Guatemala’s De Leon

* It would be most unfortunate and very costly if the U.S. were to recognize only too late the magnificent opportunity we have to support a true democrat and a sincere human rights advocate in the new president of Guatemala. President Ramiro de Leon Carpio has the potential to do what billions of American tax dollars and the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives has not been able to do in Central America.

De Leon’s willingness to oppose the violent military clique, the real power in Guatemala, exemplified in dismissing after only 17 days his despotic defense minister, Gen. Roberto Perussina, shows a courage and wisdom unknown in Central America. We can be sure that at this very moment there are strong elements planning the new president’s demise or overthrow. Yet De Leon could well be the Gorbachev of Central America: an unexpected personality capable of changing in short order a well embedded system of corruption and oppression.

To find a living human rights advocate in Guatemala is most unusual. To find one in the presidency is beyond the most optimistic expectations. If the U.S. government is aware and willing to act, we could, at small cost, show ourselves true advocates of human rights in Latin America, as well as begin to make amends for the historic abuse we have perpetrated on our small neighbor-nation, and the others of Central America.

ARTHUR MELVILLE

Long Beach