivian police high command.    the u.s. embassy in la paz will cooperate in the investigations of the murder because they considered an anti-u.s. action.      according to some political reactions, this crimes committed by the self-styled zarate-wilka group, shows that there are armed groups operating in bolivia.      less than 40 hours after the murder of the two mormon missionaries by an irregular armed group in la paz, the police high command has declared an emergency state all cadres in an effort to capture the perpetrators of this crime.    the bolivian police high command this morning called an emergency meeting to begin the official investigations. after briefing the president of the republic, interior minister eduardo perez beltran also went to the police headquarters to seek further information on the murder case.      the interior minister promised to release the first results of the investigations at 1700 this afternoon. todd ray wilson, 20 years old, and jeffrey brent ball, 21, were murdered by machinegun bursts when they were walking home on ancash street on wednesday night.    the zarate wilka group has claimed responsibility for the murder of these two missionaries. this group reportedly committed this crime to protest u.s. meddling in bolivia.

zarate-wilka group

todd ray wilson

jeffrey brent ball

machinegun bursts