Input: we have a last-minute report.  our news center received a telephone call from an fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) spokesman, who told us that the modesto ramirez urban commando units claim responsibility for the attack carried out today at 0600 against the troops that are in charge of protecting the general manuel jose arce neighborhood, known as the military neighborhood, which is located near democracia tower on the southern highway in san salvador, where a guerrilla was killed.    likewise, the modesto ramirez urban commando units also claimed responsibility for the sabotages carried out in different parts of the capital within the last few hours.  they said these actions are conducted within the framework of the operation called:  war against the military men who promote war in el salvador.


Input: an unidentified armed group tried to attack the residence of arthur mcnamara (name as received), the u.s. ambassador in bogota, the private radio cadena nacional, rcn, reported today.    according to the station, a u.s. marine was shot in the shoulder.      the attack occurred at approximately 1545 gmt.    rcn said that mcnamara was not at the residence and that he had travelled to miami, florida, aboard an eastern airliner.

unidentified armed group

residence of arthur mcnamara


Input: eight soviet citizens were seriously injured today when a bomb exploded inside a tourist bus that was on a downtown lima avenue. the anti-terrorist police reported that 10 other people (not further identified) were also injured and 2 vehicles that were in the area were seriously damaged.    there was no confirmation on whether the attack was perpetrated by maoist "shining path" guerrillas, who have killed several soviet citizens in previous attacks in lima and in the nearby port of callao.

guerrillas

shining path

bus

vehicles

bomb


Input: armed forces commander general oscar botero restrepo reported today that guerrillas of the pro - castro army of national liberation (eln) set fire to three tank trucks that were carrying oil from the cano limon oilfield in arauca department, which borders venezuela, to colombia's interior.      the attack was carried out in boqueron, between pajarito and yopal, in casanare department, where the subversives have unleashed a violent campaign against colombia's oil infrastructure to force their demands for the nationalization of the oil industry.    gen botero said that the rebels -- who have dynamited the country's main oil pipeline, the cano limon - convenas pipeline, 23 times thus far this year -- intercepted the vehicles in the middle of the highway and set them on fire after forcing the drivers to get out of the vehicles.  the eln guerrillas simultaneously wrote slogans in support of the so-called simon bolivar national guerrilla coordinating board.  during the last few hours, this group agreed with president barco's administration to begin a direct dialogue to seek peace in colombia.      no deaths were reported in the attack by the eln, which was founded during the 1960's and is led by manuel perez, a spanish priest.    meanwhile, another commando group from the camilist union (named in memory of colombian priest camilo restrepo, who was killed by soldiers in 1966 while still a member of the eln), ambushed a military patrol on the agua azul - terranova highway, also in casanare, killing two soldiers.  gen botero said that two soldiers stepped on a mine during the guerrilla attack and three other soldiers were wounded.

guerrillas

army of national liberation

tank trucks


Input: recently new phenomena have made their way onto the colombian political scene.  the government of president virgilio barco vargas has been forced to adopt measures against ultra right-wing paramilitary organizations and differences are beginning to appear in the government and in the armed forces.    these arguments are taking place in connection with discussions prior to the elections which are expected to take place in colombia in 1990.  after the colombian communist party (ccp) had demanded from the government secure guarantees that it can participate in them, it announced that it will become involved in the electoral process and now it is striving to create a broad democratic coalition.    the approaching elections as well as the widespread international condemnation of the "dirty war" in colombia forced the government to take more decisive steps in a number of spheres.  the most important of these are:    -- issuing presidentially proclaimed decrees against hired assassins and creating an elite military force for the struggle against them; organizing a struggle against ultra right-wing paramilitary groups and increasing prison sentences up to 20-30 years for soldiers and civilians who are members of them;    -- conducting a dialogue between the leftist coalition patriotic union (which the ccp is a member of) and the supreme commander of the army with the participation of the minister of defense;    -- conducting a purge in the army directed against the officers who are associated with with groups of hired assassins.    the reason for accelerating these measures was the assassination attempt against the head of the secret police (das), general miguel maza marquez, carried out on 30 may by paramilitary groups which are controlled by drug traffickers.  a vehicle filled with 100 kg of dynamite was used to try to assassinate the head of state security.  the general escaped without injury but during the assassination attempt 7 people were killed and more than 50 were wounded.  because of this act differences in the armed forces and in the colombian government further intensified.    maza marquez has been the sworn enemy of the mafia and the object of their threats since he revealed that the gangs which carry out assassination attempts against the ccp and the patriotic union are trained mercenaries from the united states, israel, the frg, and great britain.  after escaping from an assassination attempt on 3 may, general maza marquez sent a letter to the state prosecutor.  in it he said that certain groups in the army knew about the assassination attempt which had been prepared against him.      during the same period captain wanumen (name as published) was imprisoned; he had secret documents from the council of ministers, the national security council, the u.s. embassy in bogota, the das, and the american cia which list highly placed individuals in the government who work as "spies" for the benefit of drug traffickers from the medellin and cali cartels.  although president barco vargas denied the authenticity of the documents, reports are generally disseminated that the ruling elite has been infiltrated with mafia agents.    in this situation space opens up for the ccp's proposal to introduce peace to the country by way of a dialogue between the government and all partisan groups, not just with the m-19 movement, as the government has practiced to date.  although the situation in colombia is still serious, there are definite signs of a turnaround for the better.

paramilitary groups

miguel maza marquez

vehicle filled with 100 kg of dynamite


Input: the soviet ambassador to peru made a representation to the ministry of foreign affairs of the country in connection with the fact that in the peruvian port of callao, a bomb had been planted and detonated last wednesday under a bus carrying crew members of the trawler ships "kurasov" and "lazurny", yuriy gremitskikh, first deputy chief of the foreign ministry information directorate, told reporters at a briefing here today.  as a result of the terrorist action 16 soviet sailors were injured.  none was killed.  all the injured sailors are getting medical attention.    the soviet ambassador stated that the soviet side expected that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and the criminals punished.  he also demanded that appropriate action be taken to ensure the safety of soviet citizens and offices in that country.  the peruvian side expressed a feeling of regret concerning the incident and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to locate guilty persons and ensure the safety of soviet people.    the soviet trawler ships were in callao in accordance with the inter-governmental agreement between the ussr and peru on cooperation in fishing.

bus

bomb


Input: the honduran foreign relations ministry, based on reports from authorities in charge of security matters related to the interrogation of captain adan solorzano martinez -- an intelligence agent of the sandinist government -- informs the national and international public of the following:    it is a known fact that with the intensification of the arms race by the sandinist government and the use of nicaraguan territory as a political and military base for subversive groups, there has been an increase in the number of revolutionary activities, assassinations, terrorist attacks, and other forms of political, economic, and social destabilization in the region.    over the past 9 years, el salvador has been the primary target of international subversion and terrorism.  honduras, however, has also been affected by these actions on various occasions.    we recall the deplorable kidnapping of 100 persons at the chamber of commerce and industries in cortes in 1982; the illegal hijacking of tan-sahsa aircraft by terrorist commandos who always ended up seeking refuge in managua or havana; the planting of two bombs that destroyed power plants in tegucigalpa, as well as other terrorist acts against honduras both inside and outside the country; clandestine arms trafficking, etc.    on 27-28 june, the honduran government and people were shocked by a statement made in san pedro sula by a nicaraguan citizen who, according to his statements, is an army captain and intelligence agent for the sandinist regime.  he disclosed that, in august 1988, he was assigned the missions of planning the assassination of the president of the republic and the beheading of the honduran spiritual and political leadership through the physical elimination of honduran archbishop msgr hector enrique santos and presidential candidates carlos roberto flores and rafael leonardo callejas romero, of the liberal and national parties respectively.    the sandinist foreign ministry responded to these reports by issuing a 29 july 1989 communique, in which it openly admitted that nicaraguan citizen orlando adan solorzano martinez was an army lieutenant -- not a captain -- and that he had worked for the nicaraguan interior ministry for 7 and 1/2 years, from 20 august 1979 to 28 january 1987.    the communique added that on 28 january 1987, solorzano had been fired and that his record showed a long list of disciplinary actions. this explanation very conveniently allows nicaragua to disassociate itself from the espionage and terrorist activities of its intelligence agent in the event he was caught or deserted.  undoubtedly, the sandinist government, because of its ideology and because it has close ties to the financing and training -- both politically and militarily -- of central american terrrorist groups, has been directly involved at various levels in these groups' criminal activities, which violate international norms on peaceful coexistence and human rights.  this situation has given rise to the different peace efforts that have sprung up in the region to attempt to put an end to these actions.  the honduran security authorities have known for a long time about espionage activities against honduras and the links between nicaraguan embassy personnel in tegucigalpa and honduran rebel groups that have been trained in special camps in nicaragua and other totalitarian countries.  (continued)


