Input: the self-determination of peoples means nations have the ability to settle their domestic problems by themselves.  based on this view, several of the country's most oustanding democrats and dupes denounced foreign military aid to fight drug trafficking, a scourge that became an international problem a long time ago and is weakening colombian sovereignty.    i have no doubt that those who are now most opposed to the presence of u.s. military advisers and experts are those who regard this presence as a serious obstacle to the armed organizations they promote and that are trained by libyan, british, cuban, and israeli experts.    it is obvious that sovereignty is the most important element for the existence of a state.  however, we lost our sovereignty long ago and to regain it we must accept all the aid the honest international community can offer us.    sovereignty, among other things, means adopting decisions based on the needs or preferences of the nation as a whole.  that stopped happening in colombia when the drug traffickers began to intimidate and destroy the legitimate institutions of the state.  how can we talk of sovereignty when we see that our people have fallen prey to terrorism; that they are living and dying enslaved by daily bombings and lies; that they are governing under the pressure of threats; that they have sought refuge in a home imprisoned by fear?  it is absurd to talk of a truly sovereign state when it is known that several of the country's top political and business leaders are involved in criminal activities.  an act of sovereignty -- one in the midst of so much subjugation -- would be to strip ourselves of so much vain pride and accept the fact that we are weak and need all the help offered by anyone whose intentions are based on the law.  moreover, it is ironic that several of those who are clamoring for "the defense of sovereignty" are the same ones who are now asking the u.s.  government to explain the cancellation of visas.  is it not a matter of national sovereignty to decide who can and cannot enter that country?    i am reminded of those thousands of cases of food and medicine donated to colombia following the armero catastrophe that rotted in the country's customs warehouses.  armero is the burial ground for 30,000 colombians and the scene of the tragedy of thousands more. despite the regrettable end that this aid met in so many warehouses, nobody opposed international solidarity with that corner of tolima department.    the war on drug traffickers could bury us.  let us struggle for sovereingty and accept the advice offered by the united states, or we will end up rotting in a warehouse filled with white powder.


Input: the colombian national liberation army (eln) guerrilla movement, which kidnapped spanish businessman pablo martin berrocal almost 2 months ago in quito, is demanding 1 billion pesetas ransom for his release.    sources close to the rebel group, the only one that has not joined the government's peace process in colombia, told efe that negotiations for his release are being carried out in an unidentified border town.    colombian guerrillas, disguised as policemen, kidnapped the 55-year-old businessman last 9 august at the hotel where berrocal was staying in the downtown section of the ecuadoran capital.  the same sources stated that berrocal's wife, blanca paradela, and a partner are in colombia negotiating for the businessman's release directly with representatives of the eln, a rebel group led by former spanish priest manuel perez,    the eln has not announced the motive for the kidnapping.  sources consulted with by efe considered the possibility that the colombian rebel group has only economic motives.    berrocal owns a bullfighting ring in quito and he participates with his brother, bullfighting businessman luis martin berrocal, in la sepulvedana transportation company.    neither the colombian national police nor the administrative department of security (das), charged with the country's secret investigations, have any information on martin berrocal or his alleged presence in the country.    efe has learned that representatives of martin berrocal, who went to bogota in mid-september, did not get in contact with the colombian authorities when they passed through this city.    the eln, a marxist-leninist oriented group that has been involved in armed struggle for 25 years, has been characterized by its attacks on the colombian oil enterprise and frequent kidnappings of newsmen and politicians of the country.    the group has been active along the colombian border, especially areas that border ecuador and venezuela.

colombian guerrillas

colombian national liberation army

pablo martin berrocal


Input: israeli antiterror security instructors in peru have been declared persona non grata and are not being allowed to enter peru. this was learned by our correspondent from sources close to israeli companies dealing with the sale of security know-how.    the london observer, quoting peruvian congress members, reported that evidence concerning israeli involvement in the training of a right-wing terrorist organization in lima disappeared from the files of a congressional commission probing israeli involvement in peru. our correspondent hanan 'azran has more details:    the reports in the london observer apparently stem from left-wing circles and peruvian guerrilla groups.  the most prominent group is the shining path, a guerrilla group aiming to overthrow the regime. these circles contend that israelis train what they term the right-wing death, or terror, squads.  they apparently refer to the rodrigo franco commando units, to which the liquidation of guerrilla members and of opponents to the regime is attributed.    political circles in jerusalem have said that these claims of israeli involvement in the training of death squads are groundless.    israeli companies are involved in military training and in maneuvers in peru.  israeli experts have set up the peruvian army's antiterror squad.  one of the squad's founders was gabi kohen, a former israel police antiterror unit commander.  gabi kohen was a partner in the dat company, which offered similar training and instruction services to additional countries in latin america and elsewhere in the world.    dat operated in peru with the permit of sibat, the defense ministry defense sales department.  one member of the company was a senior border police officer, former border police commander tzvi bar, who retired from the company after a short period, turning to other enterprises.    one company with diverse operations in peru was the isds owned by leo glaser, also an idf (israel defense forces) elite unit graduate. isds had permanent offices in lima headed by ran gazit, who later opened a business of his own elsewhere.  the company had defense ministry approval for its work in peru.  according to its directors, it trained security guards for civilian businesses only, including the use of firearms and protection measures.


Input: the government today put its forces of order on maximum state of alert due to a series of attacks by "shining path" terrorists.    the government made this decision after a cruel terrorist attact in palpa, 350 km south of lima.  the authorities added that "everything seems to indicate that the maoist shining path movement will carry out further attacks on the eve of the group of eight presidential summit to be held on 11 and 12 october.    it was reported this afternoon that special troops have been sent to palpa and that armored helicopters are already overflying the area in search of the attackers.  police troops have also been urgently dispatched to other areas where there has been terrorist escalations. the government also announced that "it will guarantee the safety of the summit."


Input: the authorities of the eastern department of arauca, in the oil producing sector of the country, have announced that msgr jesus emilio jaramillo was murdered and that his body was found today.  the authorities blamed the leftist army of national liberation (eln) guerrillas for the murder.    yesterday several armed men kidnapped jaramillo, the bishop of arauca, and his assistant, elmer munoz, but later released the latter.    general rafael padilla, commander of the 2d army division, confirmed that bishop jaramillo died from two gunshots to the head. he blamed the eln's domingo lain front for the crime.    gen padilla praised msgr jaramillo's work over the past few years in favor of the poor in arauca department, but did not explain what reasons the guerrillas could have had for murdering the prelate.    this is the first time that a church official of such high ranking has been murdered in colombia.    the eln, the most active and violent guerrilla group in the country, has repeatedly rejected the offers of peace from the liberal administration of president virgilio barco. the eln--which is led by manuel perez, a spanish citizen and former priest--has made the country's oil infrastructure the main target of its terrorist activities.

domingo lain front

army of national liberation

jesus emilio jaramillo

elmer munoz


Input: groups holding the same policies that failed in chile at the end of the 1960's and the beginning of the 1970's were able to establish themselves in other places.    now we are witnessing the collapse of the illusions and of the possibilities of totalitarian and collectivist systems. it seems that peace is being consolidated.  the world powers have agreed to work for a better understanding and more rational relations.  the world is becoming increasingly interdependent.    our modern knowledge, science, technology, and resources have overcome borders and limitations.  the same is true of the international community.  these problems, therefore, are a challenge for world cooperation and this organization.    one of the greatest challenges facing the international community today is the drafting of effective programs to fight drug trafficking. we support colombia for its courage to face the powerful criminal organizations that are using the nation for their own purposes.  chile has implemented a strict preventive program to control the most dangerous manifestations of the problem.  we are not a drug producing country.  we are victims of drug trafficking.    in one of its first decisions on the problem, in september 1973, the government expelled a group of foreign drug traffickers who had established themselves in northern chile, taking advantage of the prevailing political and social crisis.  we are convinced that countries cannot fight the problem alone.  the world has declared war on drugs.  we must be aware that transitory victories will not eradicate the problem.  only with proper education will we be able to nurture the strength of our youth, alert them to the dangers of drug consumption, and prevent them from becoming victims.    the international community must assign the necessary resources to implement efficient education programs.    we have expressed concern about terrorism for many years.  today we want to reiterate our rejection and repudiation of terrorism. chileans are especially sensitive to terrorism because we continuously experience their cowardly and irresponsible attacks.  we have often seen how some nations receive confessed terrorists who ask for political asylum.    if modern societies want to defeat terrorism and narcoterrorism, they will have to act decisively.  terrorists should not be given refuge or protection anywhere.    some international organizations have permitted the systematic manipulation of the issue of human rights for political reasons.  the parties involved in such manipulation have tried to include the legitimate right of a nation to defend itself from terrorism and subversion in the definition of human right violations.  it is not that we deny the inalienable rights of people.  we condemn the gross manipulation of the issue of human rights.  this manipulation shows that those parties do not respect human rights themselves.  human rights should be respected by all nations without exception.    it is not fair to pass judgment on countries like chile that had to struggle hard to overcome the difficulties created by terrorism and subversion.  terrorism set foot in chile as a consequence of disruption in the institutional order between 1970 and 1973.  those passing judgment must consider the general situation that provoked the collapse of peaceful coexistence.    in chile we have built a society in which human rights are protected not only by democratic institutions and the law, but also by the chilean people's willingness to respect individual rights, values, and beliefs.  those rights are also protected by today's spirit of coexistence.


