Input: international news dispatches have reported on president alfredo cristiani's remarks about why the nefarious death squads have appeared and still thrive in the country.    cristiani's remarks, made in caracas, have been the cause of concern for local and foreign observers because he uses a strange and twisted logic to analyze the salvadoran social reality.  he has said that the death squads appeared in response to the formation of the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln).  even worse, he said that these squads will continue to operate in our country as long as the fmln continues to carry out political and military activities.    cristiani's remarks have called the attention of udn, which cannot help but reject and refute assertions designed to confuse the local and foreign public opinion on the true causes of violence in the country and the fmln's appearance and development in the national scenario.    first, cristiani's assertions represent moral support for the groups and bands of assassins who, embedded in and protected by the structures of political and economic power, have assassinated with impunity tens of thousands of lowly salvadorans.    second, cristiani mistakes the case for the effect by saying that "violence engenders violence" and that, therefore, there will be death squads as long as there are guerrillas.  the truth is that the death squads were active even before the fmln was organized.  has cristiani perhaps forgotten the assassinations perpetrated by the white hand (la mano blanca), the white war union (la union guerra blanca), and other groups that have been spreading terror for many years?    third, violence and hostility have always been present in el salvador since the spanish invasion and conquest and workers have always been favorite victims.    we hereby state this, fully cognizant of the country's history. the violence of the people has responded, as a last ditch resort, to the generalized violence of the salvadoran government and state.    let us keep in mind our forebears' resistance to the spanish invaders; the peasants' and indians' persistent rebellion against the social injustice of colonial times; the heroic actions and the patriotic attempts that culminated in independence; anastasio aquino's rebellion; the peasants' and indians' resistance to working for the new landowners who dispossessed them of their common lands during the 1881 agrarian reform; the rebellion of workers and peasants in 1932; the historic action against dictator martinez in 1944; the rank and file struggle against tyrant lemus; the people's struggle against the electoral imposition in the 1970's; and the unyielding struggle of an entire people for democracy and peace with social justice, which is currently underway.  (continued)


Input: commander, the fighters, even salvadoran citizens in general, do not understand certain attitudes of the fmln or some of the communiques issued by the fmln general command.  we spent eight or nine years fighting the christian democratic party (pdc) and jose napoleon duarte.  we remember (words indistinct) the assassination of herbert anaya sanabria.  however, when duarte died, a communique was issued declaring a truce so that the funeral could take place peacefully.  how should we view all of these apparent changes of position by the fmln?    (sancho) as for jose napoleon duarte, we have to point out that addition to being a political force, the fmln has human sensitivity. we thought it was appropriate for us to take this humane action by declaring a truce so that mr. duarte could be buried.  we also have to mention that the pdc and all of the leftist forces of the country can contribute toward the depolarization of society.  the truce was a gesture, it was to make the salvadoran people see that it is possible to depolarize society and that each of us can make a contribution.    that is why we insist that one must not return to one's electoral or political hegemonic plans, because that would obstruct the unity of the people, which is needed to isolate the fascists.    (reporter) commander, there was a discussion at the legislative assembly when duarte died because the pdc legislators motioned to name him the father of democracy in el salvador.  (words indistinct) what is the difference between jose napoleon duarte, who was in power for almost 10 years, and roberto d'aubuisson?  what is the difference between these two politicians?    (sancho) we believe that duarte was a fighter for democracy.  he had his own beliefs, he had his own personality, and he really had charisma; we cannot deny that.  of course, we cannot compare him to a criminal who is being sought by justice.  i would say that d'aubuisson is a fugitive from justice, who has sought shelter from his immunity as a deputy.  his immunity as a deputy does not preclude his crimes. there is no comparison between duarte and (words indistinct) who is well-known, but is violent and unpopular.    (reporter) to end the first part of the interview, are you optimistic about a possible concerted effort by popular and democratic forces in the country or do you believe that each will go his own way. are you optimistic about a concerted effort?    (sancho) a concerted effort in a political struggle of all the forces in the country should not only be seen as a possibility, but must be seen as a political necessity for the unity of all popular and national sectors, because this would be the only formula to rebuild the country, to reunite the country, and to reconcile the country. this can only be done with a concerted political effort.  i believe there will be opportunities over the next few months for concerted political efforts, which will really give new hope to the large majority of the salvadoran people.  we must not forget about the large majority of the salvadoran people, because sometimes we speak on behalf of certain groups of the country and not on behalf of the majorities.


Input: authorities reported today that liberal senator federico estrada velez, 54, one of the main leaders of the ruling liberal party, was released today in medellin by the drug trafficking organization known as the extraditables.    senator estrada velez was kidnapped on 27 march near his home by the extraditables, the medellin cartel's armed wing.

the medellin cartel's armed wing

federico estrada velez


Input: five soldiers were killed and five were wounded during a fierce guerrilla attack this morning in the city of suchitoto, cuzcatlan department, in the central part of the country, military spokespersons have reported.    the sources indicated that the rebel attack by rifle fire began at 0120 today and lasted for four hours.  after this, the army was in control of the situation.  the number of rebel casualties is not known.    the fighting began when farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) guerrillas attacked the las guaras bridge guard post in the city of suchitoto, 44 km from san salvador.    the military sources said that early this morning the army was in control of the situation.  however, artillery units are conducting a combing operation in an effort to capture the rebels.    guerrillas activities have increased over the past few days after the fmln signed an agreement with the government last wednesday in geneva (switzerland) to continue the dialogue to resolve the 10-year conflict in the country.    fmln guerrillas attacked armed forces positions in the northern and southern parts of the capital for more than a half hour yesterday, resulting in two rebels being killed and one wounded, according to military reports.    the fmln has also intensified its sabotage of electricity pylons, above all in the capital.  this week the fmln rebels brought down at least 20 electricity pylons, causing power outages in different parts of the country.

rebels

farabundo marti national liberation front

las guaras bridge guard post

electricity pylons

rifle


Input: the criminal drug mafias operating in colombia announced today that they will increase their terrorist attacks on "the industrial and political oligarchy" in response to the alleged disappearance of several of their accomplices.    in a communique sent by telefax to several news media, "the extraditables," spokesmen for the mafias, said that their "war" will be carried out henceforth because of the "disappearance, torture, and assassination" of several drug traffickers at the hands of the directorate of judicial police and investigations (dijin).    according to the criminals, who again described themselves as a "political-military" organization, "the problem of the extradition has been relegated to a secondary status, since our main motive for the war will be the torture, assassination, and disappearance of our comrades."    a few days ago, in a similar message, the criminals said that they would place 5-ton dynamite bombs in "neighborhoods of the bogota oligarchy," in reprisal for offensive actions by the authorities.    yesterday, a car-bomb with 800 kg of dynamite was left by drug traffickers in an exclusive sector of the capital.  had it not been for a defect in the detonator, it would have killed at least 5,000 (number as received) people.    according to the criminals, the resurgence of terrorist attacks is due to the "disappearance" late last month of jose retavista garzon, freddy lopez ospina, and brothers omar and guillermo perea rivera, who reportedly were arrested by the police in the northwestern town of envigado.    however, according to an investigation carried out yesterday by the attorney general's office, these persons are not confined in any garrison of the elite force, a police antiterrorist corps.    "the extraditables" noted that "the good faith of the attorney general's office in no way satisfies our demands, because the missing companions were taken out of the school (police headquarters) and executed by order of dijin director oscar pelaez carmona, whom they accuse of "masterminding" several massacres.    the drug trafficking mafia also said that the killings of policemen had been suspended (14 uniformed policemen have been killed in medellin since last monday) and that they had never participated in "torture," but, they added, "we will intensify our struggle against the industrial and political oligarchy, which is an accomplice to the assassinations."    the war against the drug mafias in colombia, which appears to have experienced a violent resurgence, began last august after mercenaries at the service of the criminal groups assassinated in the space of a few hours a magistrate, a police colonel, and presidential hopeful luis carlos galan.

drug traffickers

criminals

criminal drug mafias

exclusive sector of the capital

5-ton dynamite bombs

car-bomb

800 kg of dynamite


Input: it has been reported that on 6 april at 0230, the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) guerrillas attacked positions that were being guarded by units of the lightning battalion of military detachment no. 5 in las guaras bridge, located on the highway that runs from san martin to suchitoto, and in san pedro perulapan, cuscatlan department.  the fmln guerrillas attacked four positions with rifle fire and rocket launchers.    after 40 minutes of attacks, we had taken over three positions and forced the fourth one to flee.  in this attack, we inflicted 13 casualties on the enemy.  the casualties were inflicted in the area of suchitoto, while the war materiel wgs seized in san pedro perulapan in cuscatlan department.    we inflicted 13 casualties in the area of suchitoto, including a sub-sergeant and a wounded corporal.  in the area of the las guaras bridge, we seized five m-16 rifles, one m-79 rocket launcher, 8,200 cartridges, 38 grenades for m-79 rocket launchers, 11 knapsacks, and other war materiel.    we also report that comrade william heroically fell in combat, struggling to tear down the fascist wall and urging the fatherland to unite for democracy.