Input: our most promising future does not depend on what will happen, but on what we will be able to build together, all united. this is the challenge we argentines are facing -- the challenge of being able to transform this crisis into a fertile scenario.    this is the time for reflection and imagination.  this is the time for ideas, as well as for creativity and boldness. this is the time to eliminate what is decrepit and welcome what is beginning.  this is the time for creative boldness, innovation, and courage.    the argentine people have chosen the path of democracy with a social accent.  the argentine people have chosen liberty and justice, peace and development.    the argentine people have opted to transform our decadence, to overcome our petty disagreements, and to mount a collective effort.    the argentine people have voted for the epic of national unity. therefore, ours is a government of national unity. in our opinion, national unity is not strengthened by hegemonic projects, paternal attitudes, passionate fits, or fleeting emotions.    government of the people, by the people, and for the people cannot depend on the mandate of a single man, the whim of a party, or the imposition of a sector.  applause    the government of national unity is the property of all argentines.  no one can feel uninterested.  no one can feel uninvited.    if argentina is not occupying its proper place, it is not the country's but all argentines responsibility.  it should be blamed on our divisions, historic burdens, ideological prejudices, and sectarianisms.    we have been unable to formulate an honest balance of our country's victories and failures, its weak and strong points, and its mistakes and accomplishments.    this is the first lesson we have already learned together because the time of the worst underdevelopment, the underdevelopment of considering those who think differently an enemy, has ended in this country.  applause    thank god, the country where the law of the jungle prevailed has ended. the existence of both an official country and a submerged country has ended.  the existence of both a visible country and a real country has ended.    i have come to unite those two argentinas.  i have come to struggle for the rendezvous of those two fatherlands.    i do not want to be the president of a faction, a group, a sector, or a political expression.  i do not want to be the president of yet another frustration.  i want to be the president of a united argentina that progresses despite dissent.  (applause)    i want to be the president of the argentina of (juan manuel de) rosas (a caudillo that dominated the argentine scene 1829-1852) and (domingo faustino) sarmiento (argentine president 1868-74), the argentina of (bartolome) mitre (argentine president 1862-68) and facundo quiroga, (a caudillo from la rioja province who was assassinated in 1835) (applause), the argentina of angel vicente penaloza (a caudillo born in la rioja province who was opposed to central control from buenos aires) and juan bautista alberdi (an intellectual who was involved in drafting the 1853 constitution), the argentina of (carlos) pellegrini (argentine president 1890-92) and (hipolito) yrigoyen (leader of the radical civic union party and argentine president 1916-1922 and 1928-30), and the argentina of (juan domingo) peron and (ricardo) balbin (a well-known leader of the radical civic union who ran for president in the election of 23 september 1973) (applause) (continued)


Input: the army of national liberation army eln has promised to release norwegian anthropologist bruce olson within the next few days.  the eln had kidnapped and sentenced olson to death. eln military commander nicolas rodriguez announced this decision to reporters from the spanish news agency efe.    olson, a philosopher and anthropologist, arrived in colombia 30 years ago and was working with the motilones indians in the catatumbo jungle at the time of his capture.  he had built 14 schools and several health centers in the area.  he had also written several books on the motilo indian language. the eln, however, accused him of being a cia agent and an exploiter of the indian people.  the eln kidnapped olson, declared him a prisoner of war, and sentenced him to death.  however, this nightmare is now over.  the eln has promised to turn olson over safe and sound to the red cross in the next few days.    in addition, the eln sent a letter to president barco.  parliamentarians guillermo alberto gonzalez and orlando gomez will deliver the letter to the president tomorrow.  in this letter, the eln lists its demands, which, if met, would lead them to halt the blowing up of oil pipelines.      according to gonzalez, the guerrilla group demands the dismissal of mines minister oscar mejia and ecopetrol (colombian petroleum enterprise) president andres restrepo.  the eln also conditioned their suspension of attacks against the pipelines on the creation of a national petroleum council and a forum for a debate to review the current oil policy.    (begin recording) (gonzalez) my impression during my 2 days of captivity is that they attach great importance to a debate on the nation's oil policy.  they demand that this debate be carried out through a council meeting, which would include representatives from the government, labor unions -- particularly the (uso) and ecopetrol unions -- as well as several prominent figures whom they listed in the letter to the president. (end recording)    gonzalez added that he agrees with comptroller rodolfo gonzalez that the government should talk with the eln, a guerrilla group which in the past has been the most unwilling to join the peace process.    (begin recording) (gonzalez) if the dialogue results in a solution to colombia's public unrest, then we must not avoid the dialogue; we must hold it. (end recording)

army of national liberation army eln

bruce olson


Input: the mayors of cocorna, san carlos, and san francisco were released in the municipality of san francisco, antioquia, this morning.  they were kidnapped last saturday by the army of national liberation (eln).  our reporter lays vargas has more on this:    (begin recording) (vargas) the mayors of cocorna, san carlos, and san francisco were released at 0430 this morning on san lorenzo avenue of cocorna municipality.  they had been kidnapped this past weekend by the eln.  the purpose of the kidnapping was to publicize, through the mayors, a communique in which the rebel group announces its campaign war for life, comes out against the dirty war, and makes a new call for a national oil forum for various political and labor organizations to discuss the status of this vital product of our economy.  the eln hopes to present through this forum its views on oil policy.    (mayor nevardo morales) they assured us that nothing would happen to us, that everything would be all right because this was only part of a campaign they are waging called the war for life. they kidnapped me and took me to their camp.      (vargas) what is in the communique, mayor?    (morales) the communique is being held by the mayor of san carlos.  in any event, we want to speak to the government secretary tomorrow or this afternoon to give him the communique.  we do not know when it will be possible to speak to him.    (vargas) in the coming hours, the mayors of cocorna, san francisco, and san carlos will travel to medellin to meet with the government secretary. tomorrow they plan to hold a news conference during which they will present the communique given to them by the eln.  (end recording)

army of national liberation


Input: as izvestiya has already reported, on 5 july at 1000 hours local (peru) time, a bus with soviet seamen on board was blown up by a bomb.  as a result of the explosion 20 people were injured, of whom 17 were hospitalized, 3 of them in a serious condition.    our mexico city correspondent a. cherepanov called embassy and ministry of the fishing industry representatives in lima.  here are the additional details he managed to obtain.  on the morning of 5 july a group of 52 people in two buses visited the "albatros" store, as is the custom among off-duty crews from soviet fishing vessels working in peruvian coastal waters.  the explosion occurred on one of the buses as it was about to leave.    fortunately, the bomb was homemade and not that powerful.  and it had obviously been hastily planted (according to witnesses, four suspicious characters had been hanging around the bus).  the passengers were injured mainly by pieces of broken glass.    the police and emergency services were on the scene immediately.  nearly all the casualties were immediately hospitalized.  it is true that at first there was a mixup in the hospital over russian names -- it took the doctors a while to work out which photograph belonged to whom.  representatives of the soviet embassy and consulate came to their aid.  on the same day skilled operations were carried out on all those who required them.  the izvestiya correspondent was officially informed that the seriously injured soviet seamen were out of danger.  their families had been informed.    the peruvian press believes that the terrorist act carried out against soviet citizens was the work of the maoist-inclined leftist armed grouping "sendero luminoso."  but there is another version:  it might have been carried out by ultrarightists opposing the fishing agreements signed between peru and the ussr.

ultrarightists

sendero luminoso

bus

bomb


Input: thirtythree soviet seamen have been injured in the peruvian port of callao as a result of an explosion caused by a bomb planted under a bus standing in the street.    our correspondent telephoned the ussr ministry of the fish industry and asked for information on the incident.    "it happened on 5 july at 1010 hours local time," s. svinarenko, deputy chief of the ussr ministry of the fish industry foreign relations administration department, said.  "sixteen seamen had to be hospitalized. fortunately, no one was seriously hurt.  the seamen mainly suffered fractures, cuts, and burns.  the victims were members of the crews of two large, autonomous trawlers -- the 'vladimir kurasov' and the 'lazurnyy' -- who were on shore leave that day.    "our seamen are working in this region on the basis of an agreement on cooperation between peru and the soviet union.  we assist the peruvians in the development of their fishing industry, get our ships repaired in local ports, and fish within a 200-mile zone of that country...."    reuter and afp have reported that, in the opinion of the callao police, the explosion was organized by the "sendero luminoso," a rebel group of maoist persuasion.  "there is absolutely no doubt that this act, which deserves to be condemned, was directed against totally innocent citizens," peruvian foreign minister guillermo larco cox said.    the soviet seamen were on a bus which had stopped at a store when the bomb, planted under an empty bus standing nearby, was detonated.    according to eye witnesses, four young people wearing school uniform were seen at the scene of the incident a few moments before the explosion, placing a package under the bus.      "sendero luminoso" is an extreme left-wing rebel organization waging a guerrilla war against the peruvian government.      "sendero luminoso" has been in existence for more than 20 years.  it began its armed struggle in 1980.  since then, peru has known no peace. reports of murders and acts of sabotage committed by this organization are appearing with increasing frequency in the world press.  the terrorists' victims are politicians, members of the police force, soldiers, peasants....  the terrorists often involve juveniles in their acts of sabotage.    the peruvian government has been forced to rely more and more extensively on the armed forces in the struggle against this terrorist organization. but so far this has failed to produce tangible results.