Input: guatemalan security forces today declared a "general alert" after a radio station in the capital received a phone call in which an unidentified person threatened a generalized attack on radio stations throughout the country.    odilio deleon, 42, an announcer for radio cultural, told the police that he received a phone call yesterday in which an attack on radio stations was threatened.  no reason for the threat was given.    police sources said that in view of this report, security forces were alerted and investigations begun to identify those responsible for this plan.    over 20 months ago, the operator of a tranmission tower for channel 7 television was killed by a high-powered bomb detonated by unidentified persons.    the home of rolando archila, director general of guatemala's emisoras unidas, the radio station with the largest audience in the country, was damaged in a terrorist attack.    the christian democratic government attributed these actions to "extreme rightist" groups seeking to "destabilize the democratic process initiated in january, 1986," after 2 decades of military regimes.    so far, it is not known if the threat to the radio stations was made by those groups, or if it came from the extreme left (the guerrillas).

unidentified person

"extreme rightist" groups

the guerrillas

radio stations

home of rolando archila


Input: peruvian president alan garcia has asked some european nations to attend the presidential meeting of the coca producing countries and u.s. authorities at which the drug trafficking issue will be discussed.    garcia said that the proposal was addressed to the french, italian, and spanish chiefs of state, francois mitterrand, giulio andreotti, and felipe gonzalez, respectively.    during a news conference to foreign correspondents, alan garcia said that europe must attend this meeting because it is a strong drug market and because of the links between drug trafficking gangs and terrorists.    garcia criticized the plan proposed by william bennett, the white house's main adviser for drug trafficking affairs, on the grounds that it "lacks seriousness and is inconceivable." the plan provides for $250 million in aid for colombia, bolivia, and peru for fighting drug trafficking in 1990.    the peruvian president said that this amount is "ridiculous" if compared with the $8 billion that the bennett plan assigns for fighting drug trafficking in the united states, and with the u.s. $300 billion military budget.    alan garcia criticized the fact that the united states gave colombia "planes from the korean war era and old helicopters that were used here (in peru)."    he said that the united states should not form alliances with governments but with coca farmers, and that it should implement comprehensive replacement programs including guaranteed sales.    "peru does not have drug addiction problems, but an agricultural system which has been distorted by the u.s. demand," alan garcia added, noting that the most fertile peruvian land is dedicated to coca farming.    alan garcia said that if the 200,000 hectares of coca farms in peru (which account for 60 percent of world production) are "drastically eradicated," more than 400,000 peasants will be left "in absolute misery," adding that these peasants may join the subversive groups operating in the coca producing zone of alto huallaga, in the amazonian region.    "if the united states has lived with drug addiction for decades, i don't see why it now wants to drop kind of atomic bomb on the huallaga zone," he added.    the peruvian president declined to comment on a u.s. charge that general guillermo arciniegas, chief of the huallaga military zone, has used drug traffickers' money to fight terrorists.    "just as we have never said that u.s. officials or policemen are accomplices with drug addicts, we cannot tolerate the charge that those who fight subversion in peru are accomplices with drug producers," he noted.


Input: some 80 members and supporters of the federation of committees of mothers of political prisoners (fecmafan) today "forcibly" occupied the costa rican embassy in san salvador to denounce "the repression of the fascist government" of el salvador.    costa rican ambassador jesus fernandez, who considers himself a hostage, said that the embassy was "taken over by force by armed individuals" while all of its personnel and members of the public were inside the building.    a member of the fecmafan told newsmen that "the purpose of this occupation is to denounce before the government of nobel peace prize winner oscar arias and before the other governments of the world, the repression to which the people's organizations in el salvador are being subjected."    the fecmafan member added that the occupation is also being used to reach these governments to ask them to apply pressure on salvadoran president alfredo cristiani to get him to ensure respect for human rights.    ambassador fernandez said: "there is no reason for this occupation, because i have always met with all sectors.  this is hardly the treatment that should be given to a government that has shown extreme concern in seeking a negotiated solution to the salvadoran conflict."    in addition to ambassador fernandez, consul humberto murillo, counselor carlota de lopez, and first secretary luis de anda are inside the 54-square-meter office, as well as 10 persons who were seeking visas.    de anda told acan-efe that he was hit on the left hand when the occupiers tried to open his desk drawer.    the doors to the embassy, which is in a 10-story building in western san salvador, are closed, and the offices are occupied by women with white scarves on their heads and youths whose faces are covered with scarves and glasses.  fecmafan members, who claim that they are not carrying weapons, are guarding the elevator and the doors leading to the embassy.    however, consul murillo said that he saw several youths armed with .38-caliber revolvers and explosive devices.    according to a fecmafan member, over the past 3 months, some 150 persons have been killed and more than 500 have been arrested or made to disappear.    one of the leaders of the group said: "we are protesting the limitation of freedoms in el salvador.  if we take to the streets to protest we are arrested."    the ambassador said that he has not been able to get in touch with his government, because "i am being prevented from making phone calls and from leaving the embassy."    the occupiers allowed five people, including a pregnant woman, to leave the premises and said that they planned to stay in the embassy indefinitely.


Input: approximately 50 salvadoran leftist activists demanded the mediation of costa rican president oscar arias as a condition to leave the costa rican embassy which they forcefully occupied on the morning of 3 october.  date as received    jamin de fernandez, the wife of the costa rican ambassador, reported this to afp over the telephone.    costa rican ambassador jesus fernandez and two other diplomatic officials are being held hostage by members of the msgr oscar arnulfo romero federation of committees of mothers and relatives (fecmafam) of political prisoners and missing people.  some of these fecmafam members are carrying guns and incendiary bombs.    initially, the fecmafam members, who include several women, said that the embassy takeover was intended to "report the repression by alfredo cristiani's rightist government.    however, mrs fernandez, who remains in her home, said that this afternoon her husband phoned her and stated that the fecmafam people "demand to speak with president arias so that he will deliver a list of demands to cristiani."  the contents of this list is unknown.    president arias is currently in california.

fecmafam members

the msgr oscar arnulfo romero federation of committees of mothers and relatives (fecmafam) of political prisoners and missing people

jesus fernandez


Input: ayacucho military sources today reported that 35 people died in attacks by about 150 shining path members against 4 towns on the border of ayacucho and huancavelica departments.    the attacks took place at dawn on 4 october in the towns of santo tomas de pata, pulluhuaman, anta, and rosaspata.  there were 26 peasants killed, and 9 rebels died at the hands of members of the civilian militia, who resisted the attacks despite their primitive weapons.    the zone where the terrorist attacks took place -- and in which 15 peasants were also seriously wounded -- is located 60 km northwest of this city.  the other towns that suffered attacks are located in santo tomas de pata district, huancavelica department, and in san pedro de cachi district, ayacucho department.    the military sources reported that in anta and pulluhuaman the terrorists set two schools and several houses on fire, killed cattle and domestic animals, and seized large amounts of basic goods.    they added that the injured were brought to this andean city, 575 km southeast of lima and huanta.    the 4 october attacks on these towns were followed today by a series of eight bomb attacks.  these attacks were carried out in several parts of the city, and one of them was against the national police headquarters, which is located at 300 meters from the main square.    there were gunshots and explosions at the police headquarters, but no victims were reported.    bomb attacks were also carried out against the state energy company, located in downtown ayacucho, causing blackouts in several areas.  explosions were heard in the carmen alto, san juan bautista, magdalena, capillapata, and conchopata neighborhoods and at the san cristobal de huamanga university.    these attacks launched by the shining path in ayacucho over the past 24 hours are part of the escalating violence that has affected several parts of the country only 5 days before the start of two presidential "summits" that will be held in ica department, located in the southern region of peru.    the presidents of bolivia, colombia, and peru are scheduled to meet to discuss the drug trafficking issue on 10 october in paracas.  the "group of eight" summit, (comprising argentina, brazil, colombia, mexico, peru, uruguay, and venezuela), is scheduled to be held 11-12 october in ica, the capital of the department.