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front

las guaras bridge

rocket

rifles


Input: colombian leader virgilio barco briefed french president francois mitterrand here wednesday on the efforts made by bogota to fight the country's powerful cocaine traffickers.    mr. barco told reporters after the meeting at the elysee palace that the french leader, who visited bogota in october 1989, had said once again that he was "very interested" in the drug problem.    french sources said the colombian president had informed mr. mitterrand of the efforts taken by his government against drug traffickers and described them as encouraging.    mr. barco was quoted as saying that he was particularly optimistic about controlling imports of chemicals needed by traffickers to make cocaine.  asked about bringing members of a powerful group of drug barons known as the "the extraditables" to trial, mr. barco said it would "depend on each individual case."    the two presidents also discussed the coffee market, french sources said.  coffee is colombia's main legal cash crop, and prices have plunged in the past year with the collapse of a market agreement between producer and consumer countries.    mr. barco visited strasbourg, eastern france, earlier wednesday where he addressed the european economic community parliament and appealed for easier access to european markets for colombian goods. in an address to the body, mr. barco asked the eec to reduce customs duties on coffee.  mr. barco, who handed out packets of colombian coffee to euro-mps (members of parliament), also asked the community to lift tariffs on flowers, and quotas on the quantity of bananas exported to the 12 european economic community nations.    early in the speech, ecologist mps held up signs listing victims of alleged colombian army "assassinations."  the president of parliament, spain's enrique baron crespo, spoke of "concern in the european parliament over the many instances of political violence which have caused deaths in colombia."  mr. barco admitted "certain groups have managed to contaminate some elements of the state forces" but said "the government had separated itself from suspect officials," or that they were at least under investigation.    mr. barco is to visit belgium and britain following his stay here.


Input: the "shining path" terrorist organization is keeping three peruvian cities under pressure with three "armed strikes"-- strikes enforced by death threats--that began today in an effort to force a boycott of tomorrow's general elections.    ayacucho, the capital of the southern department of ayacucho, is under a state of military emergency.  there is neither electricity nor water in the city, and every activity has been suspended as a result of the three-day "armed strike" called as of today.  there is no transportation either, stores are closed, and the streeets are patrolled by the army and the military police.  roads linking ayacucho with the departmental provinces of cangallado and la mar were blocked by shining path terrorists with stones and tree trunks.  the 55-km road linking ayacucho with the city of huanta is guarded by 4,000 members of the "peasant patrols," which are opposed to the "shining path."  there are a few vans on the road, under military surveillance. "shining path" terrorists have destroyed a suspension bridge linking ayacucho with the province of julcamarca, which was thus forced into isolation.    candidates for deputy from ayacucho department for the ruling apra (american popular revolutionary alliance), the vargas llosa-led democratic front (fredemo), and the united left, as well as foreign and local journalists who will covering the election in that area are all lodged in a hotel in ayacucho.  "shining path" has threatened to blow up the hotel, which is heavily guarded by the police.    meanwhile, the people of ayacucho are checking the voter lists to find out where each voter will have to cast his vote tomorrow.    the shining path also called for an "armed strike" from today until monday in huaraz, capital of the ancash department, bordering lima department to the north.  the city was paralyzed and in the dark following the destruction of a high-tension pylon six km from the city.  as the result of that attack, five provinces of ancash were left without electricity.    the shining path terrorists hurled explosives at a market in huaraz, injuring 15 people.  the huaraz-lima road was blocked for 15 hours when shining path guerrillas set two trucks loaded with minerals on fire.  ancash department lies outside the area under the state of emergency that encompasses half of peru, including the metropolitan lima area.    huancayo, 415 km southeast of lima, is completely paralyzed by the "armed strike" imposed by the shining path. all activities-- banks, commerce, markets, public transportation--have been suspended. since friday there have been eight bombings of public and private facilities.  a car was destroyed by a bomb.  the city's electricity supply has been cut, following the destruction of three high-tension pylons.  also affected was the electricity supply in the entire mantaro river valley, where the country's largest hydroelectric plant is located. this plant supplies 80 percent of peru's electricity.    since last year, shining path terrorists have been extending their activities from the department of ayacucho to the strategic department of junin, bordering the department of lima. junin provides most of lima's food.

terrorists

guerrillas

shining path

roads linking ayacucho with the departmental provinces of cangallado and la mar

suspension bridge linking ayacucho with the province of julcamarca

hotel in ayacucho

high-tension pylon

market in huaraz

trucks loaded with minerals

car

high-tension pylons

explosives


Input: the fight against drugs and the organization of the coffee market were the main subjects discussed during the talks which president francois mitterrand and colombian president virgilio barco had at the elysee on 4 april.  the latter was due to go on to strasbourg, the second leg of a 10-day tour of europe.  this visit took place at a time when colombian drug traffickers are holding liberal senator federico estrada velez in medellin and on wednesday they threatened to kill him if two of their men currently in detention are not released.

colombian drug traffickers

federico estrada velez


Input: the armed forces reported today that 10 guerrillas were killed and six were wounded during battles in the last few hours in various areas of el salvador. they added that a child activated a mine, injuring himself and two soldiers.    according to sources, the rebel casualties included an unidentified commander known as "ernesto," who died in a clash in jucuapa, usulutan department, 110 km east of san salvador.  another guerrilla was also killed in the fighting there.    the armed forces press committee (coprefa) reported that "an ak- 47 rifle and documents being analyzed by military intelligence were seized" from "ernesto."    it added that four guerrillas of the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) were killed on 8 april in clashes with the government troops in colon, libertad department, 19 km east of san salvador.    three other rebels were killed and six were wounded in a clash in cabanas department, 70 km from the capital.    coprefa reported that another guerrilla was killed in antiguo cuscatlan, on the southwestern outskirts of san salvador, where an fmln column attacked units of the elite atlacatl battalion.    military sources indicated that two soldiers were wounded when troops fought guerrillas in san miguel department, in central el salvador.


Input: official sources today reported that a u.s. citizen died and another was injured in guatemala when a light plane of the u.s. drug enforcement administration (dea) crashed due to mechanical problems.    the aircraft, which was on a training flight, crashed in puerta parada, in fraijanes municipality, 18 km south of the guatemalan capital.    pilot david westeer corey died immediately while his companion, james mcveal, was injured and seriously burned.    mcveal was taken to the united states for medical treatment.    the plane was used to detect marijuana and poppy fields in guatemala, a central american country where drug trafficking is a concern of the united states.    a dea helicopter also recently had an accident in western guatemala.    the u.s. embassy reported that the pilot's body will be taken to kansas city, missouri.


Input: the police in medellin, antioquia department, in the northwestern part of colombia, have officially announced that senator federico estrada velez, one of the most important leaders of colombia's liberal party, was kidnapped by unidentified individuals in medellin today.    estrada velez, 64, was intercepted near the atanasio girardot football stadium in medellin while he was without bodyguards, and was forced to accompany an as-yet-unspecified number of unidentified individuals.    the politician, lawyer, and former colombian ambassador to italy was kidnapped in the same place where colonel waldemar franklin quintero, chief of police in antioquia, was assassinated last year.    franklin quintero was assassinated on 18 august 1989, a few hours before liberal party presidential hopeful luis carlos galan was killed in the town of soacha, on the outskirts of bogota.  the two murders were attributed to the medellin cartel, one of the main cocaine trafficking organizations in the world.  after the assassinations, the government of liberal president virgilio barco declared total war on the drug mafias.

unidentified individuals

federico estrada velez


Input: colonel inocente montano, salvadoran deputy security minister, today admitted the possibility that the seizure of an arms shipment in honduras on 7 april may mean that the salvadoran guerrillas are planning a new military offensive.    according to montano, the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) may launch the offensive before nicaraguan president- elect violeta chamorro assumes office on 25 april.    "we must not rule out the possibility that the salvadoran terrorists might promote terrorist actions before the sandinists relinquish power in order to create a climate of antagonism against the new government in managua and demonstrate that they have strength," the military officer said.    according to the salvadoran armed forces, the arms shipment seized by honduran authorities on saturday consists of 24 ak-47 rifles, 24 handles and 76 clips for those weapons, 80 rolls of "slow fuse" weighing over 2 kg each, and a "large quantity of materials to manufacture explosives."    the military material was being carried in a truck by salvadorans victor emilio dubon and feliciano garcia, who "were part of logistics unit," of the fmln, according to a press communique released by the armed forces press committee (coprefa) today.    coprefa added that this fmln "logistics unit" was in charge of "the arms smuggling to el salvador."    on 8 april, another "large quantiity of medicine and surgical supplies" was seized in the honduran department of copan, where the arms cargo had been discovered the day before, coprefa reported.    "the salvadoran armed forces again call on citizens to report all sorts of suspicious activities that may be carried out in their communities and thus avert possible terrorist actions by the fmln," coprefa said in a commnique released tonight.    the charges regarding the seizure of weapons and medicine have been raised at a time when the government and the fmln are preparing to resume the process of dialogue under un sponsorship, probably early next month.    the deputy security minister noted that the dialogue process is "ongoing" but added that situations like this "hinder the negotiations."    montano made the statements to the press during the funeral of otto sorto milla, son-in-law of the salvadoran air force chief (general rafael villamariona) who died yesterday, 17 days after an attack in which he was seriously wounded and for which the guerrillas claimed credit.

guerrillas

farabundo marti national liberation front

otto sorto milla


Input: a slight tremor measuring three on the international scale of one to 12 rocked southwest colombia at 1027 local (1527 gmt) without causing any damage or victims, the occidente observatory in the city of cali, 500 km from bogota, has reported.    the quake was hardly felt, but first aid organizations in cali reported that they had received telephone calls from people who did feel it and who voiced their concerns about the risks that could be run in churches, which are filled with parishioners attending good friday masses.    the quake was also slightly felt in towns like tulua, buga, buenavventura, pasto, pereira, and popayan, a city which was destroyed by an earthquake on maundy thursday in 1983 killing approximately 200 people and injuring over 500.


