Input: at the end of 1989 and at the beginning of 1990, the united states conducted two major military operations in latin america, to the unanimous condemnation of the nations of latin america and other parts of the world.  however, the fighters for "freedom," "democracy," and "human rights" in western nations have kept quiet out of fear of the naked aggression and the way of the tyrant.    on 20 december 1989, several tens of thousands of u.s.  troops, equipped with the most up-to-date weapons, brazenly intruded into panama, toppling the noriega government and forcing manuel antonio noriega to be tried in the united states.  this u.s. act was by no means less than the soviet act of invading czechoslovakia and kidnapping its leaders at that time.  the new panamanian government estimated that the u.s. invasion had resulted in the deaths of at least 600 panamanian soldiers and civilians and made several tens of thousands of people homeless.  more than 5,000 military and administrative personnel of the former government were arrested by u.s. troops, and panama suffered economic losses of $10 billion.  the united states openly manipulated the work of establishing a new panamanian government, national defense army, police force, and other state apparatuses, so much so that it rushed in and raided (as published) the embassies of other countries in panama or diplomatic apartments, and detained the diplomatic officials of other countries. under the powerful pressure of world opinion, some of the u.s. troops have withdrawn from panama, but the u.s.  government still refuses to pull out all its troops.    just after its intrusion into panama, the u.s. government immediately announced, as scheduled, the dispatch of a strong fleet of warships into the caribbean, close to the coast of colombia, for what was called an antidrug maneuver, intercepting planes and vessels for trafficking in drugs.  on 5 january this year, the united states, ignoring the strong opposition of latin american nations, ordered a fleet of four warships, including the aircraft carrier "kennedy" and nuclear-propelled cruiser "virginia," to sail toward the caribbean to "combat drug smuggling."  such a high-handed way of ignoring the sovereignty and will of latin american nations and forcing the deployment of troops in front of the gates of other countries evoked fierce reactions in colombia and other latin american nations. jaramillo ossa, a presidential candidate from the colombian patriotic union, noted that the united states "very nearly" invaded colombia. the colombian government also warned the u.s.  government: without the authorization of the government of president barco, no u.s warships are allowed to draw near (as published) the waters of colombia.  it also ordered its naval and air forces to intensify their sea patrols to safeguard the country's sovereignty.  at the same time, the governments of colombia, venezuela, and some other nations refused to join the proposed u.s. "drug-fighting drill" in the caribbean.  faced with such a situation, the bush administration had to order the "drug-fighting fleet" to return to base and cancel the "drill."    on the aforementioned acts of the united states, leaders of some latin american nations commented: while relaxing the tension with the soviet union, the united states has reserved the "right" to interfere by force in latin america and other small and weak countries.  the public media of some nations solemnly pointed out: such moves of u.s. aggression are the continuation of the consistent u.s. policy of interfering in the affairs of latin america and also the extension of what is called the reagan doctrine, which started in the early 1980's.    in u.s. relations with latin america throughout the decade of the 1980's, there was a problem affecting the situation as a whole, namely, the issue of central america, which had all along been listed in the category of east-west confrontation by the united states.  the reagan administration even gave top priority to meeting the crisis in central america in its foreign policy.    in 1981, when reagan entered the white house, the situation in central america stood as follows: the sandinista revolution had won victory in nicaragua, the guerrilla war in el salvador was escalating, and a turbulent situation had started to emerge in other central american countries.  the human rights diplomacy pursued by the carter administration resulted in the deterioration of u.s. relations with a certain number of latin american nations ruled by juntas.  in 1977 the carter administration signed the panama canal treaty with the panamanian government, agreeing to return to panama sovereignty over the canal and the canal zone.  before the victory of the nicaragua revolution, in 1979 the carter administration abandoned its support for the tyrannical somosa regime and established normal relations with the sandinista regime.  (sentence as published) (continued)


