E4 UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-03 LIMA INFO ACDA-17 CG-00 DINT-05 FAAE-00 INSE-00 NRCE-00 OMB-01 SNP-00 T-00 LOG-00 CEQ-01 OASY-00 E-01 INR-00 M-01 OIS-01 SIL-00 TRSE-00 114W 02895 01 OF 07 AID-01 CI AE-00 DODE-00 FBIE oo I0-19 NS AE-00 PA-01 SP-00 USIE-00 RELEASED IN PART Bl 1 4 D B6 122144Z ARA-01 COME-00 DOEE-00 HA-09 JUSE-00 NSCE-00 PM-02 SR-00 USSS-00 A-01 CTME-00 DS-00 H-01 LAB-04 NSF-01 PRS-01 SS0-00 ASDS-01 ------------------A699AF R 122133Z MAR 93 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6634 INFO AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY LA PAZ INFO USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM CA-02 C-01 EB-01 IMMC-01 L-03 OES-09 P-01 SS-00 EP AE-00 130151Z 38 CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 07 LIMA 02895 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E O 12356 TAGS SUBJECT DECL OADR PGOV PTER PHOM SNAR SENV PE TARAPOTO CENTRAL HUALLAGA RAMBLE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 REF TARAPOTO LIMA 02895 01 OF 07 122144Z LIMA 621 JUNGLE TOWN WITH AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE 1 C SUivlMARY POLOFF RECENTLY VISITED TARAPOTO IN NORTHERN PERU'S GUERRILLA AND NARCO-PLAGUED COCA GROWING CENTRAL HUALLAGA VALLEY IN SAN MARTIN DEPARTMENT STATE A STEAMY CITY OF SOME 80 000 RESIDENTS TARAPOTO IS A LARGE 11 FARM TOWN THAT BOOMED IN THE BO'S UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY DONNA M DIPAOLO CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL REASON 25Xl DATE CASE ID 01 MAY 2009 200706090 UNCLASSIFIED CC0-00 DE AE-00 OIG0-01 INM-02 ADS-00 OIC-02 RPCS-01 STR-17 RPE-01 UNCLASSIFIED THANKS TO NARCO MONEY AND TO SERVICING THE COCA GROWERS BUT TARAPOTENSES ARE NERVOUS ABOUT A DEPRESSED COCA MARKET AND REMAIN WARY OF A VOLATILE SECURITY SITUATION DESPITE RECENT IMPROVEMENTS THE TUPAC AMARO REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT MRTA WHICH HAS TRADITIONALLY STAKED OUT NORTHERN SAN MARTIN DEPARTMENT AS ITS STRONGHOLD IS BY MOST ACCOUNTS DOWN BUT THE JANUARY SACKING OF MOYOBAMBA THE LARGEST CITY IN THE REGION IS TAKEN AS A WARNING NOT TO COUNT MRTA OUT IRONICALLY MRTA'S DEMISE MIGHT EVEN ALLOW SENDERO LUMINOSO SL PERU'S LARGER AND MORE VIOLENT GUERRILLA ORGANIZATION TO EXPAND TO THE NORTH LOCAL OBSERVERS PRAISE HUALLAGA FRONT COMMANDER FOR RESTORING CONFIDENCE AND HOPE TO THE EMBATTLED AREA HOWEVER WITH PROFITABILITY OF LEGITIMATE CROPS LOW AND DECLINING RELATIVE TO COCA TARAPOTO AND THE CENTRAL HUALLAGA ARE VULNERABLE TO CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 LIMA 02895 01 OF 07 122144Z VIOLENCE ONE OF THE FEW WOMEN'S RIGHTS GROUPS IN PERU'S SELVA JUNGLE REGION DESCRIBED HOW DEPRESSED ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND A HIGHLY TRADITIONAL LATIN RURAL CULTURE CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A SERIOUS SOCIAL CRISIS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN PARTICULAR AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN GENERAL END SUMMARY MRTA THE GUERRILLAS ARE NOT DONE YET 2 U THE TUPAC AMARO REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT'S GUERRILLAS OR COMPAS ARE BY ALL ACCOUNTS BEING POUNDED HARD BY THE MILITARY JOURNALISTS BUSINESSMEN AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN TARAPOTO AGREED THAT THE ARMED FORCES ARE DOING THE BEST THEY HAVE SINCE THE WAR CAlY lE TO THE HUALLAGA SOME 10 YEARS AGO MOST CREDITED THE SUCCESS TO POLITICAL-MILITARY FRONT COMMANDER GEN BELLIDO WHOSE CO MMAND WAS EXTENDED IN JANUARY UNUSUALLY FOR A SECOND YEAR IN APPARENT RECOGNITION OF HIS EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST SUBVERSIVES AND NARCOTRAFFICKING BELLIDO HAS STATED'PUBLICLY THAT MRTA WILL BE DEFEATED IN HIS FRONT BY 1994 SEE REFTEL FOR UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED BELLIDO'S UPDATE ON THE MILITARY SITUATION 3 U THE SAN MARTIN MR TA HAS ALSO SUFFERED FROM INTERNAL STRUGGLES ON A NATION AL LEVEL REFLECTED LOCALLY BETWEEN THE HARDLINE POSITION OF JAILED MR TA