150 shining path members

shining path

schools

houses

state energy company

bomb


Input: the mediation of archbishop arturo rivera y damas could end the occupation by 20 members of an opposition humanitarian group of the costa rican embassy in san salvador in the next few hours.    the group belonging to the federation of committees of mothers and relatives of political prisoners, missing, and murdered people (fecmafan) occupied the embassy on 5 october to demand "an end to the government's repressive escalation."    on the evening of 5 october, the salvadoran prelate visited the building where costa rican ambassador jesus fernandez, consul humberto murillo, and first secretary luis de anda are being held hostage to personally assess the situation inside in the diplomatic headquarters.    ambassador fernandez met with the archbishop on the first floor of the "la centroamericana" building, which houses the costa rican embassy, but military men did not allow him to reach the third floor where embassy offices actually are.    rivera y damas pointed out that "i need to obtain an army permit to enter the embassy."    police deputy director colonel alejandro sanchez said that the conflict could end in the next few hours.    the armed forces have ruled out military intervention to evict the embassy occupants, but are using "dissuasive" actions to prompt them to leave.    meanwhile, the group maintains that it will not end its occupation "until the costa rican president mediates to ensure that our country's government will end the repression" and the antiriot police leave the area.    nine young women and 11 young men are involved in the occupation. some of them are "carrying weapons," consul humberto murillo said.    fecmafan called for a march this morning beginning at the "las americas" plaza, about 200 meters from the costa rican embassy, to demand that the salvadoran government "respect human rights" and end the embassy occupation.    meanwhile, the armed forces today beefed up security in san salvador by posting additional troops on avenues and at buildings, and searching vehicles as part of operation "atlacatl ii," which is being implemented throughout the country to prevent "terrorist" actions. (paris afp in spanish at 1617 gmt reports that costa rican ambassador jesus fernandez was picked up by an ambulance on 5 october to be treated for a heart ailment.  it adds that one of nine reporters still inside the embassy called local stations to report that the police did not allow them to receive food provided by the green cross)


Input: two terrorist bombings in northern bogota have wounded six persons and caused considerable damage.    the commander of the metropolitan police reported that the first bomb was placed at a colpatria bank branch on 86th street and 15th avenue.  this bomb caused heavy damage to the bank and wounded six passersby.  the wounded were taken to the country club clinic, where they were treated and released.    the second bomb was placed by a young man at the telephone company office on 91st street and 15th avenue, causing considerable damage. the young man then entered a nearby carulla supermarket, where citizens captured him.

young man

colpatria bank branch

telephone company office

bomb


Input: four men, who had 250 kg of dynamite with them, were arrested today by the bogota police who said they had dismantled a band of individuals who were sowing terror in this city.    in order not to hinder the investigations, the police did not disclose the names of the individuals who were captured during the intelligence operation in southwestern bogota.    a police spokesman reported that the four men were arrested, following the 5 october arrest of a man who was carrying 15 kg of dynamite in a taxi.    shortly before that, another terrorist was nearly lynched by some people who captured him in northern bogota, after he placed an explosive device in a printshop.    a police patrol went to the site and prevented the private citizens and businessmen affected by the bombs from seriously harming the man who was, nonetheless, severely beaten.    the bogota police said that the arrest of these six terrorists in the last 24 hours aided in uncovering a plan to destroy an electrical generating center.    a police spokesman reported that the individuals were arrested, thanks to the cooperation of the people.  he emphasized that the quick reaction by a group of businessmen led to the arrest of one of the terrorists.    the second terrorist was arrested by the police after a taxi driver refused to provide service and reported him as a suspect.    when the suspect was interrogated, he disclosed information that allowed the police to locate a house in southern bogota where four men were hiding 250 kg of dynamite.    the terrorism affecting several colombian cities is the response from drug traffickers to colombian president virgilio barco who declared war on them in august.

drug trafficker

drug traffickers

printshop

electrical generating center

250 kg of dynamite

explosive device


Input: according to military sources today, three members of the peasant defense patrols were murdered by a column of shining path members, and another two were wounded during an attack on huanta town in ayacucho province.    on 3 october the terrorists invaded calluchaca village, 7 km northeast of huanta, and attacked the members of the local "peasant defense patrols," among them their 38-year old president fidel quispe, and set their houses on fire.    a a result of the attack quispe, isidoro saune, and dionisio aguirre were killed. federico paquillauvi and cirilo quispe were wounded according to the sources.    members of the peasant defense patrols, in addition to opposing the members of the shining path, participate in the peruvian flag raising ceremony every sunday at the plaza de armas in huantas. the ceremony is headed by the local military authorities.

shining path

houses

fidel quispe

isidoro saune

dionisio aguirre

federico paquillauvi

cirilo quispe


Input: guillermo larco cox, president of the council of ministers and foreign minister, today reiterated that the government will not negotiate with the kidnappers of television manager hector delgado parker because the government's legitimacy itself would be at stake.  larco cox also said that the meeting of group of eight presidents will be held as previously scheduled and that the government is implementing extreme security measures to guarantee the safety of visiting dignitaries and officials.    (begin recording) (reporter) has the meeting between the presidents of bolivia, peru, and colombia been moved from paracas?    (larco cox) it is a matter of logistics.  the organization of the two meetings in paracas and las dunas over 2 consecutive days would have meant a duplication of efforts in guaranteeing proper communications.  this is the only reason we have moved the site of the first meeting.    i have just had a meeting with the ambassadors of the countries making up the group of eight.  we explained to them all the security measures we are implementing, not only for the personal security of dignitaries but also for the security of the buildings in which the meetings will be held.  peru's image is at stake.  we have to be very careful to protect this image.    (reporter) has the meeting in trujillo been canceled?    (larco cox) we should not forget that we live in a city where rumors thrive like mushrooms.  i would not say the country is like that, but it is true that rumors in this city usually spread out of control.  the meeting in trujillo will be held.  i am personally proud of it.    (reporter) where will the meeting between the presidents of peru, bolivia, and colombia be held?    (larco cox) in ica, in the same place where the group of eight will meet the next day.    (reporter) will the group of eight discuss the situation in panama?    (larco cox) it is one of the most important issues on our agenda. let us not forget that panama is one of the cofounders of the group of eight.  the group of eight is now more appropriately called the mechanism for political consultation and agreement, but it was originally made up of the contadora group, of which panama was a member, and the contadora support group, which was founded in lima when alan garcia took over.    (reporter) the security of the presidents is of great concern.  is each one arriving with their own security?  are there exceptional measures being implemented?    (larco cox) the dignitaries might bring their own personal security forces.  however, our country will guarantee the security of the area, the buildings, and their personal security.    (reporter) foreign sources have been speculating that some presidents might not come.  what can you say as a representative of the host country?    (larco cox) the first thing we did was to call the ambassadors of these countries to a meeting because they also have an obligation to observe and assess our guarantees.  the result of the meeting was very positive; they supported us without exceptions.  the ambassadors have found our explanation on the security measures being implemented very satisfactory.  these measures went into effect today.  some of you might have already observed the operations: we are not only stopping traffic to check cars, luggage, and people traveling on buses, but we have also kept a close watch on newcomers.  all foreigners who have arrived in the country over the past few days are being watched. police are checking to see if they are in the hotels where they said they would be.  these operations are aimed at preventing any external aggression.  we also have our own risks, and many men from the national police and the armed forces are involved in the security operations that began at noon today.  (passage omitted) (end recording)


Input: today president carlos menem said that he is willing to accept "all the political costs that may emerge" from the presidential pardon to military men and civilians who violated human rights.  the pardon was ordered with the signing of several decrees today.    menem talked with reporters about the pardon.  he said: "i cannot estimate what the political costs will be.  i do not know whether they will be many or not but i will assume my responsibility for the costs. what interests me is my country, my people."    menem added: "acquittal means pardon, and from now on all those who recently violated human rights have been pardoned."    menem said that it is "basically" important for all of us "to be able to build an argentina where it will be worth living."  regarding those pardoned, menem said that he wished them well and that "they should work in peace here in argentina or anywhere else."    he indicated that he is willing "without any problems to meet with them" because "if the president pardoned them in the name of what he represents and if in some way he represents the law and a large sector of the community, then i am willing to talk with anyone who wants." (sentence as received)    he denied having been pressured to implement the pardon quickly "either by the armed forces or civilians."  he pointed out that "there is a man who did not get the benefit of the presidential pardon; he is admiral armando lambruschini whose 15-year-old daughter was murdered by a bomb.  these are the things that must be taken into consideration whem measures of this type are implemented."    menem concluded by saying that "this measure which i take under my responsibility has the support of the justicialist party and other parties in addition to a very important sector of the catholic church and other religious organizations."

bomb


Input: the medellin cartel bosses have proposed to the colombian government a "demobilization plan" that would entail the end of drug trafficking activities, the surrender of weapons, and the repatriation of capital in exchange for a pardon. the plan would be implemented within 3 months at the latest, according to information published today on the already famous government-mafia dialogue by la prensa.    the opposition newspaper la prensa, of bogota, yesterday published a report according to which secretary general of the presidency german montoya, acting on behalf of the government, held peace talks for a year with spokesmen for the drug traffickers.  the official has denied this report and described it as "harmful and slanderous."    according to newspaper reports, the cartel bosses presented the plan to the presidency in september 1988 and the presidency should have worked on it "directly and secretly."    the proposal, which had three phases, was formulated after the mafia bosses had decided to accept president virgilio barco's peace plan (which was proposed to the country on 1 september 1988) "without hesitation."    according to the cartel plan, in addition to granting the pardon, the government had to lift the state of siege regulations to fight terrorism and drug trafficking and to secure from the united states a judicial pardon for colombians wanted by u.s. federal courts.  this last aspect was the biggest obstacle in the negotiations process "because the colombian officials did not find a way to discuss the matter with the u.s. administration, which has decided to fight the problem militarily," according to former minister joaquin vallejo, who acted as a spokesman for the drug traffickers in the talks with the government.  according to vallejo, a tripartite dialogue between colombia and the united states and the european countries (cocaine consumers) on the nonextradition of colombians was an essential requirement for montoya to go ahead with the pacification contacts.    the former minister said: "the colombian government declared war on drug traffickers because the u.s. government had taken this measure first."  he added: "after the numerous murders of the recent months, the president thought it impossible to keep talking (with the drug bosses)."    in actions that observers described as "inexplicable," assassins paid by the cocaine cartels killed five colombian personalities, including presidential hopeful luis carlos galan, between 27 june and 18 august.    meanwhile, the government of president virgilio barco today continued to be severely criticized and accused of handling the antidrug struggle with a "double standard" and concealing "many truths" related to drug trafficking.    alvaro leyva, presidential hopeful of the opposition social conservative party who secured the documents that la prensa published, pointed out: "i want the full truth to be disclosed  because the fate of the colombian people is at stake."    leyva finally said: "i want to know all.  it is a sad thing dead men cannot speak, particularly those who always thought the government meant business, and who thought that in this country authorities do what they say they will."

