Former Sugar Workers Protest by Giorgio Trucchi - Rel-UITA Level and to Pressure the Pellas Group [This Article Was Published on the Web So That It Listens to Us

NICARAGUA NETWORK NICARAGUA MONITOR

May 2009 # 156 Former Sugar Workers Protest By Giorgio Trucchi - Rel-UITA level and to pressure the Pellas Group [This article was published on the web so that it listens to us. We have received page of Radio La Primerisima on May 14, support from some national organizations, 2009. Translation by Chuck Kaufman.] from university students, and from a Since March 9, former sugar group that is promoting a boycott of Flor workers suffering from Chronic Renal de Caña rum. At the international level Insuffi ciency have been camped in solidarity support has been bountiful Managua calling for compensation. They and I want to thank especially UITA and belong to the Nicaraguan Association the Italy-Nicaragua Association for the of Those Affected by Chronic Renal support they are offering us. Insuffi ciency (ANAIRC) which is Another very important aspect is the affi liated with the International Union experience that a good part of our people of Food Workers (UITA). They are are gaining in these days. For many of demanding compensation from Nicaragua our affi liates and widows, it is the fi rst Sugar Estates, Ltd. (which owns the San time they’ve participated in an activity of Antonio Sugar Mill and is part of the protest of this type, leaving their homes Carmen Rios is the President of the Association Pellas Group, Nicaragua’s wealthiest See Sugar Workers, p. 5. of Those Affected by Chronic Renal Insuffi - corporation) for damage to their health ciency (ANAIRC). Photo: REL-UITA caused by indiscriminate use of agro- chemicals and water contamination. For Alliance for Global Justice more than two months they have tried to sit down to have a discussion with the Expands Mission company without receiving a response By Chuck Kaufman Mexico Solidarity Network were forming or even a signal that demonstrated the In 1998, the Nicaragua Network created at the time or looking to grow by sharing intention to look for a solution to this a new organization, the Alliance for resources. We launched the AfGJ with drama which is the daily reality for Global Justice, as a non-profi t umbrella to seven projects which operated autonomous thousands of former sugar workers and help grow the progressive movement in programs and fundraising and shared their families. On the contrary, all they the United States. resources, infrastructure and analysis. have received have been pressure and As many will remember, in 1995 we By 2003 most of the projects had threats. Their tenacity, proud and fi rm, had formed the Campaign for Labor reached self-suffi ciency and incorporated has earned them the help and solidarity Rights to fi ght global sweatshop abuses. independently with their own tax exempt of international organizations and people A couple of years later, when the big status. who have followed what is happening in environmental and development groups Currently there are four campaigns Nicaragua. were ready to close down the 50 Years Is under the AfGJ: Nicanet, Campaign To highlight the struggle and to learn Enough Campaign to change World Bank for Labor Rights, Venezuela Solidarity her perspectives on the future, I conversed and International Monetary Fund policies, Campaign, and Respect for Democracy with Carmen Rios, president of ANAIRC. we took fi nancial and organizational Campaign. The last is a campaign to Q – It has been two months since you responsibility for it and converted it into a promote participatory democracy and arrived in Managua. How do you grassroots organizing campaign. to oppose US democracy manipulation evaluate that period and what advances Some funders and donors were programs such as the mis-named National have there been in the struggle? confused as to why two global campaigns Endowment for Democracy. The AfGJ Rios – It has been a very hard were under the single country solidarity also acts as fi scal sponsor for about two struggle with many diffi culties. With organization, the Nicaragua Network. dozen local, national, and international the company we haven’t progressed So, we created the Alliance for Global progressive groups enabling them to offer much, but, I believe that, yes, there was a Justice (AfGJ), dissolved our own tax- tax deductible contributions through the great advance in terms of presenting our exempt status, and placed Nicanet under demands at a national and international AfGJ. A number of other groups such as See Alliance, p. 6. 1 Nicaragua Network 1247 “E” Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003 (202) 544-9355 [email protected] U.S.-Trained Human Rights Abusers By John Lindsay-Poland since 1997 has prohibited U.S. assistance Iraq and Israel, to consider two obvious [This article was published on April to foreign military units that have examples. In Colombia, the Fellowship of 20, 2009 by Foreign Policy In Focus at committed gross human rights abuses. Reconciliation and Amnesty International www.fpif.org. It is republished here by But the focus is on abuses committed reviewed data on army units receiving permission. Lindsay-Poland co-directs the before assistance is given. The United U.S. assistance—especially training. We Fellowship of Reconciliation Task Force States doesn’t conduct any institutional found that nearly half (47%) of civilian on Latin America and the Caribbean, in evaluation of the human rights impacts of killings reportedly committed by the Oakland, California. He can be reached at army in 2007 were committed by units [email protected].] that had been reviewed and received President Barack Obama has reversed U.S. assistance in 2006 and 2007. Many a few of the Bush administration’s most more were committed by units from egregious policies violating human which individual offi cers were drawn and rights and international law, such as the received leadership and other training at announced closure of the detention center U.S. military schools. in Guantánamo. But it remains to be seen Periodic evaluation is a basic to what extent he will lead the military prerequisite for any government program, toward respect for human rights, and but especially one that imparts lethal skills change the institutional impunity to which The United States trains thousands of foreign and equipment. As Congress’ comptroller, American commanders and U.S. military troups without evaluation of the human rights the General Accountability Offi ce should allies have become accustomed. impact of that training. study whether assistance is fulfi lling U.S. In March, combatant commanders its military assistance after it’s given. human rights policy objectives. Instead came before Congress to make their Is It the Students, Or the Training? its reports focus on limited questions of case for funding. Southern Command The underlying article of faith for effi ciency in the use of funds. A GAO Chief Admiral James Stavridis didn’t evaluating other nations’ human rights evaluation of Plan Colombia last year, hesitate to say how critical funds are for records to see if they are worthy of U.S. for example, that was two years in the military training, especially the former military assistance, is that such assistance making, didn’t once address the impacts School of the Americas (now called will “professionalize” other armies, or at on respect for human rights—for good or the Western Hemisphere Institute for worst be neutral for its impact on respect bad—of the $5 billion in U.S. military aid Security Cooperation). “The camaraderie for human rights. to Colombia since 2000. developed among our military offi cers at In fact, sometimes the opposite is In Colombia, progress on human rights these institutions,” Stavridis said, “and the true. A study of School of Americas is measured by macro-factors, such as schools’ strong emphasis on democratic graduates in 2005 found that soldiers overall levels of political violence, instead values and respect for human rights are taking more than one course at the school of by violations by the institutions that critical to creating military establishments were several times more likely to have were directly assisted by the United States capable of effective combined operations.” allegedly committed abuses than those or by the extent that those violations But what evidence is there that the who took just one course. A 2006 study were prosecuted in civilian courts. The specifi c military units in 149 other by the RAND Corporation found that U.S. result is that, while political violence has nations receiving U.S. training and military training supported forces that diminished as a result of dominion by the other assistance actually respect human continued to commit gross violations in State and—in many areas—the mafi a, rights more after receiving the training? Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Similar claims over insurgent groups, killings of civilians Legislation known as the “Leahy Law” could be made about assistance given to by the Army trained and equipped by the United States has risen dramatically, 72% The Nicaragua Monitor is published by the Nicaragua Network (a project since 2002. of the Alliance for Global Justice) to educate US citizens about the effects of The Colombian military’s long history US policy on the people of Nicaragua and to build ties of peace and friend- of gross human rights abuses should have ship between our two peoples. suggested long ago that the departments of State and Defense evaluate their Subscription information: Electronic version free. Paper $30 for one year military training for human rights. But although international military training (individuals), or $60 yearly for committees which includes 5-10 copies. This aims to “emphasize an understanding publication may be reproduced in whole or in part to educate US citizens about of internationally recognized human Nicaragua and US policy. Credit the Nicaragua Network. rights,” the military doesn’t evaluate human rights performance, either. The Staff: Katherine Hoyt and Chuck Kaufman U.S. Southern Command, for example, Nicaragua Network * 1247 “E” St., SE • Washington, DC 20003 typically measures success of training Phone: (202) 544-9355 [email protected] by promotions of offi cers receiving Web site: www.nicanet.org See U.S. Trained, p. 8 2 D’Escoto Sends Message to Linder Family [Bryan Moore, Senior Instructor of the current economic crisis is the result fi nancial institutions. But the rule makers Spanish at the University of Oregon, of a deep systemic crisis, and of a deeper themselves refused to be bound by the Eugene, forwarded to us this tribute to moral and ethical failure. I underscored the very same rules they had created. Now Ben Linder by Miguel D’Escoto. Moore need for greater solidarity, one that places under the aegis of the World Bank and has organized tributes to Linder at the U. at the core of our work, the many millions the International Monetary Fund, the of OR.] brunt of the burden is Message of His Excellency Miguel being placed upon the D’Escoto Brockmann world’s most vulnerable President of the United Nations General populations. Assembly This means our fi rst In Memory of Ben Linder and overriding task 28 April 2009 must be to mobilize the necessary resources to Dear Elisabeth, Bryan, Brothers and avert a further human Sisters, catastrophe. This is an Friends of Ben Linder and of Nicaragua, undertaking that we at I am moved and honored to send the General Assembly greetings to you in Oregon as you and the UN are taking celebrate the life and mission of Ben seriously by convening a Linder. I am also pleased to know that Summit of world leaders the University of Oregon has decided – from all 192 UN to make Latin American Studies a full- Member States –during fl edged academic department. I am certain the fi rst days of June of such programs do contribute in palpable this year. This task will and strategic ways to greater cultural require immense focus, understanding among the peoples of fl exibility, a shared sense Latin America and the United States, and of overwhelming urgency ultimately among the peoples of the world. and a commitment to In these diffi cult times, I’m sure Ben using every resource at would agree that we need understanding our disposal– economic and solidarity more than ever. and political, moral and Twenty-two years have passed since the Engineer Ben Linder was also a clown and enjoyed entertaining religious – to fi nd our murder of Ben, Pablo and Sergio while children of all ages. way forward. they worked in the isolated Nicaraguan of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters But I remain convinced that the communities of El Cua, San Jose de who today are suffering, through no fault strongest forces for social justice remain Bocay, and others -- communities that of their own, the multiple impacts of within us as individuals, families and were trapped in the war zone. Ben and his these crises. To my amazement, I was communities. Let us draw from Ben co-workers were admired for performing informed that “solidarity” was not part of Linder’s example the inspiration to take the miracle of producing “light from the UN vernacular, and using the word in the lead in promoting these essential water.” I have no doubt these communities UN speeches would confuse the Member values in our societies. Leadership is still remember, honor and miss Ben, in the States. crucial. All of us must become leaders, same way his family, friends and a new I am happy to say that these views, advocates, and ambassadors-at-large for a generation of admirers remember him at which only a few months ago seemed more just world – one imbued with respect home in Oregon. radical to many at UN headquarters in for the inherent dignity due to all persons Today I am addressing you not as the New York, are now becoming mainstream everywhere. Foreign Minister of Nicaragua, but as the views in every region of the world. I have I believe we are at a foundational President of the United Nations General no doubt Ben is as happy as we are that moment in the history of the United Assembly. When I assumed my post last others are recognizing the need—indeed Nations. We must be brave — we must September, I spoke in my opening address the imperative—for solidarity. have vision to fulfi ll the purposes for of a world in crisis, indeed, of multiple At its crux, the crisis we are facing which this Organization was founded. converging crises, that were tipping stems from an all pervading system that Today, more than ever, the world’s most millions of the world’s marginally poor has sanctioned, promoted and defended vulnerable are in need of the global force into extreme poverty. In addition to a unbridled greed over the common good. of the G-192 present in UN General global economic meltdown, poor people Over the past fi ve decades, a select few Assembly. We have the challenge of are facing scarcity of food, water and nations – those with majority voting joining together in a noble mission to energy as well as the calamities provoked rights or with pre-emptive veto power defend the right to full participation in our by climate change. – have arrogated to themselves the See Linder Family, p. 8. I made no secret of my own belief that power to defi ne the rules of the global 3 $97 Million from U.S. to Bolivian Separatists By Eva Golinger where OTIs requires channeling millions areas rich in natural resources, such as [Eva Golinger is an attorney, journalist, of dollars to political parties and NGOs gas and water. After 2007, the OTI, which and author who lives in Venezuela. that work in favor of Washington’s had an additional budget of $13.3 on top She is the author of The Chavez Code: agenda. After the failed coup d’état against of USAID’s general Bolivia program Cracking US Intervention in Venezuela funding, was absorbed into USAID/ and Bush vs Chavez: Washington’s War Bolivia’s Democracy Program, which on Venezuela. She can be reached at since then has been dedicating resources [email protected].] to consolidating the separatist projects. Recently declassifi ed documents USAID’s work in Bolivia covers almost obtained by investigators Jeremy Bigwood all sectors of political and economic and this author reveal that the US Agency life, penetrating Bolivian society and for International Development (USAID) attempting to impose a US political and has invested more than $97 million ideological model. The investment in in “decentralization” and “regional “decentralization” includes all the support autonomy” projects and opposition and funding needed to form “autonomous” political parties in Bolivia since 2002. The regions, from departmental planning documents, requested under the Freedom to regional economic development, of Information Act (FOIA), show that fi nancial management, communications USAID in Bolivia was the “fi rst donor strategies, departmental budget structures, to support departmental governments” and territorial organization designs – all and “decentralization programs” in the prepared and implemented by USAID country, proving that the US agency representatives and partners in Bolivia. As has been one of the principal funders part of the program titled “Strengthening Eva Gollinger is an attorney and writer. and fomenters of the separatist projects Democratic Institutions” (SDI), USAID promoted by regional governments in President Chávez in April 2002, USAID describes its work to “enrich the dialogue Eastern Bolivia. set up an OTI in Venezuela two months on decentralization; improve management Decentralization and Separatism later, in June 2002, with a budget of over of departmental budgetary resources; and The documents confi rm that USAID $10 million for its fi rst two years. Since promote regional economic development.” has been managing approximately $85 then, the OTI has fi ltered more than $50 Through this program, USAID has million annually in Bolivia during the million through fi ve US entities that set even created “territorial organization past few years, divided amongst programs up shop in Caracas, reaching more than laboratories” to help regional governments related to security, democracy, economic 450 NGOs, political parties and programs implement their autonomy successfully. growth and human investment. The that support the opposition to President In one document dated November 30, Democracy Program is focused on a Chávez. 2007, just months before the separatist series of priorities, the fi rst outlined as In the case of Bolivia, the OTI referendums held in Santa Cruz, Beni, “Decentralized democratic governments: contracted the US company Casals & Pando and Tarija during early 2008, departmental governments and Associates to coordinate a program based the Democratic Initiatives Program municipalities.” on decentralization and autonomy in the of OTI/USAID worked closely with One document, classifi ed as “sensitive,” geographical region called the “media the Prefects (regional governments) to explains that this particular program began luna” (half-moon), where the hard core “develop sub-national, de-concentrated” when USAID established an Offi ce for opposition to President Evo Morales is models of government. In those regions, Transition Initiatives (OTI) en Bolivia based, particularly in the province of Santa those promoting such “sub-national, de- during 2004. The OTIs form a division Cruz de la Sierra. Casals & Associates concentrated” models, or separatism, of USAID and function as rapid response was also charged with conducting a series have made clear that their objective is teams to political crises in countries of training seminars and workshops to to achieve a political, economic and strategically important to US interests. The strengthen opposition political parties that territorial division from the national OTI only address political issues, despite were working against then presidential government of Bolivia, so they can USAID’s principal mission dedicated candidate Evo Morales in 2004 and 2005. manage and benefi t solely from the to humanitarian aid and development After Morales was elected president rich resources in their regions. It is no assistance, and they generally have access at the end of 2005, the OTI directed the coincidence that the separatist initiatives to large amounts of liquid funds in order majority of its funding and work to the are all concentrated in areas rich in gas, to quickly and effi ciently achieve their separatist projects that later produced water and economic power. The multi- objectives. regional referendums on autonomy in million dollar funding from USAID to The OTIs operate as intelligence Eastern Bolivia. Their principal idea the separatist projects in Bolivia has agencies due to their relative secrecy is to divide Bolivia into two separate encouraged and supported destabilization and fi ltering mechanism that involves republics, one governed by an indigenous activities during the past few years, large contracts given to US companies majority and the other run by European including extreme violence and racism to operate temporary offi ces in nations descendents and mestizos that inhabit the See Bolivia, p. 9. 4 Sugar Workers, from p. 1. black plastic tarps thanks to the support of that when he died we hold his wake in to come to live in the camp, defending the UITA and are going to be able to hold front of the Pellas Building, but that was and demanding respect for their rights. on with the arrival of the rains. We are not not possible. Lamentably we must also indicate the going away. The people are here because they are lack of coverage that the national media Q – How is the morale of the people? conscious of the struggle that we are has given our protest, as opposed to Are there problems with sickness? taking forward and that we are going to international press coverage which we Rios – New people keep coming win. It has been hard, but the compañeros evaluate as very successful so that our and we have tried to rotate so as not to say we cannot leave, we must go forward. fi ght is known anywhere in the world. worsen anyone’s health. Those who were Our people have learned a lot in the course Finally, I think also that little by little most ill went home and consulted the of these two months, and they see that the Nicaraguan people are beginning to health center. They rested and got well it was necessary to come to Managua to develop a consciousness of what we are and later returned. Seventeen people undertake this fi ght. doing here, of what our demands are. We were directed to return to Chichigalpa Q – Also there were diffi cult moments, never tire of speaking and explaining to because of their health. Lamentably we pressures and threats. What is the people who we situation now? are and what it Rios is that we want: – There were justice and a right diffi cult to compensation days. We were for what they did to afraid for our us. So independent lives and there of the fact that the were rumors company has not yet that workers of given us an answer, the company we are sure that we were going to are going to win. come to attack Q – What changes us with the have there been in excuse that the camp? our objective Rios - We was the closing arrived with few of the sugar things. Hammocks, mill and the personal belongings, liquor plant, and something which is totally to cook in and to false. We have survive. Thanks always said to the aid that has that this has been offered at the Former sugar workers protest lack of responce to their kidney disease. Photo: Mike Elliot never been, nor national and international level, we could also had a death. Yesterday we buried to is going to be, our objective because we hold on with dignity these two months Pedro Tercero, a former suger worker who know that these companies provide many and we are ready for more. Now that we was here with us but had to