Input: the government of the republic of el salvador reports to the international and national community that the terrorist offensive launched by the farabundo marti national liberation front (fml).  against the salvadoran people has been countered by the armed forces in compliance with its constitutional responsibility to protect the salvadoran people's lives and possessions. the situation is under the salvadoran armed forces' control.    the flmn, with a total disregard for human rights, has unleashed an indiscriminate attack on various places in san salvador and on the capitals of four departments by firing very powerful weapons and killing many civilians.      the government hereby reports these terrorist actions because the fmln attacks on military objectives have seriously endangered the lives of thousands and thousands of salvadorans.    this fmln attack is totally unjustified because the dialogue process is currently underway and the government has attended them with total political honesty, trying to find mechanisms and rational solutions to the conflict.  the fmln not only has violated the agreements it signed in mexico city, but also in san jose, costa rica. it has also brazenly mocked the feelings and the desire for peace wanted by the salvadoran people.    the fmln terrorist actions have forced the government to make use of its legitimate right to defend society by using the armed forces which has been fully supported by the people.  salvadoran people do not want to lose their liberty and fall into the hands of totalitarian marxist-leninist systems such as the one the fmln wants to impose ruthlessly.  representatives from various countries who have observed the development of these incidents can fully confirm the facts.  the salvadoran people, in addition to being victims of the fmln aggression, feel outraged because the fmln still has the gall to say that it is speaking in defense of the salvadoran people who, in these sad times, feel outraged by the terrorist group's irrational attack.    the goverment of the republic of el salvador requests that the international community condemn this brutal violation of human rights perpetrated by the fmln.  it also asks the international community to condemn the hideous crimes the fmln troops are perpetrating against civilians -- who flatly refuse to help them -- and who have rejected them (3 second break in transmission).  the government also requests that the international community strongly condemn nicaraguan president ortega because he supplied the weapons that the terrorists are using to massacre the salvadoran people.


Input: the simon bolivar national coordinating board (cng) asked today that the dialogue the government has announced that it will hold with two of the six armed organizations operating in the country be held "with all" (armed groups).    the cng also requested an "open agenda" for all of these talks and praised the "government's recent willingness to hold talks."    in its request for a "dialogue with all," the cng, through a declaration issued "from the colombian mountains" and broadcast on the media, states: "we have named a high-level commission and expect the government to do the same."    in its declaration, the cng "reiterates its desire to find a political solution to the armed conflict" in colombia.  "we are pleased about the path that is being opened toward constitutional reforms through the referendum and the plebiscite," the document adds.    however, the communique also maintains that "in view of the various approaches suggested, we reaffirm our belief that only a national constituent assembly with broad popular participation will ensure that the changes demanded by the majorities will be made."    in addition to the national constituent assembly, "there should also be true economic and social reforms as well as the effective exercise of national sovereignty."    the declaration condemns "the dirty war, which, in the past few days, has resulted in the assassinations of judges, left-wing political leaders, labor union leaders, and peasants, and in the attempted murder of presidential candidates."    the document is signed by jacobo arenas, ideologue and leader of the revolutionary armed forces of colombia, and by javier robles from the pro - maoist popular liberation army.  it was announced last week that these groups will join the dialogue with the government.    gilfardo fernandez from the pro - indian quintin lame front and valentin gonzalez from the revolutionary workers party also signed the document.    the 19 april movement -- which, since january, has been negotiating with the government for its reincorporation into civilian life -- and the pro - castro army of national liberation -- which has always refused to hold a dialogue -- are also members of the cng.


