EL SALVADOR: THE FMLN ARMS INVENTORY

Created: 1/1/1992

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

NOFORN NOCOKTRA

SALVADOR

FMLN ARMS INVENTORY

The FMLN has concealed large quantities of weapons and explosive* in defiance of disarmament deadlines established in the peace accords. Although external supply appears greatly-diminished since theanuary agreement, we believe the FMLN continues adding to its inventory, as indicated by theay interdiction in Honduras of an anas shipment from Nicaragua destined for El Salvador.

FMLN's main objective in caching arms probably is to preserve the ability to pressure the Salvadoran government and military to meet their commitments under the peace accords.

e We believe the former insurgents also plan toeserve military capability as insurance against the uncertain future beyond thectober deadline for their full demobilization and disarmament.

addition, they probably will be willing to sell items from the inventory to certain other radical and revolutionary groups and possibly criminal elements, to raise funds for political activities. They also may

DATL1

NOFORK NOCONTRACT ORCON

donate weapons to those groups that have been their closest allies.

teal roroian Links

APPROVED FOR RELEASE1

The FMLN will have little difficulty finding customers for its arsenal, it has long maintained contacts with other terrorist and insurgent groups, and state sponsors worldwide for training, operational support, and anas trafficking networks.

NOFORN BCON

We believe the FMLN will be reluctant toignificant number of weapons or any key assets such as SAMs while theand demobilization process remain incomplete. Over time, however, arms sales ta foreign groups are likely to increase. As FMLN discipline erodes, corruption will probably increase, and individuals with access to caches are likely to resort to weapons trafficking for profit.

Original document.

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