four young people wearing school uniform

sendero luminoso

bus

bomb


Input: after spending 130 days abroad, bernardo jaramillo, president of the left-wing patriotic union (up), returned to colombia today to urge the castroite army of national liberation (eln) to join the peace process being promoted by the colombian government.      jaramillo, a 35-year-old legislator, replaced jaime pardo leal as up president after pardo leal was assassinated in october 1987.  jaramillo had left the country after receiving many death threats.    the eln is the only colombian subversive group that refuses to accept the peace proposals formulated by the administration of president virgilio barco and instead has increased its attacks on the country's petroleum installations to demand the nationalization of that industry.    jaramillo asked the eln to stop its violent actions, which, he said, do not in any way benefit colombia.      the leftist leader said he is well informed about the country's political development and added that "the social and political environment has improved."    the barco administration, he said, has begun to take measures to protect citizens.    "more security measures are needed, but some measures are being adopted," jaramillo said.  he stressed that if all the subversive groups decide to hold a sincere dialogue for peace, it would be very positive for the country.

castroite army of national liberation (eln)

the country's petroleum installations


Input: a new attack against the cano - limon - covena oil pipeline, which caused a large oil spill, was carried out this morning by terrorists in arauca intendancy.  according to preliminary reports, the attack occurred near the km - 45 marker in araucita jurisdiction, a short distance from the cano - limon - covena oil fields, where large army units are based.

terrorists

cano - limon - covena oil pipeline


Input: at 0600 this morning, fmln urban guerrillas set off a bomb in the basement of the democracy tower building in western san salvador.  the bomb destroyed approximately 30 percent of the windows in the building.  reports indicate that fmln urban guerrillas drove a vehicle into the building's basement loaded with gas tanks and a powerful bomb.  the explosion shook western san salvador and destroyed 30 percent of the windows in the building.  this is the report we have on an fmln operation which, at 0600 this morning, caused general alarm in western san salvador.

urban guerrillas

fmln

democracy tower building

vehicle

gas tanks

powerful bomb


Input: good morning, hrn (voz de honduras) listeners.  i am a bit concerned over what i have heard on this radio station.  the truth is that at approximately 0030 today, there was an attack with a homemade bomb in la ceiba, and, as a result, seven u.s.  soldiers -- not six -- were wounded.  four sustained very minor injuries, while three were somewhat seriously wounded, but they are not in danger of dying.  nine soldiers were in that group.  they were not on leave; they were on a mission from the enrique soto cano honduran air base at palmerola.    they provoked...  (changes thought).  instead, i should say that they went to have some fun at the dilido discoteque. our military police patrols were in the area and saw the attack.  we captured two suspects.  our men were about 100 meters away when the attack occurred, and, unfortunately, the two suspects are u.s.  citizens.  in other words, people were in the area and no one knew what they were doing.  this is an official report; this is what took place in la ceiba.  the two suspects were arrested, and they must know something about the seven who were wounded, who are at the (word indistinct) hospital.  what you reported over the radio is correct.  there is no need to be alarmed.  it was a homemade bomb, and the damage was caused by the shrapnel, cement, and stones that were thrown into the air by the explosion.      however, i would like to deny a report by the milkman from (word indistinct), who said that the city has been shut down and is being held hostage.  that is not true.  when the incident occurred, (words indistinct) the patrols were already on the streets and reported the incident.  fusep (the public security force) was instructed to conduct investigations, and therefore vehicles entering or leaving la ceiba were stopped and searched. that is all; standstill merely because three or four people have been wounded, or because two or three are critically wounded.    the city must function normally.  the armed forces are interested in the continuation of production.  so the man from (word indistinct) who called and said that he was losing 100,000 lempiras (as a result of the vehicle searches) this morning was telling a lie.  we gave specific instructions that the inspection of vehicles should be carried until 0500, and that the vehicles should not be detained.    (reporter) colonel, it was the chamber of commerce president who provided the report and said that the delivery of milk had been stopped.    (sanchez) with all due respect for him -- whom i do not know personally -- i must say that it is not true that we are stopping vehicles (as heard). we stopped a very small white van with some laborers in it to search the van.  i was there on the highway.  there was no milk on that bus; there were people on that bus, and i myself allowed them to continue.  i am sorry that the chamber of commerce has been misinformed.  we are not paralyzing activities, nor are we holding the city hostage.  as i said, we are trying to conduct an investigation and we have arrested two people. we are not sure if they were the ones who perpetrated the attack; we are not sure of anything.  we are merely conducting investigations and taking preventive measures.    (reporter) colonel, are the two men you have in custody the same u.s. citizens you mentioned at the beginning of this report?    (sanchez) yes.  the lieutenant in charge of the patrol (words indistinct) the pants, clothes, and the color of what they were wearing indicated that they were civilians.  lieutenant salgado of the 4th battalion was 50 meters away when the explosion occurred.  two persons were captured.  however, they have denied that either of them was involved.  that remains to be seen.  we have been waiting for about 30 minutes for the armed forces investigative personnel to arrive to learn the identities of the two men who are being held.  the investigation will be completely professional.  we (words indistinct) two or three persons were injured.  we are not paralyzing production; i want to made this clear.    (reporter) yes, of course.  colonel, given the situation, do you believe that the situation in the armed forces is completely normal?    (sanchez) of course it is completely normal.  we are not restricting anyone's freedom.  when it gets dark, we will proceed to ask for identification papers; we will stop and check vehicles, which is normal in this type of situation.  however, at no time will we paralyze production or normal daily activities.  we are trying to find the culprits responsible for this attack.  regardless of whether it was an attack against u.s.  citizens, it was certainly an attack against peace and order.  we therefore have to investigate it, regardless of whether or not it involved u.s.  citizens.  in this case, and in view of this situation, i personally issued orders and followed the investigation until 0500, when i suspended all operations.  i personally ordered these measures.  i am amazed that the cattlemen do not transport milk before 0500.    (reporter) one last question on this matter:  is the situation in la ceiba related to the latest violent incidents in san pedro sula?    (sanchez) i believe so.  a series of criminal actions has been launched against social peace in honduras.  this station's listeners and listeners of all other honduran radio stations know the high - caliber of the armed forces personnel, beginning with the top commanders and continuing with officers down the chain of command.  we are sensitive to social isses and are not motivated by vested interests of any kind.  i believe that these acts of bloodshed, which are (words indistinct), are part of a series of fully planned, coldly calulated actions.    i do not want to sound like a comic strip character, but i believe that these actions are connected and overlap.  i have the impression that (words indistinct).  we are witnessing the emergence of the so-called white hands and black hands (death squads), which concern us very much.  we are talking about hondurans killing hondurans.      (reporter) thank you very much for your kindness to this station.  we will be contacting you during the next few hours to learn the results of the investigations into this homemade bomb attack in la ceiba.    (sanchez) we are completely at your service.  we are willing to offer you information as it comes in.  we are a completely open, not closed, organization.  we will give you truthful, factual information for the benefit of all hondurans.      (reporter) thank you and good morning, colonel.


Input: ten people were killed in colombia during a thwarted attack against patiotic union councilman gonzalo alvarez henao in medellin.  the attack took place in the el pedregal neighborhood, bello municipality, in the northern part of antioquia department's capital city. authorities report that all those killed belonged to a group of hired assassins.  two policemen were among those killed.  our reporter lays vargas has this report:    (begin recording) (vargas) the assailants arrived at the councilman's home in several vehicles.  they opened fire on the house.  gonzalo alvarez' bodyguards repelled the assailants and the councilman escaped unharmed.  a police patrol in the area heard the shootout and helped search for the assailants.  the search was conducted in the area between the el pedregal and la cabana neighborhoods in the area between medellin and bello.    the paid assassins clashed with authorities for almost 3 hours in different parts of the northwestern community.  some of the assailants sought refuge in a la cabana neighborhood home.  the police arrived at the home and a long shoot-out ensued, resulting in the deaths of the paid assassins. (end recording)

paid assassins

councilman's home

gonzalo alvarez henao


Input: david anez, leader of the bloc of congressmen from beni department, said yesterday that "the beni people are periodically suffering retaliatory attacks by umopar (mobile units for rural areas) and dea agents, who are actively engaged in repressive actions against the civilian polulation, not against drug traffickers."  anez made these remarks while commenting on last week's incidents in santa ana de yacuma.    anez charged that the attacks are perpetrated against "open, peaceful civilians; that is, against citizens who are in no way involved in the drug trade.  nevertheless, they are murdered or harassed in ways not in keeping with the democratic atmosphere that should prevail in the country."    anez said the people of santa ana are restless and that all beni department organizations are alert to demand that the government assume responsibility for the recent incidents.    anez announced that, as leader of the beni congressional bloc, he sent a letter to president victor paz estenssoro in which he outlines the issue the government must address to prevent further clashes between civilians and security forces.    anez said the government must address the antidrug struggle in beni department from the institutional, social, political, and international standpoints because the drug trade goes beyond beni borders; it is an international activity that has built an economic empire far more powerful than the beni people, all bolivians, and than the bolivian government itself.


