Casolo Arrested in El Salvador

In your story about the arraignment of Casolo, she is described as saying that “she is determined to test a justice system in which she has little faith” (Part A, Dec. 6). Indeed, at least 70,000 people have been killed in El Salvador over the last 10 years, mostly civilians, mostly at the hands of right-wing death squads or the army. And yet, not a single military officer has been charged and tried.

Similarly, the investigation of the 1980 assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero has gone nowhere, as has that of the recent slayings of six Jesuit priests. One can be safe in assuming that this will continue to be the case, as any serious effort to prosecute in these atrocities would likely lead to the doorstep of Roberto D’Aubuisson, Arena party founder and ideological leader. Meanwhile, President Bush lauds what he calls “democracy” in El Salvador and liberal doves such as Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) enthusiastically agree.

MARK DAYTON

Cucamonga