Input: salvadoran military spokesmen revealed today that a rebel cell, in which two honduran women are members, clandestinely introduced into the country, through honduras, several pistols, thousands of rounds of ammunition, soviet rifles, medicine, and explosives for the guerrillas.    in the first report, the ministry of defense said definitively that "the weapons came from nicaragua, through honduras, destined for terrorists in el salvador."    the second military report on this matter said that "the nicaraguan presidential election results have now made stepped-up gun-running from that country a short term possibility, not only for our country but for other countries in the central american region.    in a communique, the salvadoran defense ministry said that the arms and medicine were introduced into el salvador in 19 trips over a year's time from san pedro sula (honduras).    the military source said that the rebel cell, consisting of salvadorans tito olivio dubon and feliciano garcia sorto and honduran women adilia and aminta dubon ramirez, "had the mission" of secretly transporting arms and medicine into the country.    according to the military communique, 155 ak-47 rifles, 45 pistols, 60,000 rounds for various caliber rifles, 126 grenades for rpg-7's, medicine, and materials for making explosives were clandestinely brought into el salvador between april 1989 and 7 april 1990.    tito dubon and garcia sorto were arrested on 7 april in cololaca municipality, in honduras' lempira department, while trying to introduce the arms shipment into the country inside the secret compartments of a truck.    according to the military information, the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) cell used two different routes for the trips, departing from the city of san pedro sula.    "on route 1, 12 trips were made between june 1989 and 7 april 1990. route 2 was used for three trips between april and may 1989 to a place located in mercedes, ocotepeque department, where the fmln terrorists picked up the weapons and other war materiel," the defense ministry reported.    the report does not specify the route used for the remaining four trips, in which the same four people took part.    the two honduran women, now under detention, gave the salvadorans false documentation to pass as hondurans, according to the military investigations.


Input: various internal and external factors have made possible the meeting in oslo, norway's capital.  at the end of march, a guatemalan national revolutionary army (urng) delegation, representing its general command, met with a national reconciliation commission (cnr) delegation, accredited to support the guatemalan government and army to find a political solution to the very grave crisis that is affecting the country in general.  it is worth noting that the political will and broad initiative repeatedly displayed by the urng general command, which seeks a political solution to the internal armed conflict with their participation, has received widespread welcome among the population and has caused great domestic and international repercussions resulting in the approval and support of a broad and representative segment of guatemalan political and social sectors.    as may be recalled, it has been the military and government who have obstinately refused to talk to the guatemalan armed insurgents. this highlights the weaknesses, isolation, and contradictions within the army and the ruling christian democratic party.  the army's sector most reluctant to talk with the guerrillas is bent on resolving guatemala's armed conflict by way of the military, notwithstanding that it contradictorily refuses to acknowledge their existence.    it is this sector that the troops and some officers -- not precisely the self-named mountain officers -- blame for the hard setbacks and severe blows inflicted by the guerrilla forces, the failure of the counterinsurgency strategy, and the army being bogged down.  for the military leadership under these conditions, the situation is something like an alley, the way out of which could be seen if defense minister general hector gramajo opted to follow and respect the letter and spirit of the oslo agreements.    in the case of guatemala, however, it is not just simply ending an undeclared war that has lasted nearly 30 years.  in the opinion of the guatemalan revolutionaries, the help of all who favor democracy and peace is needed to lay down the basis for a great national accord that will ensure for guatemala a serious process of dialogue and talks so as to resolve the historic and root structural causes that have generated the domestic armed conflict, which still remains intact. these justify and give validity to the democratic project, and the patriotic and popular struggle by the armed guatemalan revolutionary movement.    compliance and implementation of the basic agreement to seek peace through political means, signed in the norwegian capital on 30 april, depends then on the will and political attitude of the sides in the conflict.  the guatemalan revolutionaries are precisely the ones who have shown the most willingness and will, and who have made the most efforts in favor of peace in guatemala.  their widespread political and diplomatic initiatives and their meaningful advances in the battlefield permit the insurgents to sit down at the negotiating table with enough resources and conditions to ensure that the oslo agreements are respected and complied with; that guatemala enters into a true process of democracy in its institutions and structures, with broad national support and international solidarity; and that peace is reestablished -- an honorable peace with dignity that guarantees social justice and independence, progress, and wellbeing.


Input: through his spokesman, u.s. president george bush has announced that he will visit chile in september.  this very important political event demonstrates the extent of the change that has occurred in the country since the 14 december 1989 elections.    the isolation has been broken after a 16-year period, and important world personalities are beginning to visit us.    italy has considered chile to be one of its first priorities for economic aid and trade.  relations between our country and bulgaria were resumed on friday after 16 years of dictatorship.  previously, other socialist countries took the same path, and it was only a few days ago that the mexican president visited our capital to confirm that links had been resumed between the two nations.    in general pinochet's opinion, chile was at war for the 16 years of the dictatorship.  curiously, the alleged allied camp, the western countries through their chiefs of state, refused to talk with him or extend him invitations.  furthermore, it was considered disgraceful to have any links with the reigning regime that had violated every type of human right according to 16 sentences handed down by the united nations.    for the united states, relations with chile were annoying and that country made it known.  the dictatorship's commandos travelled to washington to kill orlando letelier.  for this operation they violated borders and laws with false passports to conduct this terrorist act that is still considered a black mark against chilean justice.    never in the history of chilean-u.s. relations have things been so low as during the past 16 years.    only in light of this background data can the importance of george bush's visit be evaluated.  all this marks the beginning of a new era with the re-instatement of our nation in the place that it has always historically occupied, the recovery of our influence, and the importance of this country's future commitments.    bush's visit is the most visible demonstration that "the wars" have ended and that international policies are today built on the basis of understanding and cooperation.


Input: a delegation from la fanmi se la vi (literally,"the family is life", an organization headed by father jean bertrand aristide) is going to participate in the international conference on street urchins being held 23-30 april in buenos aires, capital of argentina. the reverend father jean bertrand aristide, who leads this little society, will leave haiti on 20 april.  he will be heading the haitian delegation to this conference.    father aristide said he is leaving with much chagrin in his heart because not only are the undercover detectives still armed but the judiciary has as yet to show that change is blowing over the country.    father aristide pointed the finger at mrs. ertha pascal trouillot, who must shoulder her responsibility before the entire world, which thinks the haitian army is under the orders of the nation's president, like the head of the army declared on 13 march 1990. father aristide feels one cannot count on the haitian army to provide security during the elections. father aristide says that, even though a part of the army is honest, the trend today dictates organized vigilance brigades in addition to the honest part of the army, if we do not want a repeat of 29 november 1987. father aristide says yes to elections but first, justice. if not, the oas and the united nations can go ahead and come to haiti, but it will be like washing one's hands and patting them on the dusty ground to dry them.    regarding the way the population is providing its own justice by burning people all over the country, father aristide said that the population acts this way because the judicial authorities do not do their duty; and that if the ministry of justice does not decide to hurry up, they (not further identified) might as well shut it down and re-open it with brand new people.    regarding the rumors circulating to the effect that father aristide is planning to run in the future elections in haiti, father aristide declared: aristide has never been power-mad. nor has he ever hankered to be president. father aristide said, further, and we quote: i have chosen to remain at the side of the masses. i will do what the masses ask me to do, as has always been the case. (no reference of closing of quotation as heard)    last, father aristide asked the honest members of the armed forces to go over and stand at the side of the masses. by so doing, they will go down in history as people who worked to set haiti on the road to democracy.    thus, father aristide held a press conference this morning, to announce that he was going on a trip to represent la fanmi se la vi at the international conference on street urchins that is being held in argentina.


Input: defense minister humberto romero said today that argentina has "suspended and frozen" the "condor" missile project.  he also denied international press reports that the missile was being built in secret with iraq for potential use against israel.    during a meeting with reporters this afternoon, romero said: "the project was suspended because of a political decision, and also because we do not have funds to finance this technical project."    this is how the minister implicitly alluded to the repeated press reports from europe, the united states, and the middle east about argentine participation in the construction of one of the stages of the iraqi missile system.    although he did not specifically mention iraq, israel, or the report on the missile, romero said: "we want to put this to rest in the face of publications that appear in the international press every so often."  he added: "we always said the project never represented any risk or danger for anyone, but at any rate the project was suspended, it is frozen."    this week iraqi president saddam hussein said his country can wage a total war against israel through the use of medium-range strategic missiles that can reportedly carry chemical weapons.  hussein also said any israeli effort to bomb the iraqi missile manaufacturing plants would be futile because "our missiles are made in parts in different areas of the world."    on several occasions our country has been mentioned as the manufacturer, in cooperation with egypt and iraq, of medium-range -- about 800 km -- ballistic missiles.  each time argentina has categorically denied this.  the argentine air force successfully developed the "condor i" and "condor ii" projects.  it has been assured that these are for putting a domestic satellite in orbit.    the last missile test was made july l989 at the chamical airspace base, la rioja province, where a stage of the "condor" missile travelled more that 160 km.


