LETTER TO CLARENCE LONG FROM GEORGE P. SHULTZ

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R001304050068-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 18, 2011
• Sequence Number: 68
• Publication Date: April 1, 1983
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2011/03/18: CIA-RDP88B00443RO01304050068-8
mhiwMilla
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
De4r Mr. Chairman:
Consultations between the Department of State and your
su1~committee in recent weeks have demonstrated that there
exists broad agreement on the seriousness of the situation in
Cejitral America and on the need for us to maintain a
coipprehensive security, political and economic strategy to
ad4ress this situation. These consultations have focussed on
fo'r specific areas of concern to both of us. I would like to
se out our views on these concerns and the nature of the
lemented, or will be
im
h
p
ave
programs and policies we
implementing, in each of those areas.
You have raised the issue of prison conditions and your
view that all prisons and detention centers in El Salvador
should be subject to inspection by an independent international
organization such as the International Committee of the Red
Cress (ICRC). We share your concerns and have been working
with the Government of El Salvador and the ICRC to achieve
precisely this objective. Over the past year the number of
ICJ1c visits to prisons has steadily increased and I am informed
that President Magana has now"ordered that the ICRC be given
unrestricted access to all prisons and detention centers. This
isa positive development which should go a long way toward
meeting our shared concerns on this issue.
You have also expressed an interest in the status of
political prisoners in El Salvador-. '-There are approximately
800 prisoners in El Salvado,r who-are being detained "under
Decree 507, the state of siege authority. While in prison
beewell-treated, but
these detainees have
Theaprasonersthey have
not. been formally charged
incarcerated under this decree range from those accused vaguely
of. "support for the guerrillas" to those actually implicated in
terrorist acts. President Magana has recognized the uneven
effects of Decree 507 and has begun a review process with the
intent of releasing those accused of less severe offenses.
About 30 political prisoners have been released to date, with a
larger number expected to be released in the near future.
TY a Honorable
Clarence Long,
House of Representatives.
nn- irlnrl ITU A I
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CO
HDENTLA[
Perhaps more importantly, President Magana has also tasked
his recently-formed Peace Commission with development of an
amntsty law, one effect of which would be to bring about the
release of the majority of the remaining political prisoners.
This bill-has been drafted,. where w a dvotetis expectedtinntheent
to the Constituent Assembly
-- neat future.
We also share your desire to bring to justice those
charged with the murders of American citizens. In the case of
the:American churchwomen, in particular, I have been disturbed
by the slow pace of the judicial process. I have been assured
by president Magana that the Government of El Salvador will
tako- every possible measure to bring these men to trial. For
our part, I have ordered an independent and high level review
of all the evidence available to our government pertaining to
this case. We will provide the Salvadoran judiciary with any
to them in
f
use
evidence we may find that could be o
prosecuting this case.
More fundamentally, Mr. Chairman, we have embarked on a
program to begin a broader process of judicial reform in El
Salvador. This effort was kicked off last week by the U.S.
Attorney General on a special visit to El Salvador for that'
purpose. The objectives of this effort have been outlined to
the Committee in a paper provided to you at the beginning of
the reprogramming process.
I would like to outline our---policy on elections and
negotiations. As we have stated publicly on a number of
occasions, we favor a negotiating process which would lead the
wa} to free and fair elections in which candidates of all
political philosophies can participate safely. The Government
of `El Salvador shares this objective and has designated a Peace
Commission to work _oqt t-he.procedures necessary to- obtain this
result. _ We are interestpc3 i n .dQXng everything in-our power to
support this process. We believe it offers the best, probably
the only, opportunity for'-peaceful reconciliation in El
Salvador. To advance this objective, I will soon be
designating a senior US official to act as a special envoy to
the Salvadoran government, notably its Peace and Electoral
Codmissions, to assist the Salvadorans in their efforts to find
a basis for dialogue with thei-r opponents on the terms and
co ditions for free, fair and safe elections; it should be
un4erstood that participants in these discussions may raise any
issue they wish, and that the US will not support negotiations
ov4r power-sharing.
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
Finally, Mr. Chairman I would like to reiterate the
observation I made to you and the Committee-during testimony on
our $60 million reprogramming request.. Without military
assistance to provide security for the people of Salvador,
there can be no progress in achieving social justice and
improving human rights. The military effort is essential to
provide the shield we need to succeed in our broader efforts.
Wo do not seek a military solution. But we do seek enough
military assistance to make possible-a-longer term and more
meaningful peace in Central America.
We will resubmit the request for reprogramming the
--rgmaining $30 million of our request at the proper time.
Sincerely yours,
George P. Shultz
CONFIDENTIAL
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