/* Written 5:04 pm Nov 12, 1992 by nisgua@igc.apc.org in igc:reg.guatemala */
NISGUA -- The Network In Solidarity with the People of Guatemala
1314 14th St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
phone: 202-483-0050
fax: 202-234-1656
RAPID RESPONSE ALERT
NOVEMBER 12, 1992
OFFICIAL MAKES INFLAMMATORY
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST
RIGHTS MONITORS
On November 11 the Guatemalan Defense Minister, Jose Garcia
Samayoa, accused several human rights monitors of "responding to the
proposals of the URNG [the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity]."
He named three individuals as guilty of trying to damage the image of
Guatemala abroad: RONALTH OCHAETA, the Director of the Human Rights
Office of the Archbishop of Guatemala, AMILCAR MENDEZ, founder of the
indigenous human rights organization, CERJ (Council of Ethnic
Communities -- All Are Equal), and FACTOR MENDEZ, Director of CIEPRODH
(Center for the Investigation, Study, and Promotion of Human Rights).
Referring to the upcoming conference in Washington, DC, sponsored by
the Guatemalan Human Rights Commission/USA, on torture in Guatemala,
the Defence Minister stated that they are travelling to Washington to
accuse the government of torture, "making contemptible remarks, as
though we were living in the stone age, and in an irresponsible way
accuse their own nation of totally false acts." He stated that "their
manipulations...respond to the interests of the insurgency."
The Defense Minister's statements were rejected by Ronalth
Ochaeta, who stated that the Minister was "misinformed." He stated
that his office "at no time has been the instrument of the insurgency,"
adding that, "we are an instrument in the service of God, and our
mission is humanitarian." The Archbishop of Guatemala, Monsignor
Pr"spero Penados del Barrio, said that the Defense Minister's
accusations were "totally false." He stated that the Human Rights
Office "was created as an agency for the poor and the abandoned of
Guatemala and for those who do not have a voice." He called for a
meeting with Garcia to clarify the situation.
ACTIVATE YOUR RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK TO:
Reject the accusations of the Defence Minister as false and as against
the spirit of national reconciliation. Urge that measures be taken to
ensure the physical integrity of the accused.
SEND MESSAGES TO:
Ingeniero Jorge Serrano Elias
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, Guatemala
Telex: 305-5331 CAPRES GU
Fax: 502 2 537472
or 502 2 519702
Telephone: 502 2 21212
or 502 2 22266
Francisco Rolando Perdomo
Ministro de Gobernacion
Despacho Ministerial
Of. No. 8, Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, Guatemala
Telex: 305-5085 MINGOB GU
Fax: 502 2 518105
Telephone: 502 2 21212,
ext. 500; 502 2 518105-6
(direct); 502 2 518105
Gral. Jose Garcia Samayoa
Ministro de Defensa
Ministerio de Defensa
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, Guatemala
Telex: 305-5361 COMGUA GU
Fax: 502 2 537472
Telephone: 502 2 21212, ext. 743, 744, 745, or 747;
502 2 21904
Note: telex and fax messages can be sent via FAXNET. Call 800-831-
2202 and ask for message NISGUA #32. Other companies also have copies
of the message.
Prepared telex message, NISGUA #31:
Rechazo como falsos las acusaciones del Ministro de Defensa en contra
de Amilcar Mendez, Ronalth Ochaeta, y Factor Mendez, y ruego que se
cese intimidacion en contra de monitores de derechos humanos. Estas
acusaciones socoban intentos de reconciliacion nacional. Exijo que se
garantice las vidas de los que participan en la conferencia en
Washington.
(Translation: I reject as false the accusations of the Minister of
Defense against Amilcar Mendez, Ronalth Ochaeta, and Factor Mendez, and
I urgently request that intimidation against human rights monitors be
ceased. These accusations undermine attempts at national
reconciliation. I urge that the lives of those who participate in the
conference in Washington be guaranteed.)
SEND COPIES OF ALL MESSAGES AS SOLIDARITY TO:
Oficina de Derechos Humanos
del Arzobispado de Guatemala
7 Av. 6-21 Zona 1
Guatemala, Guatemala