Input: investigations under way throughout the country have been fruitless regarding the alleged presence of spanish, british, israeli, or italian terrorists in colombia, following the foiled attack on seven generals, eight colonels, and other top commanders of the army and national police in medellin.    meanwhile, general miguel alfredo maza marquez, director of the administrative department of security, identified eugenio exendeste, an ideologist of the basque fatherland and liberty (eta) separatist organization, as the link between the medellin cartel and the spanish terrorists.    police operations director general octavio vargas silva said that all security organizations are on maximum alert.  he noted that the secret organizations have composite sketches of the suspected eta members and the two colombians who coordinated all the steps to carry out the attack that was intended to kill many civilians as a result of a rocket attack on a gasoline truck that carried 3,000 gallons of flight fuel.

terrorists

medellin cartel

gasoline truck

rocket


Input: prime minister felipe gonzalez believes that the latest basque fatherland liberty (eta) attacks signify the recognition of an extraordinary weakness of the terrorists.  prime minister gonzalez said that this morning's attack in madrid and last thursday's in seville were repugnant and compared the terrorists to the colombian drug traffickers.    felipe gonzalez made these statements at the end of a meeting with the bolivan president, jaime paz zamora.

terrorists


Input: 1. the attitude of certain bad armed forces members should not be used to create a negative image of the armed forces in general.  quite the contrary, it is appropriate to purge the ranks and get rid of those bad members, so that they do not continue to harm the remaining members.    2.  this public statement about the need for a purge is simply the reply to a historical requirement, because whoever reports the issue does not cause the damage.    3. in reference to those who carried out the order to assassinate the jesuits, they were actually doing that -- carrying out orders.  i have only said in public what the people have been saying and expressing in a low voice.    4.  therefore, a national commentary does not endanger the country or the armed forces.  those who decided to adopt a decision, whose subsequent consequences they should have assessed, are the ones who endangered the u.s. military aid and -- in the process -- wittingly or unwittingly played into the fmln's (farabundo marti national liberation front) hands.    5.  we suppose that there is information on the issue and that it is exclusively in the hands of certain groups which, for one reason or another, have failed to turn it over to the appropriate persons.    6.  just as the government of the republic and a vast majority of the salvadoran people expected, a full investigation and solution of this crime which shook the world, all good salvadorans trust that justice will prevail and that those who violated the law will answer for the crime they have perpetrated.

bad armed forces members

armed forces


Input: carlos pizarro, presidential candidate for the disbanded m-19 guerrilla group, was shot thursday aboard a passenger plane, airport officials reported.    radio stations said the former guerrilla commander was taken to a hospital in bogota.    the control tower at eldorado international airport here received a message from an avianca pilot saying mr. pizarro had been shot by one or several people aboard the avianca airline plane, which had been en route to barranquilla, on the caribbean coast.    madrid efe in spanish at 1533 gmt reports that pizarro was seriously wounded and that his assailant was killed.

one or several people

carlos pizarro


Input: carlos pizarro, presidential candidate for the disbanded m-19 guerrilla group, died in hospital thursday after being sprayed with submachinegun fire aboard a passenger plane, his brother eduard said.    bodyguards shot the gunman to death after he fired at the candidate aboard an avianca airline plane en route from bogota to baranquilla, on the caribbean coast, radio stations reported.    the plane turned back to bogota, and the former guerrilla commander was rushed to a hospital in the capital.    he was reported to have taken three bullets in the head.

gunman

carlos pizarro

submachinegun


Input: the caller identified himself as zapatoca -- this must be an alias.  he said he is an active member of the extraditables group with headquarters in medellin.  he said that carlos pizarro leongomez's death was a result of a coin toss over cesar gaviria, rodrigo lloreda caicedo, carlos pizarro, and alvaro gomez.  today's bad luck fell on carlos pizarro leongomez.    the caller said that he was acting under the orders of kiki castano and henry perez and that the two people killed inside the plane were recruited by pirina, don jairo tazcon, the head of the medellin hired assassins.  he added that this series of criminal attacks will continue as long as the government does not give them political - military treatment.  he said that the extraditables have set aside their struggle against extradition.  they are now demanding political - military treatment and have threatened to continue with this type of action.  they warn that they have what they have called an iranian-made z-5 k, which according to zapatoca will be used for the first time in bogota within the next few days.

extraditables

carlos pizarro leongomez


Input: a few minutes ago an official spokesman from the national social security fund (cnps) read the following communique confirming the death of mr. pizarro.    (begin recording) (unidentified spokesman) the cnps regrets to inform the people that presidential candidate carlos pizarro leongomez was admitted to the emergency room this morning, after having been shot several times in the head and neck a few minutes earlier.  these shots caused very serious neurological and cerebral wounds as well as grave wounds to the face and neck.    despite the efforts of a team of doctors, including general surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesists, ophthalmologists, doctors from the intensive care unit, and other staff members of the cnps, it was not possible to save his life and he died (7-second break in reception) (end recording)    ...got into an altercation with the m-19 leaders who were there at the time shouting slogans.  they did not allow the cnps spokesman to finish reading the communique.    the authorities have again cordoned off the area.  the m-19 members are protesting the murder of pizarro leongomez (7-second break in reception) i would like to mention that the national police, the f-2, and the administrative departament of security are currently looking for at least two collaborators of the paid assassin who murdered m-19 leader pizarro leongomez.    the authorities have reported that at least two men collaborated with the murderer inside the hk-1400 plane that was flying between bogota and barranquilla.  the authorities have also reported that the machinegun used by the paid assassin, who identified himself as alvaro rodriguez, was hidden in the bathroom.  now the authorities are trying to establish if the weapon was placed there at the bucaramanga airport, where the plane had been for the past few hours, or if it was placed there in bogota.    the police had searched the paid assassin twice before the incident but did not find any weapons.

collaborators

alvaro rodriguez

carlos pizarro leongomez

machinegun


Input: the government has announced a total offensive to capture medellin cartel boss pablo escobar gaviria following the death yesterday of nine people in an attack by the extraditables in medellin.    the offensive was announced at the end of an urgent meeting of the security council called by government minister horacio serpa uribe, who is acting president because of president virgilio barco's trip to nicaragua to attend the inauguration of president violeta chamorro.    serpa said that escobar has become enemy no. one and noted that all of the authorities' efforts are now centered on his capture. the minister said that escobar is behind the violence onslaught and asked the population to cooperate with the authorities' efforts to capture him. "pablo escobar is behind the violence onslaught," the government minister said.    nine people died and approximately 50 were wounded when a car loaded with 200 kg of dynamite exploded in a heavily populated district in medellin known as las americas. police sources said that the car bomb, which was camouflaged with construction waste, was set off by remote control at a passing elite police patrol.    the explosion seriously damaged over 10 private vehicles and at least three buses with passengers as well as a dozen business establishments and private residences.    defense minister general oscar botero restrepo said that the attack was the work of the extraditables, the armed wing of the medellin cartel, one of the biggest drug processing and drug trafficking organizations in the world. medellin, colombia's second largest city, is the home of the cartel and of its armed wing--the extraditables--which described themselves in march as a political-military organization and declared war on the colombian state.    the extraditables announced at the time that they were relegating their struggle to prevent the extradition of colombians to the united states to second place and that their top priority would be to fight the state, the oligarchy and the members of the police who kidnap, torture and murder the members of their organization and their families.    yesterday's attack was the second to be carried out against colombia's special antidrug and counterinsurgency elite police corps. on 11 march another car bomb loaded with over 100 kg of dynamite was exploded against a police vehicle on the freeway south of medellin. eight policemen and nine civilians were killed in the explosion.