return home jobs. At the moment it seems that the are entering the rainy season the camping because he was very ill. He sent us his son situation has calmed a little. We went to has become more diffi cult. We have raised to follow in the struggle, and he requested Chichigalpa and talked with people so that they no longer believe all these lies and View videos of LASC-NACLA teach-ins! they understand our fi ght. We are like an Between February and May 2009, the Latin America Solidarity anthill. We have come along doing our Coalition (LASC) and the North American Congress on Latin work little by little and now it is time for the harvest. America (NACLA) held a series of three teach-ins in Washington, Q – What do you want to say to the DC, in Chicago, IL, and in the San Francisco Bay Area in CA. The sugar companies? title of the teach-ins was: “Not Just Change, But Justice” and each Rios – We are people of dialogue; had a separate focus. The focus of the Washington, DC, teach-in was we want an opportunity to dialogue. We on U.S. militarization in Latin America, the second in Chicago was have said that over and over in so many letters to Mr. Carlos Pellas that haven’t on issues of sovereignty and democracy manipulation and the third in been answered. We want him to remember California was on U.S. Trade Policy and its Impacts on Food, Land, that his former workers are dying. To date and Immigration in the Americas. 3,326 people have passed away, and this To watch the videos of the Washington, DC, and San Francisco means thousands of people who have been Bay Area teach-ins, go to www.nicanet.org. abandoned. The only thing we ask is to begin a dialogue. 5 Alliance, from p. 1. Venezuelan people. It continues to be a It also enables us to build the beginning AfGJ’s tax exempt status and to enjoy priority to educate the people and policy of a Democracy Movement in the other benefi ts such as our payroll service makers of the United States. And it United States by learning and educating and group health insurance. continues to be important to support the US activists about the advances in In its March 2009 meeting, the AfGJ Bolivarian Revolution and work to apply participatory democracy in Latin America. board (which is composed of the same the positive examples from there in our The Vision and Mission statements people who serve as the Nicaragua own country. adopted by the Alliance for Global Network Executive Committee) decided But Venezuela no longer stands alone Justice’s at its founding in 1998 continue to raise the profi le of the Alliance for on these issues which it pioneered and still to be as important today as they were Global Justice, expand our mission, and leads by example. An organization that eleven years ago: transition into doing most of our work as “We envision societies the Alliance for Global Justice rather than which explore and in the names of the several campaigns. implement alternatives The exception to this will be the 30 year to the unjust domination old Nicaragua Network, which will join of governments, global AfGJ campaigns on labor rights, trade, fi nancial institutions democracy, and environmental issues, and multinational but will also continue the Nicaragua corporations which specifi c programs such as the Hotline, denigrate the world’s News Service, Monitor, brigades and peoples and devastate delegations, and speaking tours that have ecosystems. We envision made it the dominant source of reliable, the development of a balanced information about Nicaragua and unifi ed domestic and US solidarity. international movement Part of the motivation for combining of transformational the work of Campaign for Labor Rights, Chuck Kaufman (center), with Donna Leist (right), AfGJ board chair grassroots organizations Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, and and Hannah Frisch, AfGJ supporter. that promote a socially, Respect for Democracy Campaign, as well focuses only on Venezuela (or Nicaragua) ecologically and economically just world. as future campaigns that become necessary is ignoring Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, “It is the mission of the Alliance for to build that better world we all know is Honduras, Cuba, and other countries Global Justice to achieve social change possible, is the fi nancial pressure that all where positive change is sweeping the and economic justice by helping to progressive non-profi ts have been under hemisphere. build a stronger more unifi ed grassroots since 2007 when the presidential primaries Adding Campaign for Labor Rights movement. We recognize that the began and which are now exacerbated (CLR) into the mix allows us to address concentration of wealth and power is the by the worst crisis in capitalism since the the critical support of workers for root cause of oppression requiring us to Great Depression. economic and social justice across work together across ideologies, issues But, the other motivation for the change the hemisphere (and beyond) both in and communities. The Alliance nurtures in organizing strategy is the amazing and countries that are improving worker rights organizations seeking fundamental change positive changes that are sweeping Latin and those, like Colombia, where labor in international and national conditions America. We have understood, since the organizing and demands for worker rights that disempower people, create disparities 1990 electoral defeat of the revolutionary is a life-threatening activity. in access to wealth and power, poison the Sandinista government, that virtually all CLR’s work focuses on US earth, and plunder its resources. issues are intertwined and have causes transnational corporations’ responsibility “We support locally-based grassroots and effects that expand well beyond any for worker exploitation in other countries, organizing by sharing political country’s borders. There is so much how so-called “free trade” agreements analysis, mobilizing for direct action, overlap between labor rights, trade issues, contribute to that exploitation and also monitoring the centers of corporate and sovereignty and self-determination, put pressure on workers to emigrate, and government power, expanding channels sustainable development and respect for directs solidarity support for front-line of communication, and sharing skills the environment, that it only makes sense unions that don’t receive support from and infrastructure. Our commitment to refl ect those commonalities in our work. the big US labor federations. These to solidarity and to non-hierarchical The change allows us to expand foci improve our ability to educate and democratic process enables us to our mission to include education and mobilize people in the US on big picture, respectfully listen and respond to each mobilization on cross-border issues such root cause issues. other within the movement.” as participatory democracy, Latin America The Respect for Democracy Campaign Venezuela stands out as the hemispheric integration, and ALBA-style cooperative also enables us to not only challenge the pioneer and leader in the effort to build trade. It continues to be in the vital interest US government’s attempts to manipulate a multi-polar world through greater of the Latin America solidarity movement, elections in Nicaragua and Venezuela, political and economic integration in Latin for instance, to demand that the US but also Bolivia, Haiti, Mexico, and America and to base trade on cooperation government respect the sovereignty every country where the US attacks through ALBA-type agreements rather and right to self-determination of the democracy under the guise of building it. 6 See Alliance, p. 7. Alliance, from p. 6. 