Input: die welt: your thoughts are focused on chile, but let us briefly look at europe nevertheless.  the democratic revolution in east europe has also been a sensation to chile.  what hopes do you place in these gigantic radical changes?    aylwin: i think that the changes in east europe are of very great importance for mankind.  they give us satisfaction and hope.  the opening of the berlin wall symbolizes the beginning of a new era in relations between east and west as well as the desire of the germans to achieve unity again.  we would like to see this situation lead to a reduction in military spending and to closer relations between the peoples.    die welt: what effects do you see for a third world country such as chile?    aylwin: i see two effects.  first, a symbolic effect.  chile is traditionally a democratic country.  now the long period of a dictatorial regime is ending, however.  this explosion of freedom coincides with the restoration of democracy in chile.  that is a stimulating feeling.  we are embarking on the road of humanity. second, there is a lot of talk about the danger of communism in our country; people say that communism could jeopardize our democratic future.  i think that the events in east europe and the soviet union demonstrate that communism is no longer a danger for the world.  nor for chile.    die welt: chile has the best organized communist party in latin america.  has this party changed?  what was its reaction?    aylwin: little is known about the situation of such a monolithic and coherent party.  it was illegal and worked underground for a long time.  however, i do not believe that any communist party can ignore the events in that part of the world which has so far been dominated by communist parties.  the chilean communist party leaders have admitted that this is a universal process.    die welt: what relationship do you have with volodia teitelboim, the general secretary of the communist party?  do you speak with him? do you see him sometimes?    aylwin: we have known each other from the time when we were both senators, meaning prior to 1973.  we were political opponents, but we often talked with each other.  since then, we have met only once, at a political function.  my rivals in this election campaign have often misrepresented our relationship, and have described me as teitelboim's secret ally.  however, i think that people of different persuasions can talk with each other and can reach agreement.  that has been done in chile with some success.    die welt: the communist party backed your candidacy.  will it be represented in the new government?    aylwin: not at all.    die welt: but the future government will be a left-center government and will reflect the composition of the opposition today.    aylwin: yes, chile will have a left-center government.  the various socialist currents will be represented.  however, the strongest movement is the christian democratic party which is in the center.    die welt: do you think that following these elections, the panorama of the opposition will change?    aylwin: i have no doubt about that.  there have been four families in the past -- the christian democratic family, the social democratically-oriented family of the old radical party, the socialist family, and the family of the right center.  they all want to survive.    die welt: many people say that the socialist ricardo lagos is the strongest figure of the opposition alliance.  what role will he play in the future?    aylwin: he will concentrate on parliamentary work as a senator.  as is the case in every parliamentary democracy, he cannot be a member of the government as a representative of congress.  (continued)


Input: the air force this afternoon resumed its attacks on the northeastern sectors of san salvador where the farabundo marti national liberation front (fmln) rebels have been entrenched since saturday.    at least four planes, three "push and pulls" and an "a-37" have been strafing and bombing the rebel positions in zacamil, ayutuxtepeque, and soyapango since 1330 (1930 gmt).    the planes fly around in circles and dive against the rebel positions.  immediately following this, the echos of heavy-caliber machineguns and explosions can be heard causing panic among the civilian population in san salvador.    the rebels respond with rifle and machinegun fire.


Input: colombian president virgilio barco today met with 8 of the 13 members of the 19 april movement (m-19) "team of spokesmen" at the narino palace.  barco and the m-19 members talked about the peace process started by the government and the guerrillas.    a presidential palace source told efe that the guerrilla representatives discussed with president barco some of the issues to be debated at the "working roundtables."  the "working roundtables" comprise delegates of the guerrillas, the government, and the political parties represented in the colombian congress, who will exchange views on the changes the country needs.    the m-19 delegates arrived at the narino palace, located in downtown bogota, under strict security measures at 1800 local time (2300 gmt).    meanwhile, at the peace village in the mountains of cauca department, 350 km southwest of bogota, m-19 commander carlos pizarro leongomez released a communique in which he accused the colombian army of attacking an m-19 group on 26 march.  according to pizarro, the attack was staged by the military to "create obstacles for the peace process."  he added that commander marco chalita, commander of the m-19's "southern front," was slightly injured in the fighting.    on 26 march, 9th brigade troops clashed with the "amanda rincon" group, led by chalita, in a rural area of pitalito municipality, huila department.  defense minister general manuel jaime guerrero paz described the clash as "an unfortunate incident."    pizarro said in a communique issued at the peace village today that the troops attacked the rebels and that "two of our comrades were killed and three others wounded."    the m-19 commander said "he shared the defense minister's viewpoint," and he said "obstacles still must be overcome" to achieve a national reconciliation.    the m-19 began talks with the colombian government in january. following a series of meetings with president barco's envoys, they agreed on the creation of "roundtables."  last week, the m-19 and government minister raul orejuela met at the peace village, where the guerrillas presented the names of the delegates that would participate at the "roundtables," which are scheduled to begin deliberations on 3 april.


