LETTER TO DIANE LA VOY FROM (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00148R000200570012-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 13, 2007
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: March 25, 1982
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84B00148R000200570012-0
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Legislative Counsel
Was6inntnn D C 90505
Telephone:
2 5 UA 19c7
TO: Ms. Diane La Voy
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
90'
Heard your request re Archbishop Romero's
assassination: We have conducted a thorough review
of all NID articles from 24 March to December of
1980 and have surfaced little in the way of specu-
lation. The enclosed items, however, may be of some
interest to you.
Legislative Liaison
F0 OSOLETE
3-779M 1533 PREVIOUS
EDITIONS.
Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84B00148R000200570012-0
 2 N ' 9 2
EL SALVADOR: Reaction to Romero's Assassination
Public reaction to Archbishop Romero's assassina-
tion is now beginning to develop, but there have been
no widespread demonstrations so far. Unless the junta's
investigation produces quick results, Salvadorans will
be increasingly likely to blame the government. In the
meantime, yesterday's sporadic guerrilla bombings in
the capital probably continue throughout the three-
day mourning period.
Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000200570012-0
Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000200570012-0
 Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000200570012-0
V`
1 4r ~zi:
? f~t;7
EL SALVADOR: Assassination of Archbishop Romero
The asaasa_'rati?:r. ; esterda:u of Archbiohop Fo-ero--.the oat
infZuenti.cl tuilio figure in El Salvador--could prcvo:;e vid'apread
violence arZ.,i,rther dins the goverrrert's dances of survival.
The killing, unquestionably the work of rightwing
terrorists, is likely to provoke violent reprisals by
the extreme left and could touch off a popular insurrec-
tion. Reaction to the assassination also may split the
coalition government, already weakened by dissension
over the military's failure to curb rightist violence.
Regardless of guilt, the military will at least stand
accused of having inspired the shooting, and the US--
because of a perceived association with the military--
may also share the blame. The ultraconservative opposi-
tion views the possible, collapse of the ruling junta as
a way to drive the civilians from the government and
engineer a restoration of repressive military rule. =
Known as the champion of the poor, the Archbishop
had been the nation's most articulate critic of repres-
sion and social injustice, and had recently stepped up
his denunciations of violence by the security forces and
the right. He also came close to endorsing the alliance
of extreme-left organizations as a political alternative.
Much will depend on the government's handling of
the funeral procession, the first opportunity for a
massive demonstration of popular sentiment after the
killing. Any overreaction by the security forces in
such a tense situation could trigger an uprising in the
streets of the capital. followed er revolts in
rural areas.
Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000200570012-0
 Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000200570012-0
EL SALVADOR: Violent Burial
Turnout for the funeral of Archbishop Romero was
far less than predicted--estimates range from 20,000 to
50,000--but the ceremony as interrupted by gunfire and
bombings that reportedly panicked the crowd and left
numerous dead and injured. The government, which had
ordered security forces off the streets, blamed the
extreme leftist alliance for provoking the disorders.
As in past incidents of this type, however, there were
charges of both leftist and rightist responsibility for
the killings.
The left will probably continue efforts to capitalize
on the assassination. After an uncertain start last
week, the general strike called by radical organizations
could gather momentum in the aftermath of yesterday's
violence. One terrorist group reportedly plans to murder
an ultraconservative leader allegedly involved in Romero's
murder. After the cabinet resignations Thursday, which
have further weakened the Christian Democrats' confi-
dence in the junta, more violence or economic disruption
1 r nNa~c In T C)
Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84B00148R000200570012-0
 ?ti
Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000200570012-0
_ RF ly :1
EL SALVADOR: Status Report
:v; : _ .3a~ :a -ra ~33.:u^3:x:2:: ::Y?: r.
_ :mss::, ? J~:3 '/:a swi~sar?.a:.?:.:
:a .:?_ .. _ j:e:. 'ate
Three cabinet officials--two of whom are prominent
Christian Democrats--resigned Thursday and left the
country because of the government's failure to curb
rightwing violence. Their departure could prompt more
defections fron the government.
Extremist violence continues, but increasingly
aggressive search operations by security forces are tak-
ing a toll on the left. One leftist guerrilla group may
have decided to suspend activities, and the propaganda
campaign of the largest radical front organization has
been seriously hampered.
The left also may .e influenced by advice from Cubs,
which sees Romero's killing as a rightwing ploy to-draw
the left into an armed showdown with the military. Havana
reportedly has counseled against treet demonstrations
for the time being.
Nonetheless, some radical elerrents--which h??re
already accused the US of complicity in Romero's murder--
probably intend to turn the massive funeral procession
planned for tomorrow into an antigovernment demonstra-
tion.
The assassination of Romero hm- hardened interna-
tional opinion against the-junt.a? At its meeting in
Santo Domingo this week, the Socialist International
formally condemned both the Salvadoran Government and
US support for the junta. Nicaragua's witadrawal of its
Ambassador may presage a formal diplomatic break--if
major violence persists; Mexico apparently is contem-
plating a similar move. The possibility of significant
:cq T'~ftQN \ Q
Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP84BOO148R000200570012-0