Salvador Rebels Agree to Preliminary Peace Session

Salvadoran guerrillas that have been fighting the U.S.-trained and -supported army since 1980 agreed Friday to meet government representatives on neutral ground in Mexico in an effort to overcome obstacles to peace talks.

The Marxist-led rebels accepted President Jose Napoleon Duarte’s proposal for preliminary talks in Mexico City within two weeks but rejected other elements of his plan. Duarte had suggested the procedural talks be held Aug. 19-26. The rebels proposed that the talks begin Aug. 20, with no time limit.

Duarte on June 1 proposed a third round of peace negotiations. Two earlier sessions, in October and November, 1984, produced no progress.

The Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front and the Revolutionary Democratic Front, the rebels’ military and political organizations, made their announcement Friday in telex messages to news agency offices here.

Aim of Talks

“We are willing to hold them (preliminary talks) in Mexican territory, following consultation by both sides with the government of that friendly country,” the rebel communication said.

The talks would aim to establish a site, date, procedures and security mechanisms for eventual negotiations.

Duarte suggested the Salvadoran embassy in the Mexican capital as venue for the preliminary talks, but the rebel announcement made no mention of site.

Duarte proposed that substantial peace negotiations begin Aug. 29 in the cathedral in San Miguel, 85 miles east of San Salvador. He offered two alternate sites. He also offered rebel representatives diplomatic immunity guaranteed by a European country during the negotiations.

The rebels say the talks should be held in San Salvador, the capital, with security provided by both guerrilla and government troops. They want the date to be set after agreement is reached on procedures and security.