Key points missed on El Salvador

I was disappointed to read “A New Rebellion in an Old Conflict” (Aug. 9). Although the report quotes the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front’s condemnation of the deadly assault on police officers by armed loyalists, it neglects to point out that it came almost two weeks after the attack, and only after strong public pressure. The article also fails to mention the front’s fumbling of the situation by first denying any knowledge of the shooters and later accepting their active involvement in the party.

Furthermore, the article points to the Limon Brigade as solely responsible for the attack -- acting as a rogue unit of the former guerrilla group now turned political party, thereby clearing its political masters of any responsibility. And yet, everyone here knows of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front’s admittedly multitiered political strategy that includes violent street action and crisis generation.

CARLOS A. ROSALES

Special Secretary to the

President of El Salvador

San Salvador, El Salvador