drug traffickers

cocaine cartels

luis carlos galan


Input: the 19 april movement (m-19), which recently layed down its weapons to rejoin civilian life after accepting the peace process proposed by the government of president virgilio barco, became a political party today in the hope of ruling the country.    at the end of the m-19's annual conference held in the southwestern city of popayan, cauca province, the movement was formally constituted as a political organization with its leader, carlos pizaro leongomez, proclaimed as a presidential hopeful.    the m-19 guerrilla group, founded in the early 1970's and considered one of the country's most active, became renowned when it occupied the dominican embassy in bogota and held several ambassadors hostage and when it later occupied the palace of justice, where several magistrates and subversives were killed.    the m-19 announced the composition of its directorate, which is headed by pizarro leongomez and includes some members of the m-19's political leadership, such as antonio navarro, german rojas, otti patino, and libardo parra.    it also includes marco chalita, who will run for the senate for the southern province of huila, and vera greiff, rosemberg pabon, anyair artunduaga, and heber bustamante.    the m-19 considers it a priority task to create a foundation based in the caribbean port of santa marta, which will manage funds to aid the relatives of slain guerrillas.    the foundation will be named after jaime bateman, ideologist and founder of the guerrilla organization, who was killed in an airplane accident in panama.

m-19 guerrilla group


Input: the peruvian government has established unprecedented security measures to guarantee the safety of the group of eight presidents and foreign ministers who will begin meeting on 9 october in trujillo, the country's third-largest city, 570 km north of lima.    according to media reports, some 15,000 officers, including police, army, navy, and air force personnel, will be responsible for security at trujillo and ica, 300 km south of lima.    argentine president carlos menem, brazilian president jose sarney, colombian president virgilio barco, uruguayan president julio maria sanguinetti, mexican president carlos salinas, venezuelan president carlos andres perez, and peruvian president alan garcia will meet at the "las dunas" hotel in ica 11-12 october.  hotel workers and employees have been replaced as a preventive measure.    the presidents of peru, colombia, and bolivia will also be meeting in ica on 10 october to analyze the problem of drug trafficking, which affects their countries especially.    this meeting was originally planned for paracas, a town near ica, but was moved to ica for security reasons.    the national police have been confined to barracks throughout the country since last night because, according to sources, it is expected that the shining path and the tupac amaru revolutionary movement (mrta) will try to stage violent acts during the meetings.    the guards around the embassies of the group of eight countries have been reinforced with police dogs trained to detect explosives.    police have also arrested thousands of people in lima to check on any possible connections to guerrilla movements or to see if they have accounts to settle with the courts.    the roundups are also being carried out to find local television magnate hector delgado parker, who was apparently kidnapped by the mrta during an incident in which delgado's driver was killed and his bodyguard wounded.    the kidnapping was carried out by a group of people, two of whom were dressed in police uniforms, in the streets of lima on 4 october.    newspaper sources today said that an alleged lieutenant to mrta chief victor polay, who has been in prison since december 1988, has also been arrested.

group of people

mrta

hector delgado parker


Input: according to a confidential peruvian military intelligence document published today by the lima daily la republica, the peruvian shining path guerrilla organization is planning to provoke a food shortage in lima.    according to the report, this alleged shining path strategy, based on the theory by the leader of the chinese revolution, mao zedong, "of laying siege to the city from the countryside," is part of the terrorists' efforts to boycott the municipal elections of 12 november 1989 and, subsequently, the general and congressional elections of april 1990.    according to passages from the document published in la republica, the shining path "has reportedly gained control over an important sector of lima's food supply and marketing network."    official sources have pointed out that farmer in the valleys of the peruvian coast area have been threatened by "shining path people" so that they neither harvest nor sell their products.  similar intimidating actions are also expected in the sierra valleys and the peruvian jungle area, the same sources noted.    peruvian military intelligence officials also expect the terrorists to take direct action within the next few days by burning the trucks that supply lima with foodstuffs.    this sabotage, the document points out, "would be accompanied by massive actions against the electric power supply system aimed at reducing the refrigerated storage capacity of lima's main food suppliers."    the reports points out that the boycott of the municipal elections will be accompanied by a "shining path" call to hold a "national armed stoppage" for 12 november 1989, which will serve as a trial for similar actions in the april 1990 general elections.    elsewhere, a car bomb exploded last night in the town of barranca, lima department, close to where former education minister grover pango is staying.  four people were injured and property was damaged.    terrorist groups also blew up several high-voltage towers. a blackout was reported in barranca and neighboring towns.    according to a report published by la republica, the terrorist escalation began last friday (6 october) in lima and two policemen died in the town of cerro blanco.    in huancayo, the capital of junin department in the peruvian central sierra, the santa isabel high school has been the target of 10 bomb attacks over the past few days. the attacks have apparently been perpetrated by terrorists who have infiltrated themselves into the 5,000 santa isabel high school students.  only property damage has been reported as a result of the attacks.

terrorists

"shining path people"

terrorist groups

"shining path"

property

high-voltage towers

santa isabel high school

grover pango

car bomb

bomb


Input: today in the city of trujillo the foreign ministers of argentina, brazil, mexico, and peru began discussing the possibility of ousting panama from the group of eight and eventually accepting ecuador in its place.  the possibility of expelling panama from the group was discussed even though argentine foreign minister domingo cavallo said the issue was not on the agenda.    asked about the possible ousting of panama from the group of eight and replacing it with ecuador, argentine foreign minister domingo cavallo told efe: "we are going to listen to the proposal, but we prefer not to comment for the time being.  we will see within the context of the meeting what the basis for that proposal is."    cavallo added: "we do not have proposals or initiatives any different from the issues to be discussed on panama."    mexican foreign minister fernando solana told efe that the preparatory foreign ministers meeting will discuss the panamanian issue and that mexico will decide its stance "at the appropriate time."    brazilian foreign minister roberto de abreu said in this city yesterday that brazil has an individual position "but will accept and support a joint agreement."    peruvian foreign minister guillermo larco cox also said yesterday that peru will propose "the final separation of panama" from the group of eight.    larco added that president alan garcia will propose the separation of panama from the group during the summit meeting that will be held with the presidents of argentina, brazil, colombia, mexico, uruguay, and venezuela on 11 and 12 october.  the meeting will take place in ica, 850 km south of trujillo.    today larco cox opened the group of eight foreign ministers' meeting in trujillo.  the foreign ministers of colombia and venezuela were absent because they will go directly to ica with their respective presidents.    in a brief speech, larco cox called on the other representatives to struggle for the unity, integration, and independence in the region.    cox added: "we must work for overall development. we propose as an act of justice the integration of the continent which is necessary for the economic and social development of our people."    he added that the integration process cannot be an isolated process and that unity can only be effective if the countries rescue the historic values which consolidated the independence of the americas.    the ministers also discussed, in addition to the panamanian and ecuadoran case, the drug trafficking problem, joint action to deal with the region's foreign debt, estimated at $420 billion, and terrorism.    the proposals made in trujillo will be discussed by the seven presidents in ica.    the foreign ministers meeting is being held under police and  military control to prevent terrorist attacks. on 4 october a car bomb exploded about 500 meters from the meeting site.  fortunately, there was only property damage.    some of the security measures included the change of the foreign ministers' arrival times and some changes in the official program.    there is strict police control near the cesar vallejo civic center where the ministers are meeting.  vehicle and pedestrian traffic was prohibited within about 200 meters of the center.    the first meeting of the group of eight was held in acapulco, mexico, in 1987, and the second meeting was held in punta del este, uruguay, in 1988.

car bomb


Input: marta luz lopez, manager of el espectador in medellin, was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen at noon today.  her mother, marta orozco lopez, was wounded in the attack and is now being treated at the soma clinic in that city.

motorcycle-riding gunmen

marta luz lopez

marta orozco lopez


Input: guatemalan president vinicio cerezo today announced the appointment of ariel rivera irias as the new foreign minister to replace mario palencia.  cerezo also appointed new government and finance ministers, general carlos augusto morales and francisco pinto casarola, respectively, to replace roberto valle and rodolfo paiz.    meanwhile, gonzalo menendez de la riva, guatemala's human rights attorney general, today presented his irrevocable resignation to the post that he had held since 1987.  menendez, who is 82-years-old, explained that he was resigning because, "i feel tired due to my advanced age," and added that this was for "absolutely personal" reasons.    at the government palace the president explained that the changes are part of a project and organization of his 500-day administration program.    vinicio cerezo also announced the appointment of humberto lau as president of the metropolitan urban and rural development council. this position had been vacant since 1 august when danilo varillas, christian democratic leader and former guatemalan ambassador to spain, was shot to death.    roberto valle, who will return to congress as a deputy, was criticized by political leaders and social segments of the population for his inability to curb violence.    the president pointed out that paiz might become a vice presidential candidate in next year's general elections.

