/* Written 10:28 PM May 25, 1992 by cerisea in igc:reg.guatemala */ /* ---------- "Cerigua Weekly Briefs" ---------- */ WEEKLY BRIEFS, MAY 17 - 23, 1992 URNG Tries to Move Forward with Peace Talks In a statement released this week, the URNG has for the first time made public its views on many topics of national concern. The URNG also called on organized groups in Guatemala to participate in the rebel/government peace talks. Bishop Quezada, mediator for the talks, circulated the new URNG statement at a press conference May 19. The rebels acknowledge the talks are at an impasse; they say it will be surmounted only when the country's problems are truly addressed and the process opened up to broad participation. The URNG is proposing that immediately after resolution of the human rights issue, negotiators restructure the process to allow participation by more sectors of society. The insurgency proposes that representatives of organized sectors attend plenary sessions as observers, and that both sides consult the sectors in an ongoing way. The URNG says its 29-page statement is a starting point for broad discussion toward a nation-wide consensus on resolution of the country's crisis. The insurgency maintains that the main obstacle has been the government's unwillingness to seek solutions and accept change. The URNG says the government has created false expectations among the people, and has distorted the insurgency's position. The URNG expresses concern that the negotiations may be losing credibility and momentum. The URNG proposes that after finishing the human rights issue, negotiators regroup the next seven agenda items into five. First, they would address the resettlement of people uprooted by the war, taking into consideration the viewpoints of those affected. The agenda would then continue with civil power and citizen participation in national life. This topic would include the role of the army in a democratic society, strengthening of civil power, and the foundation for genuine democracy. The third item would be the rights of indigenous peoples, with indigenous people participating in the discussions; then, socioeconomic issues including housing, land ownership, tax structures, investment and trade; and finally, constitutional reforms. Peace Mediator Responds to Rebel Statement Bishop Rodolfo Quezada expressed his satisfaction that the URNG leadership has presented its position statement, adding that it demonstrates the insurgency's good will to negotiate. In a phone interview with CERIGUA, Quezada said "what's important is that it's a public statement." Now, the civilian sectors can discuss the URNG's proposals, added Quezada, and a political solution to the armed conflict is more likely. He explained that since Serrano publicly askedthe URNG for an overall proposal, the URNG can respond publicly as well. Serrano Shortens Trip to Europe President Serrano has cancelled a visit to the United Nations in Geneva and the European Parliament in France. Serrano said he cancelled part of his trip to Europe because of the instability created by the recent wave of bombings and false alarms. Serrano will travel only to Seville, Spain where he will attend the Guatemala Day inauguration at World Expo 92. He left for Miami on May 20 to rest a few days before continuing on to Spain. Just before announcing the change in his plans, Serrano met with the military junta, which includes the Defense Ministry, Army Chiefs of Staff and military base commanders. Serrano meets with the full junta only on rare occasions--the last time was in December when the Defense Minister and Army Chief of Staff were suddenly replaced. Defense Minister Jose Garcia Samayoa said the meeting was routine, and in response to persistent rumors of a possible coup, he said the army is fully behind the constitutional government. United Nations Protests Government Action The UN Human Rights Commission has expressed surprise over the Guatemalan government's manipulation of a resolution passed by the Commission. On May 11 the government placed an ad in the local press with two segments from a UN resolution on Guatemala's civil patrols. The heading for the ad was "the United Nations recognizes and approves the role of the civil defense forces." One of the segments read: "in exceptional circumstances, when public forces cannot act because of the demands of the situation, it may be necessary to establish civil defense forces to protect the civilian population." The UN Commission responded by printing the entire resolution in the local press days later, and emphasized that lifting part of the resolution out of context does not convey the resolution's intention. In fact, the resolution states that civil patrols have on occasion endangered human rights and fundamental freedoms, and asks the UN General Secretary and UN work groups to study the civil patrols' human rights record. Most importantly, the resolution calls attention to the recommendation by UN expert Christian Tomuschat to abolish the civil patrols. US Ambassador to Guatemala Thomas Stroock sent a letter of protest over the incident to President Serrano, according to an unidentified embassy source quoted in the Mexican daily Excelsior. Excelsior's correspondent in Guatemala speculated that the diplomatic protest prompted Serrano's cancellationof his visit to the UN Human Rights Commission in Switzerland. Former Zacapa Mayor Extradited Suspected drug smuggler Arnoldo Vargas was suddenly extradited to the US on May 19. The US government