NATION AL HEAD VICTOR POLAY CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL LIMA 02895 01 OF 07 122144Z· PAGE 04 CAMPOS AND NESTOR SERPA CARTOLINI ON THE ONE HAND AND NATIVE SAN MARTIN LOCAL LEADER SISTERO IN 1991 92 MR TA ABANDONED GARCIA ON THE OTHER THE ROBIN HOOD IMAGE IT ONCE FOSTERED IN SAN MARTIN AND BEGAN SACKING TOWNS DESTROYED PAINFULLY ACQUIRED VILLAGE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROBBED BANK HOLDINGS OF COMMON CITIZENS 4 • · U NO LONGER CONTENT WITH JUSTICING CORRUPT POLICE AND AMBUSHING ARMY PATROLS WHAT A LOCAL JOURNALIST TERMED MR TA'S 11 SENDERIZATION 11 - ADOPTING A LESS DISCRIMINATE TACTIC THAT TARGETED COJ v lMON PEOPLE - MARKED THE END OF WIDE SPREAD POPULAR SUPPORT FOR MR TA THE MR TA ARMED COLUMNS NOW LIMP ALONG WITHOUT THE FURTIVE AND ONCE COJ v lMON CONNIVANCE OF THE LOCAL CAMPESINOS 5 C CHILDHOOD FRIENDS OF SISTERO BLAMED THE STEADY RECRUITMENT OF COJ v lMON CRIMINALS INTO THE CONFIDENTIAL NNNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-03 LIMA 02895 02 OF 07 122136Z UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED INFO LOG-00 CEQ-01 OASY-00 E-01 INR-00 M-01 OIS-01 SIL-00 TRSE-00 114W ACDA-17 CG-00 DINT-05 FAAE-00 INSE-00 NRCE-00 OMB-01 SNP-00 T-00 AID-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 FBIE-00 I0-19 NSAE-00 PA-01 SP-00 USIE-00 ARA-01 COME-00 DOEE-00 HA-09 JUSE-00 NSCE-00 PM-02 SR-00 USSS-00 A-01 CTME-00 DS-00 H-01 LAB-04 NSF-01 PRS-01 SS0-00 ASDS-01 ------------------A69929 R 122133Z MAR 93 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6635 INFO AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY LA PAZ INFO USCINCSO QUARl lY HEIGHTS PM CA-02 C-01 EB-01 IMMC-01 L-03 OES-09 P-01 SS-00 EPAE-00 130147Z 38 CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 02 OF 07 LIMA 02895 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E O 12356 TAGS DECL OADR PGOV PTER PHUM SNAR SENV PE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL LIMA 02895 02 OF 07 122136Z PAGE 02 MRTA FOR THE MOVEMENT'S EVENTUAL COLLAPSE TO COVER THE LOSS OF IDEOLOGICALLY COMMITTED AND TRAINED CADRE THROUGH ATTRITION MRTA COMMANDERS TURNED TO YOUNG TOUGHS AND CRIMINALS WHO HAD A NATURAL PREDISPOSITION TOWARDS EXTORTING CUPOS WAR TAXES FROM EVEN MERCHANTS OF MODEST MEANS IN THE VILLAGES OR FOR CONTROLLING AND MANAGING THE LUCRATIVE PROTECTION RACKET OF THE DRUG TRADE AS THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT PERVADED MRTA UNITS THEY BECAME MORE MAFIA THAN GUERRILLAS THE PEOPLE TURNED ON THEM AND THEIR POLITICAL GOALS BECAME AN EXCUSE FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 6 U MANY TARAPOTENSES SUCH AS THE MAYOR THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE AGRICUTURAL SECTOR GROWERS TRIED HARD -- PERHAPS TOO HARD UNCLASSIFIED CC0-00 DEAE-00 OIG0-01 INM-02 ADS-00 OIC-02 RPCS-01 STR-17 RPE-01 UNCLASSIFIED -- TO CONVINCE POLOFF THAT THE TUPAC AMARU REVOLUTIONARY MOVE MENT MRTA IS NO LONGER A PROBLEM OR IS AT LEAST MORIBUND BUT MOST INTERLOCUTORS OFFERED ONLY HALF HEARTED REASSURANCES THAT MRTA COULD NOT REPEAT THE SACKING OF MOYOBAMBA IN TARA POTO THE POLITICAL MILITARY COMMANDER WOULD NEVER LET THEM TAKE OVER HIS BASE'S HOST CITY THEY SAID BUT IT ALWAYS CAME OUT IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION A LATENT MRTA THREAT TO AT LEAST CONDUCT SPORADIC ATTACKS CERTAINLY EXISTS AND APPEARED MOST PROBABLE JUDGING BY THE PLENTIFUL MRTA WALL GRAFITTI IN WHAT LOCALS SAID WAS THE MRTA DOMINATED SOUTHERN EDGE OF TOWN WHERE POLOFF'S HOTEL WAS LOCATED CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 LIMA 02895 02 OF 07 122136Z 7 C A REAL FEAR EXPRESSED BY ALL THE INTERLOCUTORS WAS THAT SENDERO LUMINOSO A MUCH MORE FORMIDABLE AND BLOODIER GUERRILLA GROUP WOULD MOVE NORTH TO FILL THE VACUUM LEFT BY A POSSIBLE MRTA DEFEAT OR COLLAPSE SENDERO COLUMNS PERIODICALLY SWEPT NORTH OF WHAT JOURNALISTS AND THE ICRC TERMED THE DIVIDE RUNNING EAST-WEST THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF SAN MARTIN DEPARTMENT BETWEEN JUANJUI