Input: peruvian communists have firmly condemned the terrorist act carried out by the peruvian reaction against soviet fishermen.  as has been reported, the terrorists placed a charge of dynamite under a bus in which there were soviet fishermen from several trawlers.    in the announcement by the peruvian communist party central committee, it is pointed out that this crime pursues the aim of undermining relations between peru and the socialist countries.

the peruvian reaction

bus

charge of dynamite


Input: the salvadoran armed forces have banned entrance into the university of el salvador campus and are threatening to fire on anyone who disobeys this order.  this afternoon, the army allowed neither vehicles nor students to enter the university campus.  according to military officials, orders were given to shoot anyone who disobeyed by attempting to enter the university campus.  the measure went into effect at 1730.  the situation grew tense when private cars attempted to enter the campus grounds.    university officials met with the military.  according to the armed forces high command, since 23 december 1988, the military has not allowed weapons to be introduced into or taken out of the university campus.  the discussion on whether to allow the entrance of students and vehicles became heated.  university general manager mario alfredo cabrera said that this measure is intended to shut down the university.    (begin recording) (cabrera) all of this falls under the general campaign of psychological aggression against the university to minimize its authority in light of its role as the government's and the nation's conscience, which officials -- who are not leading the country along the correct path -- do not like.  we believe that this is the basic reason behind this and other measures.  these measures include helicopters overflying the campus at very low altitudes and soldiers threatening to shoot to kill if the order is disobeyed.  (end recording)    since the military blockade went into effect, salvadoran air force helicopters have been overflying the campus.


Input: attention, salvadoran people.  this is our war bulletin from the modesto ramirez central front in chalatenango department.    on 15 july, guerrillas began the operation called we will defeat arena's (nationalist republican alliance) dictatorship by hitting the puppet army.  this operation was carried out against two positions of the 4th infantry brigade's azmitia battalion stationed in chalatenango, specifically against an ira (institute of supply regulation) center in san jose el carao, el paraiso.  this is how the operation was carried out:    simultaneous attacks were carried out on three of the army's fortified peripheral defense positions.  one of these positions was completely destroyed, resulting in 11 of the enemy killed.  four additional casualties were inflicted on the enemy in the three other defense fortifications, which were also destroyed.    we also attacked the main supply center facilities and stormed three defensive positions in the interior.  as a result of this attack, four of the enemy were killed and five were wounded.  in addition, we destroyed the offices and a grain dryer and damaged the storage bins and grain storage areas.  we concluded the attack by setting the entire facility on fire.    the following military equipment was seized from the enemy during this victorious operation:  3 m-16 rifles, 3 full sets (not further identified), 1 m-79 grenade launcher with 9 grenades, 550 5.56-mm rounds of ammunition, 2 100-cartridge m-60 ammunition belts, uniforms, boots, and other military supplies.    one hour after the attack began, the enemy was reinforced by a rocket-firing helicopter, one push-pull o-2 aircraft, and one c-47 aircraft.  in addition, the enemy received artillery support from the areas above the installations under attack, but this fire and the air support were ineffective.  the c-47 aircraft strafed las penas, with complete disregard for the civilian population, a repressive action we vehemently denounce.    later, at 0300, the enemy troops were reinforced by two armored personnel carriers and four military trucks, which took troops to a place near the ira installation.  these reinforcements were quickly neutralized by our rifle fire.  in addition, the operation included a large number of militiamen and rebel troops, who erected roadblocks on the streets of nueva concepcion, blew up six telephone posts, placed a large banner across the street, and distributed propaganda.  other propaganda activities occurred in san jose patares, la siembre, guayabito, and horcones in la palma jusrisdiction.    in all, we inflicted 24 casualties, including dead and wounded, on the 4th infantry brigade; however, we lost comrade otoniel in the attack.


Input: we have reports that norberto rodriguez (president perez' brother-in-law) could still be in the border region, near the spot where he was kidnapped by those people.  we do not know who the kidnappers are.  we are working on this.    (reporter) have you stepped up surveillance in the area?  has finding the station wagon given you any clues?    (lopez) yes, of course, we are looking into this.  the colombian police have the information and are working based on this.      (reporter) what about a ransom?  has the venezuelan government been contacted?    (lopez) there has been no contact.  we are hoping there will be a contact so that we can proceed from there.    (reporter) is it true a ransom has been demanded?    (lopez) i have no proof of that.  i do not have that information.    (reporter) what is the most recent information the venezuelan government has received?    (lopez) we were briefed on the work being coordinated with the colombian authorities.  we are working very closely with them, like brothers.  the two armies and the authorities are working together.    (reporter) if a ransom is demanded, is the government willing to pay it?    (lopez) i cannot answer that question; that would depend on rodriguez' family.    (reporter) the colombian government has much experience with kidnappings.  what do they say about this case?  what do they think the outcome will be?    (lopez) we always work based on our experience with similar cases.  this kidnapping could have been carried out by the rebels, and we already know how the rebels operate.  he also could have been kidnapped by common criminals.  even though it may seem that the case would be handled similarly in both instances, it is not so.  we are going to wait a bit longer.  we believe we may get more information today.    (reporter) it is not venezuelan government policy to pay ransom in cases such as this one.  will an exception be made in this case?    (lopez) i believe we should follow our policy.  there are means that can be used to reach an understanding; this would happen once we have specific information.


Input: mauricio mejia, general secretary of el salvador university, reported that approximately six persons were wounded in a shoot-out that took place when soldiers entered the university campus and began shooting randomly.      one of the persons wounded was a u.s. student who was visiting the university.  members of the red cross identified the u.s.  student as roberto brenow, 26.      according to some reports, the students held a demonstration late in the afternoon to demand that the government withdraw troops from the university area and release students who had been arrested.    after the demonstation ended, explosions were heard and soldiers began shooting from different locations around the university. after dark, soldiers entered the university campus and began firing randomly and the sound of exploding molotov cocktails could be heard across the campus, which caused panic among the students.

soldiers

roberto brenow

molotov cocktails


Input: interior minister carlos caceres today stated that the gang-style action aken yesterday by some people to occupy private property will not intimidate the government.    (begin caceres recording) yesterday, a well-organized group of approximately 300 people attempted to usurp private property using molotov cocktails, stones and firearms.  their action caused one unfortunate death, injuries, and damage -- which were reported earlier -- to the detriment of a large number of poor families.    it is publicly evident that the communists and their closest allies were behind the preparation, coordination and execution of these criminals actions.    unfortunately, one cannot fail to link these actions to the threatening, violent speeches -- following the style used by the popular unity members -- with which some leaders of the opposition coalition opened the electoral campaign of their candidate patricio aylwin.    it is even possible to regard these aggressions as signals and warnings of the inconsistencies and contradictions that exist within some political umbrella groups.  these groups consist of sectors advocating a peaceful democratic coexistence on the one hand, and other sectors that follow the line of those who in the past destroyed our traditional way of life on the other hand.    although the government has stated its decision not to get involved in the political campaign, it cannot fail to announce its position and to state its outright rejection of a malicious and demagogical rhetoric that poses a threat to public tranquillity.    under no circumstances will the government yield to those who time and again seek and promote subversion and to disrupt our democratic institutional order. (end recording)

their closest allies

communists

private property

molotov cocktails

firearms


Input: concerning monday's incidents near el salvador university, the fmln states:    1. none of our units were operating around el salvador university or the northern sector of the capital on that day.    2. the clashes that occurred near the university were carried out by armed forces troops alone.  in an effort to search the university, the troops fired their weapons (words indistinct) as student demonstrators were entering the campus.    3. this action is part of a plan the cristiani government and the top command of the armed forces are promoting against el salvador university. this plan is being carried out by colonel francisco elena fuentes, commander of the 1st infantry brigade.  the plan involves threats, arrests, murders, and other repressive acts.      4. it is predictable that the cristiani government and the top command of the armed forces will say that what occurred at the university was the result of a clash between the army and the fmln, and this is completely false.  cristiani's government and the armed forces are solely responsible for the violent incidents that claimed several victims in the area around el salvador university.      (signed) (fmln, el salvador, 17 july 1989)

armed forces

cristiani's government


Input: the colombian police today rescued manuel vallejo uribe, a businessman, who they found unharmed. during the rescue operation, the police killed six kidnappers, according to an offical police report.      vallejo uribe, 32, was released in bello, near medellin, the second largest city in colombia, as the result of intelligence gathered by the metropolitan police, police sources added.    the businessman, who owns a tannery and spends most of his time in miami, was kidnapped on 9 july by several unknown persons.      the police reported that during the bello rescue operation, six kidnappers, all common criminals who tried to prevent the police from rescuing him, were killed.

unknown persons

manuel vallejo uribe


Input: salvadoran president alfredo cristiani has given assurances that there will be no military intervention at the university of el salvador campus, despite the violent incidents that have occurred over the past few days. these incidents have not resulted in any deaths, although several people have been injured.  the president said that the incidents at the university are part of a broader plan to provoke the 1st brigade troops patrolling the area.  however, the president added, there will be no military intervention at the university, even if the soldiers who are surrounding the campus are provoked.    two students who were arrested last week and who were presented by the treasury police have admitted their participation in leftist, destabilizing groups' activities.  one of the students arrested is luis osvaldo sandoval, a fifth - grade student at the jose matias salgado school, who admitted being a member of the bread, land, work, and freedom movement and that he has participated in activities such as writing messages and pasting propaganda on walls and burning vehicles.    the second student arrested is ramon parada garcia, a 2d - year student at the (alfredo ban ferrer national institute), who said that he is a member of the erp (people's revolutionary army).  the two youths said that they joined these organizations because they are paid on a monthly basis, explaining that their families have no other source of income.  the treasury police said that the arrested students have requested the protection of that security force.

