El Salvador Stops Air and Artillery Attacks on Rebels
The government of El Salvador announced Thursday night that it is suspending aerial bombardments and the use of heavy artillery in response to a six-day-old guerrilla cease-fire.
The rightist administration of President Alfredo Cristiani, in a communique, said its action is “a demonstration of good faith” aimed at “the disappearance of all acts of violence, contributing in this way to a prompt accord on definitive cessation of hostilities.”
The announcement came after Salvadoran rebel leaders said they were delaying peace talks in Mexico City until Monday to protest military incursions into territory traditionally held by the guerrillas.
The rebel cease-fire took effect last Saturday, but the government immediately sent troops to Guazapa Mountain and other areas north and east of the capital long held by the rebels. About 30 people--including insurgents, soldiers and civilians--have been killed or wounded this week.
The Salvadoran air force includes half a dozen A-37 jet fighter-bombers, up to 10 rocket-firing helicopters, rocket-firing spotter planes and a pair of converted C-47 transport planes with .50-caliber Gatling guns.
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