AND CAMPANILLA BUT THESE SL COLUMNS WERE ONLY PATROLS ' - ' ' -'WARNED THAT THE MRTA'S STYLE OF WARFARE WAS CHILD'S PLAY WHEN COMPARED TO SENDERO'S MORE IDEOLOGICALLY BASED TOTAL WAR CONCEPT THIS IN TURN' SAIDI I __ _ _ IPROBABLY EXPLAINED THE ARMY'S FAR BLOODIER TACTIC OF REPRISALS IN SOUTHERN SAN MARTIN MOYOBAMBA THE SHOT HEARD ROUND THE VALLEY 8 C THE MRTA'S JANUARY 1993 SACKING OF MOYOBAMBA DOMINATED MOST CONVERSATIONS IN TARAPOTO THE MRTA HAD BEEN PRONOUNCED DEAD BEFORE IN 1992 AFTER THE POLICE CAPTURES OF SENIOR NATIONAL LEADERS VICTOR POLAY AND PETER CARDENAS AND HAD ANSWERED THIS BY SACKING JAEN AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL TOWN IN NORTHERN CAJAMARCA UNCLASSIFIED Bl UNCLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT SIMILARLY THE STREAM OF PRESS STORIES CARRYING BELLIDO'S AND OTHERS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 LIMA 02895 02 OF 07 122136Z PROGNOSTICATIONS OF MRTA'S IMMINENT DEMISE HAD PROBABLY SPURRED MRTA TO SACK MOYOBAMBA ONE VIOLENCE-WATCHER SUGGESTED THAT MRTA WAS IN ESSENCE CHALLENGING BELLIDO WITH THIS ATTACK WHILE ACKN'OWLEDGING THAT MRTA IS MILITARILY TOO WEAK TO HOLD ON TO A CITY THE SCALE AND COMPLEXITY OF MRTA'S SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS CAUSED THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS CONSIDERABLE DISCOMFORT THEY HAD UNTIL THE ATTACK ON MOYOBAMBA BEEN CONVINCED BY BELLIDO'S OPTIMISM AND EFFICIENCY THAT MRTA WAS ON ITS LAST LEGS WHAT LITTLE COMFORT DID COME OUT OF MOYOBAMBA WAS THAT THE GUERRILLAS WERE NOT ABLE TO CRACK THE MAIN VAULT AT THE COMMERCE BANK WHERE MOST OF THE MONEY WAS STORED 9 C JOURNALISTS REPORTED THAT SOME 500 MRTA CADRE TOOK PART IN THE SACKING CALLED TOGETHER FROM VIRTUALLY EVERY MRTA UNIT IN THE REGION AND REPRESENTING NEARLY ALL OF MRTA'S TOTAL FORCE IN CONFIDENTIAL NNNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-03 LIMA INFO ACDA-17 LOG-00 02895 03 OF 07 AID-01 122138Z ARA-01 A-01 CA-02 UNCLASSIFIED CCO-00 CEQ-01 OASY-00 E-01 INR-00 M-01 OIS-01 SIL-00 TRSE-00 114W CG-00 DINT-05 FAAE-00 INSE-00 NRCE-00 OMB-01 SNP-00 T-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 FBIE-00 IO-19 NSAE-00 PA-01 SP-00 USIE-00 UNCLASSIFIED CO ME-00 DOEE-00 HA-09 JUSE-00 NSCE-00 PM-02 SR-00 USSS-00 ------------------A69953 R 122133Z MAR 93 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6636 INFO AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY LA PAZ INFO USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM CTME-00 DS-00 H-01 LAB-04 NSF-01 PRS-01 SSO-00 ASDS-01 C-01 EB-01 IMM C-01 L-03 OES-09 P-01 SS-00 EPAE-00 DEAE-00 OIGO-01 INM-02 ADS-00 OIC-02 RPCS-01 STR-17 RPE-01 130148Z 38 CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 03 OF 07 LIMA 02895 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E O 12356 TAGS DECL OADR PGOV PTER PHUM SNAR SENV PE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL LIMA 02895 03 OF 07 122138Z PAGE 02 THE JUNGLE AREA THE FORCE REPORTEDLY ASSEMBLED AT A MAIN MRTA BASE NEAR YUARACYACU AND DEPLOYED MOSTLY BY BOAT DOWNRIVER TO MOYOBAMBA SOME 30 KILOMETERS AWAY A LOCAL MRTA COMMANDER SURNAMED MENDOZA DEL AGUILA AKA EL GRILLO LED THE ATTACK ACCORDING TO PERSONS WHO CLAIMED TO KNOW HIS FAMILY ____ _ __ REPORTS THAT OF THE KNOWN CASUALTIES THERE WERE TWO DEAD AND FIVE WOUNDED POLICE TWO DEAD AND TWO WOUNDED SOLDIERS THREE DEAD AND 13 WOUNDED CIVILIANS AND EIGHT DEAD GUERRILLAS THE NUMBER OF WOUNDED GUERRILLAS IS NOT KNOWN AND IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THE MRTA CARRIED AWAY OTHER DEAD COMRADES Bl Bl UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 10 I C I I HAS Bl NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR HUALLAGA FRONT POLITICAL MILITARY COMMANDER GEN BELLIDO WHO SETS THE EXAMPLE ALL POLITICAL MILITARY COMMANDERS SHOULD FOLLOW I LOCAL '-- - - - - --- ' ------- - - - JOURNAL IS TS AGREED I ITHAT BELLIDO HAS SCORED MAJOR POINTS WITH THE POPULATION FOR HIS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL LIMA 02895 03 QF 