THE Dutch government's inconclusive report into the deaths of four journalists in El Salvador month has reinforced deeply-rooted Dutch policy in El Salvador.
The report was ordered by Dutch foreign minister. VIrT Van der Stoel, after he had issued a statement dismissing official Salvadorean planation unbeleva ble'. The Salvadorean government CRIES he TV crew was killed in a regular crossne between the al ill y and guerrillas of the FMLN.
Although report confirms anal une nalists 'were killed by the gunfire of soldiers belongng to the regular Salvadorean army' it concludes that there was no substantial evidence that they had "Talen into trap deliberately set by the army patrol for tem The inquiry added that because journalists were clearly under government suspicion, radio facilities were LIC patrol of their imminent arrival their Lullar. point, 'a deliberate attack on the journalists cannot be ruled out.
Mr Relustr Beek, the SPECIAL OFFER Socialist Challenge we are offering a free copy of Nicaragua: The Sandinist Revolution by Henri Weber (normal price £2.95) or Autobiography of Malcolm X Subscription rates:
Inland: 12 month £14.00; 6 month £7.00; 10 issues £2.00 Overseas: 12 months Surface & Europe £17.00. Air Mail £24.00 (Delete as appropriate)
Name ...
Address SPECIAL OFFER Pleasesende For multi-reader institutions double the above rates Send to Socialist Challenge, PO Box 50, London N1 2XP with the Post Office.
widespread and antipathy to American Vice chairman the committee of foreign affairs, stated that 'the ICOUlL does • HOL include all the information which the foreign minister has at his disposal'. The of this inDicise Halure formation closely guarded OCCICL. certain, however, is that the inquiry lacks the vital accounts willess wnal happened in Santa Rita around 5pm on March.
Mr Beek is convinced that the present evidence murder'. This feeling dillusi Holland. Hans Gerven, a fellow journalist and close friend of one of the dead Koos Koster, believes that his colleague was killed in deliberate attempt to intimidate the foreign corps during the build-up to the elections on 28 Marhe was very much involved in what was going on in El Salvador. He was deeply committed. I think they declaea lo pick or him to make an example.
Inen Abell, an official at the Dutch Labour Party headquarters, told us: 'In the minds of the Dutch people there is no doubt that they have been murdered. A member the Institute of Journalism added: "The Dutch people hold the American government partly responsible To rese cents.
When the news of the killings was first received in Holland, people gathered in protest outside the US consulate in Amsterdam. During the ensuing riot the consulate was subjected to a barrage missiles ana ine stall had to be hastily evacuated. The consulate has been subsequently closed down.
The Americans have so far been unable to persuduc •alvacolcal government to allow the Dutch authorities to inter. view the 24 soldiers involved in the killings, although US officials San Salvador have already seen them. I nIS will undoubtedly feature discussions arising Mr Van der Stoel's visit to wasnington next week The Dutch foreign minister seeking dialogue between all TetHesertauve pontical forces in cluding the Frente The Dutch position taked Council Ministers for the EEC.
Ironically, the report has heightened tensions in US/Dutch relations at a govern ments are celebrating two hundred yeais ClOsE friendship. Victims of the death squads FOR XICO. D.F. ITE LA INTERVENCION IMPERIALISTA. LA SOLIDARIDAD FORO INTERNACIONAL DE SOLIDARIDAD CON EL PUEBLO SALVADORENO FOR PERM REVOLUCIO FOR
----- pull-quotes -----
SUBSCRIBE TO SOCIALIST CHALLENGE