danilo varillas


Input: greetings comrade. guatemala always comes up in central american news.  we know little about guatemala. international news agencies block reports from guatemala .  we have learned that in addition to the atmosphere of chaos and instability, repression has increased in the last 7 months.  it was reported recently that 2,000 people have been killed, 2,500 wounded -- many of them crippled -- and hundreds -- over 800 are missing. we have taken the opportunity of a visit paid by mr rodrigo asturias, who is member of the urng military directorate and is also known as commander gaspar, not only in guatemala and central america but throughout the world, to talk and clear some matters pertaining to guatemala.    commander gaspar: some steps have been taken to find a negotiated solution. that is, steps have been taken to begin a dialogue between the guerrilla and the guatemalan government.  some journalists and specialists wonder if the search for a negotiated solution is compatible with the situation prevailing in guatemala. what could you tell us about this?    (asturias) i believe this is an interesting question that needs to be clarified. at the end of september, the urng general command made a new proposal aimed at finding a political solution to the internal armed conflict our country is experiencing. the proposal to find a political solution and to establish a dialogue as a first step to create the conditions is very important because it entails an increased effort in the struggle for democracy. we do not think of dialogue and negotiation as a demobilization element but as an extremely active element, as a clarifying element, to find and put in place consensus with democratic solutions. this is why although there has been, in fact, an increase of repression -- which by the way, it was brutally intensified last month -- the proposal to find a political solution and the call all national sectors, without exception, to begin contacts, talks, and dialogue with the unrg despite the fact that the government continues to refuse them and continues maintaining a closed position. it is an important step in the democratic struggle.    (reporter) commander gaspar, insisting in the last part of your response, what are the basis in which this type of talks and dialogue could be initiated?    (asturias) since october 1987, when its first dialogue initiative was established, the general command has said preestablished conditions are not necessary but that the country's fundamental problems should be included in the dialogue and the preparation of the agenda. the main problem the country has and has had in the last few years is the lack of respect toward human rights, the militarization of the guatemalan society, and the generalized oppression experienced. therefore, we believe the main point that needs to be addressed in the agenda is the democratization.    (reporter) speaking of the internal situation from the military point of view, news agency report every day of missing persons, killings, and tortures. are the ones everyone knows as the death squadrons increasing their activities?    (asturias) indeed, there has been an increase in repression. we could say without being mistaken that there is a terrorist escalation headed by state security forces. it is very important to denounce and to be clear on this because the ones that are carrying out this repression and the ones that are taking forward this terror campaign are not paramilitary groups as the people have been led to believe and they are not extreme-right civilian groups. they are army operative groups that act based on information, charges, suspicions, or many times blindly to see what information they can find, in what way they can hit or infiltrate the people's and revolutionary movement.  we are faced with an escalation of the strongest state terrorism.  it cannot be confused with death squadrons or differences within the right wing. the army is the one responsible of the repression. (continued)


Input: several armed clashes within national territory on 8 october resulted in at least 8 killed and more than 20 injured, including guerillas and soldiers, a government report said today.    the armed forces press committee (coprefa) said that at least four soldiers were killed and eight were wounded when the rebels ambushed a military truck near san vicente, 60 km east of san salvador.    in addition, two farabundo marti national liberation front rebels were killed in heavy fighting in ciudad barrios, san miguel department, the report added.    two more rebels were killed and an unspecified number of guerrillas and soldiers were wounded in armed actions in the country's east, the report also said.    finally, a store was partially destroyed in san salvador on the night of 8 october when a powerful bomb allegedly planted by urban guerrillas exploded.  there were no casualties.

urban guerrillas

store

bomb


Input: jose rafael abello silva, chief of the drug trafficking cartel on the coast and fourth man in the medellin cartel, was arrested by the administrative department of security, das, in northern bogota during the last few hours.  abello is wanted by a u.s. federal court in oklahoma, the united states, for conspiracy to distribute drugs. active in the marijuana business during the last decade and is now responsible for the transportation of a substantial part of the cocaine which the medellin cartel sends to the united states.    avello, 34, native of santa marta, had been arrested in early 1988 for illegal possession of weapons on the atlantic coast.  shortly after luis carlos galan's assassination, the u.s. government asked for his extradition, bearing in mind that the federal court in oklahoma is trying him for drug trafficking.  his extradition is taken for grantyed, and it is believed that it will take place once all legal requirements are met, which will not be before 1 week.    das sources said that mono avello offered 100 million pesos to the six detectives who arrested him last night at an exclusive restaurant in bogota's northern section.  the authorities had been trailing him in bogota for several days. the army has occupied several of his properties on the atlantic coast and has seized vehicles and yachts belonging to him.    in another development, it has been learned that peruvian justice yesterday insisted again on the extradition of evaristo porras ardila, who escaped from a jail in peru while serving a sentence for drug trafficking. (end recording)


Input: several salvadoran sectors have condemned the murder of the wife of the deputy editor of el diario de hoy.  she was riddled with bullets near the central american university this morning.  salvadoran president alfredo cristiani has described the action as terrorist.  he said this is a flagrant violation of human rights, which will surely also be condemned by the un high commissioner for human rights, pastor ribrejo, who is in the country.    (begin recording) (cristiani) the last straw is that terrorists, without any risk to themselves, kill defenseless women.  this particular lady was accompanied by her children, one of whom was wounded.  we think this is the limit.  we are not sure who did it, but, considering the nature of the action, it appears to be a terrorist crime.  we already know who perpetrates such actions.  we think this is part of what the fmln (farabundo marti national liberation front) has been doing.  they have been silencing voices that uphold philosophies that run contrary to their's.  (end recording)    referring to the presence of pastor ribrejo in the country, cristiani said the un official will be able to confirm that the policy of the salvadoran government and armed forces does not fit the violation of the human rights.    (begin recording) (cristiani) i will not refer to monsignor arturo rivera y damas alone, but to all of the organizations linked to the fmln that have been trying to discredit the government.  i think dr ribrejo will be able to confirm that neither the government nor the armed forces are in the habit of violating human rights.  i think if one tries to be objective and realistic, he will realize that the fmln has been trying to make the homeland fall into a state of total anarchy. i think the armed forces have acted very professionally.  the government's policy has been to try to seek solutions through reason rather than violence.  these events must be seen in the light of what the fmln said it would do.  it said it would unleash even greater violence. (end recording)    as for the upcoming dialogue meeting to be held in san jose on 16 and 17 october, cristiani said a commission is ready to resume talks with the fmln, to which a cease-fire will be proposed, among other things. cristiani said that the costa rican government has reported working on the logistics of the meeting so the talks can be held in peace.

farabundo marti national liberation front


Input: through decree no. 1003 the executive branch has pardoned several terrorists from different armed organizations and some members of uruguay's military and police who participated in the repression of terrorism in argentina.    the most well-known individuals are fernando vaca narvaja, roberto perdia, oscar bidegain, miguel bonasso, norman briski, gonzalo and rene chavez, rodolfo galimberti, jaime dri, and raul and osvaldo lovey, all of whom are linked to the montoneros subversive organization.    the list also includes maria antonia berger, ruben jesus emperador, and fermin angel nunez.    decree no. 1003 -- for reasons identical to those of decree no. 1002, which pardons military officers who participated in the antisubversive repression -- states that above any other consideration "of reasons of doctrinary or ideological positions" it is necessary to adopt measures that will create "the appropriate conditions to arrive at a definite reconciliation of all the argentine people thanks to the spiritual greatness of the men and women of this country."    the decree states that this measure is "only a political mechanism forseen by the constitution to create conditions for national pacification," although it does not mean that this objective has been reached.    the decree also includes the names of the uruguayan officers who stood trial for participating in argentina's antisubversive repression inthe case entitled "rodriguez larreta piera, enrique, on charges": jose gavazzo, jorge silveira, manuel cordero, and hugo campos hermida.    the names of those pardoned are:    national federal criminal court no. 3 of the federal capital.    case no. 42335 bis "rodriguez larreta piera, enrique, on charges": gavazzo, jose nino; silveira, jorge; cordero, manuel; campos hermida, hugo.    national criminal court no. 5 of the federal capital.    case no. 1199 entitled "firelli, enrique horacio; on violation of article 189 bis of the penal code, law no.  20840, on murder and unlawful association for criminal purposes" attached to case no. 1430 on "alemann, juan mino; ventura y consigleri, silvio, victims of murder and torture": vaca narvaja, fernando hugo; perdia, roberto cirilo; bidegain, oscar raul.  case no. 2230/86 entitled "firmenich, mario eduardo and others, on murder, violation of law no. 20,840": vaca narvaja, fernando hugo.    national federal court no. 6 of the federal capital.    case no. 5148 entitled "bavio, gerardo and others, on violation of article 210 of the penal code": bavio, gerardo; berman, silvia; berrozpe, eduardo; bonasso, miguel; brisky, naum; chavez, gonzalo leonidas; chavez rene; gelman, juan; massaferro, lidia; orgambide, pedro; rappari de lencinas, nilda; sanz de llorente, susana; diaz, olimpia; fernandez long, pablo; galimberti, rodolfo; pedreira, manuel; ramos, pablo; rodriguez anido, julio; dri, jaime; vaca narvaja, daniel.    case no. 4679 entitled "firmenich, mario eduardo and others, on violation of article 210 of the penal code": vaca narvaja, fernando; perdia, roberto cirilo; bidegain, oscar raul.    case no. 5048 entitled "levey, osvaldo raul and lewinger, jorge omar, on violation of article 210 of the penal code": lovey, osvaldo raul; lewinger, jorge omar.    case no. 5448/87 entitled "yacuzzi, rafael on violation of article 210 of the penal code (no closing quotation marks as published): yacuzzi, rafael.    san isidro criminal court.    case no. 17680/78 entitled "klein, guillermo walter on torture, harm, attack and disobedience of authorities, public intimidation, and murder": vaca narvaja, fernando hugo; bidegain, perdia, roberto cirilo.    case no. 959/85 entitled: "metz, heinrich franz, on kidnapping and extortion": magario, raul jose melchor; daleo, graciela beatriz; clasiregui, marcelino eduardo; quinteros, jose daniel; larralde, amalia maria; cubas, lisandro raul; mendez, jorge; weissen, ana dora; alberti de murphy, graciela estela; murphy, santiago ulises; lujan, jesus maria; soria, ricardo; ahumada, roberto jose; portomene, alicia; espinosa, eduardo; gomez, norberto; morcillo, maria alicia; creus, carlos; schmelin, german; islas, jose luis; khun, guillermo adrian; marcus, adriana ruth; grigena, gustavo alberto; berger, maria antonia; pastoriza, lilia victoria; larralde, luz maria.    federal court no. 1 of moron.    case no. 8814 entitled "rodriguez, lazaro martin, on violation of article 310 bis of the penal code": rodriguez, lazaro martin.    federal court no. 1 of san martin.    case no. 41811: on the investigation of the kidnapping and extortion of juan and jorge born (no quotation marks as published) : magario, raul jose melchor.    case no. 191 entitled "lopez, juan domingo and others on illegal arrest and murders": lopez, juan domingo; mao, luis oscar; ibanez, sergio maria.    federal court no. 1 of tucuman.    case no. 478/74 entitled "figueroa, rolando c. and others, on double murder and torture": carrizo, francisco antonio; paz, jose martini; emperador, ruben jesus; nunez, fermin angel.


