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<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=4
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'>U.S.
Ambassador Uses Anti-Gang <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Summit</st1:place></st1:City>
to Intervene in Salvadoran Domestic Security Issues<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>CISPES update<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>April 18, 2008<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><img width=336
height=315 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01C8A142.7C46FE40"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>Also in this update:<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><a
href="#_Rising_prices_threaten">Rising prices threaten the population</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><a
href="#_FMLN_denounces_Saca’s">FMLN denounces Saca’s
fundraising activities in the United States</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>During an April 8 “Anti-Gang Summit” in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">San Salvador</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>
Ambassador Charles Glazer urged Salvadoran authorities to quickly approve
certain laws and reforms to the penal code, stating that, “it is
necessary to make several critical reforms to get criminals off of the
streets.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The three demands put forward by Ambassador Glazer are the prompt
approval of a new Criminal Processing Code, new powers of telephone
surveillance, and a new extradition law. Glazer justified these proposed
reforms by insisting that they would help <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">El Salvador</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s economy. In a
clear allusion to the massive stream of Salvadorans immigrating the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
Glazer stated that “extortion and the threat of violence impede economic
growth and force your citizens to leave in search of safer streets and better
economic conditions.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Minister of Public Security René Figueroa expressed his hope that
Glazer’s interventionist statements will help pressure the Legislative
Assembly to approve the legal reforms. Figueroa joined the ambassador’s
call, declaring to the Assembly that “it is necessary that we provide
ourselves with the ability to carry out telephone surveillance, and that it
always be authorized by a judge.” According to Figueroa, the reforms are
necessary because “security is synonymous with development.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>However, telephone wiretapping powers such as those proposed by the
pending reforms have the potential to be used arbitrarily, according to social
organizations that challenge the proposal. The general sentiment of leaders in
the social movement is that given the control that the executive branch
exercises over the judiciary, there is not a guarantee that telephone
surveillance will not be used as a means of coercion against civil society and
social movement groups. <font color=red><span style='color:red'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>According to Benito Lara, Legislative Deputy from the leftist FMLN
party, “The proposed changes in the criminal processing code amounts to a
new version of the “Iron Fist” Plan, and therefore should be
profoundly discussed.” Lara similarly questioned the proposed wiretapping
powers.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>It was also announced at the Anti-Gang Summit that U.S. Government
agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be taking part in the new <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Transnational</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Anti-Gang</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType>, to be located in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">El Salvador</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Currently, <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> intervention
in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">El Salvador</st1:place></st1:country-region>
already involves the presence of FBI detectives working with the National
Civilian Police (PNC), presumably to help combat gangs.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h3><a name="_Rising_prices_threaten"></a><b><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Rising prices threaten
the population<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The prices of several staple products have dramatically increased in
recent months adding to the economic hardship that Salvadoran families are facing.
On top of this, last week, the executive branch of the Salvadoran government
decided to increase the price of the standard 25 pound propane gas tank 95
cents. Such a change would only benefit the <i><span style='font-style:italic'>Z
Gas</span></i> company, which is not only supported by the right wing ARENA
party, which granted it a government subsidy, but also has the Saca
administration’s backing to pass onto Salvadoran families the burden of
high international gas prices.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>These rising prices add to the economic crisis that has become more
serious with the ongoing implementation of the Free Trade Agreement with the
United States (CAFTA). With the agricultural sector having been abandoned by
the government, and cheap, subsidized imports from the <st1:country-region
w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> undermining <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">El Salvador</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s
food sovereignty, the country now depends upon imports of staples such as corn,
beans and rice to meet the needs of the majority of the population.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The crisis is worsened by the fact that a veritable monopoly of large
business interests imports these grains, free from government oversight or
price regulation. Consequently, prices for these products have become too high
for the majority of the population to afford in the past six months. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>In the face of such a terrible economic and social situation, more than
twenty social organizations, including the Salvadoran Union Front (FSS) and the
National Agricultural Coordination (CNA), held a press conference on April 9 to
promote participation in the annual May Day march, in which the social movement
will continue to denounce ARENA’s favoritism of corporate profit for
companies like Z Gas Company over the welfare of the general population. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>This march has historically been celebrated by diverse social
organizations and unions in defense of the rights of the working class, but
this year its message will go even further. According to organizers of the
march, this May Day will be the day that the people declare “Enough
already with life as dictated by the government of ARENA!”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The FMLN party, along with civil society organizations, has proposed a
law that would reduce the value added tax by 50% for the six principle staple
products in El Salavdor (beans, rice, milk, wheat flour, corn and oil.) At
this point, no other party has expressed support for the idea, nor put forward
other proposals for dealing with the ongoing economic crisis facing the
Salvadoran people.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h3><b><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:13.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<h3><a name="_FMLN_denounces_Saca’s"></a><b><font size=4
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>FMLN
denounces Saca’s fundraising activities in the United States<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>On April 10, the FMLN’s faction in the Legislative Assembly sent
official correspondence to President Antonio Saca requesting that he account
for the collection of more than $250,000 during an early April visit to <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>According to information published in the Spanish-language newspaper <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>Diario Hoy</span></i>, Enrique Alejo, a
Cuban-American, hosted a fundraiser for the ARENA party’s presidential
campaign at his Los Angeles-area ranch. Alejo promoted the event by means of an
invitation on his company’s letterhead, urging attendees to make
“the maximum contribution that you are able to offer to President Saca to
help him in the most difficult political campaign that the country has faced
since it joined the community of democratic nations.” Alejo specifically
requested donations of $1,000-$10,000, with checks made payable to the ARENA party.
(Click <a
href="http://www.elfaro.net/secciones/elecciones2009/20080407/invitacion.pdf">here
to see a copy of the invitation.</a>) <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Upon being questioned about the event, Saca declared the
seemingly-indisputable evidence as “rumors; they are lies.” The
chief of ARENA’s Legislative faction, Guillermo Gallegos, affirmed
Saca’s assertions, stating, “It is a lie of the FMLN. They are
worried because it was discovered that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:place></st1:country-region> was giving them financial
assistance. ARENA has not been able to substantiate this claim.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>In January, Saca likely requested that the Bush Administration include
in a national intelligence report a line about how the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> expected
the Venezuelan government to fund the FMLN’s presidential campaign. Saca
subsequently warned the FMLN that such foreign financing, which the FMLN
denies, is both illegal and undermines <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">El Salvador</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s sovereignty.
Clearly, foreign financing is only viewed as illegal when it benefits the FMLN,
and such rebukes do not apply to the president’s own party.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Salvadorans criticized the double standard of President Saca and his
ARENA party around campaign fundraising. According to FMLN deputies Sigfrido
Reyes and Walter Duran, the President used the official state travel for
“political reasons”, since he also apparently participated alongside
ARENA presidential candidate Rodrigo Avila in fundraising activities to finance
the 2009 ARENA campaign.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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