extraditables

private vehicles

buses

business establishments

private residences

a car loaded with 200 kg of dynamite

another car bomb loaded with over 100 kg of dynamite


Input: government minister horacio serpa uribe, who has just left the national social welfare institute, has denounced carlos pizarro leongomez' assassination.  he added that no thought has been given to suspending the elections in the wake of this development, and added that the country must not be left in violent hands.    the government minister commented further on the top m-19 (19 april movement) leader's assassination:    (begin recording) (serpa) the occurrence of such sad and criminal developments is truly a disgrace.  it has saddened everybody very much.  i feel that this was not only an attack against former candidate pizarro but an attack against the country, democracy, and the electoral process.  i feel that we must respond to aggressiveness and crime with feelings of conciliation and peace.    (reporter) has any thought been given to suspending the elections after this assassination, bearing in mind that pizarro was one of the most important candidates?    (seprpa) he was undoubtedly one of the most important candidates. the government always thought so.  in addition, the government highly regards the peacemking process it has been carrying out with the m-19, in which pizarro was undoubtedly a key player.  we have adopted some decisions in this regard.  i am going to meet with the head of state and all of us will be closely watching the sad developments which colombia is experiencing with a desire to meet the need for tranquillity and coexistence which, unfortunately, we have not had thus far.    (reporter) mr. minister, what does the fact that two presidential candidates have been assassinated in less than 40 days represent to the government?  how does the government look before the nation and the world?    (serpa) well, i repeat, this is a very sad circumstance.  this is extremely worrisome, of course.  like all colombians, we are troubled over the fact that we are constantly being flooded with crime and bloodshed.  the government is doing the impossible to protect all citizens and to guarantee the elections and the normal development of colombians' lives.  however, there are deluded minds and there are criminals who are interested in damaging the country.  this is an attack against colombia, against the colombian people.    (reporter) mr. minister, have you at any time thought of adopting special measures?  what is the status of the public order situation in colombia at this time?  what reports do you have?    (serpa) no, there is calm in general. the government is very worried, of course.  we are going to meet now to discuss this terrible case.    (reporter) however, do you not think that it is very difficult to go on campaigning in public at this moment?    (serpa) i would not dare make any assertion in this regard. what i feel is that we must not yield a single centimeter to the violent people and the criminals.  (end recording)    serpa made these statements a few minutes ago as he left the national social welfare institute, where an autopsy is being performed at this moment on pizarro's body.

carlos pizarro leongomez


Input: the important thing is that this is the government's clarification, which represents the government's stand.    (moderator) david rivas of afp.    (rivas) mr. president, your replies to previous questions have already answered my first question.  i would like to ask you something, however.  now that the dialogue process is about to start, the two sides have apparently hardened their positions.  the fmln commanders have said that, to end the war in el salvador, there must be a solution to the problems of injustice and lack of democracy.  the minister of justice, in turn, said recently that the fmln must return to civilian life and that there is no need to negotiate.  i would like to know what will be negotiated and what will be done to end the war through a dialogue with the fmln.    (cristiani) i am surprised by the remarks that you are attributing to dr. santamaria, because he is very well informed about what has happened so far.  he is very much aware that there is point two of the geneva agreement, which notes that political agreements must be reached in order to put an end to armed confrontation and the violence that is affecting the civilian population.  subsequently, there will be a process for disarmament and demobilization, referred to as the total suspension of hostilities in the agreement.  i believe that it is a matter of reaching agreements.  we, as a government, are involved in this because we see the suffering of the salvadoran people.  we believe that it is not fair for them to live in a climate of violence in which there are so many killed, so much destruction, and so many problems.    as a government, we have always asked: what are the problems barring their returning to civilian life?  they are the only group that has not joined the salvadoran democratic process.  what do they want?  let us see if there is anything reasonable that can be done. the political parties have expressed willingness to consider all that could foster or consolidate the democratic process in our country.  we believe that there will be no problems. i cannot see any hardening by the government.  i believe we have been flexible.  we have said that the government has been immediately accepting as its own any consensus reached by the parties.  in other words, at least your remark on the government is not true.  i repeat, perhaps in the style of the previous question, that we do not want to be biased.  in due time, we will see whether the fmln has or has not been inflexible or hardened or whatever.  it will depend on whether the fmln's proposals are reasonable or not.    (moderator) pablo yacu of (words indistinct).    (yacu) mr. president, concerning the economy, some of the opposition politicians i talked with over the past few days have told me that they are a little concerned.  they think that, because difficulties have arisen, because there is a new situation in the country, and because the volume of the u.s. aid has diminished, the country is rapidly taking steps that other latin american countries have already taken, to meet with the so-called consulting group formed by the leading world credit institutions and request large loans to stabilize the balance of payments.  these politicians told me that they are concerned because this would impose a heavy burden on the new government, which would assume office after 1994.    (cristiani) well, i think the opposition politicians should try to understand that many of the measures, which certainly entail a sacrifice for the various national sectors, are responsibly taken because of the country's economic and social problems.  many people will say it is not necessary to do this or that.  i would only look at what has happened to other countries which, even without the destruction and violence caused by an irregular force, such as the fmln, have experienced much more serious problems than those encountered by el salvador at present.  we would also encounter those problems if we fail to take measures.  nearby is nicaragua, the inflation rate of which has reached 1,700 percent, its foreign debt is enormous, and it is immersed in dramatic problems.  no measures were taken in due time in brazil and argentina, although these measures were painful.  if they are not taken on time, they will be much more painful later, because eventually something will have to be done to check the economic crisis that has been created.  at this time, we are trying to stabilize the economy to start its effective recovery.  it is based on this recovery that we will avoid foreign indebtedness, which for many other countries has been an easy way out and an alternative, when they should have acted responsibly concerning economic problems.  (continued)


Input: yes, i think that you should tell this to the judge at the 4th penal court.  frankly, as i said, this case is now in the hands of the court.  the judge is the one who can order future investigations into the case.  your questions relate to doubts and concerns that the judge has before him.  he can summon anyone to testify.  i understand that he has already summoned some top officers.    i can only say this: you have just mentioned a meeting in which supposedly i was present.  you also said that it was at that meeting that the murder was planned.  there is much speculation, therefore i think that we must remain cool-headed.  in other words, people are speculating when they say that this could happen, this could have happened, or this could not have happened.  for example, some have said that there is a cover up, but colonel rivas himself was the one who discovered who committed the crime.    there are many questions, which is natural.  however, that does not mean that ...(changes thought) for example, i made a statement for the program "60 minutes;" i was interviewed for an hour and a half, but obviously my replies were not aired for some reason.  however, i said that it is no secret in our country that there have been many people, a great number of people, who feel that at one time or another some of the jesuit priests were in fact linked to the fmln.  therefore, in this case, all those who have said anything to that effect would have to be investigated.  would that be called for?  what i mean is that it is very difficult to make a decision based on speculation.    furthermore, during the investigations -- conducted by the investigative commission of criminal actions, an auxiliary legal organ -- we thought it was convenient at a given time, since we had enough evidence on a group of people we believe committed the crime, that the case should be handled by the judicial branch.    therefore, the judicial branch today continues to investigate the case and decides whether to interrogate someone or not.  if there is any doubt, the judicial branch can order the commission to investigate this or that.  whether someone is interrogated by a judge or by the commission is irrelevant; the judge must decide.  i believe that in this case the judge should investigate.  as i said before, i think that there has been progress.  i understand that the honor commission will be summoned, and that another may be summoned afterward.    (reporter) could you tell us in english.  you said that you do not think that it is necessary, that many people have criticized the jesuits, and if you are going to start investigating people, why not investigate everyone who has criticized the jesuits.  the fact remains, however, that not everybody is in a position to reprove the jesuits, not everyone was in the military hierarchy, not everyone was involved in the alto mando (preceding words in spanish).  there are (word indistinct) people in the alto mando who are known to hate the jesuits, who are known to have criticized them in the past.  why do you not think that this would be correct for those people to be investigated directly?    (cristiani) first of all, i would say that the vast majority of officers in the armed forces at one point or another, whether lately or earlier, that there was a widespread belief of some sort of participation by the ...(corrects himself) some of the jesuit priests with the fmln.  this is not for us at this point and time to decide whether it is true or untrue.  it is simply something that was believed out there, and therefore, it is up to the judge to decide whether he will only interview one person who believed this, or whether he is going to interview many people.    there has been also the fact that it well could have been the act of the fmln, the act of individual groups.  there were also speculations at the beginning when the assassination was committed as to who could have committed the crime.  so there are other groups that could have committed the crime, and therefore, there could be others that we could have followed the (word indistinct) investigating.  but, i think it is all up to the judge now (to decide) who will he call to testify, who will he call to interrogate, and if he finds any need, he has all the power to instruct the investigative unit to follow through on anything that he reaches.  it is not up to executive branch right now to decide who is going to come up with testimony with the judge. it is up to the judge to decide.  (continued)


Input: rolando gonzalez, los angeles times.    (gonzalez) mr. president, i want to make a question that was made in spanish before and it's related about colonel ochoa perez.  he has been a hard-line military and don't you think that his (words indistinct) got to be possible?  this is one and i got a second one.  can you tell us in english what's going to be the relation with the new nicaraguan government and what do you know about recent machinegun traffic of the guerrillas?    (cristiani) well, with the first case my opinion is that anybody that has any information with respect to the assassination of the jesuit priests should -- instead of speculate with it publicly -- should go straight to the court that is in charge of the case and give all the information available to him or that he is knowledgeable of, and then have the judge do something about it.    i think that mere speculation in public is something that is not good for the judicial process because it creates problems for it. secondly, even though he was a high-ranking officer, in cases like this, it is not necessarily the opinion of a specific member of the armed forces is one which is totally true or totally false (sentence as heard).  you cannot simply go by that as a way to simply state that his statements are true.    it is very interesting to see that whereas before no one really would believe col. ochoa, all of a sudden everyone wants to give him all the credibility in this case.  i am not saying that what he said is true or untrue.  my point is that it should not be debated publicly; that anybody -- col. ochoa, members of the jesuit community, or anybody else -- who has any information with respect to the trial should go to the judge and give him that information because that would be helping the process and not mere speculations in public.    with respect to the relations with nicaragua, we discussed this with one of the advisers of mrs. chamorro during our visit and we decided to initiate (32-second break in transmission) plans and, therefore, we are willing to reinitiate the process.  her adviser was very clear to state that they will by no means aid the fmln in that respect.    we think that what has been happening between the 25th of february and the 25th of april is that the fmln thought that it was time to get all that was left in nicaragua....(corrects himself) out of nicaragua because they knew of the problems they would face with the new government, and that they could no longer go about freely in nicaragua with their weapons and their logistic support.  therefore, they have been trying to bring them in.  in that case there was a group of fmln members who were detained in honduras with the help of the honduran authorities, and it was obvious that they had been shipping weapons by land through honduran territory, but that group was detained.    (moderator, in spanish) thank you, mr. president; thank you, mr. foreign minister.  journalists, thank you.


