/* Written 9:55 PM May 28, 1991 by cerisea in igc:reg.guatemala */ /* ---------- "Cerigua Briefs May 19-25" ---------- */ CERIGUA WEEKLY BRIEFS, MAY 19 - 25, 1991 Army Patrol Prevented From Entering Santiago Atitlan Seven thousand Tzutujil campesinos surrounded an army patrol of over 40 soldiers within a mile of Santiago Atitlan on Thursday. Acting Mayor Luis Zelada reported in the daily El Grafico that town residents asked the patrol to explain its arrival. The townspeople claimed the army was in violation of an agreement made last December to leave their town in peace. The army evacuated its Santiago post after soldiers opened fire on unarmed residents protesting military abuses, killing 14. The Mayor of Santiago Atitlan, Salvador Ramirez, refuted the army's claim that he had authorized the patrol's entry into the town, stating that "the army seeks to pit the townspeople against the local authorities." He also stated that the army did not request permission nor would have received authorization without his first consulting with the residents. Military spokesman Homero Garcia said the army began an intensive search for guerrilla forces near the area late Wednesday night but insisted that the patrol did not enter the town. He added that the army may move freely and lawfully anywhere within the national territory. Residents held a town meeting following the incident and sent a message asking President Serrano to speak to the regional zone commander. The townspeople adamantly oppose the army's passage through their community. Town officials fear the army's presence may lead to yet another massacre. Army Colonel Charged With Devine Murder The widow of Michael Devine brought charges this week against Guatemalan army colonel Guillermo Portillo Gomez for her husband's kidnapping and murder almost a year ago. Carol Devine requested a Supreme Court hearing against Colonel Portillo who commanded the Peten military zone last June when U.S. citizen Devine was killed. The victim's wife has conducted an independent investigation and has brought the case before the Guatemalan Supreme Court due to the military court's inaction, according to Thursday's Prensa Libre. Last September authorities arrested five low- ranking soldiers for Devine's murder and transferred Peten military commanders, including Portillo, to other bases, allegedly to avoid their influencing the investigation. When the U.S. government suspended military aid to Guatemala in December, one primary reason given was the lack of progress in investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the U.S. citizen's murder. Since then, the case remains a sensitive issue between the two governments. This month the U.S. Congress is debating whether to condition both military and economic aid to Guatemala on human rights violations by government security forces. Conditions on U.S. Aid Appear Likely The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a measure by consensus to place conditions on military and economic aid to Guatemala. Representative Torricelli, who chairs the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs, said the measure represents a "compromise" but is intended to send an uncompromising message: "the administration, the Congress and the American people are losing patience." Torricelli said President Serrano's commitment to end impunity for army officials involved in human rights violations is encouraging. He added, however, that certain facts cannot be ignored. One of those is that in spite of the new president's commitment, "human rights violations are double what they were for the comparable period last year." The measure approved this week is a revision of the one which came out of the House Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs in April. Some substantial changes have been made. Military aid would not be provided during 1992-93 with one exception. If a peace agreement is reached with the URNG, funds originally targeted for "military financing" could be made available solely for the purpose of assisting in the costs of "monitoring a ceasefire and the permanent settlement of the conflict in Guatemala." The sale of weapons, ammunition or aircraft for military use would be banned for the same two-year period. Unless President Bush can verify that progress has been made in "eliminating human rights violations and investigating and bringing to trial those responsible for major human rights cases such as those involving Americans," economic assistance for 1992-93 would be limited to specific uses. These uses would include programs which directly address basic human needs, environmental concerns and fiscal reform, and those which promote democratic institutions, pluralism, trade and development. If this language is ratified in a resolution passed by the full Congress, it will be the first time that U.S. economic aid to an allied country is conditioned on respect for human rights. Representative Torricelli said the measure was the result of negotiation with the State Department. He called it a "good, tough, responsible provision." Based on the consensus reached in committee, it appears likely that it will be passed by the full House of Representatives. A similar debate is expected to begin in the Senate in the coming weeks. Government To Negotiate with Refugees The Guatemalan government will begin direct negotiations on June 4 with refugees living in Mexico. An agreement was reached on Friday between Vice Presidential advisors and the Permanent Commissions of the refugees' representatives (CCPP). At Friday's meeting, held in the Mexican state of Chiapas, it was also agreed that the Intermediary Commission established to assist in the negotiations would continue to function. Refugee representatives said they had been told directly by Vice President Gustavo Espina that the Intermediary Commission would not play a role in the talks. However, this week's agreement establishes that the Commission will have the following functions: to attend meetings between the government and the refugees' representatives, to observe and verify compliance with agreements reached and to mediate when there is disagreement so that consensus may be attained. The refugees' six conditions for their safe return to Guatemala will be the main point of discussion on June 4. The meeting will take place at the Vice President's meeting room in the capital city. Next URNG-Government Meeting Monsignor Rodolfo Quezada announced on Thursday that the next meeting between the URNG and the government will take place in Mexico from June 17 to 22. Quezada said on television news broadcast Notisiete that the discussion will focus on the first topic agreed upon-- democratization and human rights. The mediator for the negotiations said the meeting has been delayed because both sides involved want to allow him to fully recuperate after surgery. Reactions to Violence Government press secretary Gonzalo Asturias admitted on Tuesday that threats and attacks against political and labor leaders are aimed at obstructing negotiations with the URNG. Asturias said the violence will be brought under control and peace talks will continue. In its statement released on Tuesday, the URNG condemned the recent violence which is "creating fear and insecurity among the Guatemalan people." The URNG leadership called on the government to clarify who is responsible for the death threats and recent murders. Monsignor Rodolfo Quezada, mediator for negotiations, also condemned the violence and urged authorities to redouble efforts to bring it to an end. He said the recent phenomenon has a definite effect on the process of achieving peace. Rebel Radio Voz Popular Celebrates Fourth Anniversary The clandestine guerrilla radio station Voz Popular celebrated its fourth anniversary this week. According to URNG representative in Costa Rica Hector Nuila, the station has broadcast the URNG's message to the Guatemalan people since 1987 without fail, despite ongoing counterinsurgent attempts to destroy it. Nuila stated that, as one of the URNG's largest projects, the station has proved both a military and political success. He indicated that not only has the station strengthened the URNG internally but also has advanced its broadcasting capacity throughout Guatemala. ***************** In the U.S. and Canada subscribe to Weekly Briefs by sending check or money order to: ANI PO Box 28481 Seattle, WA 98118 Subscription fees in the U.S. and Canada: $9 for 3 months, $18 for 6 months, $36 for one year. Elsewhere, contact: CERIGUA Apartado Postal 74206 CP 09080 Delegacion Itzapalapa Mexico, D.F. Telephone: 5102320 - FAX 5109061 - Telex (17) 64525 Also please send us your comments and suggestions to the Seattle address or by email to cerisea on PeaceNet.