WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING IN EL SALVADOR?

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00148R000200450028-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 23, 2007
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: March 24, 1982
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

jproved~For Release 2007 J05 C I -RDP64B0014-8R000200450028-6
'fix ~a ,~~
SPEED LETTER
31 March 1982
IETTEI . 2-0789
g
any comment to make on a letter sent to the Committee Chairman Melvin Price (D.,CAJL)
by Congressman Henry Gonzalez (De, TX). (See attached exerpt from the Congressional
Record, 24 March, which gives the full text of the letter.)
If your. answer is to refer him to DoD, can we be specific about were in DoD7
I received a telephone call from Bill Hogan, Counsel HASC askin
whe'-her- CTA h -'
ALL PORTIONS OF THIS
14EMORANDUM ARE CONFIDENTIAL
Attachment
REPLY
A prnvPrl For Release 9 *9T3aRGV,A(R~7F'84 -
A'TIJ2E14 Fins I Legislative Liaison 4, l F
 r ,,'-or hot, that there is some-
over the Olympic coin pro-
ram proposed In H.R. 3958 and S.
231 All they would like is a realistic
program that every American could
afford. Perhaps we could all learn
from the good commonsense and re-
straint they have shown through
these letters. Frequently. the simplest
most straight forward plans yield the
best results. Let us keep this in mind
when we consider the proposals to
commemorate the Olympics and raise
money for our athletes.?
WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING IN
EL SALVADOR?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under-
a previous order of the House, the gen-
tleman from Texas (Mr. GoNw..zz) is
recognized for 15 minutes. .71
o Mi. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, .we
are told that our troops in El Salvador
are only serving as advisers, as train-
ing specialists. Yet, I have not - one
time seen any news report that quotes .
an American soldier talking about his.
job. The one-and only picture we have
seen of American soldiers at work in
El Salvador was provocative enough to
cause the American Ambassador to
send the commanding officer of Army
personnel packing. With that one brief
moment of light, the curtain descend-
ed. What are our troops really doing in
El Salvador, and why are not they al-
lowed to talk to the press-or if they
are allowed to talk, why are not their
words reported? Salvadoran troops are-
interviewed; they are photographed;
their stories are reported. Peasants are
interviewed, their desperation report-
ed, their misery portrayed-but you
?ver hear a word reported from our
own Errebassy personnel. Why not?
This past weekend, two graduate
tridents in San Antonio approached
me with startling words about what
? ur troops may really be doing in El
::.lvador. These students were earnest,
their convictions sincere, and their
concern obvious. What they told me
sty;:;gcsto that our troops In El Salvador.
are more than advisers, and they are
engaged in more than the role of in-
strnci,ors.
These students told me that they
s ;.d run Into a soldier who was in tran-
sit.. This soldier stated that he was In
the Special Forces, and that the 10th
Spccia'. Forces Group is assigned to El.
S&~lvador. According to him, this unit
consists of 220 men. He said that meta-.
l ers of the unit had participated in
military missions and had been en-
gaged in combat.
This is in complete contrast to the
officially stated U.S. policy. That
policy supposedly prohibits American
soldiers even to carry rifles, let alone
he engaged in any kind of combat op-
oation--even as advisers.
Those who recall the incident of the
unit that was photographed carrying
2007/05123 CIA-RDP84B00148R'00Q200450028-6
IONAL RECORD ,-- HOUSE M March 24, ,19
rim will also remember that the Am-
bassador made a great show out of
throwing the unit commander out of
El Salvador. A few days later. there
were newspaper stories that said the
administration was reconsidering Its
order against permitting soldiers to
carry anything other than sidearms.
Then there was nothing. No word
about revised orders, no word about
the ejected colonel, nothing. I said at
the time that the order against carry-
ing arms was unreasonable, and.that it
was also rediculous that our troops in
El Salvador-are.not getting hazardous
duty pay-although our diplomats are.
The question then and now is, what
are our soldiers doing?
If we do have soldiers engaged in
combat -patrols, or in any form of
combat-even as advisers-then . our
role In El Salvador is very different
from what the official line says IV is.
There is a world of difference between
a Green Beret who Is training soldiers
In the Salvadorean equivalent of Fort
Benning, and one who is out on a
combat mission. There Is a world of
difference between the level of com-
mitment that is Implied. There is a
world of difference between a soldier
committed to train others, and one
who is in any kind of combat situation.
,Among other things, there is the fact
that the War Powers Act Is involved in
any such difference.
At the time of the famous picture in-
cident, we were told that our soldiers
should not have been armed. If they
should not have been armed, one won-
ders, where did the -arms come from?
The answer to that is probably that
these were, in fact, the weapons of the
soldiers in question, and they were
being carried pursuant to an order of
some kind. Now it happens that those.
troops were not ? in combat, or any-
thing approaching combat-but clear-
ly they felt that they might become
engaged, that they might at the very
least have to defend themselves.
The incident raised many questions,"
none of them ever answered. -
With reporters swarming all over El
Salvador, it is remarkable-astonish-
ing. In fact. that the one brief glimpse
is all the film that we have seen of
American personnel. We never see
them interviewed, never see stories
that explain what their jobs are, how
many there are, or where they work.