07 122138Z PAGE 03 OPENNESS AND CIVIC ACTION APPROACH AND HIS APPARENT PERSONAL HONESTY IN A REGION RIFE WITH NARCO-COBR UPTION _ ___ _ARGUES ____ _ _WH·ILE _ _ _IT __ _ ___ 11 -- __ _ C THAT IS_TRUE THAT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS HAVE NOT DECLINE D NOTICEABLY AT LEAST BELLIDO HAS ADOPTED AN OPENNESS AND WILLINGNESS THAT ALLOWS MOST PROBLEMS TO BE CORRECTED WHEN THEY ARE BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION INDICATED THAT 98 PERCENT OF ALL DETAINEES IN MILITARY DETENTION CENTERS ARE TORTURED THE VAST MAJORI·TY SEVERELY -- BY BEATINGS DUNKINGS HANGING BY THEIR ARMS ELECTRICAL SHOCK ETC HOWEVER WHEN A PARTICULARLY BAD INTEBR OGATION OFFICER IS IDENTIFIED BELLIDO USUALLY HAS HIM TRANSFERRED SOME OF THESE OFFICERS HAVE EVEN BEEN PROMOTED UP AND OUT OF THEIR POSITION CKNOWLEDGED WITH A SHRUG BUT AT LEAST THE OFFICER IS NO LONGER TORTURING PEOPLE --------- Bl I 12 C UNFORTUNATELY BELLIDO'S POSITIVE INFLUENCE APPARENTLY EXTENDS ONLY TO NORTHERN SAN MARTIN THE AREA UNDER HIS PERSONAL COMMAND ACCORDING TO I _____ ____ ITHE INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT AND VIOLENT SAN MARTIN AREA THE DIFFERENT GUERRILLA DYNAMICS THAT EXIST WITH THE UNCLASSIFIED Bl CONFIDENTIAL UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL LIMA 02895 03 OF 07 122138Z PAGE 04 MRTA IN NORTHERN SAN MARTIN AND SENDERO IN SOUTHERN SAN MARTIN REPORTS THAT THE COLONEL IN CHARGE OVER THE FRONT'S SOUTHERN SAN MARTIN AREA APPEARS TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY OF BELLIDO AND IS NOT SENSITIVE TO HUMAN RIGHTS WHEREAS BELLIDO CONTINUES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON DETAINEES IN NORTHERN SAN MARTIN TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS FISCALIA IN LIMA INFORMATION FROM THE TINGO MARIA AND TOCACHE MILITARY BASES IS SPORADIC I ---------- ISUGGESTED THAT SENDERO'S PREVALENCE IN THE SOUTHERN AREA MIGHT EXPLAIN THE MORE TENSE LESS ACCOMMODATING ATTITUDE OF THE LOCAL COMMANDERS BUT QUICKLY ADDED THAT THIS WAS NO EXCUSE Bl I 13 C RESPONDING TO A QUESTION ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING FOR THE TROOPS I SAID HE HAD BEEN SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THE VAST I Bl CONFIDENTIAL NNNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-03 LIMA INFO ACDA-17 CG-00 DINT-05 LOG-00 CEQ-01 OASY-00 02895 04 OF 07 AID-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 122144Z ARA-01 COME-00 DOEE-00 A-01 CTME-00 DS-00 CA-02 C-01 EB-01 UNCLASSIFIED CCO-00 DEAE-00 OIGO-01 E-01 INR-00 M-01 OIS-01 SIL-00 TRSE-00 114W FAAE-00 INSE-00 NRCE-00 OMB-01 SNP-00 T-00 FBIE-00 I0-19 NSAE-00 PA-01 SP-00 USIE-00 UNCLASSIFIED HA-09 JUSE-00 NSCE-00 PM-02 SR-00 USSS-00 ------------------A699B2 R 122133Z MAR 93 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6637 INFO AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY LA PAZ INFO USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM H-01 LAB-04 NSF-01 PRS-01 SS0-00 ASDS-01 IMMC-01 L-03 OES-09 P-01 SS-00 EPAE-00 INM-02 ADS-00 OIC-02 RPCS-01 STR-17 RPE-01 130152Z 38 CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 04 OF 07 LIMA 02895 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E O 12356 TAGS DECL OADR PGOV I PTER PHOM I SNAR I SENV I PE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL LIMA 02895 04 OF 07 122144Z PAGE 02 MAJORITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS OFFENSES NOT JUST IN THE JAILS OR IN THE BASES BUT ALSO DURING PATROLS WERE BEING COMMITTED BY OFFICERS AND NOT THE TROOPS HE STATED THAT IN SEVERAL INSTANCES THE TROOPS HAD IN FACT RESTRAINED THEIR OFFICERS I Bl l Bl UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Bl BRAVE STRUGGLE OF A WOMAN'S RIGHTS GROUP CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL LIMA PAGE 03 02895 04 OF 07 122144Z 15 U THE ASSOC __I__A __T_I_O_N_F__O ___R_T H_E___P___R_O__M __O__T___I__O_N__ AND-----------DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN PRODEMU PROVIDED POLOFF WITH A BRIEF SNAPSHOT