luis osvaldo sandoval

bread, land, work, and freedom movement

vehicles


Input: we have further reports on this morning's attack on guillermo payes, second in charge of the international relations institute (iri).  as we reported earlier, the iri was once part of the patriotic civil defense in san salvador, which has since been disbanded.  we have found out that he was about to enter a shop when he was shot at five times at least; we have been able to confirm that only three bullets actually struck him. one hit him in the back, another in the abdominal region, and one in the throat -- a total of three bullets hit him.  following an operation, doctors expect him to live; however, thus far no detailed medical report has been issued.

guillermo payes


Input: television station and at least one radio station, spokesmen of television channel 7 -- which was the television station affected by the blast -- told dpa.         according to initial reports, the bomb was set off on alux mountain, approximately 20 km west of the guatemalan capital.  most radio and television stations have transmission towers on that mountain because it towers over a vast area of guatemala.    it has been learned that a man, who is believed to have been the watchman at channel 7's tower, was killed by the bomb.  the spokesmen (for channel 7) said that rescue units sent to the site have yet to return to the capital.    the explosion was felt in several nearby communities and in a sector of guatemala city.  channel 7 suddenly went off the air just as guatemalan president vinicio cerezo arevalo was about to deliver a speech. nevertheless, the speech was broadcast by the other four television channels that operate in guatemala.      this terrorist action comes in the wake of a series of incidents that have occurred in the past few days as a result of strikes by teachers, post office workers, finance ministry employees, and other sectors demanding wage increases.    a bomb was found before it exploded in a bank in the afternoon of 19 july, and several anonymous callers warned about other terrorist bombs last night; however, these turned out to be false alarms.

television channel 7

radio station

bank

bomb


Input: with simultaneous bomb explosions in the honduran capital and la ceiba port, located approximately 355 km from tegucigalpa on the atlantic coast, a new guerrilla group calling itself the "9 may" people's liberation forces, fpl, announced its emergence as one of the armed organizations struggling for power.    three bombs went off simultaneously in tegucigalpa, one at the central park, another at the state-run university of honduras, and another at a training school for teachers.  at the same time, a bomb exploded at a university branch in la ceiba.      all the blasts occurred at 1130 (local time).  only one person who happened to be passing by the central park in tegucigalpa at the time of the explosion was wounded as a result of the blasts.  a communique issued by the new group points out that "one does not weep for martyrs, but avenges them" and adds that "traitor indians come before the invading gringos."    the proclamation criticizes the murder of popular leaders that took place in the country in early july and denounces other leftist labor and guerrilla organizations.    the armed forces, through its commander, general humberto regalado hernandez, responded immediately by stating that "the only real communists left in the world are hondurans, because they are changing in other countries" and are no longer exploding bombs.      the military leader asked people to attach no significance to the incident and said that should the wave of political violence continue, leftist groups would have to be called to a dialogue to avoid other similar actions.    the "9 may" fpl proclamation was issued in the northern city of san pedro sula, 255 km from tegucigalpa.

"9 may" people's liberation forces

central park

university of honduras

training school for teachers

university branch

bombs


Input: tegucigalpa -- the people's organizations coordinating committee (ccop) and the united federation of honduran workers (futh) charged yesterday that there is a terrorist plan to eliminate everyone who opposes the u.s. military occupation of the country.    in a news conference, the leaders of the organizations said that the death threats against labor and the people's leaders are included in this plan, which forms part of the u.s. policy on honduras.      referring to the recent assassinations in san pedro sula, ccop coordinator juan almendares bonilla said that honduras "is an occupied country where there is a u.s.-sponsored policy of terror that seeks to annihilate all the groups that protest the violation of national sovereignty."    he explained that there are various forms of terror.  for example, he said armed groups arrive at houses at night and rape entire families. "these policies of terror have been used in brazil, chile, vietnam, el salvador, and guatemala, among other countries," he said.      the former university rector said that this policy of terror, which has recently been intensified, tries to make people believe that there is a subversive cell that is destabilizing the country prior to the holding of the central american presidential summit in tela, atlantida department.    the people's leaders said that "the terrorism of the honduran democratic state is also shown by an electoral process that is extensively controlled by the agency for international development and the execution of poor hondurans by repressive forces that have been trained by u.s. experts."    they said the terrorism is also demostrated in the nonfulfillment of the esquipulas ii peace agreements, by a policy that capitulates to the imf and the world bank, the maintenance of extreme security, and the facilities given to the the contras and the u.s. army.    after making the previous analysis, the futh and the ccop asked the government to halt state terrorism and to bring to justice those responsible for the political crimes against the people's leaders.  they also demanded that the peace agreements be respected, that the national reconciliation commission's report on repression be made known, and that the nicaraguan contras be demobilized.    they also proposed that the state carry out a real policy of democratization with the people's participation in the face of pressure from the imf, the world bank, and the u.s. embassy.    they also demanded that the government adopt a patriotic position so that the u.s. bases and the contras will be withdrawn from honduras because they constitute a threat to peace in central america.    the ccop and the futh also announced that they have scheduled "a great march for national dignity" this afternoon to mark the heroic deeds of lempira, the defender of national sovereignty and dignity.    the march will begin at 1600 at the comayaguela obelisk and end at tegucigalpa's main square.    the demonstration will also demand the rejection of the imf and world bank's proposals, the expulsion of the nicaraguan contras and respect for the esquipulas ii agreements.

terrorist


Input: the national police reported that the army of national liberation-camilist union (uc-eln) today carried out its sixth attack this year against the pacific oil pipeline, which links the colombian towns of orito and tumaco near the colombian-ecuadoran border.      the rebels used explosives to blow up 1 meter of pipeline. this is the rebels' 33d attack against the country's oil network in 1989.  the authorities reported that there was no oil spill because at the time of the attack, no oil was being pumped through the pipeline.    a woman who said she was speaking on behalf of the uc-eln called the cali media to claim responsibility for the attack.    the uc-eln is attacking colombia's oil pipelines as a way to pressure the government to nationalize the oil industry and to sign more favorable contracts with multinational oil companies. this year alone, the uc-eln launched 25 attacks on the cano limon-covenas oil pipeline, the longest in colombia. the attacks on the cano limon- covenas pipeline have caused approximate $150 million in damage.    if the six attacks on the pacific oil pipeline and the two on the dina-salgar oil pipeline are taken into consideration, losses amount to approximately $200 million. the dina-salgar pipeline carries crude oil from the oil fields in tolima to the refinery in barrancabermeja.

rebels

army of national liberation-camilist union

pacific oil pipeline

explosives


Input: salvadoran people: i address you on this occasion to give you my first report on the state of the country.  i make this report 50 days after assuming power.  at this time i want to tell you the truth; i want tell you exactly what our situation is so that we will all understand what we must do in the future.  every salvadoran must share in the sacrifice and effort. those of us who have a bit must show solidarity with those who have nothing or very little.    the situation is critical, but we must confront it.  that is why we have a government:  to solve problems.  we are willing to do this responsibly, because we know that doing nothing would mean a greater crisis for the salvadoran people and would sink our homeland even deeper in the black abyss.    we know that there are many concerns; we have heard different groups asking that the government state what it is planning to do to solve the problems.  i would like to state, however, that we prefer to act calmly, study the problem in depth, and find a solution that will truly solve the problem.  we would rather do this than make a rash decision and make a mistake.  this is a truly difficult task.    because i want to tell you in all honesty what is happening in the country, i wish to touch on the three major areas that create concern and that i feel the salvadoran people should know about.      first, let us talk about peace.  since this government was sworn and indiscriminate murders.  there is no reason for this, because on 1 june we expressed our resolve to sit down and talk to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.  the fmln's response, however, has been more violence.    we know many groups complain about the violence and insecurity; they have every reason to complain.  the armed forces are willing to do all they can to protect everyone.  they have been doing this in the past days, especially in those areas where the terrorist attacks have been stronger.  the armed forces have been criticized many times and by many groups, especially those groups that in one way or another share the fmln's ideas.  they claim that the armed forces act in a repressive manner.  dear salvadoran people, let us analyze what really is happening in our country.    the armed forces' duty is to control all those situations in which the law is broken.  the armed forces are responsible for maintaining public order.  the armed forces only take action when there are groups that only create violence and disrupt public order.  the armed forces do not take action just because they want to take action.  we have an armed forces to defend the salvadoran people and never to attack the salvadoran people. therefore, what we must do is look around and see who is refusing to make a commitment and who is refusing to sit down, in a rational and peaceful manner, to find a solution to this conflict that no longer has a place in our history.  therefore, i would like to repeat what we, as a government, said on 1 june.  on that day we expressed our willingness to sit down and talk.  i would like to discuss this a bit, because there have been misunderstandings over our intentions in this dialogue. (continued)


