/* Written 10:06 PM May 12, 1992 by cerisea in igc:reg.guatemala */ /* ---------- "Cerigua Weekly Briefs" ---------- */ WEEKLY BRIEFS, MAY 3-9, 1992 Threats Continue--Two Bombs Explode in Capital A bomb exploded on May 6 in the Lucky building, where the Ministry of Education is housed, across the street from the Presidential Palace. The explosion injured at least three ministry workers, damaged numerous offices in three floors of the building and trapped people in elevators. Education Minister Beltranena said officials received threatening phone calls warning that the bombing was only the beginning and more drastic actions were to come. The National Electric Company and the Bank of Construction received threats the same day and were evacuated. The alarms proved false. By noon the next day, rescue workers had received over 300 calls warning of bombs placed in schools, stores and government offices. On May 8 a bomb exploded in a MacDonalds restaurant in the center of Guatemala City. The explosion seriously injured five people and caused considerable material damage. The explosion came during the restaurant's busiest hour. The explosion at MacDonalds was the fifth in Guatemala City in two weeks. Bombs have exploded at the National Housing Bank, Galerias Reforma shopping mall, the Real Estate Records office and a foreign ministry annex. Schools, public buildings and government offices were evacuated repeatedly all week long as the mostly false alarms continued. Who Is Responsible? President Serrano says those responsible for the bombs and threats oppose government efforts at peace negotiations and development projects. He declined to name those responsible but ruled out "serious" political parties and the business sector. Serrano gave assurance that security forces can handle the situation, while Defense Minister Garcia Samayoa offered large sums of money for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Defense Minister Garcia charged the URNG with the recent actions. The URNG strongly denies it has any involvement in the bombings and false alarms. In a May 9 communique the rebels said the false accusations only weaken negotiations and lead to repression against civilians aimed at minimizing their participation in the talks. The URNG claims the government knows who is responsible for the terrorist actions. Failure to prosecute, the rebels say, shows government incapacity or worse, complicity. Only Youngest Students Released After strong protest by students, parents and teachers, juvenile authorities have released those students under 18 arrested in demonstrations last week. A total of 160 minors from the National Central Institute for Boys and the Normal Institute for Boys were detained during student protests for more teachers. They were summarily sentenced to 45 days in juvenile detention. Juvenile courts ordered the early release of the students on May 5-6 but said they will undergo physical, psychological and social testing and their parents will then be counseled on how to raise children to have "happy lives and be good citizens." Protests continue in the capital for the release of the remaining 26 students and the resignation of Education Minister Maria Beltranena. Students from several schools joined protests against government actions against the Central and Normal Institutes. Minister Beltranena has promised to hire 150 new teachers by May 11. Authorities Back Down Under Pressure President Serrano said on May 3 that he would not hesitate to get tough with students "who behave like criminals and act outside of the law." He threatened to bar arrested students from school, close down schools and force parents to pay for damage done by children. Supreme Court Chief Juan Rodil said the 45-day sentences issued were appropriate and responsible. Students also responded, threatening to take drastic action if necessary. They gave authorities until noon on Tuesday, May 5 to free those arrested. Student leader Julio Alvarado Medina stated boldly: "What we ask is simple--the release of the arrested students. If they are not freed, we cannot be responsible for what may happen. We give authorities until today to comply. We won't back down." Students in the organization CEEM (Coordinating Committee of Middle Education Students) made known a list of demands: the immediate release of the students, medical attention for those injured while in detention, the resignation of the minister of education, an end to attacks on both the student and popular movements, prosecution of riot and Hunapu police/army units for their abuse and torture of those arrested, guarantees of safety for detained students, and prompt solution of the education crisis. They also demanded retention of the student discount on public transportation and repeal of recent tax changes that they say will further impoverish the poor. CEEM leaders Amilcar Montejo from the Central Institute and Mynor Carenas from the Normal Institute were still receiving death threats as the week ended. Students say they didn't cause the violence at last week's demonstrations; it was caused by provocateurs in the crowd. One of the releasedstudents confirmed on Notisiete television that students were badly beaten while detained. Students' Counsel Murdered Danilo Porras Colorado, a law student working for the release of the teenage students, was stabbed to death on Monday, May 4. Porras, in his final year of law school at the University of San Carlos, was murdered