had been pressuring for the extradition since Vargas was arrested in a DEA operation in Guatemala in December 1990. Vargas was taken from the Pavon prison to the Guatemala City airport under heavy security. According to Prensa Libre, security was unprecedented. Guatemalan media reported rumors that the Medellin Cartel was planning to break Vargas out of jail, using a special commando, two artillery-equipped helicopters and an airplane to take him to Belize. Radio Guatemala Flash quoted army sources saying Vargas was quickly extradited after the Medellin plan was discovered. Serrano, on the other hand, said Vargas was extradited this week for his own safety because of reports of a possible attack against him. Vargas' lawyer said the extradition was illegal. Serrano said "we are not underestimating the risk of some type of reprisal" against court officials involved in the case. Radio Independiente said the government allowed the extradition on three conditions: that the US maintain only the original charges against Vargas, that the death sentence not be given, and that as soon as he is sentenced, he be returned to Guatemala. Serrano: No Coup in Sight President Serrano denies reports that discontented factions in the army may attempt a coup against his government. Serrano told journalists to stop speculating, saying it only harms the army's image. Several sides have expressed fear that recent events are leading to a coup. Among them are Supreme Court President Juan Rodil, former presidential candidates Alvaro Arzu and Ernesto Sosa, the Archbishop's human rights office, the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats. Supreme Court President Rodil expressed his concern before a full session of the Central American Parliament on May 19. He asked for support from the Central American community to avoid a coup, referring to Peru, Venezuela and Haiti as examples. The URNG's representative in Costa Rica, Hector Nuila, said Serrano remains in office under conditions imposed by the army. Nuila said Serrano has made more concessions to the military to avoid a coup than his predecessor Vinicio Cerezo. Nuila made his comments at a ceremony in Costa Rica in honor of the fifth anniversary of the rebel radio "Voz Popular". Civil Patrollers Protect Their Own Four civil patrollers accused of murder have been illegally released from jail, according to reports on May 19. One patrol chief, 10 deputy chiefs and over 150 patrollers forced a local judge in San Ildefonso Ixtahuacan, Huehuetenango to free the patrollers, threatening to kill the judge if he refused. The four jailed patrollers are accused of killing Andres Morales on May 9. Assistant Human Rights Ombudsman Cesar Alvarez demanded that authorities find the accused murderers and return them to jail. Major Shuffling of Police Command The National Police Chief, his assistant, one of the Interior Vice Ministers and the chief police inspector were all fired this week. Serrano said the entire National Police force will be reorganized, with more firings to come. He said failure to resolve the bomb crisis during the past month is one of the reasons for the firings. Lawyer Jose Menendez is replacing Carlos Samayoa as National Police Chief, and is the third to fill this post during the Serrano government. Army Colonel Jose Luis Fernandez, a graduate of Chilean carabinero police training, is the new Assistant Police Chief. Lawyer Jesus Cabrera is the new Second Vice Minister of the Interior. Mario Carpio is the new chief police inspector, replacing Luis Paniagua who was recently charged with corruption. Military Men Charged with Escape Released from Jail A military court has released three military personnel charged with allowing two convicted soldiers held at the Army General Headquarters to escape. The court has not acquitted either Major Edin Orellana, Lieutenant Artemio Garcia or military police agent Pedro Gomez, but the three are no longer being held. The officers were reportedly in charge of security at the Army General Headquarters in Guatemala City when soldiers Nicolas Gutierrez and Eliseo Suchite escaped May 9. The Attorney General is appealing the military court decision to release them. Judge on Sikorsky Case Threatened The judge assigned to a case involving former military and government officials says he is receiving death threats. Judge Carlos Filitz is hearing the case of a purchase of Sikorsky helicopters in violation of national law. Former Guatemalan President Vinicio Cerezo, his brother and former top army officials Hector Gramajo and Edgar Godoy are implicated in the deal, which is also tied to the BCCI scandal. Bombings and Threats Continue The bombings in Guatemala City continued this week. A powerful bomb exploded early on May 19 a few blocks from Army General Headquarters. Later in the week, another strong explosion took place in Zone 3, damaging five homes. An unidentified man parked his vehicle outside the Rafael Aqueche Institute and threw a fire bomb which exploded, frightening students, but causing no material damage. The Boys' Central Institute was evacuated when a bomb was discovered in the bathroom. It was later deactivated. The President's Public Relations Office on the third floor of the National Palace received an anonymous call about a bomb placed in that office which proved to be false. Rafael Landivar University students and personnel were also evacuated after receiving a false bomb threat. ***************** 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.