Input: smuggling can be held in check only with measures such as these.  we have already begun to take the severest actions against those who smuggle merchandise into our country.  an investigation is well under way into a corporation which has been smuggling merchandise into our country.  those responsible for this will soon be brought to trial in accordance with the law.  we want to warn all those who somehow have smuggled or who are planning to smuggle that they should stop this activity.  we believe that smuggling constitutes corruption and that corruption is a crime of high treason.  we cannot allow corruption in our country.  we will take harsh actions against every type of corruption, including smuggling.  i am asking those who might be approached by unscrupulous individuals who have in their possession smuggled goods to refrain from purchasing those products.  let us not promote smuggling.  i am asking all good salvadoran businessmen not to purchase any smuggled goods.  smuggling constitutes an attack against our homeland and encourages corruption, which must be eradicated from our country.    regarding our fiscal policy, we must try to determine ways to more directly make up for the difference between revenue and disbursements in the country.  we believe that we can bridge this fiscal deficit in two ways -- we must either increase our revenue or lower our disbursements.  this government has already taken austerity measures regarding the latter.  the government has determined not only to maintain expenditures at the current level, but to reduce them by 15 percent.  we want to make clear that our government's austerity measures must be genuine and should be aimed at making more efficient use of scant resources.  this is why we are asking public employees to understand that if the government is to be more efficient, the government must provide better services for the salvadoran people.  after all, it is the people who pay our salaries and provide the revenue that allows the government to operate.    we must spend our money wisely.  all public officials and employees must guard against corruption.  we must take pains to serve the population and to improve the quality of the services that the people are receiving and deserve.  only when the government is run efficiently, when its actions are crystal clear, when the government rids itself of corruption, and when the money that the taxpayers pay is used for the good of the people, will we be able to elicit a positive reaction from the taxpayers.  they have to pay taxes.  when taxes are squandered, misused, or stolen, no one will pay them willingly.  if we, as the government, act honestly, serve the nation well, and implement programs to benefit the majority, only disloyal salvadorans will be unwilling to pay taxes.  (continued)


Input: second, the salvadoran people's health.  we believe that in the very short term, we had to supply all the health facilities and hospitals with at least the most urgently needed medicines for the people.  we have allotted 17 million colons for the health ministry for the purchase of the most urgently needed medicines and for the distribution of this medicine throughout the country so that the poor will receive the efficient health services that the government must provide.    the education ministry has been asked to give students the materials they need to pursue their studies.  a certain amount of money has been allotted for the purchase of equipment needed by the schools.  when the 1990 school year begins, we must be prepared to provide the schools and students with the material they need.  we also believe that it is necessary to begin, as soon as possible, repairing the streets and roads.  the salvadoran people can see that this is already being done.    finally, low-income housing.  next week the public works minister will announce the low-income housing plan, and he will explain how we will help low-income families buy homes.  this will be done through a subsidy plan ensuring that low-income groups will not be affected by steep payments and will have money left over for food and other basic necessities.    we have already drafted a social emergency plan.  this plan will be implemented in september, and its first phase will be carried out in the highly populated urban areas.  the plan will benefit approximately 200 communities and, as of now, i ask the mayors for their help, because we want to work with the municipal governments.  this first phase will be aimed at providing low-income communities with public utilities.  we will provide them with electricity and running water, we will build sewer systems, and we will help them improve their health and nutrition.  amid the crisis we are experiencing, we believe that it is necessary to support the small - scale businessmen in these communities.  we will organize a loan system for small - size businesses for development within these communities.  i repeat:  this social emergency plan will be implemented in september.  in the next few weeks, we will begin to seek the cooperation of those municipal governments that will be involved in the plan.    there is something else that we must all struggle for, and that is to abolish unemployment.  we must struggle so that every salvadoran will have the chance to earn an honest living.  we therefore wish to launch an offensive against unemployment.  we also believe that the best way to fight violence is through employment opportunities, so that the people will not find themselves in the situation where they believe that they must commit crimes to survive or that they must get involved in the type of violence sponsored by the fmln terrorists.  therefore, in september, we will also implement an emergency plan to generate employment.  this plan has some specific goals:  first, to provide a basic job for those persons who are unemployed or underemployed.  our goal is to create 20,000 jobs per month for these people.  this plan will be drafted in the next few weeks, and we will implement it during those months when there is usually a drop in employment.  i must stress that we are not going to implement the plan during the sowing and harvest seasons, because during those seasons there is an overabundance of jobs. (continued)


Input: the salvadoran national police reported this morning that unidentified men set off bombs at the central american jose simeon canas university, uca, located in southwestern san salvador.    according to the report, the attack took place at 0200.  one administrative office, one bus, and one electrical transformer were damaged as a result of the explosion of at least four bombs that went off inside the uca campus.    the armed forces have always condemned this kind of attack, which is usually carried out by certain groups that oppose peace. the armed forces believe that such attacks are not the way to solve the country's social and political problems.    in addition, these violent actions only confuse the public, because unscrupulous people always blame the army for any such action, without first conducting an in-depth investigation of the origin of the attacks.    the armed forces have always reiterated their willingness to ensure respect for human rights, public and private property, and the life and safety of the salvadoran people.  therefore, from this very moment, the armed forces reject any accusation implicating them in the attack against uca, which took place early this morning.

unidentified men

central american jose simeon canas university

administrative office

bus

electrical transformer

four bombs


Input: dear peasant friends:    from the very 1st day of our administration, we have pledged our full commitment to national programs and have said that "at no time and for no reason will we forget the many needy people in the country -- that is, the noble and long-suffering peasants, who are the main victims of terrorist violence."      this ceremony reaffirms our government's commitment to continue agrarian reform.    we want you to realize the seriousness of our words through our deeds. this presentation of 8,000 permanent land title deeds to the beneficiaries of decree 207 -- through the national financial institution for agricultural lands (finata) -- reflects our objectives.    we have categorically said that we will not turn back the agrarian reform process.  quite to the contrary, we want to fully support it in order to guarantee that peasants in areas affected by the agrarian reform are free to choose the kind of property ownership that best suits their needs, in accordance with the great freedoms guaranteed in the constitution and laws of the republic.    our government is determined to work hard to ensure that our brother peasants are indeed benefited by the agrarian reform and that they will not be used as a demagogical banner at the service of political ideology, as was the case until recently.  we want peasants' welfare to be the objective of our agrarian reform; we want agrarian reform to develop within a legal, honest, and patriotic framework.    we are against the demagoguery of static paternalism, because we want peasants to determine their own fate, to truly participate in their production units' decisionmaking process, in the marketing of their products, and in the distribution of revenue.    it is neither fair nor correct, as has been the case in the past, to benefit office workers, who have never sweated in the fields under the agrarian reform, when you -- the peasants -- are now facing debts and are worse off than before you owned land.    our government and you will gradually change this situation to ensure that you will enthusiastically work your land, knowing that the fruit of your labor will directly benefit your families.  we are sure that with efficient organization, prompt credit, adequate technical assistance, and the hardworking legacy of the salvadoran people, we will turn the agrarian reform into an opportunity for economic and social development, which will benefit all salvadorans by promoting production and productivity.    dear peasants:    we wish to take advantage of this opportunity to tell you that our government is determined to work with you.  through the relevant organizations, the government will implement programs to completely upgrade the salvadoran peasants' conditions.      through finata, we will continue to finance the acquisition of more land for distribution among thousands of peasant families.    dear friends:    our government is determined to achieve peace, because we are aware that the fmln's terrorist violence disturbs the calm and normal procedure of rural activities; we realize that we must end the violence so that we can all go back to work and bring about a national recovery.  peasants have suffered the most throughout the conflict unleashed by the terrorist marxist-leninist groups, and we believe that the time has come to seek the peace that we all want in order to restore social harmony, mutual respect, and fraternal love among all salvadorans without exception.      on behalf of the government of the republic, we have been particularly pleased to present these permanent land title deeds to the beneficiaries of decree 207.  we congratulate and invite you to continue working together to help the fatherland recover from the crisis and to build for our children and all salvadorans a future of peace, justice, liberty, and progress.


Input: lima television peruana network in spanish 1733 gmt on 28 july, continuing its live coverage of festivities on the occasion of peruvian national day, broadcasts a speech to the nation by peruvian president alan garcia live from the national congress chamber in lima.    president garcia notes that his presidency has been a testimony of faith to democracy based on the peruvian constitution, which provides the framework for governing a free peru.  noting that this speech is his last message to the country from congress, garcia begins to comment on the achievements and events of his last year in office.  after stressing the importance of democracy and education to overcome problems of the economy and of violence, garcia declares:  "i am hereby call for general elections to choose president and the members of congress on 8 april 1990.  applause    "i would like to remark that i am a politician, that i participate in debates, and that my life is indebted to the apra (american popular revolutionary alliance) movement.  yet as president i have a major sacred mission, that of guaranteeing that the elections will be absolutely fair and clean."    garcia notes that the electoral authorities will be replaced and that the national media are from this moment on placed at the disposal of the candidates.  he calls on the armed forces to defend democracy.    the president calls on peruvian youth to eschew violence in favor of education and working toward promoting democracy.    garcia then turns his attention to the question of regionalization, noting that many governmental institutions are being reorganized to better serve the people.  when each region has its own elected officials, he says, the people will exert more control over officials' activities, and corruption will be reduced.  peru will not need to accept international solutions to its national problems.    after calling on the justice judicial branch to improve its administration of justice, garcia announces: "i hereby call elections -- following a consultation with the national electoral court -- for regional government representatives of the grau region, created on 1 march 1988, made up of the following provinces: tumbes, contralmirante villar, zarumilla, huancabamba, morropon, paita, sullana, talara, ayabaca, and piura on 12 november 1989."  garcia also issues an official call for 12 november elections in the amazonas, arequipa, and moquegua-tacna-puno regions.    at 1801 gmt garcia begins to speak on the subject of terrorism and violence.  he calls on the people as well as all poltiical parties to support the armed forces in putting an end to violence.  he proposes that terrorists be tried in military courts.      on the subject of the economic crisis in peru, president garcia reiterates that his government is promoting an increase in foreign reserves as well as reactivating the production sector.  he notes the importance of further developing agriculture and petroleum.  he reviews the public works projects, including irrigation and rural electricification works, that have been initiated or completed during his presidency.    garcia calls on the people not to be defeated by terrorism, sensationalism, or pessimism.  noting that the people are peru's most important resource, the president calls for improving the social welfare sector.  he denies the rumor that sector will be privatized.    garcia ends his speech at 1851 gmt.