OF THE PRIMITIVE WORLD OF MALE DOMINATED SAN MARTIN PROVINCE THE COUNTY SURROUNDING TARAPOTO THE NINE YEAR OLD ORGANIZATION WITH AN IMPRESSIVE COMPLEX ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TARA POTO WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY NGO DEDICATED ENTIRELY TO WOMEN'S ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN THE CENTRAL HUALLAGA UNTIL A SPINOFF GROUP WAS STARTED IN 1992 IN RIOJA WITH PRIVATE FUNDING FROM HOLLAND AND LIMITED SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS CLEAN AND MODERN FOR TARAPOTO FACILITIES BOAST A SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN A LEGAL HELP CLINIC AND A MEDICAL CONSULTATION SERVICE AN OUTREACH SERVICE SENDS TRAINED WOMEN INTO NEARBY HAMLETS TO CONDUCT WOMEN'S RIGHTS WORKSHOPS AND PROVIDE PRELIMINARY MEDICAL AND FAMILY PLANNING COUNSELLING PRODEMU CLAIMS THAT IN 1992 IT VISITED 39 COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN SAN MARTIN DEPARTMENT COUNSELING 5 600 RURAL WOMEN I 16 C lsTATED THAT THE PERUVIAN LEGAL CODE IS IN MANY RESPECTS SUPERIOR TO THAT FOUND IN OTHER COUNTRIES BUT WITHOUT ANY EFFECTIVE LEGAL ENFORCEMENT OF THESE LAWS WOMEN IN SAN MARTIN AS IN THE REST OF PERU ARE IN FACT SUBJECTED TO SEVERE DISCRIMINATION PRODEMU ARGUED THAT IT CAN WORK TO CHANGE ENTRENCHED CONFIDENTIAL UNCLASSIFIED B6 B6 Bl B6 UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL LIMA 02895 04 OF 07 122144Z PAGE 04 CHAUVINISTIC SOCIAL VALUES DESPITE THE TACIT OFFICIAL ACCEPTANCE OF BLATANT DISCRIMINATION AND DE FACTO REFUSAL OF AUTHORITIES TO EVEN DISCOURAGE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN MADE THEIR STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE I 17 C jusED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TO ILLUSTRATE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN IN SAN MARTIN VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN SAN MARTIN IS THE NORM NOT THE EXCEPTION A RECE T PRODEMU SURVEY OF WOMEN IN SAN MARTIN PROVINCE THE COUNTY SURROUNDING TARAPOTO FOUND THAT 94 PERCENT OF ADULT WOMEN REPORTED HAVING BEEN BATTERED ACCORD ING TO A HUSBAND CAN BE BROUGHT TO TRIAL FOR WIFE BEATING IF IN THE MEDICAL OPINION OF A DOCTOR SHE REQUIRES 15 DAYS OF BED REST THIS IS UP FROM 10 DAYS THANKS TO A NEW LAW PASSED BY THE GOP AF ER THE APRIL 5 COUP IN SAN MARTIN PROVINCE ONLY FIVE CASES OF BATTERY WERE REPORTED TO THE POLICE IN 1992 TO EXPLAIN THE LOCAL MENTALITY IN THESE I Bl B6 I CONFIDENTIAL NNNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-03 INFO LOG-00 CEQ-01 OASY-00 E-01 INR-00 LIMA 02895 ACDA-17 CG-00 DINT-OS FAAE-00 INSE-00 05 OF 07 AID-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 FBIE-00 IO-19 122144Z ARA-01 COME-00 DOEE-00 HA-09 JUSE-00 A-01 CTME-00 DS-00 H-01 LAB-04 CA-02 C-01 EB-01 IMMC-01 L-03 UNCLASSIFIED CCO-00 DEAE-00 OIGO-01 INM-02 ADS-00 NRCE-00 OMB-01 SNP-00 T-00 M-01 OIS-01 SIL-00 TRSE-00 114W NSAE-00 PA-01 SP-00 USIE-00 UNCLASSIFIED NSCE-00 PM-02 SR-00 USSS-00 NSF-01 PRS-01 SSO-00 ASDS-01 ------------------A6998B R 122133Z MAR 93 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6638 INFO AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY LA PAZ INFO USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM OES-09 P-01 SS-00 EPAE-00 OIC-02 RPCS-01 STR-17 RPE-01 130149Z 38 CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 05 OF 07 LIMA 02895 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E O 12356 TAGS DECL OADR PGOV PTER PHUM SNAR SENV PE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LIMA 02895 05 OF 07 122144Z CASES DESCRIBED ONE OF THE INCIDENTS A SEVERELY BEATEN YOUNG WOMAN STAGGERED TO THE PRODEMU OFFICES AND REQUESTED THATI I ACCOMPANY HER TO THE POLICE STATION TO HELP HER FILE CHARGES AGAINST HER HUSBAND THE BOOKING OFFICER SCOLDED THE YOUNG WOMAN FOR BRINGING A OUT OF MEDDLING FEMINIST ALONG ORDERED THE STATION AS SHE IS NOT A LAWYER AND REFUSED TO FILE THE CHARGES THE STATION COMMANDER MOVED BY THE WOMAN'S OBVIOUS BEATING ORDERED HER HUSBAND DETAINED FOR 