1) Support efforts in Latin America to Alternative for Our Americas (ALBA) than competition as the US-backed free expand direct, participatory democracy agreements, the Bank of the South trade agreements do. So a continued to those closest to the problems and the development bank, the Union of South focus on US relations with Venezuela solutions at the community level such American Nations (UNASUR) and other will be a natural priority. There is major as is being pioneered by Venezuela’s regional integration bodies that enable a momentum to improve US-Cuba relations Community Councils and experimented united Latin America to counter-balance right now. If US elites can improve with by Nicaragua’s Councils of Citizen what Bolivar called “the Colossus of the relations with Cuba, then surely it is stupid Power. North.” for them to retain a hostile posture toward 2) Expose and oppose US efforts to 4) Oppose neoliberal Free Trade Venezuela. Agreements that destroy small farmers and We need to work hard right now businesses, increase corporate domination, to pressure the US government to and force wage earners to abandon their normalize relations with Venezuela, families to try to fi nd work in other Cuba, and Bolivia and to end the countries, including the US. occupation of Haiti, especially 5) Provide solidarity support for during this period when there are unions such as the Colombian farmers opportunities for the US to begin and farm workers union, FENSUAGRO, acting as a responsible neighbor and which bears the brunt of attacks by better world citizen. Colombia’s death squad government, the Those changes are not going Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH) to happen without our continued, union which continues to be repressed active pressure. They aren’t going for opposing the US-led coup against to be the changes we want if we sit President Aristide, and the Palestinian back while groups like the Chamber Farmers Union which is struggling to of Commerce defi ne what those organize farmers in the midst of a brutal changes will be. We are balanced on occupation. the knife edge of epochal change. It 6) Oppose military solutions such as is our responsibility to make sure the failed “war on drugs” including Plan that we jump to the Left, not to the Colombia and the Merida Initiative as Right! well as the re-christening of the Fourth The priority of the Alliance for Fleet and expansion of US military bases Global Justice campaigns will in an effort to surround Venezuela’s oil always be focused on changing US The Colombian farm workers’ union FENSUAGRO bears the brunt of attacks from deathsquads. producing region. government and corporate behavior 7) Support just negotiated peace efforts and educating and mobilizing US residents restrict democracy to its own deformed in Colombia and Haiti. to force positive change. We will follow style of corporate-owned representative 8) Oppose US disinformation the solidarity model, which to us means democracy. To accomplish this we campaigns by the government and that we take our cues from the people will work to abolish the falsely-named corporate media. and groups in the Global South who best National Endowment for Democracy and This is an ambitious agenda but the articulate and represent the aspirations to return the US Agency for International Alliance for Global Justice is already of the great majority of people who Development to its original disaster relief working on all these issues within the have been excluded and marginalized by and development roles and to abandon its many coalitions we help lead such as corporate globalization and neo-liberal democracy manipulation projects. the Latin America Solidarity Coalition, “democracy.” Our job is to amplify their 3) Support Latin American economic Justice in the Maquiladoras, Stop CAFTA voices, not to tell them what their message and political integration initiatives such Coalition and others. Let’s continue the should be. as the cooperative trade Bolivarian work together! For instance, workers in Venezuela are engaged in a vigorous debate about their Echoes of Silence Delegation July 14 – 29 2009 role in the Bolivarian process. That is not *Work on grassroots eco-technology and tree-planting projects a discussion we will be joining, although *Sing with legendary musicians under the stars we follow it with great interest. Our view *Live within a typical Nicaraguan family in a poor but creative neighborhood of solidarity is that questions about the *Plant food sustainability creating kitchen gardens role of labor in Venezuela are issues for *Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution with Sandino’s Venezuelan workers to resolve without outside interference. Our role is to keep grandson and family the US from intervening. The same can be *Learn about the visionary ‘eco-community’ Sandino founded said for the debates within Sandinismo in Brigade is international and for all ages; Spanish/English translation provided. Nicaragua. US$68/€50 per day all-inclusive: board, lodging, transport, analysis, events, In that context the following are our translation. Come all 14 days or whatever suits you. Contact Echoes of Silence major objectives: coordinator, Paul Baker Hernández at: [email protected]. 7 U.S. Trained, from p. 2. Linder Family, from p. 3 as members of the broader international assistance, by the offi cers’ positive image global community. Poor people can no community to harness our creativity and of the United States, and whether they rise longer be seen as scapegoats or victims, intellectual prowess to develop innovative to positions of prominence such as defense but as the legitimate stakeholders that paradigms based on a new understanding attaché, or even the presidency. they are. We must endeavor to ensure that of prosperity and progress. Addressing the Problem relief and opportunity are not privileges If prosperity and progress are to Today, a reform process of the Foreign reserved solely for more affl uent societies, benefi t each and all of us; they cannot Assistance Act undertaken by the House but include and prioritize our brothers and be based on patterns of insatiable greed Foreign Affairs Committee offers an sisters in greatest need. and consumption, but rather on sound unprecedented opportunity to require I am certain that together, we can and internationally regulated fi nancial and periodic and comprehensive evaluation of will fi nd the moral strength and creativity monetary institutions – and equally as the human rights impacts of U.S. military important, on a profound sense of assistance. As part of such evaluation, solidarity and connection with all the government should establish an our Brothers and Sisters. independent commission to investigate Genuine prosperity and the past activities of U.S. military progress will fl ow from schools, and make recommendations institutions that enable, not hinder, to establish safeguards to prevent the formulation of inclusive and violations of international human rights people-centered development and humanitarian law. The commission policies; trade regimes based on should include representatives of relevant principles of fairness and equity; government agencies, as well as human food systems that are ecologically rights organizations and academics. Most sound and sustainable, and that importantly, such a commission should be offer just reward to small-scale given access to detailed data on who has farmers; labor regimes that received U.S. assistance and on human address the special needs of rights violations over long periods. women as the baseline for judging Periodic evaluation of the human economic performance. rights performance of military training I believe ardently that such a benefi ciaries could draw on information World is possible. Whether in already gathered by U.S. embassies my home country of Nicaragua from local courts, human rights NGOs, D’Escoto says we need “food systems that are (together with the Frente), here intelligence and enforcement agencies, and ecologically sound and sustainable, and that offer just at the United Nations, or in media reports. Basic criteria for evaluation reward to small-scale farmers.” your community, let each of us should include whether there are credible that we as human