We never see Interviews with civilian
personnel, either, or stories about
their work or what they do. Could all
this silence be telling us something?
Could it be telling us that there is no
information from the field, because
that information would contradict
what our public policy is? I have to
wonder, especially in light of what I
was told by those two students this
past weekend.
The one fact that I can confirm is
that there are, indeed. Green Berets in
El Salvador. The Pentagon admits
that there are, but denies that any
particular unit is assigned there.
The Wee Is so overwhelming-the
distinguished chairman-of the Foreign
Operations ? Appropriations Subcom-=?
mittee to consider this matter. These,
I offer for the. Rscoan a copy of my.
Washington, D.C., March 22, 1982:
Hon. MELvni Paics,
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services,...
. Rayburn House Office Building, Wash-
ington, D.C.
DEng MEL: I have received uncorroborated
information of an intensely disturbing
nature. and am writing to ask that you pro-
vide whatever verification you can. I am
making this request because I do not believe
the Administration would be likely to pro-
vide a complete and Informative response to
an Individual Member, but would do so on
the basis of an inquiry from your Commit,
tee.
My understanding has been that the U.S.
military personnel in El Salvador and. other
Central American countries are simply
training specialists serving on a temporary
duty (TDY) basis. However. information I
received last weekend suggests that this is
not the case: that U.S. Special Forces units
are In El Salvador and perhaps elsewhere as
well. According to my informant, the 10th
Special Forces Group Is in El Salvador; that
this organization consists of 220 soldiers;
and that members of the organization have
been engaged in combat missions in one
degree or another. .. ..
I know, of course, that Special Forces per-
sonnel are especially trained in counterin-
surgency operations, and as.such are not
only highly qualified combat soldiers, but
experts in training techniques as well. How-
ever, there Is a vast difference betwen the
mission of soldiers who simply provide train-
Ing, and soldiers who participate-even in an
advisory capacity-in combat missions.
I would be greatly Indebted to you if you
could Inquire whether there are. in fact,
Special Forces personnel in El Salvador, or
for that matter Honduras or Costa Rica. If
there are such personnel, are they there as
individuals, or as Special Forces units? Have
any U.S. personnel been involved In any-
thing other than training?
I am enormously concerned that the role
of the United States forces in Central Amer-
ica may be different In nature and scope
than what has been reported. I know that
your Committee woud have great reason to
be concerned if the nature of our role is
more than simply one of providing neces-
sary military training. Since such questions
are of concern to your Committee, and since
long experience has taught me that Admin-
istrations are not entirely forthcoming
about inquiring on such sensitive issues as
this. I would be more grateful for your in
quiries on this, and for any Information you
can provide to me.
With best wishes.
Sincerely,
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-,T4. 1982 CON IONAL RECORD --.HOUSE ? H1109:
,-Speak I would not raise these ari: activaanterest. in- the. establishment of
ld lik
wou
e to see the program elimi
-
dons but for the fact that this the Avery Brundage Oriental Art Collection nated altogether
The enter
rise z
n
.
p
o
e
,use has before been told that at the DeYoung Museum. He extended his proposal is apparently designed to
interest to the entire Fine Arts Museums of
American policy is one thing,. only to
y San Francisco. where he served with distinc- take up the slack that results from
/ learn later. that it was. another. We tion on the board. He was also a member of UDAG fund reductions or elimination.
I have been led down the path before- the Museum Society. and became its presi. I do not believe that reducing the
beyond
point
11
d u
'
me
no want th o happen again. Everyember of the Board of Di rectors of th ilymean moivate Inve stment and
re pr
_~ poll I have seen suggests clearly that Oakland Museum. and a trustee of the i
1
-
supporf'even our present involvement an ardent supporter of musical activities In terprise zone concept Herbert Lieben-
the Bay Area. and recently was appointed to son. president of the National Small
in El Salvador, let alone the kind of in. the Board of Governors of the San Francis. Business Association, has described
volvement I was told about. If the War co Symphony. the situation in many urban areas.
Powers Act is indeed being violated, William Picher was actively involved In- "Most small firms are hanging on. by
that would be a? grave matter-grave choosing and contributing fine art objects their fingernails just trying to sur-
on its face, graver still because the sin to grace. the Symphonys new home, the vive," he says. He notes that "Money's
would be compounded by deception. Loise M. Davies Symphony Hall. His taste what's needed, not tax deductions."
We need some answers. We ought-to. and collections in contemporary art were UDAG provides that money, and the
be asking questions., We ought to look well known and he was a firm believer in
at the answers with skeptical eyes-for furnishing support to local artists. . . . private investment that results pro--
But his greatest contribution lay in his vides the jobs. At my request, the Con.-
the past. K we from awareness of the environment and the field gressional Research Service (CRS) has
them: t. If e want to. avoid
our so od rtawope ing in of natural conservation. He understood the projected what we might expect if the
li threat. of uncontrolled development long UDAG program Is funded at $500 mil.
