DISSATISFACTION IN THE OFFICER CORPS OVER THE FAILURE OF CHIEF OF STAFF PONCE T

Created: 8/17/1990

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

UFF COLORE! RFNI

ECAUSE OF HISURE TU RESOLVE THE CASE OF THE NOV9 NURDCRS OF JESUITSIS, AMU TORRIlpI AND INCOMPETENT OFFICERS FROM SENIOR ARMT POSTS.

JBJ nil dissatisfied segments of

the armyroup of captains Olll. same group mhoist of complaints to ponce inroup of majors and lieutenants who share their goals, and A niinbfn oi' lieutenant colonels from01 TaNI.AS. rWBj* ih NT: A

tandailitary academy graduation class.) the senior officer

said that among the lieutenant coloneis are the commanders of all the immediate reaction battalions, and ihe executive officers of many

rricades. these officers plan to remove ponce as defense minister if

he does not take clear andps to resolve thi jesuit killings and removerup1 senior icers.t: it

is widely believed that ponce will iii. named ministerefense onugust.)

these colonel guillernocted on orders from thehmand when he killed the jesuits. although no concrete information on such involvement has yet emerged. thet claim that many officers are knowledgeable of the high command's involvement and are beginning to talk. not only to fellow officers bui to otherse the armed

forces.

- fll

"proof" THAI BEKAVTdTTaWHtTjTorders and that THEY win MAKE THIS information public if the high command DOES NOT. in addition. MANY air force officers HAVEeli inc AT the air force ON the evening OF9 (following the commanders meeting at the estado mayor) AT WHICH then AIR FORCE CIMftANDCR general eportedly SAID THAI the decision had been taken TO kill the leadership of the FARaBUNDO HARD national liberation frontPECIPICALLY mentioningwhether or NOT it is approved by the president.JJjJjBlfc'. ommen I THERE have BEEN rumors THAT bustillo mentioned thi F killing THE jesuitseetinghe AIR force oh THE night OFovember. but NO AIR force officer to date has admitted THIS.)

BjBJB bVHrVr^rSrIrVr^bVrbirI "

involvement in the case became known asesult of siaiements by

HOTIM IH nfUMMIT. coniuimM's

th SItT JnJrm0ul" "wtualitt uhcoveb

has ho r uec*tion

become AHIJTtTtHE HIGH COJUUND HAS

december 9 THFto do befobe

OFFICERS WHO MUST BE REMOVED lNMULI;

A. SECOND BRIGADEldNI I HIS! OMEZ));

fACERES' h BUSt EHIMo IIOUWEZ)]

BRIGADE COMMANDER UJIONEI HECTOR HER

DElACHMENlOMMANDER COLONI!

l IMO | JUAN SCHLENRER;

POLICE COMMANDER IIHOHEI QQUE;

C. NATIONAL POLICE COMMANDER COLONEL DIONISIOACHUCA)):

h. VICE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC SECURITY COLONEL INOCENIEONTANO)).

_ comment: machucaeputation for honesty andIS not clear WHY HE WaS included on the LIST of seniormust

THE DISGRUNTLED OFFICERS

HAVE DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL THE PUBLICATION OF THEUGUST GENFRAl ORDER BEFORE APPBOACH1NC PONCE DIRECTLY. MANY ARE REPORTEDLY ARGUING THAT NOTHING SHOULD BE DONE UNTIL AFTER. CONGRESS RECONVENES AND DECIDES THE MATTER. HILITART ASSISTANCE TO EL SALVADOR.

II. (AMBASSADOR'S COMMENT: AVE HEARD, DISCUSSED AND REPORTED ON MUCH THE SAME EXPRESSION OF RESENTMENT AND CALLS FOR CHANGE FROM OFFICERS BELOW THE TaNDONA. WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT. TO DATE, NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD WITH "CONCRETE PROOF THAT ANYONE IH THE HIGH COMMAND' ORDERED THE KILLINGS. HUCH OF THE DEMAND FOR PERSONNEL CHANGE IS BASED. NOT ON PROVEN CULPABILITY IN THE KILLINGS. BUT ON GROSS INCOMPETENCE IN HANACING THE ARMED FORCES' RESPONSE TO THE TESUIT CRISIS. MANY OFFICERS BELIEVE AND ARE BEGINNING TO SAY THAT THE PRESENT HIGH COMMAND, INCLUDING PONCE. IS GUILTY OF BBINGING THE INSTITUTION INTO DISBEPUTE AMD HUMILIATION BY ITS INEPT AND DANGEROUS

Original document.

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