U.S. Policy in Central America

In response to Marjorie Miller’s article “Guatemala Chief Survives--So Does Civilian Rule” (Part I, Feb. 19):

A civilian president does not guarantee civilian rule, nor does it a democracy make. Archbishop Prospero Penados del Barraos made it clear that Guatemalan President Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo is not the leader of Guatemala, the military is. Referring to Cerezo, Penados said, “The day the military says go home, he will have to go.”

According to Miller’s article “1,021 cases of political violence were reported in local newspapers in 1987, including deaths, disappearances, injuries and assassination attempts.” In addition, “At least 15% of the murder victims showed signs of torture.”

With this and other clear evidence to the contrary, the Reagan Administration and much of the U.S. Congress continue to put Guatemala forth as a Central American democracy.

Evidence shows that the death squads are responsible for some of the assassinations in the 100-plus deaths and disappearances that occur each month; and after 26 years of civil warfare, there is not a single political prisoner in Guatemala. 38,000 people have disappeared in Guatemala (the military has been consistently charged with responsibility for these crimes) and the Cerezo government has not solved one case.

Although Archbishop Penados credits Cerezo with the will to bring democracy to Guatemala, actions speak louder than words. Guatemala’s chief may have survived, but he has not brought democracy to Guatemala and the U.S. taxpayers should not underwrite his complicity with past and present terror.

MARY BRENT WEHRLI

Executive Director

Southern Calif. Ecumenical Council

Los Angeles