Input: is there any unrest because of some of the laws passed by congress?    (azcona) no, there is no unrest because of laws passed by congress. some measures that have affected income have been adopted, but we will make progress anyhow.    (giron) will you ask that some of these laws be reconsidered?    (azcona) no, i am not going to do that.  there is, however, the law on coffee taxes which could be discussed with producers because the law-decree on coffee is very drastic.  however, the country is making progress, and economic activities in various sectors--commerce, construction, and manufacturing--are on the increase.  some sectors have some problems, but i believe we are going to resolve those problems.    (giron) do you have economic advisers, mr president?    (azcona) any person consulted is an economic adviser.  the main economic advisers, however, are those in the government.    (giron) it is being said that politically speaking you have been left on your own.  is this how you see it also?    (azcona) no way.  how could i be alone? on the contrary, we are doing well.  i believe we are going to receive more support.  i do not see why i could be left alone.  there is the government and the experts.  we are establishing relations with the party, with the most important people of the party.    (giron) are employees going to be pressured?    (azcona) i do not believe they are going to be forced to do anything because no law says that the employees of a government must support any particular party.  however, i believe that if the executive branch works in unison, as it has been doing, then all members of the liberal party will be happy to make contributions to the party to guarantee a new victory.    (giron) would you support reforms to the electoral law?    (azcona) we discussed that issue today.  apparently the national convention, which is the party's top authority, has approved some reforms.    (giron) do you agree with internal elections taking place simultaneously (as heard)?    (azcona) i believe it would be beneficial if they take place in one single day, but we did not discuss that today, and i do not want to discuss details about that.    (giron) do you believe that either your government or yourself could have been politically harmed by the latest crisis endured by the country?    (azcona) i do not think so.  i think that what happened will benefit the country.  acts of violence are regrettable, but those that have taken place have shown that we in honduras are not immune to violence. the same day incidents were taking place here, 13 persons died in san salvador as a result of a bomb explosion.  the loss of lives is unfortunate and violence against a building and facilities next to the u.s. embassy is regrettable because this does not help the country.    (giron) have you talked with u.s. government officials about an indemnity?  it is being said that damage amounts to $6 million.    (azcona) no, we have nothing about $6 million.  what we have received is a note from the u.s. ambassador the day after the incidents.  they are entitled to file a protest.  the note says that later there will be a (words indistinct).    honduras signed the geneva convention on the responsibility of governments when actions are carried out against diplomatic installations.    (giron) the forcing of radio stations to join a radio network and the imposing of a state of emergency have been the source of much criticism against your government.    (azcona) i have heard some criticism because of the network. perhaps we had it for a few hours too many.  regarding the state of emergency, however, the people have responded positively because one more casualty would have had negative effects.  the state of emergency made it possible for people to cool down, and those on the streets returned to their homes.  i feel it was beneficial.  the declaration of emergency decree was based on the constitution and on presidential authority.  congress was informed about this.    i believe this was a positive measure, and this is how the people have viewed it, positively.    (giron) do you believe the situation has been overcome?    (azcona) we do not know if the situation is over.  i think so.  i believe that what happened is that tempers got hot for a moment, and that some sectors, which i do not want to name because they have been identified by the people, took advantage of this.  perhaps some people tried to make political gains and the situation got out of hand.    i believe, however, that everything is more or less quiet.  the government is talking with the various sectors.  there is a small strike by a small group of health workers.  checks with salary increases covering a 4-month period will be paid today.  some readjustments will be made to favor some employees who have not received the increases we had promised.    we want to appeal to health sector labor unions to set aside any confrontational attitude because the government is meeting and will meet all its commitments.    (giron) what can you tell us about the latest incidents with nicaragua?    (azcona) these are not the first incidents.  i believe incidents will continue happening.  however, the government is prepared to enforce respect for the country's sovereignty.  (end recording)

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facilities next to the u.s. embassy