Input: luis corvalan lepe, the leader of the communist party of chile (pcch) who today returned to chile after 13 years of exile in the ussr, has expressed his support for opposition presidential candidate, patricio aylwin.    answering questions about the activities of the "manuel rodriguez national liberation patriotic front (frente patriotico manuel rodriguez de liberacion nacional)" (fmln), (as received) which is identified as the armed branch of the pcch, corvalan said that "for ethical and moral reasons, i cannot say anything about those who have struggled against the dictatorship."    in 1986, the fmln tried to kill general augusto pinochet and illegally introduced a large arms cache into the country.  its leaders are currently undertaking a "patriotic war."  they have announced that they will continue to promote an armed struggle if aylwin is elected.    addressing journalists at the santiago airport, corvalan said: "violence is a social factor which unfortunately society has been unable to overcome."    asked whether his justification of violence may hinder aylwin's candidacy, the 73-year old pcch leader said he does not beleive this will happen because "aylwin's candidacy represents the expression of all democratic trends."    corvalan added: "aylwin is a consensus candidate.  he is the candidate who should obtain the largest support under the current conditions in chile on the basis of respect for the individual position of each political trend."    about the continuation of pinochet as the chilean army commander after the assumption of the democratic government, corvalan said: "it is not proper for one person to give orders to another who was elected by the people."    corvalan said that the old disagreements between the pcch and the christian democratic party (pdc) have been overcome because "all of us have changed over the yars."    he added that the pcch members "are not the same as they were in 1973.  we are immersed in perestroika, and there have been considerable changes."  he added: "the pdc has also experienced changes since 1973."  (passage omitted)


Input: argentine foreign minister domingo cavallo and his peruvian counterpart guillermo larco cox signed three integration agreements today in trujillo, libertad department.  cavallo said that the agreements "clearly show the efforts being made toward common goal" which means "moving ahead to build a great latin american nation."    the agreements, which were prepared by the foreign ministries of the two countries, were signed today by the two foreign ministers in the old house that belonged to simon boliviar during the time he lived in trujillo.  the ceremony was held under strict security measures, seeking to prevent subversive actions.  security measures were reinforced in the last few hours following an attack early this morning 12 blocs from the hotel where the delegations are staying.    the first agreement creates the political coordination and integration committee.  cavallo said that this is aimed at "taking more orderly steps in the efforts which have been made throughout our history because the argentine and peruvian desire for integration has roots as old as the struggle for independence."    the second agreement refers to the coordination of efforts for the prevention and repression of drug trafficking.  cavallo said: "this problem is reaching terrifying dimensions because its economic power is mixed with terrorist and subversive groups.  as such it is becoming a growing threat to the latin american democracies."    in a brief speech cavallo also referred to the third agreement to prevent double taxation among air and maritime enterprises.  he said: "integration requires good transportation methods with which to bring people closer together" thus making "progress through concrete mechanisms in the integration process in which our countries are involved."    larco cox said that through these agreements "argentine president carlos menem has confirmed, through his representative, his political will to agree" to find solution to the problems affecting the region by seeking "new roads for understanding and to strengthen our already rich bilateral relations."    a few hours before this ceremony, which was also attended by under secretary jose luis fernandez valoni and ambassador julian licastro, trujillo was shaken at 0400 by four powerful dynamite explotions (a fifth bomb did not explode) which destroyed about half dozen offices of the national housing enterprise.    this enterprise, which operates with state and private capital, is located in the monserrate district where there is a housing development for poor people.  it is located 1 km from the parade ground, downtown trujillo, across from which is located the turista hotel.  this is the hotel where the foreign ministers of argentina, peru, colombia, uruguay, brazil, mexico and venezuela are staying.    the explosions did not cause any casualties and the police hold the tupac amary revolutionary movement responsible for the attack. (continued)

tupac amary revolutionary movement

offices of the national housing enterprise

dynamite


Input: second, my administration has adopted measures to confront organized terrorism which is conducted by drug cartels or gangs of criminals, trained by foreign mercenaries and financed by drug traffickers. they have murdered judges, a minister of justice, a ...  (television broadcast interrupted for 4 minutes due to transmission problems) ... in a letter dated october 9 to un secretary general javier perez de cuellar and the respective ambassadors.    this special assembly does not mean that the national security council should exclude world security issues. it is important that (television broadcasting interrupted for half a minute due to transmission problesm)... world development and political power. to this we must also add the unification of the europe in 1992. besides, the soviet policies of perestroyka and glasnost have substantially modified not only the communist ideas but also the future world political and economic scene.    these transformations are attractive for the industrialized european countries. they promote the development of eastern europe and probably reduce european interest in latin america. besides, the united states and canada are permanently making progress toward their socioeconomic integration.    we stand before a different world which is offering opportunities which must be taken into account, but which also creates difficulties for which we must be prepared.  latin america should reconsider its situation and policies in face of the rapid world changes. we must analyze the way in which we will integrate and harmonize our economies in this new international economic and political scene.    in face of these events, we must redefine our integration formulas and our development models. i suggest that a work group be formed to study this subject and to adopt specific measures leading to the economic and social progress of latin america in this new world that is being born.    my dear presidents and friends, this new meeting of the group of eight must make us strengthen our solidarity in face of the threats against democracy and our social progress. we must strengthen the regional cooperation mechanism and our negotiated capacity through the implementation of an efficient strategy of consensus to make our proposals more solid.    we member countries of the group of eight are united by undeniable historic ties of friendship. we are also united by strategic, political, and economic interests which must be coordinated to be able to successfully face the challenges of tomorrow.    as i recently told my venezuelan counterpart, unity can be solidly built on feasible initiatives rather than on words. integration thrives on achievement that in practice bring peoples together and allow them to enjoy the results of progress obtained through common effort. years of struggle for regional development have shown us that development must be based on actions that will generate confidence and well-being, contribute to naturally complementary actions, and solve small and large problems.    colombia is determined to continue strengthening the mechanism of consensus by endorsing the suggestions i have made and those that will spring from this summit meeting.  thank you. (applause)


Input: approximately 1,600 salvadorans have voiced their determination to return to el salvador on 17 october, without the government's approval, after having remained as refugees in a honduran camp since the early 80's.    "we insist on returning to el salvador on 17 october.  here, we are being imprisoned for no reason.  we are leaving because otherwise, we will be killed.  we are salvadorans, and that is why we want to return to our country," said one of the refugees in a television interview.    interior minister francisco merino warned that his government will not allow the entry of refugees who do not have identification documents issued by the un high commissioner for refugees (unhcr).    "if they arrive abruptly at the salvadoran border, without the documents that certify they are salvadorans, they cannont enter the country," merino pointed out.    according to merino, who is also the salvadoran vice president, the refugees' determination to return without the government's approval is "evidence" of their relations with the salvadoran guerrillas.    however, the refugees -- including women, the elderly, and children -- denied any links with the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) guerrillas.    merino interpreted the refugees' wishes to repatriate in a massive and immediate manner as "plans to provoke problems that will affect the image of the government with regard to the issue of respecting human rights."    on 10 october, an official commission, headed by deputy interior minister colonel carlos figueroa visited the honduran camp at mesa grande to try to reach an agreement with the refugees so they could prepare for their repatriation in 1990 and agree on the places where they would be relocated.    the national commission was unable to reach any agreement for postponing the repatriation of the salvadorans to 1990.    the military officer disclosed that there are logistical problems in preparing for the 17 october repatriation.    "the unhcr is not prepared to give logistical support to the salvadorans who want to return next week and it needs for both parties the government and the refugees) to reach an agreement in order to go ahead with the repatriation," col figueroa added.    one of the refugees, who preferred not to be identified, charged that unhcr "has been unable to give us transportation and the honduran army is not allowing food and medicine to reach us.  in addition, we are the target of honduran military attacks."    in mesa grande, there are 3,718 salvadorans, of which 900 are children.  these refugees left el salvador early in 1980 when the war which has left over 70,000 dead broke out.    there are also an additional 13,000 salvadorans in mesa grande who want to be repatriated, says the national coordinating board on refugees, that claims to represent them.    the refugees are demanding the salvadoran government comply with the central american peace agreements that were signed 2 years ago in guatemala, which -- according to them -- would allow them to return to the country with guarantees.


