PANEL OKS $21 MILLION TO FIGHT LATIN TERRORISM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-01208R000100200005-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 2, 2011
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: December 6, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

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Ai:TICLE i+P?EAR
ON PAGE
WASHINGTON TIMES
6 December 1985
Panel OKs $21 million
to fight Latin terrorism
B~r Rita McWilliams
~wara+rn~a
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee
-eager to help reform Latin American de-
mocracies' police forces but wary of funding
human rights abuses -yesterday approved a
scaled-back S21 million program to train po-
lice to battle terrorism.
Committee chairman Sen. Richard Lugar,
Indiana Republican, scuttled the administra-
rion's request for S54 miWon that was to be
divided between military and civilian polices
forces in five Latin America nations.
That move, and other restrictions on how
the funds would be spent, drew bipartisan
support.
Only one Democrat, Sen. John Kerry of
Massachusetts, opposed Mr. Lugar's substi-
tute, and the wmmittee sent the bill to the
floor on a 15-1 vote.
Because House members have opposed the
administration plan, especially the police aid
section, Mr. Lugar plans to attach the bill to
the continuing resolution, forcing likely pas-
sage of the bill, an aide said.
The funds -about twice the amount ap-
proved for U.S. counterterrorism aid
worldwide -would be distributed to El Sal-
vador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala
where the United States says leftist terrorists
are likely to repeat attacks.
The committee cut out the fifth nation, Pa-
nama, because of a change in rule there, and
placed restrictions on the use of money in
Guatemala. Funds could not be used in Gua-
temala until the president certifies the new
government has control over its military and
security forces which, in the past, have been
notorious for kidnappings and murder.
The bill also includes a condition that all
the countries must nuke substantial progress
in upholding human rights and work toward
fair judicial systems It also provides Sl mil-
lion for a witness protection fund
The compromise prohibits the purchase of
electrical saocx utatrumenta itnown as cattle
p an restricts ri es o . m -
liQence aaenciea.
Congress halted police training Programs
in Latin America 10 years ago because secu-
rity forces were allegedly tiorturing and mur-
dering opponents. But Mr. Lugar said pro-
gress has been made in the Latin America
wuntries and it may be a crucial time iD try
to encourage the governments there m reform
their police forces. "This is not a blank check;'
he said.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, Connecticut Demo-
crat, said, "If we are to have reform in these
countries, the security forces have to be part
of it:' But he noted, "It's risky ... We are
taking a chance:'
Sen. Claiborne Pell, Rhade Island Demo-
crat, said he was very reluctant m vote for the
bill because of the past abuses, but said Mr.
Lugar had the votes to pass the administra?
lion's original proposal with the Democrats.
"We wanted to make it as palatable as possi-
ble. Ahalf aloaf is better than a whole loaf;'
Mr. Pell said.
Mr. Kerry said he could not vote for the
measure because it is putting money "in the
very hands of the people" who are killing gov-
ernment opponents.
Mr. Lugar said "enormous problems" still
exist in Latin America democracies and that
elected officials face a "tortuous dilemma" on
how to reform the forces. He said the measure
"was a gamble of sorts, and one with very high
odds;'but would help to prod the governments
to have fairer systems of justice.
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