in Guatemala City's zone 13, a short distance from the Normal Institute for Boys, where the current student uprising began. Authorities ruled out robbery as a motive, since no valuable objects were found on his person. Also, a fifteen-year-old student was killed as he arrived for classes at the Mixta Official Urban School in Guatemala City's zone 12. He was shot at the school entrance while eating lunch. Teachers Back Students The National Association for Middle School Teachers (ACEEM) announced the beginning of progressive work stoppages on Wednesday, May 6. ACEEM said Wednesday that students 18 years and over were still being held and should be released immediately since their arrests were illegal. The Teachers Association said it will bring suit against the Ministers of Education, Interior and Defense for the brutal treatment of the students. Soldiers Deny Killing US Citizen According to testimony by four soldiers, it was Army captain Hugo Contreras who ordered the capture of Michael Devine. The four are charged with having murdered Devine in June 1990. They told a military court on May 8 that they weren't involved in the murder, and gave the names of the army specialists who did the killing. According to Prensa Libre, the four soldiers claim their detention is unfair and they are not receiving legal counsel. Nobel Candidate in Washington Rigoberta Menchu was in Washington May 6-8 to meet with members of Congress, human rights and religious groups. Her candidacy for the Nobel Peace prize met with support. Senator Edward Kennedy said it was an honor to meet with Menchu, an indigenous Guatemalan who has struggled for years for her people. The Congressional human rights committee offered to work for respect for the human rights of Guatemalans, especially grassroots leaders who are being threatened. Forced Army Conscription Continues In Chimaltenango, seventeen youths have been kidnapped for military service, according to their parents. The young men were taken from public buses as they travelled through the area. One parent who did not give his name for fear of reprisal said some of those kidnapped are students, legally exempt from military service. University Students Threatened The seven people injured recently when Hunapu forces opened fire on university students preparing for the Huelga de Dolores demonstration say they are receiving death threats warning them not to testify against authorities. Leaders of the University Students Association (AEU) say they are receiving constant death threats warning them to stop pushing for an investigation into the death of Julio Cuc Quim, killed by the Hunapu forces in the same attack. One of the injured students, Axel Oswaldo Morales, told Patrullaje Informativo that even family members of the students are being threatened. Family of Key Witness Kidnapped, Casa Alianza Threatened A relative of the key witness in the Nahaman Carmona murder case was kidnapped on May 2 in Guatemala City. Seventeen- year-old Reyna Mejia Martinez is the niece of police officer Vilma Arevalo who testified against four fellow police officers accused of kicking street child Nahaman to death. She was kidnapped just a week after a court re-sentenced the four policemen to between 12 and 18 years in prison. Her abductors were driving a vehicle with tinted windows and no license plates. Arevalo's sister was kidnapped and raped just weeks ago. Director Bruce Harris of the children's shelter Casa Alianza said "there has been no investigation of either the kidnapping of Vilma's sister nor the most recent incident. It seems to me that the authorities either have no interest in investigating or that they would rather cover things up." Casa Alianza also reported this week it has received five bomb threats in two weeks. Director Harris said that if those responsible think the threats will keep Casa Alianza from working to protect street children, they are mistaken. Exports Down This Year Earnings from traditional exports are down considerably this year, according to a Prensa Libre report. From January to April 1991, earnings totalled $436 million. This year the total is only $366 million. Coffee is hardest hit, with only $95 million in earnings for the first four months of the year, compared with $175 million during the same period in 1991. Congressman Hector Luna expressed concern over thetrade deficit this year, but the nation's monetary board says exports are only down seasonally. URNG Actions Guerrilla forces blew up two major electric towers leaving most of Quiche province without power, according to Guatemala Flash May 8. The power company reported damage was substantial, leaving only one of the province's 21 districts unaffected. Among military actions reported by the URNG this week, guerrilla forces damaged an army helicopter in an attack on the Cuarto Pueblo garrison in Ixcan, Quiche on May 3. Attacks followed on the San Juan la 15 garrison, also in Ixcan, two days later. The next day rebels attacked the Tizan garrison en Nebaj, Quiche and the Taxisco garrison in Santa Rosa province. Also on May 6 rebel forces ambushed a military convoy traveling on the Interamerican Highway in Huehuetenango, damaging two military vehicles. And on May 8, guerrillas downed a tower in Chisec, Alta Verapaz. The URNG reported causing 31 army casualties in this week's actions. ***************** 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: $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.