November 21, 2003
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN PERIOD
This Friday, November 21, marks the official kick-off of the six-
month campaign that will culminate when several million Salvadorans
head to the polls to elect a new president on March 21, 2004.
Despite regulations, however, campaign efforts began months ago,
most notably those of the ARENA party whose multi-million dollar
campaign has already plastered the image of their candidate across
print and broadcast media. Four candidates will compete in the March
elections, while ARENA and the FMLN continue to share the largest
percentage of supporters. All four candidates have publicly
announced their platforms, coinciding in their promises to stimulate
the economy and generate jobs. Antonio Saca, of ARENA, will promote
small and medium-sized businesses and protect citizens' safety,
while Schafik Hándal, of the FMLN, will allow circulation of the
colón (national currency replaced by the dollar in 2001) and provide
more funds to local governments, in addition to health and education
reform. Hector Silva, of the center-left coalition, promises to
invest in education, health, and research and technology, and Rafael
Machuca, of the center-right PCN party, would work to stimulate the
agricultural sector and strengthen industries to be able to compete
in international markets.
ANTI-GANG LAW PROVOKES CONFRONTATION BETWEEN PRESIDENT AND COURTS
In the six weeks since its approval in the Assembly, the
controversial Anti-Gang Law has succeeded in generating conflict and
tension among the branches of government. Despite the strong backing
of President Flores who signed the bill into law in early October,
the judicial branch has all but refused to apply the legislation in
practice. According to the National Civilian Police, of the 1,500
people arrested under the new law, only five percent are still
detained and will be subjected to a full judicial process. The
judges point to the unconstitutionality of the law, which violates
international treaties, especially those protecting the rights of
minors. President Flores and his administration have publicly
attacked the judges for their decisions, accusing the judges
of "siding with the gangs," and "putting at risk the safety of
honorable citizens." The Supreme Court has called on the president
in public declarations to respect the decisions of the judges, the
independence of the branches of government, and the Constitution.
VIGIL AND NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL OF THE
AMERICAS – THIS WEEKEND IN FORT BENNING, GEORGIA
From the School of the Americas Watch website, www.soaw.org:
Thousands from across the Americas are joining from November 21-23
at the gates of the U.S. military base Fort Benning in Georgia -
home of the notorious School of the Americas (renamed Western
Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) - to stand in
Solidarity with the victims of the School of Assassins and to speak
out against terror and violence. They will engage in nonviolent
direct action to make their voices heard, to close the SOA/WHISC,
and to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy.
For over a decade, students, religious, labor, veterans, human
rights, and social/global justice groups have been converging every
November at the gates of Fort Benning, GA to speak out in solidarity
with the people of the Americas and to engage in nonviolent direct
action. We will gather again this year on November 22 and 23, 2003
and continue together in the struggle until the School of the
Americas is closed and the policies it represents are changed
forever. The events this year will be preceded by teach-ins,
trainings, and caucuses on Friday, November 21.
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