Input: good evening.  we colombians had not gotten over yesterday's cruel attack in medellin when we were confronted with another disgrace that took the life of presidential candidate carlos pizarro.  in a message from the president of the republic, the government voiced its deep anger and sadness over this criminal attack and it ratified its determination to continue to struggle without dismay against all forms of crimes and the criminals who are so infamously attacking peace and democracy.    this is no time to abandon any attitude that is deemed advisable for the nation.  in the face of the fratricidal and anti-patriotic violence, we must answer with actions of understanding and conciliation, with decisions that will dismantle the bands of criminals who are doing such serious harm to the people and with the determination that will renew faith in democratic principles and in the purpose to achieve the best levels of coexistence.  the government is determined to do that.    however, this responsibility lies with all colombians of goodwill. from each of our fellow countrymen, we demand positive actions and a great solidarity with those who have the responsibility of safeguarding the citizens' security throughout the nation.  the peace, understanding, and conciliation to which carlos pizarro was committed should continue to be the basic goals of the country and of its citizens.    all the necessary measures that will lead to clarifying that treacherous crime are being taken to determine who is responsible and then punish them.  to this effect, the government's action will be very severe, and the investigating authorities are already being provided very ample cooperation.    the government maintains direct communications with the 19 april movement (m-19) leaders, and it has been attentive to its demands, charges, and concerns.  there is a marked interest because there continues to be direct relations with all political parties, the various political and social associations, and the presidential candidates concerning the implementation and effectiveness of security and indispensable guarantees so that we will hold the elections on 27 may, as the people want.    national coexistence, together with the citizens' demands for reforms, will continue to be a basic goal of the government of dr. virgilio barco, who will tomorrow address the colombians.  m-19 has asked the government to allow it to make public its feelings and opinions in the face of this great tragedy.    through me, and according to the provisions of law 42 of 1985, the government has requested this air time so that antonio navarro wolff, spokesman of the political party whose presidential candidate was brutally murdered today, will be able to freely express his ideas.    those who seek to exclude from the electoral process a political party -- regardless of which one it may be -- will not achieve it, because the government will guarantee that its voice will continue to be heard.  despite of the difficulties, colombian democracy will win.

carlos pizarro


Input: the leftist patriotic union (up) today asked colombian president virgilio barco to be admitted to the negotiations that the government is holding with diverse political groups to reach an agreement that will permit the introduction of national constitutional reforms.    the up national directorate met today with barco and gave him a letter noting that the exclusion of social forces in the negotiations may again be a mockery of the people.  it again asked for protection for the lives of its militants.    since it was founded in 1985, more than 1,000 up members have been killed throughout the country.    the up explains in its letter that the assassination on 22 march of bernardo jaramillo, its presidential candidate, forced it to withdraw from the 27 may elections.  this did not deter it, however, from its struggle for a plebiscite and from calling for a national, popular and democratic constituent assembly.    the up added that a constituent assembly, which will represent all popular sectors, will be charged with drafting constitutional reforms. the reforms must then be submitted to a plebiscite.    a week ago, the liberal party, social conservative party, 19 april movement (m-19), and national salvation movement met to try to reach an agreement that will permit holding a national plebiscite on 27 may to approve substantial reforms to the state.    government minister horacio serpa uribe stated that the administration has not and does not seek to impose its criteria on the will to effect constitutional reform.  he added that the government's position is very clear and seeks to respond to the will of the people.    also, the up convened political parties, social forces, students, and colombians in general who were excluded from these negotiations, to unite a proposal on the 27 may plebiscite.    finally, the up directorate asked, as a contribution to peace in the country, to be able to meet with the rebel forces.

bernardo jaramillo


Input: colombians, during these months of national tragedy we have been hit by events over and over again.  violence strikes the hearts of our institutions, values, democracy, and our best men.  the ultimate goal of those engaged in violence is to prevent democracy from functioning. that is why they have unleashed their evil against options for changes that could strengthen democracy and prevent violence in colombia. brave colombians have been murdered, one by one.  their existence was a threat to the survival of violent practices.  it is not a coincidence that during the current electoral campaign three presidential candidates have been murdered.  it is not a coincidence either that other brave minds that advocated reform had been killed before in that struggle.    rodrigo lara, who was murdered six years on 23 april, was the first to denounce the grave effects of drug trafficking on the stability of our institutions.  those who killed him wanted to open paths for the so-called crime tolerance.    guillermo cano, a brave newsman, represented a free, critical press, such as is needed in a true democracy.  his killers thought that by drowning out his voice they would intimidate the defenders of freedom of speech.    luis carlos galan was killed eight months ago.  by killing him, they sought to assassinate a hope of renovation and change and a deep conviction for the need to radically transform political habits and the climate of corruption, immorality, and indifference in the face of crime.  this indifference led to the emergence of the great evils that are causing bloodshed in the country.    bernardo jaramillo struggled for a peaceful, democratic left that rejected armed struggle and that wanted to build a more just society. by killing him, the criminals sought to block the paths to legitimate protest within the law.    carlos pizarro, the last link in this macabre chain that includes so many others, represented the possibility for guerrilla groups to lay down their weapons and join institutional politics, or for weapons to be replaced by legal instruments to struggle for legitimate ideals. by killing him in a dastardly and cowardly manner yesterday, they sought to destroy the process of reconciliation and reincorporation of armed groups into civil life.    the death of our countrymen should not be in vain.  it strikes deep in our hearts.  it affects the spirit profoundly.  it must, therefore, awaken the national conscience, because those crimes are not merely vile crimes against unarmed great men who believed in the strength of ideals.  these have been crimes against our basic values, against the clean ideals of progress and peace that these men represented.  we must not be mistaken.  those who killed our leaders did not extinguish the noble cause for which they gave their lives.  their values will prevail.  they are our values.  their hopes still live.  those hopes belong to all colombians.  their dream will never disappear.  it is the dream we all have of attaining peace and prosperity.  that is why i praise what antonio navarro said last night: "i invite the m-19 (19 april movement) to continue walking along the path that pizarro charted.  terrorism's goal has been to close the paths to change, renovation, and reform.    our path, on the contrary, is to make peaceful, democratic revolution viable.  it is a revolution of hope.  this deep crisis will not be solved by restrictions and limitations imposed on the instruments of democracy, but by uniting efforts of all good colombians to repair the roads to change, renovation, and reform. (continued)

criminals

guerrilla groups


Input: i am happy that navarro, over the television, called for common sense and for pizarro's funeral to be conducted in peace tomorrow.  in accordance with the law, the government will continue to do everything possible so that the m-19 and the other political parties can carry on their campaign activities.  the government and i have fully supported the army, the police, the das (administrative department of security), and all of the authorities charged with maintaining order.  these agencies are aware of their responsibility and are making great efforts to carry out their duties efficiently.    at this time, there is a tendency to overlook the results achieved in the struggle against the violent ones and the significant progress achieved.  i understand the impatience and the desire for definitive results against not only drug trafficking but all other expressions of violence as well.    i will now mention some of the measures that complement those that have already been taken.  the government has proposed the creation of a high-level commission, in which the political parties are represented, to follow up the electoral process and to assess the security measures that the public force and the security organizations have been providing for all candidates.  this commission can by itself propose new measures to reinforce the electoral guarantees in various areas.  in addition, the government minister and those in charge of security will meet with representatives of each of the political campaigns to consider the existing protection measures.  the commission met with the m-19 at the security council today and will meet with the other political movements in the next few days.    the government has made efforts to provide the best possible protection for all of the candidates.  the government will continue to work to reduce the risk of each of the candidates to its lowest level. for this reason, the goverment will revise the existing situation regarding mobilization and location of the candidates.  also, the government will double the number of elite policemen, who have demonstrated the greatest efficiency in the struggle against drug terrorism and the paramilitary groups.  the 1st army division commander has been assigned the specific task of coordinating all forces, security agencies, and military operations in the medellin area.    the country knows that this government has encouraged a broad, participative constitutional reform process.  two years ago, the government proposed a plebiscite and then presented to the congress a constitutional amendments bill.  in this way, the government interpreted the national feeling, which demands a more efficient administration of justice and even more stringent antiterrorist measures, for which it is necessary to amend the constitution.  the government also echoed the people's call for stronger institutions and a more efficient and representative congress.  colombians know that the current evils will be definitively overcome by expanding and strengthening our democracy even further, creating opportunities for the citizens' participation in the decisions that concern them most.    i want to reaffirm that the government is determined to do eveything necessary so that in the next elections we can pave the way for constitutional reforms.  (continued)