beings possess, and the individually and collectively, make the reports of benefi ciaries or troops under resolve to see this process through. Let construction of a new, vibrant vision of their command committing gross human us follow the legacy of Ben Linder. Just our global society a shared priority and rights abuses, and whether civilian courts as Ben used the unicycle, juggling, and our common endeavor. I am confi dent that are successfully trying those crimes. This laughter to mobilize children and their Ben would have wanted this as well. Let evaluation should be transparent and made caretakers in vaccination drives; just as us follow his example. available to the public, and it should apply Ben offered his skills and intellect as an Blessings to Elisabeth and the other to assistance given through the Defense engineer to bring development to remote members of Ben’s family, and to each Department and other agencies, as well as areas; just as Ben offered his presence to and all of you, my deepest and sincere the State Department. accompany those most vulnerable during admiration and affection. Policymakers aren’t given to asking times of suffering… We must join together Miguel D’ Escoto “why” questions. In the case of the human rights performance of client armies viewed Sign petition asking Nicaragua to withdraw as strategic allies, however, we should all be asking: If the United States is excluding from the School of the Americas! abusive units from assistance, and training The US grassroots movement to close the Army School of the rest in human rights, why so many of the Americas (now called Western Hemisphere Institute for these armies continue abuse and kill their Security Cooperation) is mobilizing for victory this summer civilian compatriots? In the meantime, under a new administration and a new Congress. Last year where the results of U.S. assistance are the vote to close the SOA would have succeeded had we executions, torture, forced displacement, changed only six votes. Five Latin American countries have and other violations, the Obama already announced their withdrawal from the SOA. administration should terminate military Please sign the petition, co-sponsored by the Nicaragua aid and cooperation. Network and SOA Watch, asking Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to withdraw Nicaragua from the SOA. To sign go to www.nicanet.org and scroll down. Click on the link to sign! 8 Bolivia, from p. 4. by Washington in countries such as as the Organization of American States, against Indigenous communities, terrorist Venezuela, Ecuador and Nicaragua, to European Community and the Carter acts and even assassination attempts later use such apparently “independent” Center. These “networks” function as against President Morales. observers in an attempt to discredit and centers for the opposition during electoral Strengthening Political Parties in the Opposition Another principal priority of USAID in Bolivia as outlined in the declassifi ed documents is the extensive funding and training of opposition political parties. Through two US entities, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI), both considered international branches of the Republican and Democratic parties in the US that receive their funding from the Department of State and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), USAID has been providing funding and strategic political aide to political groups and leaders from the opposition in Bolivia. During the year 2007, $1.25 million was dedicated to “training for members of political parties on current political and electoral processes, including the constituent assembly and the referendum When Evo Morales (center) was elected president of Bolivia in late 2005, the US began directing on autonomy.” The principal benefi ciaries money toward separatist projects. of this funding have been the opposition political parties Podemos, MNR, MIR and delegitimize elections and denounce fraud processes to strengthen their position in more than 100 politically-oriented NGOs when results are not favorable to US the arena of public opinion and through in Bolivia. interests. the mass media. Intervention in Electoral Processes In the case of Venezuela, for example, Penetration in Indigenous Communities An additional substantial part of the organization that has implemented USAID’s work in Bolivia is not just USAID’s work in Bolivia has been this strategy is Súmate, a Venezuelan oriented towards strengthening the devoted to intervening in electoral NGO created with funding and strategic opposition to Evo Morales and promoting processes during the past few years. This support from USAID and NED, that has separatism, but also involves attempts has included forming a network of more presented itself in the public opinion as to penetrate and infi ltrate indigenous than 3,000 “observers,” trained by USAID “apolitical” but in reality was the principal communities, seeking out new actors to grantee Partners of the Americas, a US promoter of the recall referendum in 2004 promote Washington’s agenda that have an corporation that also receives funding against President Chávez and later the image more representative of the Bolivian from major companies and entities leader in denouncing fraud after every indigenous majority. One declassifi ed that form part of the military-industrial electoral process in Venezuela lost by the document clearly outlines the necessity complex. The creation of “networks” opposition, despite that such events have to give “more support to USAID and in “civil society” to monitor electoral been certifi ed as legitimate and “fraud- Embassy indigenous interns to build and processes has been a strategy utilized free” by international institutions such consolidate a network of graduates who advocate for the US Government in key Announcing the fi lm “The Living Documents: areas.” The document further discusses the need to “strengthen democratic citizenship One Land, One Voice, One Struggle” and local economic development for A documentary by Mallory Sohmer Bolivia’s most vulnerable indigenous The documentary was fi lmed in Bluefi elds, Monkey Point, Pearl Lagoon, the Pearl Cays, groups.” According to USAID, “this Leon and Managua, Nicaragua. It tells the story of the murder of Francisco Garcia, a program shows that no one country or Bluefi elds businessman and science professor, who was killed in an attempt to silence government has a monopoly on helping his wife, indigenous rights lawyer Maria Luisa Acosta. The fi lm includes testimony of the indigenous. The program shows that lawyers involved in the case and of indigenous leaders of the communities which were the US is a friend to Bolivia and the represented by Attorney Acosta in their struggles to preserve their traditional lands. indigenous…” To see scenes from the documentary, go to www.nicanet.org and scroll down. To order The declassifi ed documents in original a copy, write: [email protected] . format and with Spanish translation are Write to Nicaraguan authorities demanding that they bring to justice those responsible available at: www.jeremybigwood.net/ for the murder of Francisco Garcia! For a sample letter, contact information and BO/2008-USAID background material, go to www.nicanet.org. 9 Month In Review Foreign Relations Dora Maria Tellez said that the strategy “They class us as a dictatorship,” he President Daniel Ortega, said at a would be to revive the PC and the party of said adding that Embassy offi cials have ceremony on May 15 where he received dissident Sandinistas before the meeting of been meeting with opposition fi gures and 130 busses donated by the Russian the Millennium Challenge Board on June offering opposition groups funding to government, that he did not expect the 10 and the Budget Support Group on June unite against his government, even while United States to renew Millennium 11. they maintain respectful relations with the Challenge Account (MCA) funding The Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry government. Ortega said that no one had that was suspended after accusations of released a communiqué on the night of been expelled because he was taking US fraud during the Nov. 2008 municipal May 4 rejecting an April 30 report by the President Barack Obama at his word when elections. He said that US Ambassador US State Department which claimed that Obama said that he would not permit Robert Callahan had relayed a Secretary of State Hilary Clinton statement that the funds would not be renewed unless the election results were revised. Ortega said, “Thank God that, just as today the Russian Federation has given us these buses without conditions, we also have my dear brother Chavez who made the decision that the ALBA [Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas] will assume the burden of the suspended programs.” The MCA board will meet June 10. You can send an email to the MCA making the point that only the poor will be hurt by a cut-off in aid at http://www.mcc.gov/contact/index.php. For more info, visit: http://www.nicanet. org/?p=594. Ortega government offi cials also met Daniel Ortega listens with earphones to Barack Obama at Summit of the Americas. last week with European counterparts to discuss European budget support the Nicaraguan government maintains interventionist policies suspended after the November municipal close relations with terrorists. The Foreign On April 24, Nicaragua signed on to elections. Budget support funding is Ministry said “Nicaragua rejects any the U.S. sponsored Plan Merida which important because it can be used in report that links us with terrorism. On will provide the country’s National Police any area where it is needed. After the the contrary, our political will to fi ght with US$1.4 million to fi ght international meeting Mendel Goldstein, head of the this evil is shown by our participation in organized crime. The bulk of Plan Merida European Commission Delegation for all international legal covenants of the funding will go to militarize the US- Central America and Panama said, “Here United Nations and of the inter-American Mexico border. In May, Ambassador we are on the subject of governability. community, including participating in Callahan said during ceremonies handing Within that subject there are several the Inter-American Committee against over four boats and four trucks and other themes. The donors have expressed their Terrorism.” The response continued: equipment to Nicaragua’s Naval Force, concerns; what we think is that there “Nicaragua has its own view about the that the US is moving forward with a has to be change in the future.” He said conduct of the United States government plan to donate US$5 million to repair that the European Commission respects on the international level; however, the La Mascota Children’s Hospital and Nicaraguan sovereignty and for that reason based on a desire to respect all nations’ to provide it with medical equipment in “we cannot force change.” However, he sovereignty, we will abstain from exchange for the destruction of 651 SAM- said that the countries he represents “have stating those views.” To read the State 7 missiles, evidently as part of a plan good memories.” Department report, go to: http://www. originally suggested by President Daniel By the following weekend there were state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2008/122435.htm. Ortega. rumors that the government would revisit On Apr. 22, during an appearance on At the Summit of the Americas, held the cancellation of legal recognition of the Cuban television program “Round April 17 – 19 in Trinidad and Tobago, two political parties, the Conservative Table,” Nicaraguan President Daniel the presidents of the Central American Party (PC) and the Sandinista Renovation Ortega said that functionaries of the countries (plus Panama and the Dominican Movement (MRS), which lost their legal United States Embassy in Managua are Republic) held a meeting with U.S. existence before the 2008 elections due to conspiring against his government and President Barack Obama which lasted failure to fi eld the legally required number that Nicaraguan offi cials have “all the over an hour. As the current president of candidates by the PC, and failure to fi le information” about the conspiracy which of the Central American Integration required reports by the MRS. MRS leader they have not yet wanted to make public. See Month, p. 11. 10 Month, from p. 10. Politics with the position that Edmundo [Jarquin] System, Nicaragua’s President Daniel The alignment of Deputies in the took with relation to the elections in Ortega presided over the meeting which, National Assembly has changed El Salvador when he practically went according to the President of Guatemala, considerably since the 2006 presidential to campaign for ARENA (Nationalist Alvaro Colom, was “relaxed and friendly.” and legislative election. Then, the Republican Alliance).” After the meeting, Ortega talked with breakdown was 38 Sandinista Front A new bench in the National Assembly Obama for several minutes in what (FSLN), 25 Constitutional Liberal Party with seven members has taken the sources said was a cordial conversation. (PLC), 24 Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance name Nicaraguan Unity Bench (BUN). Ortega said of Obama, “I want to believe (ALN), and fi ve Sandinista Renovation Observers noted that if, as expected, that he has the disposition, has the will, Movement (MRS) deputies. the members of the bench vote with the but he is president of an empire and that Benches are what we might call FSLN, and the ALN continues its frequent empire has its rules that he can’t change; caucuses in the US. A bench receives alliance with the FSLN, their combined he has to deal with them.” Ortega added, staff and a budget if it has a minimum of 12 votes bring the Sandinistas to 50 “That is the great challenge.” four members. The ALN bench has been votes, close to the 56 vote super majority Abortion/Church particularly decimated by defections and needed to make constitutional changes. Supreme Court Justice Rafael Solis is now down to only fi ve members. The These include moving from a presidential said that within the Supreme Court there PLC has lost six members, several of to a parliamentary system and allowing has been a change with respect to the possibility of an imminent ruling on the issue of the constitutionality of the 2006 criminalization of therapeutic abortion when a woman’s life and health are at risk. Solis said that the issue is not going to be resolved at this time. He confi rmed that relations between the Ortega government and the Catholic Church have improved and after Catholic leaders meet with offi cials of the executive branch, the Supreme Court will receive them to converse about the suspension of the ruling on abortion. The announcement was timed to coincide with a meeting of 60 Latin Latin American Catholic Bishops meeting in Managua said Mass at the Cathedral. Photo: END American Catholic bishops meeting at their 32nd assembly. Gone from their whom were expelled for taking positions consecutive re-election of the president pronouncements were Vatican II concerns opposed by the party leadership. The MRS and prime-minister as well as other elected about economic human rights. Instead only held on to its status as a bench when offi cials. they expressed concern about moves remaining members Enrique Saenz and The Nicaraguan Democratic Bench toward popular democracy which they Victor Hugo Tinoco were joined by two (BDN) is now the third largest bench in described as a “certain disenchantment other deputies who switched explicitly the Assembly with 14 members. Last with democracy that has led to the so that the dissident Sandinista bench week all BDN deputies announced that search for new political models mixed would not lose its status. Two of the they would sign letters of resignation that with populism,” apparently targeting original fi ve