Input: good evening ladies and gentlemen.  today we will discuss the foreign debt problem.  this subject could perhaps seem a bit out place at a time when more troublesome matters affect all argentine families, such as high public utility rates, prices, controls, difficulties, etc.  however, we must attend to the foreign debt problem because most our difficulties come from it.    of what does this problem consist?  we currently owe $64 billion.  this represents a burden of $6 billion yearly in interest payments.  since argentina is currently exporting $9 billion annually, and if we paid $6 billion in interest, we would only have $3 billion left annually to attend to all our national needs, that is, the needs of industry, commerce, etc.    obviously this is not enough money, and we cannot pay $6 billion in interest each year with $9 billion worth of annual exports.    this is not new.  this is a heavy inheritance, which originated not in the recent past but more than 10 years ago.  when martinez de hoz became economy minister (march 1976), the foreign debt amounted to $9 billion. when he concluded his term, the debt amounted to $29 billion.  the military governments that came after him dragged the debt along and increased it to $44 billion which they passed to president alfonsin. alfonsin's administration increased the debt by an additional $20 billion. so today our debt amounts to $64 billion.    this is not all.  we ceased honoring our commitments abroad.  we have not even paid interest since april last year.  we have only made token payments.  this refutes the ideas of those who say: let us stop paying our debt and use the resources to make the country grow.  we are not paying anything.    for more than a year we have not been paying anything, and not only has the economy not grown, but it shrank.    argentina has an extremely low credit rating.  countries are internationally classified by their credit, and we are in one of the lowest categories.  our commercial credit is also being curtailed.  commercial credits are the ones that allow us to import, export, and meet our daily needs.    when the new administration assumed power on 8 april 1989, the central bank's foreign reserves were exhausted.  this situation can turn into a crisis at any moment.  we cannot continue like this.    the coming of this new government, which has brought about positive expectations and hope, and which is undertaking remarkable changes -- mainly changes of mentality -- has stopped the crisis from exploding.  but we cannot rest on our achievements.  we must face this problem immediately.    our starting point in certainly very uncomfortable.  our country has no prestige abroad; we have lost our credibility.  no one even wants to hear about argentina, or at least about its debt.  in the past few years we have not honored any of our commietments.  every time we signed a letter of intent with the imf, we knew that we could not comply with it.  there have been several letters of intent we did not comply with.    what policy will we follow in the future?  the president defined it in his message to congress on 8 july.  he said we have a heavy burden, a debt that was unwisely contracted, but it is a commitment of honor.  he used words that were common in argentina in the past.      it was once said: we will comply with our commitments, even at the cost of hunger and thirst for the argentine people.  the president has made his own commitment on this subject.  we will pay according to the capability of the nation, and the only thing we require is a bit of time and, of course, flexibility on the part of our creditors.    if we did not honor our commitments, if we had said we are not going to pay, the situation in our country would be dramatically worse.  we would be isolated.  we would not be able to obtain credits, we would not be able to obtain foreign capital investments.  in a word, we would not be able to integrate the rest of the world, which is quickly expanding and progressing.  we would be much more backward than we are today.  therefore there is really no question of paying or not paying.  the honor of the country is at stake.    what is the role of the foreign debt in our economic recovery?  you know that we have everything necessary.  we have natural resources, food, energy, fishing, mining, etc.  we have human resources.  you know that when argentines work abroad they are efficient and they are recognized as such. we have no internal religious, racial, or indian problems, not even problems with our neighbors.    what are we missing?  why are we where we are, and why can't we survive? we need two things: first, we need an appropriate economic order.  we live in a deep economic and social disorder.  second, we need capital.  capital is absolutely necessary.    i said that i was going to discuss the savings in argentina that can be tapped.  for years, argentina's savings have been constantly punished by government actions, such as abusive taxes, mandatory savings, and, above all, the great erosion caused by inflation that destroys the currency.  just remember how many times we have changed our currency.  to protect themselves from these losses, what did savers do?  they either took their money abroad or hid it under their mattresses.  we will focus today on the money under the mattresses, although what i will say now will also be relevant for those who have their savings abroad.  according to calculations, there are small, medium, and large savings adding up to nearly $5 billion in the country.  a person was assaulted in cordoba the other day and $250,000 was found in his mattress.  money under the mattress is at risk, does not accrue interest, does not work for the country, and does not give any benefit to the owners nor the country.    some of our hope lies in these savings inside and outside of the country, because they represent a reserve that we have on hand.  we are not bankrupt.  we have those reserves, although they are not working.  the secret is to use them for the country's benefit.  argentina's problems can be resolved if these savings are used.  now, to tap into these savings, the government has made a decision, and the central bank has already translated it into a resolution.  into banks here in the country in dollars, yen, deutsche marks, or any other currency.  they will be able to make withdrawals whenever they want in the same currency in which their savings were deposited.  nobody will be allowed to touch them.  this will be reinforced by a law granting savers the maximum guarantee that no public power can intervene in those savings; that is, there will be a financial system into which those savings, in any currency, can be placed for the benefit of the country and, of course, the depositor.  anybody who has $10,000 under his mattress can take it out, go to the bank, and, under the guarantee of the bank -- not the central bank or the nation, which have been discredited -- the money will be at his disposal at any time.  the bank will lend the money for export operations and for moving the country's wealth. new blood will thus have been injected into the argentine financial system.    i point out that the law will give maximum guarantees. no public power will have the right to seize the savings, nor freeze them, nor postpone their withdrawal.  these are the maximum guarantees that can be given; more is impossible.  each argentine must now think about what this means.  it has a crucial importance, because it injects blood into the social body; it moves the country.  moreover, from the moral standpoint, if we do not do this, how can we go abroad and ask foreigners to invest in argentina -- to bring their money to argentina -- if at the same time i do not invest here because i do not have confidence in my country? this is an immoral position.    if we make the initial effort and deposit $2, 3 or 4 billion in the country, our negotiations abroad take a new twist, because we can say that the argentines have made the first effort.  all this naturally depends on confidence, and confidence in turn depends on taking this first step.  this is a reciprocal effect.  to create confidence, measures such as those adopted by the government and the central bank have to be adopted.  these measures create confidence, and with confidence the country will quickly recover.  we have many other things to say about this, but within the limitation of time, we can stop here.


Input: mr president of congress, gentlemen members of the national congress:    ten years ago, the members of the constituent assembly presided over by haya de la torre, calling up on lord god for strength and in keeping with the powers vested in us by the sovereign will of the people, approved the national constitution. we believe that the human being comes first and that all honorable people have universally valid rights.  thus we decided to work for a free and just society and for the development of a democratic state based on popular will and on the free, periodic consultation of this will.    we bet on civilized coexistence as a way of launching a process based on stable and legitimate institutions. the most important conditions, however, were set forth in chapter 1, which recognized the individual's basic rights and duties for the free development of his personality.    our constitution was a result of the balance achieved among various and sometimes antagonistic political forces.  thus, some of its economic articles may seem vague. however, under this constitution any ideology can govern the country and make changes in any direction whatsoever, as long as those first conditions agreed upon by consensus are respected. (passage omitted)    this is the last message i will deliver to congress as president before i turn the presidency over to a citizen elected by the people.    i cannot fail to expand on the achievements made this year, which, honestly speaking are much fewer than in previous years. i am delivering a summary of these achievements in writing, as establish by the constitution, for the use of the legislators. it is a summary of material achievements.    it is now more important to me to say that the main objective of the government in the next 12 months will be to reaffirm the system of democratic freedom, which is the most important system peru has. with this freedom, even the most extreme positions can exist. the reactionary positions of the ultraright and radical ideologies can also live in freedom. violence has less chance of developing in freedom.  the nation has more legitimate means to eradicate violence under freedom.    like any other citizen, i also believe that sometimes disagreements, political parties, laws, and skillful legal procedures can obstruct many things and stop decisions. but this is the price for a civilized lifestyle. democracy does not have the forthrightness of a dictatorship. democracy is slower, but demands more firmness, more conviction, more patience. democracy demands the gradual education of the people; this takes a long time. i am saying this because the country has been suffering a dramatic economic crisis since september 1988, and it has been necessary to make harsh changes at a time when violence has seemed to increase.    we heard some people who had lost their cool demanding an interruption of our democracy. they called for a shorter government term. they also said that the country could defeat the terrorist violence and the economic crisis by restricting freedom and establishing an authoritarian regime.    i believe that those were immature voices, deceitful temptations. many of those voices unfortunately came from people who have more wealth. by doing this they have shown that they are not yet ready to coexist democratically and to accept that social and economic tensions, even at the worse times, should be handled with serenity and patience. a dictatorship that violates legal procedures will only help to increase violence and legitimate insurgency, and would stimulate the creation of new subversive groups. a dictatorship cannot solve the economic crisis. it would only have limited power and would impose a traumatic experience that would lead nowhere.    i am referring to this issue because the next 12 months will be a crucial period. i call on the peruvian people to look at the future of our democracy by realizing that in a democracy the problems are solved with more democracy, with more freedom, and with more participation. to have democracy, one must have a great deal of patience.    this is my last message to congress. i am committed to more freedom and more freedom of expression, which sometimes we doubt because of excesses. but freedom of expression will always be positive, because without freedom of expression abuse will prevail. (continued)