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Input: attention; pay close attention.  we have received the following report from zacatecoluca, la paz department:    we denounce -- our comrades have denounced -- the role played by the green cross, which has been dislodging the population in the following neighborhoods: 27 de septiembre, chinchontepec, and santa lucia, located in northern zacatecoluca.    the green cross is serving as an instrument for dmifa (armed forces engineers' military detachment) to dislodge the population. some dmifa agents are wearing green cross uniforms to do that job. they go from house to house, identifying themselves with green cross documents.  they are asking families one by one to move out, telling them that those areas will be bombed.    we urge organizations such as the red cross, the green cross, and rescue teams not to permit the use of insignias, uniforms, and vehicles of humanitarian organizations by army troops.    the dislodging of people in san salvador and now in the 27 de septiembre neighborhood in zacatecoluca is being done in order to proceed with the bombing of these densely populated civilian neighborhoods.


Input: dear salvadoran people, our republic, our society, and our people became the victims of a murderous and terrorist aggression 8 days ago.  the farabundo marti national liberation front carried out an incursion in our country and vented all its fury and all its terror against the salvadoran people.  this violent, irrational, illogical, and senseless action began 8 days ago against peace-loving people who want to work, choose their own destiny, and seek their welfare.    on this occasion i am deeply moved by the salvadoran people's attitude, and, in my role as defense and public security minister, i heartily congratulate them.  the salvadoran people's attitude has reflected their stoicism, strong will, and indomitable spirit, hope, and faith in god and the armed forces.    salvadoran people, your attitude in recent days has been dignified and it has set an example.  it is worthy of the salvadoran people, who have always proved their faith and willingness to defend a just and noble cause, the homeland's cause.  this is precisely what has given the salvadoran people the will to live, love, and achieve peace.    your attitude encourages us, places us under an obligation, and urges us -- as an institution at the service of the people -- to continue the struggle to the end, so that we may eradicate forever the terror, violence, and disrespect that the terrorist forces have tried to impose on our hard-working and innocent people.    salvadoran people, your attitude is exemplary, and we, the professional soldiers, are prepared -- like we have always been -- to support and defend under any circumstances and in any event the security, order, tranquillity, work, and peace that all the salvadoran people have a right to enjoy.    onward, salvadoran people. as an institution we need your support. your support is important and your understanding is necessary.  you must believe in and trust the armed forces, because we, who are also people like you, understand the legitimate demand and desire for peace, faith, and hope which prevail in the hearts and minds of all salvadoran citizens -- and we are pleased and satisfied to defend them.    the armed forces are an institution which has the responsibility of guaranteeing the salvadoran people's welfare, and they are highly encouraged, deeply pleased, and determined to continue their work. they will defend the salvadoran people and guarantee them a future with dignity, peace, welfare, and security.  (continued)


Input: guerrilla units are fighting salvadoran government forces a few meters from their general barracks and in the capital neighborhoods of san martin and general arce.    a communique issued by the farabundo marti national liberation front, fmln, and broadcast by radio venceremos indicates that the insurgent forces this morning penetrated peripheral neighborhoods of san salvador.  the communique also says that heavy fighting is taking place near the san benito police barracks, the zona rosa, the national museum, and the international fair.  radio venceremos reports that fighting is taking place throughout san salvador; it also denounced the death of many civilians due to the indiscriminate bombings of the government's air force.    according to insurgent radio venceremos the presence of the guerrilla forces in the main cities of the country has encouraged popular uprisings and the growing participation of the population in the struggle.  the report adds that the rebel units continue fighting the army in seven other departments of the country.

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Input: furthermore, we have had to struggle against many of our fellow countrymen's skepticism and pessimism.  the first thing the government did was to consolidate its bases to wage a struggle against those terrorist groups with whatever firmness and perseverance was called for.    we strengthened investigation organizations, we created special public courts.  we modified penal laws and procedures.  we introduced new measures to encourage citizen participation and to protect citizens.  we formed new components to bolster our public forces. our efforts took quite a bit of time.  one cannot provide an overnight solution for these complex problems with which you are all very familiar.    once the institutions in charge of maintaining public order and security were strengthened, we concentrated our available resources on solving the crimes committed by those terrorist groups.  the results have been increasingly positive, both in the fight against drug trafficking -- which is the central focus of many of these terrorist groups -- and in the struggle against gangs of hired assassins and private justice organizations, also known as death squads.    never before had we achieved such positive results.  i am sure that even though we will face difficulties and obstacles, we will continue to win this battle against terrorism.  to date, we have disbanded 23 gangs of hired assassins operating in envigado in antioquia department, huican in boyaca department, puerto lopez and san martin in meta department, la rochela in santander department, and llanos del yari in caqueta department.  these gangs of hired assassins had participated in most of the murders of the country's leftist leaders. (continued)