MRS delegates joined the they would give to Managua Archbishop countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia, and FSLN and Monica Baltodano is now the Leopoldo Brenes for safe-keeping. The Nicaragua. They noted that the global lone independent in the Assembly besides letters would go into effect if they voted economic crisis has caused a resurgence former President Enrique Bolaños who has for constitutional changes that would of poverty in a number of countries. They a seat by law but doesn’t occupy it. allow presidential re-election. This came condemned a “fragility” in many states On April 14, Baltodano announced that after members of the PLC signed a when it comes to fully guaranteeing she was leaving the MRS bench saying document the previous week promising human rights, which they blamed on a that she did not agree with a series of not to support those changes. “secularist current that silences religious decisions taken by the leadership which On April 21, Supreme Court Justice and moral values.” The closing document has been trending increasingly to the right. Rafael Solis told a Managua media outlet spoke in support of those who have been She said that she was following a decision that if amendments to the constitution “persecuted” or have been “objects of made by the Sandinista Rescue Movement that would allow Daniel Ortega to run slander, discredit and even of violence.” (MPRS) to which she belongs. The MPRS for re-election are not approved by the Observers took that to be a message of joined the MRS for the presidential National Assembly, First Lady Rosario solidarity with Nicaraguan clerics who elections of 2006. She stated, “In the last Murillo could be the Sandinista candidate were recently accused of corruption in a few months the political spokesperson of for president in the 2011 election. Murillo, letter posted to a government listserve but the MRS took decisions with which we 57, is coordinator of the Council of Social later repudiated by the government. differed and the last big difference was Communication and Citizenship, principal See Month, p. 12. 11 Month, from p. 11. Dole, said that they had used specialized of the Caribbean Coast Development promoter of the Councils of Citizen Power laboratories in Nicaragua and the United Council of the Ortega government (CPCs), which are neighborhood groups States which proved that the plaintiffs promised to respect and support the Sumu- promoted by the Sandinista government as were sterile and suffered other physical Mayangna indigenous nation. vehicles for citizen participation, and she and mental conditions due to their The Rama indigenous community of shares power with her husband to a degree exposure to Nemagon and Fumazone. Tiktik Kaanu near Bluefi elds in the South not seen before in Nicaragua. According He said that although they had presented Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS) to the M&R Consultants polling fi rm, evidence that Dole had tried to suborn asked President Daniel Ortega to suspend Murillo has only 17.4% approval rating testimony [www.nicanet.org/?p=666], the titling of land to colonists on indigenous among the citizenry. judge rejected that evidence. He urged the lands. The Nicaraguan Center for Human Banana Workers government of President Daniel Ortega, Rights (CENIDH) confi rmed violent the Offi ce of the Human incidents in the zone and also sent a letter Rights Ombudsman and the to James Anaya, Special Rapporteur Foreign Ministry to protest for Indigenous Peoples of the United the decision. Nations. The indigenous appealed to Indigenous President Ortega to “instruct government On April 18, Miskito functionaries to stop illegal titling of land Council of Elders and to publicly reiterate your promise to proclaimed an Independent respect indigenous communal property.” Caribbean Coast Nation They also urged him to take effective with the election of measures to carry out the United Nations Rev. Hector Williams as Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous the Wihta Tara (grand Peoples and “to adopt the methods A Los Angeles judge threw out two law suits by Nicaraguan ba- judge) or maximum of protection for the life and physical nana workers. Here banana workers are camped in Managua. leader of Moskitia. He, integrity of the indigenous communities.” CAFTA After Los Angeles Superior Court along with a Council of Ministers of the In an outcome forewarned by opponents Judge Victoria Chaney threw out two Communitarian Miskito Nation, will hold of US-sponsored “free trade” agreements, consolidated lawsuits (Mejia vs. Dole the reins of government, according to the Nicaraguan pig farmers say that imports Food and Rivera vs. Dole Food) by proclamation. An Indigenous Army of of pork from the United States are pushing Nicaraguan banana workers, Dole Food Moskitia was formed as well. them towards bankruptcy. Minister of Company reveled in its victory. With The unsatisfi ed historical demands Trade Orlando Solorzano said that nine its US$7.6 billion in net profi ts in 2008, for land, self-determination, and respect Dole is the largest marketer of fruit for culture along with exploitation by and vegetables in the world. At Camp successive local, regional and national Nemagon in Managua, banana workers governments were some of the causes that said they would not give up the fi ght pushed the elders to declare independence for justice. The judge agreed with Dole according to the proclamation. that two lawyers for the workers had The Council of Elders proclaimed recruited clients to give false testimony independence July 2002 but never took that the pesticide DBCP (Nemagon and the steps to set up a government and army. Fumazone) used by the company had The proclamation announced a period for The Miskito Council of Elders traveled to made them sterile while working in Dole the turnover of government from the North Managua to try to meet with President Ortega. banana fi elds. Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN). Photo: La Prensa Judge Chaney said that this month she The proclamation called for suspension of importers, among them PriceSmart, will initiate new procedures to determine all elections within the Miskito Nation and Delicarne, and Delmor, have licenses to if fi nes should be imposed against the the Elders later announced that they would import pork into Nicaragua under the plaintiffs and their lawyers. She said block March 2010 regional elections. They quotas established by the trade agreement that other cases in California should be ordered businesses to stop paying taxes to with the United States known as the suspended and said that she was alerting the Nicaraguan government, announcing Dominican Republic-Central America courts in other states where banana worker that they will be collected by the Miskito Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). cases are moving forward not to accept government. Solorzano said that for this year there is a legal documents, medical reports or Only a week after the declaration, quota of 1400 tons that can enter with no court rulings from what she said was the the Mayangna indigenous people of the import tariff and that the quota will grow “corrupt legal system of Nicaragua.” She same Caribbean Coast region, declared each year by 100 tons until 2020. US- said that she had obtained her information themselves the Indigenous Mayangna corporate agriculture is heavily subsidized about the Nicaraguan legal system from Nation of Nicaragua, but stated that they by US taxpayers enabling transnational the U.S. Department of State. had no intention of seceding from the corporations to dump agricultural products Attorney Antonio Hernandez, who Republic of Nicaragua. They stated their in Mexico and Central America at prices with Los Angeles attorney Juan Jose declaration in terms of preserving their with which local farmers cannot compete. Dominguez had brought the cases against land, culture, and language. The Minister 12