24 HOURS UPON RELEASE THE HUSBAND IJ m JEDIATELY WENT TO HIS IN-LAWS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HIS INCARCERATION THE MORTIFIED YOUNG WOMAN'S PARENTS BEAT THE WOMAN THEMSELVES FOR DISGRACING HER FAMILY BY DISHONORING HER HUSBAND I I I I 18 C A REGIONAL HOSPITAL TOLD PRODEMU THEIR RECORDS CARRIED AN AVERAGE OF 35 RAPE VICTIMS PER MONTH THE SOCIAL STIGMA AND OSTRACIZATION IS SO STRONG THAT PRODEMU IS AWARE OF ONLY FOUR RAPES BEING REPORTED TO THE POLICE IN URBAN UNCLASSIFIED Bl B6 UNCLASSIFIED TARAPOTO IN ALL OF 1992 THREE OF THE CASES INVOLVED GIRLS AGED 9 11 AND 16 PRODEMO ESTIMATED THAT IF A RAPE VICTIM DECIDES TO PRESS CHARGES THE ARCHAIC JUSTICE SYSTEM FORCES HER TO RECOUNT THE ASSAULT TWELVE TIMES TO DIFFERENT JUDGES PROSECUTORS AND ATTORNEYS IN THE CASE OF THE 16 YEAR OLD THE CHARGE OF RAPE WAS CHANGED TO SEDUCTION CARRYING A MAXIMOM SENTENCE OF TWO YEARS OVERCROWDED JAIL CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 LIMA 02895 05 OF 07 122144Z CONDITIONS MEAN ONLY CRIMINALS SENTENCED TO MORE THAN TWO YEARS SERVE TIME AND THE PERPETRATOR THOUGH FOUND GUILTY ESSENTIALLY WENT FREE THE JUDGE ORDERED THE OFFENDER TO REPORT TO THE POLICE STATION EVERY EIGHT DAYS IN THE CASE OF ONE OF THE OTHER MINORS THE JUDGE ALLOWED A DEFENSE MOTION FOR A SECOND MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF THE GIRL SIX WEEKS AFTER THE ASSAULT AS NO EVIDENCE OF RAPE WAS FOUND THE DEFENDANT WALKED A POPULAR MAYOR DOES WHAT HE MUST 19 C TARA POTO MAYOR DANIEL CORAL IS A POPULAR MAN WITH UNBOUNDED IF SLIGHTLY WISHFUL OPTIMISM REELECTED IN JANUARY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WITH 17 000 VOTES FOR HIS ACCION POPULAR SLATE VERSUS 5 000 FOR HIS NEAREST RIVAL HE CLAIMS THAT 92 PERCENT OF MUNICIPAL COSTS ARE RAISED LOCALLY I CORAL I - PROUDLY TOLD POLOFF HE HAD PAVED FIVE KILOMETERS OF ROADS AND LAID EIGHT KILOMETERS OF DRAINAGE IN 1992 BY HOLDING 20 TO 30 BARBEQUES AND SAID AT LEAST ONE COOKOUT IS SCHEDULED EVERY WEEKEND OF THE YEAR CORAL DISMISSED SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITY OUT OF HAND AND PROMISED THAT WITH U S AID HE COULD PUT ALL OF TARAPOTO'S YOUTH INTO PUBLIC WORKS SO THAT THEY WOULD BE TOO TIRED TO GET INTO NARCOTIC OR POLITICAL MISCHIEF AT THE END OF THE DAY WITH 30 000 PEOPLE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL UNCLASSIFIED Bl UNCLASSIFIED LIMA 02895 05 OF 07 122144Z PAGE 04 LIVING IN 32 SHANTY TOWNS AROUND TARAPOTO HE ADMITTED THAT LACK OF RESOURCES I I Bl ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I M A D E YOUTHS TURN TO COCA GROWING NARCOTRAFFICKING SUBVERSION OR ALL THE ABOVE IN ORDER TO MAKE A LIVING KING AGRICULTURE IS DYING 20 C IMARTIN I 7 SAN GONZALO Bl REGIONAL GOVERNMENT PRESIDENT VILLAVICENCIO KNOWN AS EL CHARO THE MEXICAN FOR HIS HANDLEBAR MUSTACHE VILLAVICENCIO SAID THAT OF 29 MILLION DOLLARS BUDGETED FOR THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT BY LIMA ONLY 2 9 WERE EVENTUALLY DISBURSED VILLAVICENCIO ESTIMATED THAT 70 OF SAN MARTIN'S 470 000 POPULATION WERE RURAL AND ENGAGED PRIMARILY IN AGRICULTURE CONFIDENTIAL NNNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-03 INFO LOG-00 CCO-00 DEAE-00 OIGO-01 INM-02 ADS-00 OIC-02 LIMA 02895 ACDA-17 'CEQ-01 OASY-00 E-01 INR-00 M-01 OIS-01 06 OF 07 AGRE-00 CG-00 DINT-05 FAAE-00 INSE-00 NRCE-00 OMB-01 122144Z AID-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 FBIE-00 IO-19 NSAE-00 PA-01 ARA-01 COME-00 DOEE-00 HA-09 JUSE-00 NSCE-00 PM-02 A-01 CTME-00 DS-00 H-01 LAB-04 NSF-01 PRS-01 UNCLASSIFIED CA-02 C-01 EB-01 IMM C-01 L-03 OES-09 P-01 UNCLASSIFIED RPCS-01 STR-17 RPE-01 SIL-00 SNP-00 SP-00 SR-00 SSO-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00 USSS-00 ASDS-01 114W ------------------A6999A 130149Z 38 R 122133Z MAR 93 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6639 INFO AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY LA PAZ INFO USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 06 OF 07 LIMA 02895 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E