El Salvador?* before conservation became a household lion per year-the amount authorized
. ; ' .:~:...N .: word.-8e was Interested in birds from an
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under early age. and became president of a local by Congress In fiscal 1982-through.
a previous order of the House, the gBay Area Audubon chapter when It com- fiscal years 1982-I14. CRS projects that
tleman? use r der o California the gen- e prised a very small group of persons. From we could expect to create or retain
is recognized for 5 minutes. this position. he was able to found and raise more than 200,000 private sector jobs,.
' ? support for the West Marin sanctuary $11 billion in new private Investment,
[Mr. COELBO addressed the House. known as Audubon Canyon Ranch. _ and $98 million in new local property
His remarks will appear hereafter in For the following twenty years; and until tax revenues. This extrapolation is
the Extensions qt Remarks.} the day of his death, his untiring work on based on data compiled in a recent
behalf of fund raisiDL land acquisition and HTJI? evaluation of the UDAG
... . `` management, and organizational activities pT0-
WIrd TAM STANTON PICHER " r never ceased. In fact, his work almost single- gam-
handedly started the conservation move. While the administration's lack. of
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ment in West Mario that has resulted in the enthusiasm for the UDAG program Is
a previous order of the House, the gen- . establishment of two great parks. His stead-' clear. I would hope that the decision.
tleman from ,California (Mr. PHILLIP - fast efforts led to the preservation of much makers consider -exactly how much
RrigEoN) is recognized for 5. minut
d land along Tn,nales Ray and M
i
h _ _ _ _ _ _ _
B
e
u
r
eac
dubon Canyon Ranch. which features rata- vestment, ana guts million in new local
y
sorel mis
. San Franciscans win
s
t
axe
o
n P
the
s can mean In a depressed. econo
ral preservation and educational programs
the late William Stanton icher. at Its threepreserves, will remain his great- my.
When he died recently of a brain est monument. We should preserve and improve
tumor at age 67, the bay area lost a Many people of the Bay Area, dedicated Federal programs such as UDAG,.pro
special friend of conservation and the to the preservation of the quality of life on grams which do the job they were de.
arts. But we can be comforted by the our planet, will miss him.* I _ signed to do. An experiment with en-
knowrledae that he left aspecial terprise zones, if it is accompanied by
legacy, 7 legacy of community service UDAG: URBAN ENTERPRISE further reductions in the UDAG pro-
witi-. particular relevance today.. He ? WITH A TRACK'RECORD , gram, would be a mistake. The UDAG
did more than achieve notable prog-. program is a winner. We should keep
ress through. a number of individual The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under
it.
projects. At a time when some would a previous order of the House, the sylv
ania (Mr. Wenvironmental protection and tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. WIZ- I would be happy to share with my
r rtisfiic endeavors to the status of dis- LiAM J. CosraE) is recognized for 5 min- colleagues the complete text of the
pensable l xuries,. we should appreci-. utes. .. CRS report on the projected perform-
at- tile .vcrk of someone who demon- o Mr. WILLIAM J. - COYNE. Mr. _ante of the UDAG program over the
atrated that they are Instead Integral Speaker, this week the administration next 3 years. Please contact my office
parts of a democracy. William Stanton announced its legislative plans for the if you desire a copy of the report.e
Picher has permanently enhanced the much discussed but little tested urban
natural and cultural environment of enterprise zones. - AMERICA RESPONDS TO THE--,
countless people In our area. In its eagerness to create still more "DO-IT-YOURSELF" BUDGET
NIL.-. .. ieaker,-I would like to' insert tax breaks, In this instance for firms
int,3 the RECORD the following tribute which locate in distressed areas, I The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under
to Mr. richer., beautifully composed by would hope the administration does a previous order of the House, the gen-
Clifford Conly: not compound the damage it has tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Reuss) is
his close friend
,
r. Missouri native- William Stanton T~icher caused . HUD's urban development recognized for 30 minutes.
t
AG
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action
g an
s ~.,a
..%~ Wkl
.a.s a
), is job creating v
uescenuant of President Lincom"s
. Mr. Speaker, the worn
? -ea.*. Secretary of 9var; a student of poetry. Program with a proven track record. we hear, on both sides of the aisle- is ;
i
in World War 1I in the U.S. Army Intel li? 1977, have been reduced, by a third in The President has told Congress to % 1'
t:
^
.c:eCorns After the war
his life revolved
'
^
.
,
the - administration
s most recent "put up or shut up."
roue:,. his bookstore and art gallery. until budget request. The Carter fiscal 1981 We shall "put up."
he cicsed it in the early 1950s. budget provided
he moved to the San Fran- $675 million; the Last week
At that time
as chairman of th
Joi
t
,
,
e
n
t-,-,co Pay Area and dedicated his life to Reagan fiscal 1983 budget asks $440 Economic Committee, I testified
public service. His Interests were far rang. million. It is no secret that some at the before the House and Senate Budget
frig. An early study and unique collection'of Office of Management and Budget, In. Committees and presented an alterna
ancient Chinese porcelain led him to take eluding. Director David Stockman. tive "Do-It-Yourself" congressional
Approved For Release 2007%05123: CIA-RDP84B00148R000200450028-6 '