Input: fellow countrymen: the murder of carlos pizarro sought both to disrupt the development of the electoral process, as well as to destroy the process of reconciliation that the government and m- 19 (19 april movement) had carefully built, surpassing numerous obstacles.  it also seeks to weaken the state and make colombians lose faith in democratic institutions.  however, those who foment violence will not manage to weaken a strong democracy that is supported by all colombians or to destroy the path of peace that we have built after so many difficulties.    two of these difficulties stem back more than five decades.  the first difficulty was to build an atmosphere of peace in a country where the violence we have inherited flared up in the fifties, and after having evolved, it has taken on different forms, such as narco-terrorism and bands of hired assassins encouraged by groups of the extreme right.    the second obstacle, along with the previous one, is the lack of tolerance for political pluralism.  even progressive ideas are many times considered dangerous by people who do not realize that the cold war is over.  a pluralist democracy is not afraid of communism.  on the contrary, it accepts communism, but it does not accept violence, regardless of its source.  the use of weapons both to defend an ideology, as well as to fight against it, is unacceptable in a pluralist democracy.    the persons responsible for the tragic murder of carlos pizarro will not manage to destroy what has been been achieved, that is, a clear, viable, and defined path to peace.  the obligation we have ahead of us and that we will carry out united is to keep that path of peace open.    all colombians admire the peace initiatives of the m-19, and we share the grief of the relatives and followers of carlos pizarro, because their sadness and anger is shared by all colombians who love peace.  facts show that the m-19 members wisely adopted the decision to rejoin democracy and remain in democracy, to struggle for peace, and to promote legally the reforms they consider necessary.    when they abandoned their weapons, they did not abandon the struggle for their ideals.  they have all their rights, because they are no longer a guerrilla group.  m-19 is now a political party, with all rights and duties of a political party and whose ideas should be tolerated.  those who, through violence, are trying to bring down the m-19 flag and to prevent its candidates from running in the elections and to stop them from conducting political campaigning, are not just the enemies of that movement, they are the enemies of peace.  they are trying to destroy the path that was built for the reincorporation of the guerrilla groups into civilian life.    the material and intellectual authors of carlos pizarro's murder are the enemies of democracy, because they hope to sabotage the elections and prevent new opportunities for political participation. the government will not allow the voice of m-19 to be silenced. therefore, the government yesterday requested airtime on television so that antonio navarro wolff, leader of that party, could express his opinions to all colombians.  (continued)


Input: when the convergence of opinions on the fundamental aspects of the creation of a constituent assembly is made public, the government will contribute toward the counting of the relevant ballot papers.    the government believes it is necessary to reduce as much as possible the risk for each of the candidates.  despite the strict security measures taken by carlos pizarro, the suicidal calling of a hired assassin at the service of evil interests ended his life.    in view of these totally irrational methods, large numbers of bodyguards, bulletproof vests, and practical security measures could help, but they are not enough.    it is necessary for authorities and campaign officials to take maximum precautionary measures.  there must be more modern and direct communication with the people.    i admire the courage of the candidates who have gone to public squares, but we all know that the health of democracy and the stability of institutions depends on the lives of the candidates.    so this campaign can take place under the best of conditions without the need for candidates to run the risks involved in traditional forms of proselytism, the government has decided to increase television time for the presidential candidates of the parties and movements that are represented in congress, on both national and regional channels.    in addition, the government will allow the free use of radio stations for the same purpose and will give more opportunities for advertisements.  we are trying for a more modern campaign in which new techniques can be used to explain the programs of the candidates so that they can directly make contact with citizens and their families in their own homes.    besides, the government will intensify its civic campaign by inviting all citizens to vote in the next elections.  their vote for any of the candidates or even a blank vote is an expression of the people's rejection of violence.  it is a way of resolving conflicts by peaceful and democratic means.    to actively participate in the next elections is to vote for peace, for democracy and tolerance.  amid the situation in which this country is living, voting is an obligation.  no citizen with a right to vote can afford to remain at home and remain indifferent.  (continued)

hired assassin


Input: what i have to say this evening is that we made a correct decision.  the armed forces' budget was reduced by 10 percent; to ask for a greater reduction is not to know our country's reality and to destroy the armed forces.  to reduce the honduran armed forces' budget by 50 percent is tantamount to dismantling it, and i for one am not willing to make that decision.  i agreed to take the correct path at the right moment; to redirect the honduran armed forces and to see they also act with austerity and in the best national interest.    it is easy to criticize and say things, but when these people had the opportunity to resolve this, nothing was done.  i have acted.    (valladares) german reyes of acan-efe.    (reyes) good evening.  before anything else i think we should apologize to the housewives for having ruined their soap opera. regarding the green battalions you mentioned, mr. president, which are going to be installed in yamales -- where they should have been before the contras entered -- how are the onuca (united nations observer group in central america) officers going to verify that the contra withdrawal from honduran territory?    (callejas) there is no problem.  the yamales camp is inside honduran territory.  there are mechanisms that allow onuca and ciav (international commission for support and verification) forces to control these persons.  once more i would like to refer to the position you are taking: why not see things positively?  instead of saying we had contras here for 10 years, say that now we do not have any.  i think this is the type of optimism we should impress upon the country.  let us not complain about yesterday, instead build on today's reality.  i am very happy to be here at this news conference and to be able to tell my fellow citizens and you that no longer are we to have contras in honduras -- a positive step.  in this regard the green battalions and the armed forces are taking action to administer a territory that only yesterday was relatively out of control of the government.    (valladares) (words indistinct)    (reporter) mr. president, much has been said about these $247 million -- it seems like a large sum -- which tells of the success of your trip to the united states.  this, however, is to be used to pay debts.  do you know of any specific amounts you may be receiving in the future, or is it a question of having to wait there with a little paper bag to then hand it over to (central bank president) don ricardo maduro?  what are the resource forecasts and what definite investment plans are there for these resources?  one must especially take into account the impact this will have on the central bank currency reserves since inflation can be a time bomb.  lastly, i would like to ask you if you.... (changes thought) apparently my colleague regina has an important question before you end the conference with me. thank you, mr. president.    (callejas) no problem.  i would continue this conference all night long, although i do not wish to keep the housewives from their programs.  however, everything has a time frame and our interest is that all reporters here tonight should have the opportunity of taking part in this news conference.  getting back to your question, the total amount of funds available for the armed forces was established this way: the 1989 budget approved by congress was 150 million lempiras.    (reporter) perhaps i did not make myself clear.  i was referring to the funds the government would have available once loans were paid off with these stopgap loans.    (callejas) you are right.  we are talking about the stopgap financing for $247 million.  this stopgap loan opens the path so that friendly countries and bilateral and multilateral financial organizations can resume their loans to the country.  these funds will give us the right to draw on special imf accounts, funds from special world bank programs such as sal-1 and sal-2, or funds that have been withheld from japan and germany.  the total amount of these funds is enough to pay the $247 million stopgap loan in full and still have some cash left over for some of these organizations that may generate funds for the country.  the precise amounts will be given by the central bank president; however, to answer your question, the amount of funds to be received will be no less than the amount being loaned, plus some surpluses from international organizations and friendly countries, which have withheld their loans or donations because of honduras' ineligibility with the imf.  (continued)


Input: antonio navarro wolff, who had been the number two man in the 19 april movement (m-19), was nominated today as the new presidential candidate to replace carlos pizarro leongomez, who was murdered on 26 april.    navarro wolff, who is a former guerrilla like the slain leader, received the nomination when pizarro's funeral procession stopped at the home of liberator simon bolivar in bogota.    in a speech made to the thousands at the funeral, navarro accepted the nomination and said that he was picking up the banners of the slain leftist leader.