O 12356 TAGS DECL OADR PGOV PTER PHUM SNAR SENV PE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LIMA 02895 06 OF 07 122144Z 21 U THIS MAnS AGRICULTURE THE KEY SECTOR IN SAN MARTIN'S ECONOMY AND SOCIETY -- WHICH WAS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE AGRICULTURE IN SAN MARTIN IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE VILLAVICENCIO INVITED POLOFF TO A MEETING GRIPE SESSION WITH LEADERS OF THE RICE CORN AND CATTLE GROWERS ASSOCIATIONS AMONG OTHERS ABLE TO GROW NEARLY ANY FRUIT VEGETABLE OR GRAIN CROP PLUS BLESSED WITH PLENTIFUL CATTLE LAND THE CENTRAL HUALLAGA HAS ONE VERY POOR LAND LINK OVER THE ANDES TO THE MARKETS ON THE COASTS AND NONE THROUGH THE JUNGLE TO POTENTIAL MARKETS IN BRAZIL CURRENTLY LAND TRAVEL TO LIMA IS VIA CHICLAYO A DISTANCE OF 1 500 KILOMETERS AND FIVE DAYS AWAY DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS AND THE WEATHER LARGE RICE CROPS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS ROTTED IN THE HOT SELVA SUN BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT COMPETE WITH ASIAN RICE PRICES - IT WAS CHEAPER TO SHIP RICE HALF WAY ROUND THE WORLD THAN FLY AN HOUR OVER THE ANDES TO LIMA GASANSA THE CATTLE RANCHERS ASSOCIATION SAID THAT LACK OF PROFITABLE MARKETS HAD MEANT THE CATTLE HERDS WERE DOWN TO 4 000 HEAD IN 1992 FROM 120 000 HEAD IN 1985 THE 1991 COLLAPSE OF UNCLASSIFIED SS-00 EPAE-00 UNCLASSIFIED STATE LENDING BANKS THAT HAD PROVIDED CHEAP CREDIT TO FARMERS WAS AN ADDITIONAL BLOW TO THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ALL THE ASSOCIATIONS EXCEPT ONE DEMANDED THAT LIMA CONTINUE PROTECTING THEIR MARKETS WITH PROTECTIVE TARRIFS MAISELVA THE CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION CLAIMED TARRIFS WERE NEEDED TO KEEP PRICES ABOVE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL LIMA 02895 06 OF 07 122144Z PAGE 03 USD 250 FOR SELVA-GROWN CORN TO COMPETE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO COMPETE THEIR 3-4 TON PER HECTARE PRODUCTIVITY AT USD 250 AGAINST THE 12 TON PER HECTARE PRODUCTIVITY AT USD 100 COSTS OF AMERICAN FARMERS IF THE GOP BOWED DOWN TO IMF REQUIREMENTS AND RESCINDED THE TARRIFS NONE OF THE LEGITIMATE GROWERS AND RANCHERS WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET 22 U THE UPSHOT OF ALL THIS BAD NEWS WAS THAT AT PRESENT THE ONLY VIABLE CROP WAS COCA AND AQUACULTURE PER THE SHRIMP FARMERS WHO APOLOGETICALLY MUMBLED THAT THEY WERE DOING QUITE NICELY ANECDOTES WERE THROWN AROUND OF FARMERS FORCED TO PLANT COCA TO MAKE MONEY TO FEED HIS FAMILY WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE SCOPE OF COCA NO TWO ESTIMATES COINCIDED THE GROWERS DID HOWEVER AGREE THAT COCA WAS NOT NEARLY AS PROFITABLE AS IT ONCE HAD BEEN MANY COCA GROWERS NEAR TARA POTO HAVE SWITCHED TO MORE PROFITABLE PARTIAL PROCESSING OF COCA RATHER THAN SELLING DRIED COCA LEAF BECAUSE THIS WAS BARELY PROFITABLE CALLING CURRENT U S AID FOR ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT A DROP IN THE BUCKET THAT BELIED ANY SERIOUS EFFORT IN THIS REGARD THE SELVA MAESTRA AGRARIAN FEDERATION FASMA A MILITANT LEFTIST UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION - WAS ADAMANT MOST BUT BY NO MEANS ALL FARMERS DESPARATELY WANTED TO GROW NON-COCA CROPS BUT COULD NOT DUE TO ECONOMIC REALITIES GIVE US REAL AID THEY STATED - CHEAP LONG TERM CREDIT CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 LIMA 02895 06 OF 07 122144Z UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED VIABLE COST EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION ROUTES AND A MARKET INFORMATION NETWORK - AND COCA WILL INSTANTLY BECOME MORE MANAGEABLE FOR U S LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS THE ENVIRONMENT IS BEING MUGGED 23 U VILLAVICENCIO FASMA THE JOURNALISTS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OTHERS AGREED ON ONE OTHER POINT - THE SAN MARTIN JUNGLE IS BEING MUGGED AND THE CULPRITS ARE THE COCA GROWERS ONE OF THE FEEDER RIVERS SUPPLYING TARAPOTO WITH WATER RAN