Input: what is the position of the group of eight regarding the malvinas islands?  will the group of eight support argentina in the defense of its sovereignty?    (menem) the group of eight has supported argentina for a long time, so has oas and the un.  their support is unquestionable.    (question indistinct)    (menem) cuba may join the oas.  we have no objections to it.  as for panama, it continues to belong to the oas but not to the group of eight.  panama has been suspended temporarily from this group until democracy returns to that country.  this will be stated in a document we are preparing during this meeting.  (passage omitted)    (reporter) is the pardon for military officers and terrorists in argentina damaging the moral health of your country or argentina democracy?    (menem) no, because this is not the first time a pardon has been granted in the world.  there have been pardons everywhere.  not long ago a pardon was granted in uruguay and it has been ratified by the uruguayan people.  a pardon was granted in spain after the (word indistinct).  there were pardons granted after the second world war. pardons and forgetting have allowed the integration of the european economic community.  it also allowed president bush to pay hommage to emperor hiroito, one of those responsible for the second world war, during his funeral.  therefore we can completely overcome this matter.    (reporter) (passage omitted) reported that argentina would ask to participate in the summit meeting of the presidents of colombia, peru, and bolivia and the united states.  is this true, and what would be the argentine role in this summit?    (menem) no, that is not correct.  we support this summit meeting, and continue maintaining our same attitude toward the fight against drug trafficking.  we currently do not differentiate between coca producer and coca consumer countries.  they are both part of a same process, so we must carry out an all out war against the three (as heard) phases of drug production and merchandising.    (reporter) (passage indistinct) a stronger action is required by (word indistinct) especially the united states to fight drug trafficking.    (menem) i think that we need the will of every one.  we would not gain anything by restricting the production of coca in peru, colombia, and bolivia if the united states does not help to substitute this crop.  we cannot divide this action.  the fight must be an all out war by all the countries of the world, because drugs are currently present in all countries.  there is not a single country that can claim that there is no drug addiciton or trafficking in its territory.  not long ago, i read that 14 drug traffickers were hanged in saudi arabia, where they are very conservative and where there is strict control over any kind of vice.    (reporter) (passage indistinct) what position has argentina maintained throughout this meeting regarding the foreign debt issue? do you think all the group of eight members will arrive to a joint position regarding this issue?    (menem) we are currently renegotiating our debts individually because each country is different. the economic policies have so far not been integrated but they must be integrated. as long as we do not attain integration, the foreign debt negotiations will be carried out individually.  if we make progress towards integration, things may change for the benefit of all. for the time being the negotiations will be carried out separately.    (reporter) president alan garcia yesterday called for the establishment of concrete integration goals for 1992.  has this been discussed by the presidents? will concrete goals be fixed?    (menem) we are discussing this. we have already set concrete goals, based on experiences. for example we have an economic integration with brazil, which uruguay recently joined. this must serve as an example for the rest of the latin american countries. of course we must not forget some of the positive results, like in the case of the andean pact which is reviving and reorganizing itself, and other agreements not only in latin america but in the whole american continent. we are heading toward a continental unity like that of canada and the united states. after latin america achieves integration we want integration with central and northern america. (question indistinct)    (menem) president virgilio barco was surprised, because he thought that the crew of the three planes we donated to colombia had already returned to argentina. however, they are still there waiting for the airplanes to be placed at the service of the struggle against drug trafficking.  (passage omitted) (continued)


Input: there are serious discrepancies among the preesidents attending to this meeting regarding the foreign debt issue.  is it because of the different situations prevailing in each country?    (garcia) we have a common stance.  no country can pay what it is being asked to pay.  we all know this.  people know it.  the labor unions know it.  therefore, that is our stance.    a few years ago some countries made an effort to pay.  nowaday, everybody knows they cannot pay and they are struggling to change the payment conditions.  this is the basic issue that we all share.    the fact that some countries resort to the brady plan, that others seek other alternatives, or that others choose not to pay a debt that they consider to be unfair -- at leat until conditions change or payments are reduced -- are simply different shades of a common stance.  the important point is that we are gradually verifying that no country is able to pay the debt in contracted, a debt that has grown only because of interests.    i will reiterate some dramatic but realistic figures: 10 years ago latin america owed $190 billion.  it paid $289 billion to december 1988 -- that is 10 years -- and it still owes $430 billion.  in the past 10 years latin america has reduced its per capita consumption dramatically by 2 to 3 percent a year.  in the past 10 years latin america reduced its imports, seeking to spend less dollars.  it increased its exports and devalued its currencies to obtain dollars with which to pay the debt.    in the past 10 years latin america grew only 1 percent per year, and it has used that 1 percent, plus an additional 4-percent of its gnp, to pay the debt.    therefore, under these conditions, 10 years later we find that we owe more, produce less, and it is impossible to pay our debt.  we all know this.  it has cost us 10 years to understand it.  however it is an experience that constitutes the base for our common stance.    (reporter) has progress been made in this field since the punta del este summit?    (garcia) would there have been a brady plan if we had not met in acapulco or in punta del este?  one of james brady's advisers published an article in the new york times stating that the brady plan was announced in september 1985 to prevent the dissemination of the peruvian attitude of unilaterally reducing its debt payments.    who knows if the acapulco and punta del este meetings have not led the creditors to acknowledge that the debt is not worth its face value and that it must be reduced?    therefore, there has been progress.  who knows if next year we will be speaking of reducing the debt by 50 percent and not just the 20 percent that we now seek?    you see, the fact is that not only are we unable to pay and that we are negotiating to pay less, but the creditors also know that they will not be able to collect their money if they insist on their claims.    therefore, if the united states and the soviet union are heading to ward disarmament, why can't there be a financial disarmament between the rich and poor?  i think that economic trends will follow this line.    (reporter) president, why hasn't panama been definitively expelled from this group, and will the group of eight expand?    (garcia) panama as a country, independent of its past administrations, was a founder member of the group of eight.  no country can be expelled.  this is a term that would offend the citizenry of a country.  we simply ratified the suspension of panama indefinitely until panama is governed by a democratically elected government.  that was our decision.    (reporter) (passage indistinct) the oas?    (garcia) we are preparing a proposal in which we state that the oas is an important forum or mechanism for hemispheric dialogue but which must include the presence of cuba and other countries which are yet not members.    (reporter) will the group of eight expand?    (garcia) i hope so.  this is the last year in which i will attend a meeting of the group of eight, which i helped to create.  however, i hope this group will lead annual and periodical meetings of all latin america presidents.  i have maintained this hope since 1985.  i hope that latin america will annually coordinate some kind of collegial executive branch to make important decisions.  the group of eight is the beginning of this, and i am sure that it will expand in the future.    however, at a continental level, the issues cannot run as fast as for a country, a people, or a political process.  a continent requires much longer terms and we must be patient.  let us go to another subject now.    (reporter) human rights.  two of the main issues in latin american life are democratization and human rights.  president menem has recently pardoned military officers and terrorists who were serving prison sentences.  there is also a conflictive situation in peru regarding some military officers who are being tried for murders committed in jails.  are you willing to pardon those military officers to pacify the situation?  this is my first question.    second, the peruvian image through the international media is very bad because of a lack of information.  in contrast with acapulco and punta del este, which are holiday resorts with multimillion dollar infrastructures, the city of ica represents thousands of latin american cities.  therefore, what is your administration doing to thruthfully report on peruvian reality?  tion doing to thruthfully report on peruvian reality?  (continued)


Input: the family of norberto rodriguez rodriguez, the brother-in-law of venezuelan president carlos andres perez, said today that the people who kidnapped 72-year-old rodriguez rodriguez are asking for $10 million, approximately 4.1 billion pesos, for his release.  ines rodriguez colmenares, daughter of the kidnapped man, today read a statement on the privately owned rcn (radio cadena nacional), the main radio station along the colombian - venezuelan border, in which the family states that the sum requested is "unimaginable."    rodriguez, former venezuelan consul in cucuta, was kidnapped on 14 july by four persons who had remained silent until a few hours ago.    in their statement, the rodriguez family said that the $10 million ransom is not within their reach and added that "the kidnappers must know what our real economic capacity is."    "we are willing to negotiate our father's release, but within our means," the document adds.    the kidnappers, believed to be members of the pro-castro army of national liberation (eln), reportedly advised the rodriguez family yesterday of their decision to negotiate his release.    norberto rodriguez is the brother of blanca de perez, wife of venezuelan president carlos andres perez.

