SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE AND CIVIL DISTURBANCE ACTIVITIES 8 DECEMBER 1983

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R001302230018-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 10, 2010
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: December 8, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

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SIGNIFICANT UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE
AND CIVIL DISTU EANCE ACTIVITIES
8 December 1983
E SA' AD 0R ~C~URITY C0CER'S FOR VICE PRESIDENT B1SH'S TR P 'S/~~=.i`C
(S}NF/NC/k'N/ORCON) Vice President Seorae gush will 'visit El Salvador on
11 December. During the past three months, the perceived threat to official
United States personnel has increased within El Salvador from both extremes of
the political spectrum. The potential threat appears to be equally serious fr;m
the armed left which is'represented by the members of the insurgent umbrella
group (Farabundo Marti National Liberation. Front/FiLN) and the various radical
rightist death squads with ties to the ultra-conservative Nationalist.repu:,lican
Alliance (ARENA) and elements of the Public Security. Corps (National Guard/GN,
National Police/PN, Treasury Police/PH).
(S/NF/NC/W'N/ORCON) Comment: It is possible that some if not all five r._-Ier
groups under the FMLN umbrella will undertake some action against the. ':ice
President's party or other highly visible U.S. targets such as the U.S. Em;assy.
The guerrillas are currently on the offensive in their traditional rural ,e:;_r
bases. Recent reporting has indicated, however, that the FMLN is preparing for'
increased urban warfare especially in the capital. Impressed with the
relative successes of the government against their representatives, the F"Lt's
various groups have tightened security measures. The FMLN allegedly is olar:rFrog
to stage extensive military activities in San Salvador during the second half of
December. The latter reportedly is to include attacks on the. headquarters of
the. GN and the PH. If elements of the FMLN do launch major attacks in San
Salvador it will mark the first time since the premature and failed "fir.a.
offensive" of 1981 that the FMLN has ventured into the capital in strength. To
attack the headquarters of Salvador's two most aggressive uniformed services,
especially. during or slightly after the visit of Vice President Bush would draw
attention dramatically to the central government's vulnerability. The FMLN has
generally displayed an appreciation both of U.S. public opinion and media.
coverage of the Salvadoran situation. Their current urban warfare plans rmay, .
therefore, represent a gamble to influence and further erode domestic opinion
with the specific object. of demonstrating that additional U.S. aid is futile.
On the other extreme the radical right has a proven capability to take action
against real and imagined enemies. The recent articles in U-.S. publications on
the death squads and the denial of a visa to the President of the Constituent
Assembly and ARENA boss, Roberto D'Aubuisson have heightened anti-U.S. ser,tir"ent
on the far right. The ultra-right poses an additional and unique danger because
of their entree to Public Security Corps personnel. Furthermore, the 'denial of
a visa to Salvador's most prominent civilian rightist perrr!its the far-?right.to
exploit latent anti-U.S. feeling and nationalism. The recent annoJrce;a:ent~of
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SEG!'~E
the . formation of. a political party (Party of National Liberation,/?LN 1 bv thc.
death squad, Secret Anti-Cormuriist Army _(ESA), and references in the
fir
foreign, . intervention can only further poison the ;,lineal
c,mimunique to:
.atn^s2hare within El Salvador on. the eve of Mr. Eush's brief visit. In s:? .pry,
at t: _ present time there is a clear potential threat to U .S. officials ~r1 Ei
.
Salvador -i rc%!, h extremes
PERU: BOMB THREAT AT AMERICAN EMBASSY (U)
(C) 'The. U.S. ' Embassy in L irna reported .that at 1522 hours, 5 Dec--
,
_bar.
teas wrapped in brown paper, disclosed a. transparent plastic bag marked by
package from the building in a "bomb blanket." Inspection of the packaoe v.hich
floors' of the Embassy was effected and a Peruvian barb disposal unit removed the
discovery, the FSN was absent on sick leave. A partial evacuation of all four
Peruvian (FSN:) secretary who worked in the Economic .Section. ._At the time of the
of. the Chancery located an unidentified package in the third floor office of a
th_ -sassy switchboard. received a telephoned bomb threat. - A subs quent s arch
r!anufacturer as fertilizer.. This bag. had been opened and stapled shut. The
nitrate, a' substance used in fertilizers and explosives. Further inspection
failed to disclose any detonating 'device. The un,m,arian Tattempt L.j
sue i ng made to the Ti f e of Febres--Cordero.
of the security surrounding i-e res-
hat this may have served as .a "test