Input: the farabundo marti national liberation marti front (fmln) today claimed it downed two helicopters and also charged some houses were destroyed by military aircraft in northern morazan department.  radio venceremos reported military planes and helicopter gunships bombed towns and villages near the city of perquin.  although there were no victims, venceremos added, the building of the foundation for the development of morazan communities and houses around a local school were destroyed.    the armed forces press comittee (coprefa), however, denied the fmln reports.  coprefa said it did not know of any military units carrying out counterinsurgency operations in that region.  in addition, coprefa reported the guerrillas burned half a manzana of coffee fields at the transitora farm, san vicente department.  (endall)

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation marti front

military

building of the foundation for the development of morazan communities

houses around a local school

coffee fields


Input: the authorities have reported that in the past few hours the camilist union of the army of national liberation (uc-eln) blew up a section of the pereira-cartago pipeline, causing major structural damage but leaving no casualties.    the colombian petroleum enterprise, ecopetrol, reported that the explosion took place at the 20 km marker of the pipeline, only 7 km from cartago, in pereira jurisdiction.    the subversives perpetrated this action on the sotara ranch owned by hernando rojas.    uc-eln members detonated a powerful dynamite charge causing heavy damage to the pipeline.    the authorities, who reported a considerable fuel spill and extensive damage to the ranch, immediately ordered the implementation of a plan to counter the subversives' action.    the uc-eln's martha elena baron unit claimed responsibility for the attack hours after it was carried out.    this outlawed group reported that this terrorist attack was part of the "wake up sovereign colombia" campaign in response to what it describes as "the stealing of petroleum by multinational companies."

martha elena baron unit

uc-eln

pereira-cartago pipeline

dynamite charge


Input: guatemalan president vinicio cerezo said today that danilo barillas, former ambassador and leader of the ruling christian democratic party (pdc), was the "victim of the political intolerance of groups who do not want to live in democracy."    in statements to newsmen, cerezo said that those responsible for killing barillas "are extreme rightist groups seeking to destabilize the democratic process begun on 14 january 1986," after 2 decades of military regimes.    police sources reported that barillas, ambassador to spain during the first 2 years of cerezo's administration, which began in 1986, was gunned down by unidentified persons as he was returning to his home in the southern part of the capital after taking one of his daughters to a nearby bus stop.    official reports indicate that the attackers, who were traveling in two vehicles with tinted windows, had been waiting for barillas since very early in the morning.  de political leader managed to avoid the first shots that were fired at him and took refuge under a parked car, where the assailants pumped 6 rounds into him.    barillas, 50, was secretary general of the pdc from 1970 to 1974.    president cerezo and alfonso cabrera, pdc secretary and presidential hopeful for that party, went to barillas' home where they vehemently condemned the crime.    cabrera termed those responsible for the killing "cowards," and said that the crime is part of a terrorist wave that has gripped guatemala for over 15 days.      barillas was a member of the guatemalan delegation that participated in a meeting with leaders of the guatemalan national revolutionary unity (urng) held in madrid, spain, in october 1987, when he was ambassador to that european country.    after leaving that post last year he was appointed by president cerezo as director of the so-called "metropolitan development councils," which provide refuge for peasants affected by the counterinsurgency struggle.

extreme rightist groups

danilo barillas


Input: vina del mar -- through telephone calls to the media in the fifth region, the manuel rodriguez patriotic front, fpmr, has claimed responsibility for a bomb attack that left four children injured on 26 july in the las achupallas sector, on the road betwenn vina del mar and quilpue.    carabineros yesterday continued their operation to locate the perpetrators of the attack against a police patrol car.    the office of the vina del mar prefect reported that no arrests have yet been made regarding this case.  many people have been arrested and later released upon confirmation that they were not involved in the attack.    it has been reported that the resurreccion del senor chapel of the asuncion de maria parish was searched by the police with the authorization of father alfredo jackson.  the search was prompted by several reports by neighbors who claimed that there were many suspicious people in the chapel. (passage omitted)

manuel rodriguez patriotic front

police patrol car

bomb


Input: urban guerrillas, clandestine militias, and guerrillas.  according to the reports we have received thus far, the operation has been carried out as follows:    1.  guerrilla columns attacked san ramon -- specifically the paramilitary forces headquarters and the national guard posts -- and carried out sabotage actions, ambushes of enemy reinforcements, and combat with army patrols, as well as distributing propaganda.    2.  attacks on the civil defense garrison in mejicanos and combat actions in el piso, as well as the distribution of propaganda.    3.  sabotage actions against the electricity system in the escalon and san benito neighborhoods and other points in the capital city, which has been left without electricity and (words indistinct).    4.  distribution of propaganda in the downtown area of the capital city and army boulevard.  5.  ambushes of military detachments.  6.  combat    actions against army units in the miralvalle, satelite, monte bello, zacamil, aduc, and other neighborhoods.  during this operation, we have taken a qualitative leap in coordinating our urban forces in simultaneous attacks.    this is our response to the death squads' economic policy (words indistinct) humanitarian organizations, raids, tortures, and murders of labor union movement members.  as we have demonstrated through our urban operation, the (word indistinct) plan is not against the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front), but against all national sectors with the aim of stifling all opposition to the arena's (nationalist republican alliance) plans of permanently placing in power the oligarchic minority it represents.    the fmln calls on all national sectors to join efforts to defeat arena's total war plans so that all salvadorans united against fascism will find a national solution to the conflict.    (signed) fmln general command, 1 august 1989

fmln

electricity system


Input: the so-called los extraditables today claimed responsibility for the reprehensible attack on judge maria elena diaz, third judge of public order, who was murdered on friday 28 july in medellin.  the group stated this in a letter sent today to the judicial zone president.    the self-styled los extraditables claimed responsibility for what they termed the execution of the public official on 28 july.  the letter sent to judicial zone president antonio suarez said that the action was carried out because the government refuses to accept a dialogue with the group, and emphasized that the group members prefer a tomb in colombia to a prison cell in the united states.      the group added that their actions in the country are aimed at defending their families and their legal rights to be free and have a nationality.

los extraditables

maria elena diaz


Input: two people were killed and three wounded in an attack on the local military command post in san ramon by fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) units.    the guerrillas attacked the command post in san ramon with mortars and rifle fire.  the fighting lasted nearly 2 hours.  one civilian and one soldier were killed, and several paramilitary squad members and civilians were wounded.    after the fighting, our cameramen took these clips, which show the harshness and cruelty of this war, which has affected many civilians.  as can be seen, the civilians were waiting to be rescued by humanitarian organizations, but for some people it was already too late, because they were killed in the crossfire.      the command post in soyapango was also attacked on 30 july, and one person was killed.  during today's attack on san ramon, the civil defense units were supported by the ramon belloso battalion, which was able to gain control of the situation by nightfall.  (passage omitted)

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front

local military command post

command post

mortars

rifle


Input: the salvadoran army is on a state of alert and has increased its surveillance in san salvador to counter a new guerrilla offensive, which has caused at least 48 military casualties over the past 24 hours in several actions throughout the country.    treasury police director colonel heriberto hernandez reported that the state of alert is designed to prevent sabotage and the delivery of weapons for the guerrillas.  it includes an increase in land and air patrols and searches of buses and private vehicles.    the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) offensive has been launched to protest the government's latest economic measures, including the deregulation of staple prices, the privatization of coffee exports and banking activities, and an increase in bus fares and electricity bills.    col hernandez said: "the government wants what is best for the people, so land transportation users will logically be affected by the increase, but businessmen are also trying to solve their problems."    a clandestine rebel station asserted that the attacks were carried out in morazan, usulutan, metapan, san miguel, cabanas, san vicente, la paz, san salvador, and the conflict-ridden chalatenango department.    the armed forces claimed they had no information on the number of casualties or the clashes announced by the fmln and asserted that, contrary to the fmln report, three guerrilla fighters had died and five had been killed in various clashes that occurred in northern and eastern towns, and in the salvadoran capital.      nevertheless, the army recognized that two soldiers and two civilians had died, and four were wounded in attacks on army positions and in ambushes against army and government vehicles.      the rebels also increased their sabotage activities against the electrical power system and blew up a still undetermined number of structures and telephone exchange boxes in san salvador. they also announced that they have placed explosive devices on some of the country's main highways.

rebels

farabundo marti national liberation front

electrical power system

structures

telephone exchange boxes

highways

explosive devices