people

persons

norberto rodriguez rodriguez


Input: this year, france will grant ecuador a 310 million-franc loan and a non-repayable loan for 20 million.  france will also provide technical assistance, and will support ecuador's struggle against drug traffickers and its efforts to solve ecuador's foreign debt problem, presidents francois mitterrand and rodrigo borja announced today in quito.    thus, the french aid to ecuador in 1989 will total 400 million francs, since france previously agreed to grant loans for 180 million francs to ecuador.    the announcement was made on 12 october, shortly before mitterrand concluded his official 2-day visit to ecuador, where he held a private meeting with borja -- a fellow member of socialist international -- after ecuadoran foreign minister diego cordovez and edwige avice, delegate from the french ministry of foreign affairs, signed an letter of intention.    from the total loans, 165 million francs will be used for the first phase of a project to rehabilitate the central railroad.  the project includes the rehabilitation of 900 km of the railway line between the ecuadoran mountain range and the ecuadoran coast, borja said.  he revealed that the loan is to be paid back in 25 years, with a 5-year grace period and low interest rates.  he also noted the social significance of the project, in a country with difficult and rugged terrain.  the remaining funds will be used to supply potable water to the provinces of imbabura in the mountain range, and manabi in the coastal region.    with regard to ecuador's foreign debt, which exceeds $11 billion, mitterrand said he is "willing to personally assist," in the study of bilateral agreements to reduce the debt burden, and to intercede before the paris club, to which ecuador owes $400 million.    mitterrand asked borja to give him time to study the bilateral agreements on the debt.  in this regard, mitterrand clearly expressed that the debt will not be forgiven.  he believes this is an overall problem and is "more dangerous than the atomic bomb," because the countries facing this problem cannot control it."  at the same time, miterrand asked: "who can control the misery and the disturbances" this problem will generate?    mitterrand added that efforts will be made to improve the weak bilateral trade, which in 1988 totalled 321.3 million francs ($50.6 million), with a deficit of 56.5 million francs for ecuador ($8.9 million).    mitterrand said french experts will study the possibility of boosting sales of ecuadoran products to france, especially seafood products, such as shrimp, as well as bananas, which france currently buys from african countries.  "what we want to do is open new doors," mitterrand added.  however, he insisted on the need to wait for the studies the experts will carry out.    the chiefs of state announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to struggle against drug trafficking, still at an early stage in ecuador.  through this agreement, signed by ecuadoran government minister andres vallejo and french interior minister pierre joxe, a plan will be drafted to struggle against this scourge.  france will provide electronic equipment and other supplies to the ecuadoran police.    mitterrand said he thoroughly discussed this problem with borja, although this is not a specific problem of ecuador, which is not a producing country, but is used for the transshipment of drugs.  he made an appeal to organize a world front to eliminate this scourge.    borja confirmed mitterrand's statements and added that although ecuador "is not a drug-producing country, we will not rest," because i believe other countries "began late" in their struggle against this evil.    the two presidents agreed on the need to concerted efforts -- among countries producing and consuming drugs, countries used for the transshipment of drugs, and for money laundering -- to face this scourge.  the two presidents committed their efforts in this respect.    mitterrand, who upon concluding his visit to ecuador will make a stopover in bogota, said that his unscheduled visit to colombian president virgilio barco is "to give open testimony on the solidarity that must be given to the president of such a courageous government.    finally, mitterrand noted the benefits of his visit to ecuador -- which he expects to repeat -- and the enthusiastic welcoming he received.  borja thanked this "great european and world leader, who is offering his friendship to us," for his visit.


Input: the wave of criminal attacks to which colombian journalists are currently being subjected continued last night when william bendeck olivella, director of a radio newscast in the northern city of monteria, was killed by unidentified persons.    according to reports received in bogota, the newsman, 57, was about to enter his home when he was gunned down by several armed men.    bendeck olivella had been press assistant to nicaraguan dictator anastasio somoza, but went to colombia after the triumph of the sandinist revolution.    bendeck olivella is the second newsman to be murdered this week. on tuesday, several gunmen killed roberto sarasty botero, who worked for the caracol radio network in medellin.    although the authorities do not yet have detailed information, the possibility that bendeck olivella may have been murdered for political reasons has not been ruled out since he was a political specialist.    for more than a month, newsmen in colombia have been facing a serious threat from the drug trafficking mafia, which even partially destroyed the main offices of the bogota morning paper el espectador, in reprisal for the paper's harsh attacks on the cocaine trafficking organizations.

unidentified persons

gunmen

cocaine trafficking organizations

main offices of the bogota morning paper el espectador

william bendeck olivella

roberto sarasty


Input: we had been left completely alone and isolated from the world, the popular government had been overthrown, the dictatorship had scattered concentration camps and anonymous dead around the country, congress was closed, all leftist communication media were also closed, and the image of the dictatorship monopolized the television screens.  pinochet needed to be left alone in order to consolidate his power by murdering his opponents.  at the same time, he sent missions abroad to seek recognition and support.    in the first days immediately after the coup, radio moscow began to beam programs to chile, and i am now talking to you from its studios. volodia teitelboim, current secretary general of the chilean communist party, was by chance in moscow in september 1973, and it fell to him to initiate the programs "listen, chile" (escucha, chile) and radio magallanes over the microphones of radio moscow.  the audience of these programs suddenly grew inside chile.    at first, the programs denounced the arbitrary action of the military regime.  it was difficult to smuggle news out of chile so that it could be broadcast all over chile by radio moscow, but news of the world's solidarity was broadcast night after night to chile. thus, the wall of silence the dictator intended to raise around him to hide his crimes was cracked.    a tradition of listening radio moscow programs to latin america was developed in chile as attested by the mail that reached its studios. the bulk of mail from chile confirms this.  so it was easy to see that the moscow transmissions were helping the cause of the persecuted, the workers, the students, the prisoners, the muzzled democrats, and the grieving widows of chile.  through these transmissions, those people received the message of support an encouragement sent by the peoples of the world.    the first broadcasts were made in those years, and very few have not listened to them at some time, although nobody admitted to knowledge of those programs.  the tyrant himself violently attacked the programs in several public speeches.  not long ago, pinochet's foreign minister again scathingly referred to radio moscow's broadcasts.  that is to say that those programs have continued to affect the dictatorship in one way or another and that they have helped the resurgence of the democratic forces.  the resurgence and organization of the democratic forces through the impetus of the workers and broad sectors of the population have reshaped the chilean political situation, to the point that we are now approaching the real possibility of an electoral triumph by a single opposition candidate to the presidency, thus setting the process of transition in motion.    in fact the situation not only has changed in chile, but also in the soviet union where the perestroyka -- a revolutionary process inside a revolution -- has opened immense possibilities for the economic, social, and political development of soviet society.  we frequently keep you abreast of these developments in the programs of radio moscow.  so, all this has galvanized our disposition to continue cooperating in this proces that has reached new levels.    our programs continue to be open and at the disposal of all advance forces that march with the democrats.  a few weeks ago, radio moscow completed 16 years of broadcast to chile.  now, on 29 october radio moscow will celebrate its 60th anniversary.  all the peoples of the world know the programs of radio moscow in 81 languages.  the programs to chile have a privileged place among them.  for the occasion, greetings have been sent to the programs of radio moscow and radio magallanes.  from chileans scattered in 40 countries by the fascist explosion, radio moscow also receives mail and postcard with messages of appreciation and thanks.  this is a modest way of responding to the valuable assistance radio moscow has given, is giving, and will continue to give us.    we had been left alone, isolated from the world, and radio moscow proved to be our friend during shameful times.  good night.


Input: victor polay, the leader of the peruvian terrorist tupac amaru revolutionary movement (mrta) group, today admitted the possibility that the mrta will propose his release in exchange for the release of television impresario hector delgado parker.  polay is being held at a penitentiary in lima.    the remarks by polay, who was captured by peruvian police in february 1989 in the city of huancayo, 315 km east of lima, were published today by the lima daily "la republica," which interviewed him at his cell in lima's canto grande penitentiary.    last thurday (12 october), the weekly "cambio," which is described by police sources as the mrta's unofficial mouthpiece, reported that the mrta -- which upholds the beliefs of guerrilla ernesto "che" guevara -- kidnapped impresario delgado parker on 4 october 1989 in lima, saying that he will be tried "by a revolutionary court."    delgado parker was an adviser to peruvian president alan garcia and is the godfather of one of his daughters.    polay told "la republica" that the kidnapping of the important peruvian television impresario is of a"political" nature and is different from other kidnappings of other prominent tycoons carried out by the mrta people to obtain ransom money, and that, therefore, the petition that will be made "must be political."    polay told "la republica" that he is not responsible for delgado parker's kidnapping, a bloody action in which the impresario's driver was killed and the impresario's bodyguard was injured.  polay said that he cannot predict the decision that the "revolutionary court" will make after the "people's judgment" to which the impresario will be subjected.    polay, however, admitted the possibility of an exchange deal because "the kidnapping is political and the petition that will be made must be political."    the publication of polay's interview today coincides with reports by local newspapers on the capture of 12 regional mrta leaders.  this news was announced in the city of cajamarca, 870 km north of lima.    the national police have announced that the operations, leading to the capture of the mrta leaders, have been carried out over the past few days, and that activists, who were operting in the departments of cajamarca, la libertad, and ancash in northern peru and who were responsible for at least 20 bomb attacks in different locations, have been detained.    the national police added that firearms, explosives, and propaganda material were seized from the mrta leaders.

tupac amaru revolutionary movement

hector delgado parker