EL SALVADOR: CERTIFICATION PROCESS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210047-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 5, 2007
• Sequence Number: 47
• Publication Date: February 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/11/05: CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210047-4
STAT
Approved For Release 2007/11/05: CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210047-4
 Approved For Release 2007/11/05: CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210047-4
Y
A quick reference aid on U.S. foreign relations
Not a comprehensive policy statement
Bureau of Public Affairs ? Department of State
El Salvador: Certification Process February 1983
Background: In passing the International Security and Development
Cooperation Act of 1981, Congress found that "peaceful and democratic
development in Central America is in the interest of the US" and that
"substantial assistance to El Salvador is necessary to help alleviate
suffering and to promote economic recovery within a peaceful and
democratic process." The act makes the provision of military
assistance to El Salvador in fiscal years 1982 and 1983 contingent
upon the President's certification, at 180-day intervals, that the
Salvadoran Government is:
- "Making a concerted and significant effort to comply with
internationally recognized human rights";
- "Achieving substantial control over...its own armed forces";
"Making continued progress in implementing essential economic and
political reforms, including the land reform program"; and
"Committed to the holding of elections at an early date."
S The first certification was transmitted to Congress by the Secretary
of State on January 28, 1982; the second, July 27.
The third certification, affecting the $26.3 million in military
assistance for fiscal year 1983, was made on January 21, 1983. The
certification report found progress--although uneven--in all areas
specified by law and in the efforts the Salvadoran Government is
making to investigate the murders and disappearances of US citizens
and bring to justice those responsible. Nonetheless, the report also
expressed particular concern over the continuing ineffectiveness of
the criminal justice system and the need to extend further discipline
to all units of the military and security forces across the country.
US policy: US policy is to support the Salvadoran Government against
guerrilla military activity, while encouraging reconciliation based on
a democratic political process and economic reform. During 1982, US
economic assistance was $189 million, while military assistance
totaled $82 million. This policy, which includes strong support for
human rights, was reinforced by President Reagan during his visit to
Central America in December 1982.
Human rights and the armed forces: Abuses of human rights continued
to decline during 1982. Civilian deaths did not exceed 200 a month
during the last 6 months compared to an average of 500 a month the
year before, according to press reports in both periods. To reduce
abuses further--such as the unresolved disappearances in August of a
? human rights activist and an opposition political figure--the
government on December 2 established a new human rights commission
with senior representatives from the Catholic Church, security forces,
Approved For Release 2007/11/05: CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210047-4
 Approved For Release 2007/11/05: CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210047-4
and labor and farm unions. Shortcomings in internal military
discipline are being corrected slowly by human rights training by the
Red Cross, law-of-war instruction in military training by the US,
better communication, and government orders that emphasize respect for
civilians. In January 1983, 141 military personnel and 16 civil
defense commanders were tinder detention for abuse of authority. Six
large-scale military operations were conducted without substantiated
reports of abuses, in contrast to some earlier operations.
Agrarian reform: Substantial progress has been sustained throughout
the past 6 months, particularly in the "land to the tiller" program,
which offers sharecroppers and renters an opportunity to obtain title
to the land they work. The number of beneficiaries (title claimants
and their immediate families) increased 16.2%; acres affected, 5%.
The total number of beneficiaries reached 414,594 (an increase during
this period of 57,828) and acres affected, 709,547 (an increase of
34,131). Unemployment is about 40%, in part because of guerrilla
attacks against bridges, transportation, utilities, production
facilities, and farm lands.
Political reforms: The democratic process marked by the Constituent
Assembly election in March 1982 has continued. The country is
committed to holding presidential elections and a referendum on a new
constitution not later than March 1984. The principal parties joined
the president in the Pact of Apaneca in August 1982 to form a plan for
promoting peace and human rights and strengthening democracy. As
called for in the pact, the high ranking Human Rights Commission and
one on policy have been formed and a peace commission is expected to
be established soon. The government has experienced its first cabinet
crisis, with the president establishing his authority to change
ministers. While the parties initially protested the president's
proposed changes, compromise and consensus ultimately prevailed.
Similarly, the insubordination of a senior officer, who refused an
order transferring him overseas, was resolved in a manner that
strengthened the president's hand as the chief executive and
commander-in-chief of the armed forces. On October 4, El Salvador
joined seven other democratic states in the Final Act of San Jose,
Costa Rica, in a formal commitment to a regional process of peace
negotiations, democratization, demilitarization, nonintervention,
and respect for human rights.
Cases of American citizens: Prosecution is underway of five National
Guardsmen accused of murdering four American churchwomen; two National
Guardsmen who confessed to the murder of two US land reform
consultants are in jail pending appeals and trials. Difficulties have
plagued both cases, illustrating the need for an honest and effective
system of criminal justice in El Salvador. Three other cases, the
disappearance of Patricia Cuellar and John J. Sullivan and the killing
of Michael Kline, are still in the investigation stage.
0
Harriet Culley, Editor (:202) 632-1208
Approved For Release 2007/11/05: CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210047-4