Input: general hector gramajo morales has reported that last night's terrorist acts were probably intended to damage guatemalan air force installations, but one of the explosive devices went off prematurely.    he added that one of the explosive devices hit a wall of the air force installations and the shock wave from the explosion damaged some buildings.    according to preliminary conclusions, the attack was probably a propaganda ploy because the devices were rudimentary and similar to firecrackers.    the terrorist actions seem to be motivated by the fact that the irregular groups are shrinking considerably.  evidence of this is the fact that a subversive who surrendered on the southern coast was carrying some important documents in which the guerrillas admitted that they had made a big effort to show their presence, but that nothing substantial resulted and they suffered many casualties instead, gramajo said.    when questioned about the possible impact of these terrorist actions on the talks being held in oslo, norway, gramajo said that those who are taking part in the talks do not maintain contact with the groups that carry out the terrorist actions.    among those groups, there is one faction that is called the international militant group.  this faction is comprised of persons who love adventure; these people take advantage of subversive groups to engage in some of these activities.

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Input: the peruvian navy today formally denied that its intelligence services had uncovered a plot to assassinate writer mario vargas llosa, who is considered to be the favorite candidate to win the presidential election that will be held on 8 april.    citing an alleged navy intelligence report, a television station carried a report -- which was later picked up by a newspaper -- tacitly suggesting that the communist tupac amaru revolutionary movement (mrta) and prominent people in the peruvian government, including president alan garcia, were involved in the alleged plot.    the navy has issued an official communique in which it denies the alleged source of the document and states that the allegations, considering the rank of the personalities mentioned, could be a matter affecting national security.    the report on the plot was initially carried by channel four during a political program.  it was later picked up by the center-right wing newspaper expreso, one of the leading newspapers in the country.    alvaro vargas llosa, a son and spokesman for the peruvian writer, stated that "we give great credence to the document shown on television but the authorities seem to have ignored it.  it concerns my father and it should be taken seriously."    according to the document, the authenticity of which has been officially denied by the navy, an mrta hit squad would murder the novelist and presidential candidate of the democratic front (fredemo) and other personalities of the center-right wing coalition.    the report adds that the plot may have been concocted early in december last year at a meeting reportedly attended by president garcia, interior minister agustin mantilla, two senior leaders of the ruling american popular revolutionary alliance (apra), and by an unidentified mrta member.


Input: the national guard has announced that seven foreigners were arrested because they are suspected of collaborating with the gangs of terrorists that operate in the capital.  the foreigners were arrested in the vicinity of the st. john the baptist episcopal church, located on 63 avenue south and olympic avenue in this capital.  they have been identified as: luis perez, francisco riera, and maria ester llerente, spaniards; winston percival zea melendez, guatemalan; josephine cameron victor, u.s. citizen; karen rudd, canadian; and marcela rodriguez, colombian.    the spaniards have been turned over to the spanish embassy, and the others were turned over to the treasury police for investigation. the initial report says that these individuals contravened the immigration laws by meddling in domestic political affairs.