carlos pizarro leongomez


Input: following the funeral of m-19 (19 april movement) president carlos pizarro leongomez, the group's new presidential candidate antonio navarro wolff said that his group will continue the struggle for peace.  the m-19, the organization that signed a peace agreement with president virgilio barco's government on 8 march and laid down its weapons on 9 march to become a political party, said that it will not pick up its weapons again as a result of the murder of the 39-year-old pizarro.  pizarro was buried yesterday.  only 50 days after rejoining civilian life following more than 20 years of armed struggle, pizarro became a symbol for peace, although, according to commentators, with his death his killers are attempting to destabilize the country.    when accepting the presidential nomination, antonio navarro wolff, a 42-year-old engineer, former dean of a university, rebel, and the oldest of seven brothers and sisters, said that he was running for president for that colombia which wants democracy and wishes to live in peace.  the new m-19 presidential candidate was forced to speak and accept the nomination when pizarro's funeral procession made a stop at the home of the liberator simon bolivar.  he said that the colombian people must unite to make harmony possible, and he urged everyone to contribute to a future of peace, a better future for coming generations.  speaking before pizarro's casket, which was draped with the colombian flag, navarro, who in 1985 survived an attack during which he lost a leg, swore to fight for peace as pizarro had done.    the thousands of persons who attended saturday's funeral carried placards with slogans that read: commander pizarro, we continue forward, and comrade pizarro, we are for peace, we swear.  others who joined the thousands of voices asking navarro to accept the presidential nomination broke the silence on several occasions to chant: pizarro present, navarro president.    pizarro's mother margot de pizarro, along with his lady friend laura, spoke at the grave site and asked the crowd to fight for peace as he had always done.    at the cemetery the new presidential candidate again addressed the crowd, who had followed the more than seven-hour-long funeral procession from the cathedral to simon bolivar's home and then to the cemetery.  he said: together with all the good colombians, we are going to change the course of history.  he added that pizarro's murder was useless because the m-19 will continue its struggle for peace.    pizarro's funeral was held in bogota.  the authorities praised the fact that no incidents or public disorders developed during the funeral.  the m-19 leaders had asked the people to remain calm.    the new colombian presidential candidate is the sixth commander m-19 has had, the second since the rebel group entered its new phase to become a political party.  antonio navarro wolff will be running against 12 other candidates in the elections scheduled for 27 may.

carlos pizarro leongomez


Input: everybody is praising and justifying the argentine condor ii project -- the only one we had -- now that it has officially died, however, a more technical description of the defunct project will reveal the gap left by our flimsy space project.    according to the type of fuel used, missiles are classified as solid, liquid, and cryogenic-fueled missiles.  the solid-fueled missiles carry their fuel (that burns) and the comburent (that supplies the oxygen to trigger the combustion) on a sticky rod, the combustion of which cannot be regulated.  the cake burns completely once the combustion starts.  therefore, solid-fueled missiles are difficult to control although they are much simpler and cheaper. moreover, they put up with rough handling and can be easily fired. the military prefer this type for manufacturing short-range missiles.    the liquid-fueled missiles carry the fuel and the comburent in completely separate tanks.  the two elements meet in a combustion chamber where they ignite after travelling through pipes.  valves make it possible to regulate the power of the engine.  ground personnel are able to stop the engine and restart it in full flight, in short, to control the missile as they wish through radio messages.    the cryogenic-fueled missiles were developed during the 70's and 80's.  they carry hydrogen and liquid gas which are lighter than any other propellant element but which are very expensive to refrigerate and to isolate.  this technology makes it possible to build very fast vehicles because of their power to weight ratio.    they are used to place huge communication satellites in space some 36,000 km above the equator, or to attack a city from the other side of the world.    liquid-fueled missiles represent the technology developed during the 50's and 60's and, to a certain extent, explains soviet leadership in space research.  these old, heavy, cumbersome, and unbreakable missiles do not have fragile equipment and make it possible to place cargo into outer space at a reasonable cost.  on the other hand, the large family of u.s. and european cryogenic- fueled missiles continue at an experimental stage and are unpredictable (as the case of the space shuttle and the ariane iv and v).  moreover, they are incredibly costly.    too poor to even think of developing liquid-fueled missiles, brazil and argentina have tried to place solid-fueled vehicles into orbit for decades.  this is not all that easy because these missiles are really little more than flying rods (canitas voladoras), but the castor, which was developed by argentina in 1978, the sonda iv developed by brazil, and the japanese launching devices developed by isas (a university space research agency) have proved to be reasonably manageable beasts.    the castor represented the phase previous to designing a spaceship and this must be the reason why it mysteriously died in 1978 after a series of incredibly successful tests and after having allowed us to reach an agreement for a "joint-venture" with the frg to study the atmosphere.  the absence of mistakes by a debtor country may be fatal.    when argentina once again started to discreetly think about outer space (1982/83), it already had enough knowledge to consider larger projects.  in fact, with its one meter diameter tube, the condor could place a 200 kg cargo in a low polar orbit of only 200 km.    this project would have allowed argentina to have one or more pairs of eyes in space so that could assess its natural resources, predict the water flow of rivers on which hydroelectric dams could be built, determine where it could find oil and uranium, and cheaply stop illegal fishing on the continental platform.  this possibility could not be accepted by some people.    brazil, which is less hard up, is about to progress from the sonda iv to the sonda v and has openly invited us to jointly develop the spaceship.  what will argentina answer?  "we will"?  or will it have a chauvinist attitude?  what a pity it did not adopt that attitude now that it is letting the condor project die in its first stage -- it was never tested -- when the pressure is not as great as it has been. worst of it all is that it is not receiving anything in exchange.    very well then, it is accepted, the condor will go no further. what is left?  very little.  should we develop satellites exclusively for space research to discover the secrets of the sun, or study the cosmic explosions of x-rays.  these issues, if unaffected by economic and political factors, do not disturb anybody.  the nasa is quite willing to give us room, free of charge, on their rockets for this type of satellites.  there is no possibility that we will gain either money or space sovereignty.  there is no need to point out that any similarity between this possibility and an independent space research program, such as brazil's, is mere coincidence.    in the 80's argentina allowed its nuclear program, which at that time was the most advanced in the third world, to be hindered.  now it is allowing its wings to be clipped and, with a stupid smile, is yielding every attempt to achieve sovereignty in space.  each attempt to develop technology is labelled arms escalation by those champions of peace, our creditors.    it is quite true, the condor ii may be a missile, as a cargo aircraft may drop bombs and a truck may be equipped with artillery for war.  does this mean that argentina must stop manufacturing all type of vehicles?  this question is not pointless in a country that refuses to make any progress.


Input: ecuadoran social communications secretary pedro saad announced today that a group of colombians dressed as military men on 28 april kidnapped u.s. citizen scott heyndal, killed a colombian, and wounded an ecuadorean.    heyndal and his companions were traveling aboard a small boat on the san miguel river in the amazon region when they were attacked with automatic weapons by the colombians from a larger vessel.

group of colombians dressed as military men

scott heyndal

automatic weapons


Input: the army, seineldin believes, is divided into ''nationalist'' and ''administrative'' factions, and warns he ''can't predict what will happen when they clash.'' if a solution is not found soon, ''liberalism or the left is going to make headway and encircle us, and that is why we have to organize ourselves to defend the institutions,'' somos of 14 february reports.    the press also reports seineldin's comments regarding the united states.  during his visit to mendoza, for instance, he advocated a ''civilian-military alliance to defeat the two imperialisms, represented by the united states and the soviet union,'' according to la nacion of 21 march.  somos of 14 february quotes seineldin as stating that ''the world is divided, and what was the third world has been infiltrated by imperialism and communism.  we have already seen how the united states blockaded venezuela and is now trying to do the same with mexico, where it has installed a single party.  drug trafficking will be given as an excuse for invading it.''    level of popular support    la prensa of 13 march analyzes a survey on seineldin's popularity conducted by the demoskopia institute for market research and political studies.  according to the study, ''seineldin is better known than many politicians'' and cabinet members, since 91 percent of the population knows or has heard about him.  the survey shows 20 percent of the population approves of him, 40 percent disapproves, while 21 percent is undecided.  the demoskopia study also points out that, although seineldin may have ''half of public opinion against him,'' there is ''a large percentage that does not yet have a definite opinion,'' and that ''depending on seineldin's political skill and on how much the country's situation continues to deteriorate,' he could increase his following, particularly from among the undecided.    according to an opinion poll conducted in late february by the union study center for the new majority and reported in la nacion of 23 march, seineldin is seen in a more positive light outside the capital and greater buenos aires, among people with lower levels of education, and among supporters of the ruling justicialist party. more specifially:.    geographic location--in the city of buenos aires, seineldin received 14 percent favorable and 40 percent negative ratings; in greater buenos aires, 26 and 32 percent, respectively; and in the northwest regions of the country, 41 percent favorable versus 30 percent unfavorable.    level of education--in the capital and greater buenos aires, seineldin has a 19 percent approval rating among those who completed elementary school, 14 percent among those who completed secondary school, and 10 percent among those with college degrees.    political affiliation--survey participants who voted for the radical party during the last national elections give seineldin a 7 percent approval rating, those who voted for the united left give him 8 percent, and among those who voted for the menem-duhalde ticket his approval rate is 25 percent.    military concerns    military personnel are concerned about low salaries and the sharp decrease in purchasing power, according to an 11 march article in la prensa.  their dissatisfaction, which was publicized in a flier which appeared in several provincial garrisons, was discussed during seineldin's meeting with commissioned and noncommissioned officers in santa fe, according to somos of 14 february.    the possibility of a social explosion and the reluctance of the ''carapintadas'' to intervene were discussed during seineldin's meetings in rosario, according to the 14 february issue of somos. ''we cannot engage in repression, and that could cause a lot of problems for the security forces,'' an ''authorized spokeman'' reportedly confided.  if the economy deteriorates and social unrest ensues, ''under no circumstance will the armed forces be inclined to take the place of the police forces in guarding supermarkets or any place not clearly identified as 'vital to the nation,'' according to the 11 march issue of la prensa.