COMPLETELY DRY FOR THE FIRST TIME· EVER LAST YEAR GEN BELLIDO REPORTEDLY WAS CONVINCED OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE WATER SITUATION THAT HE IS SAID TO BE PLANNING TO USE THE MILITARY TO CLEAR COCA GROWERS FROM THE HEAD WATERSHED AREAS OF THE LOCAL RIVERS THE REMOTE HIGH JUNGLE WATERSHED AREAS ARE INCREASINGLY STRIPPED BURNED AND PLANTED WITH COCA BY NEW CONFIDENTIAL NNNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-03 INFO LOG-00 CEQ-01 OASY-00 E-01 INR-00 M-01 OIS-01 SIL-00 TRSE-00 LIMA 02895 ACDA-17 CG-00 DINT-05 FAAE-00 INSE-00 NRCE-00 OMB-01 SNP-00 T-00 07 OF 07 AID-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 FBIE-00 I0-19 NSAE-00 PA-01 SP-00 USIE-00 122144Z ARA-01 COME-00 DOEE-00 HA-09 JUSE-00 NSCE-00 PM-02 SR-00 USSS-00 A-01 CTME-00 DS-00 H-01 LAB-04 NSF-01 PRS-01 SS0-00 ASDS-01 CA-02 C-01 EB-01 I Mr IC-01 L-03 OES-09 P-01 SS-00 EPAE-00 UNCLASSIFIED CC0-00 DEAE-00 OIG0-01 INM-02 ADS-00 OIC-02 RPCS-01 STR-17 RPE-01 114W UNCLASSIFIED ------------------A699AA R 122133Z MAR 93 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6640 INFO AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY LA PAZ INFO USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM 130150Z 38 CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 07 OF 07 LIMA 02895 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POL AD E O 12356 TAGS DECL OADR PGOV PTER PHOM SNAR SENV PE CONFIDENTIAL C9NFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LIMA 02895 07 OF 07 122144Z GROWERS LOOKING FOR SAFE PLANTATION AREAS OR FORCED INTO THESE AREAS BY THE SATURATION OF OTHER SUITABLE COCA GROWING LAND OVER A MILLION ACRES OF JUNGLE HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED ACCORDING TO VILLAVICENCIO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GROWING SEASON SLASH AND BURN FARM SMOKE REPORTEDLY BECOMES SO HEAVY THAT AIR TRAFFIC AND COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICE IN THE SELVA REGION ARE AFFECTED ON MOST DAYS OR CLOSED DOWN ALL TOGETHER ON OCCASION 24 C USAID WAS SCORED BY A GERMAN BIOLOGIST LIVING IN TARAPOTO FOR UNSOUND ECOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT HE CLAIMED T-HAT THE PONAZA VALLEY WHERE USAID CURRENTLY HAS AN ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROJECT IS PERU'S ONLY DRY SELVA MICRO-ENVIRONMENT AND IS THE HOME OF A TURTLE SPECIES FOUND NO WHERE ELSE IN PERU THE SCIENTIST WAS TROUBLED THAT INSUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS WERE IN PLACE TO PROTECT THE PONASA VALLEY'S ECOLOGY HE IS CURRENTLY STUDYING A UNIQUE FROG THAT HAD ONLY BEEN FOUND IN THE MOUNTAIN AREAS NEAR TARAPOTO COMMENT USAID HAS SPOKEN WITH THE BIOLOGIST AND IS AWARE OF HIS CONCERNS USAID IS NOT WORKING IN AREAS OF THE PONAZA WHERE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIVE AND UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED MAINTAINS STRICT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES USAID WILL CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESMENT LATER THIS YEAR AS PART OF PRE-IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES FOR THE SELVA ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION PROJECT END COJ -1MENT CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 LIMA 02895 07 OF 07 122144Z 25 C COMMENT TARAPOTO IS BETTER OFF THAN MOST JUNGLE TOWNS DESPITE ITS SHARE OF ECONOMIC AND SECURITY PROBLEMS HOST TO THE REGIONAL POLITICAL-MILITARY COMMAND IT IS RELATIVELY BETTER PROTECTED FROM TERRORISTS AND THE EXCESSES OF THEN ARCO TRADE IN MRTA RATHER SENDERO'S OPERATIONAL AREA IT HAS ALSO BEEN 'SPARED THE SAVAGERY OF SENDERO'S MORE VIOLENT NATURE BUT THE REGIONAL ECONOMY IS DEPENDENT ON THE COCA TRADE AND VIABLE ALTERNATIVES MUCH DESIRED EVEN BY THE COCA GROWERS ARE NOT YET A REALITY THE MUCH PRAISED REGIONAL MILITARY COMMANDER GEN BELLIDO TOLD US BLUNTLY THAT IN HIS VIEW POLITICAL VIOLENCE WILL CONTINUE TO PLAGUE SAN MARTIN AS LONG AS THERE IS A NARCOTICS TRADE WE AGREE BRAYSHAW CONFIDENTIAL NNNN UNCLASSIFIED