Input: the guatemalan association of university students (aeu), whose top leaders were kidnapped, murdered, or had to go into hiding during the last few weeks, today demanded the international community's solidarity to contain the wave of violence that has shaken the country over the last 2 months.    two members of the aeu coordinating board, who last week went into exile, said that it is urgent that a permament un rapporteur be sent to guatemala to certify the continual and increasing human rights violations in the country.    the university students also called for governments and international organizations to send delegations to guatemala as soon as possible, "to pressure the vinicio cerezo government to stop the campaign of terror and the bloodbath being prepared by the army to contain the student and peoples' movements."    the aeu representatives said they had evidence that the recent kidnapping of 12 student leaders, out of which 5 were later found murdered with brutal signs of torture, "was directly planned and carried out by the guatemalan army.    these same students believe that vinicio cerezo's christian democratic government "knows who is responsible for the campaign of terror, and it will not take action because the government is an accomplice of the military."    the aeu leaders, who did not dare give their names because their families "could suffer worse consequences in guatemala," insisted that "the only thing remaining for guatemalans to face the terror and violence is international solidarity."    "the situation is terrible.  the human rights prosecutor himself told us that he could do nothing to contain this wave of repression and advised us that we better seek international pressure," one of the exiled aeu leaders said.    according to them, the wave of repression over the last few weeks against guatemalan university students "is the worst since 1978," when numerous university leaders were murdered, including aeu secretary general oliverio castaneda, killed at point-blank range while heading a demonstration in the middle of the capital.    castaneda's murder forced the aeu to eliminate the post of secretary general and modify its strategies so its top leaders would not become easy targets of repression.  however, in light of the latest events, these changes seem to have had little effect.    "because now they cannot identify any particular leader to kill, like they did with oliverio, this time they have attacked us all," one of the banished leaders , who arrived in costa rica last weekend, said.    since 21 august, when the campaign of student kidnappings and murders began, of the 16 members of the aeu executive coordinating board, three were murdered, seven are still missing, four had to go into hiding, and two went into exile.    "i was told through a friend: your turn is on 4 september.  i then had to hide until i was able to leave the country," one of the exiled told afp with anguish.    "we really did not expect this.  we thought we were going to be politically neutralized, but never thought they would order us kidnapped and murdered," another of the students admitted.    for both leaders "the army's repressive campaign against the aeu seeks to scare the population and stop the people's movement that became motivated following the last teachers' strike all over the country."    however, they concluded, "the army will never be able to end the aeu because to do so the army would have to kidnap, murder, or send into exile the 60,000 san carlos university students, the largest and oldest university in central america."

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Input: colombian officials report that guerrillas presumed to be members of the pro-castro army of national liberation (eln) today once again dynamited the cano limon-covenas oil pipeline, colombia's major oil pipeline.    an ecopetrol (colombian petroleum enterprise) spokesman said that the explosion took place at km - 102 of the pipe near benadia in arauca intendancy, in the eastern part of the country.    this attack takes place 25 days after a previous guerrilla action, which interrupted the pumping of crude through the 780 - km long pipeline.  on 16 june, the eln destroyed the cano limon-covenas oil terminal on colombia's atlantic coast, in what is considered the most serious attack against colombia's petroleum industry in its history. since that time, colombia has been forced to suspend an average of 180,000 of the 220,000 daily barrels of crude piped through the country's leading pipeline.    today's attack is the 25th during 1989, and the third this week, the ecopetrol spokesman revealed.  the eln's attacks have reduced the nation's hydrocarbon production this year by 20 percent, with losses exceeding $180 million.  the eln has dynamited the cano limon-covenas pipeline 125 times since january 1988, causing losses of more than $450 million as a result of oil spills, halted production, the suspension of exports, and ecological damage, the ecopetrol spokesman added.    during the 25 years of its armed struggle, the eln -- led by former spanish priest manuel perez -- has intensified its attacks against the petroleum infrastructure, arguing that it perpetrates these actions "to prevent the exploitation of colombia's natural resources."

guerrillas presumed to be members of the pro-castro army of national liberation (eln)

army of national liberation

cano limon-covenas oil pipeline

cano limon-covenas oil terminal


Input: the brazilian embassy in colombia has confirmed the release of rede globo journalist carlos marcelo who was kidnapped by colombian army of national liberation guerrillas.    marcelo was writing an article on the kidnapping of the three braspetro (petrobras international, inc.) engineers when he was abducted by the guerrillas.    the guerrillas sent a communique through this journalist saying that they will only release the engineers when colombia decides to nationalize the petroleum sector.

colombian army of national liberation guerrillas

army of national liberation

carlos marcelo