Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANSALVADOR205
2009-03-11 13:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:
EL SALVADOR ELECTION CABLE: MARCH 9
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSN #0205 0701327 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 111327Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0799 INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000205
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR ELECTION CABLE: MARCH 9
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000205
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR ELECTION CABLE: MARCH 9
1. Summary: This is an update regarding the presidential
elections scheduled for March 15. This report covers reports
of electoral-violence and a scuffle that injured two
journalists. Embassy will send analytical election
scene-setter septel. The race remains close and hard-fought.
End Summary.
--------------
REPORTS OF ELECTORAL VIOLENCE
--------------
2. (Conservative) news daily La Prensa Grafica reported March
3 that the National Civilian Police (PNC) has received 115
complaints of election-related violence, and the Office of
the Attorney General has received 80 such complaints.
Additionally, the PNC reported that at least 38
election-related brawls have taken place in the metropolitan
area of San Salvador.
3. Salvadoran President Elias Antonio (Tony) Saca urged ARENA
and the FMLN to cease electoral violence. ARENA presidential
candidate Rodrigo Avila said he has instructed ARENA
supporters to avoid violence. FMLN Campaign Chief Roberto
Lorenzana said the Salvadoran people deserve an electoral
campaign that ends calmly, and that will result in political
and social stability for the country. Lorenzana, along with
ARENA Campaign Chief Cesar Funes, verbally agreed to work to
end violence following a meeting with Supreme Electoral
Tribunal (TSE) authorities. The Director of the PNC, the
Attorney General, the Ombudsman for Human Rights, and the
Public Defender all attended the meeting.
4. La Prensa Grafica reported that Norman Quijano, ARENA
Mayor-elect of San Salvador, denounced the election-related
violence, pledging to fully investigate and discipline those
responsible. Ombudsman for Human Rights Oscar Luna issued a
statement March 5 condemning the violence, and imploring the
PNC and Office of the Attorney General to thoroughly
investigate and capture the people who have incited the
incidents.
--------------
JOURNALISTS INJURED
--------------
5. La Prensa Grafica reported that, on March 4, following a
TSE accreditation ceremony for recently elected mayors and
municipal council members, a melee broke out between ARENA
and FMLN supporters. Manuel Pacheco, a radio ournalist,
Daniel Hernandez, a television reportr, and two cameramen
were reportedly injured in he incident. La Prensa Grafica
reported that ARNA supporters involved in the altercation
were shuting that people from channels 21 and 33 were for
the FMLN.
--------------
TV ADS
--------------
6. Bot presidential campaigns have unleashed a torrent o
TV advertising. By and large, ARENA has soughtto portray
Funes as a radical and link him to Hugo Chavez. FMLN ads
have featured Funes clinging to the constitution and the
Bible, essentially rebutting the radical claims.
BLAU
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR ELECTION CABLE: MARCH 9
1. Summary: This is an update regarding the presidential
elections scheduled for March 15. This report covers reports
of electoral-violence and a scuffle that injured two
journalists. Embassy will send analytical election
scene-setter septel. The race remains close and hard-fought.
End Summary.
--------------
REPORTS OF ELECTORAL VIOLENCE
--------------
2. (Conservative) news daily La Prensa Grafica reported March
3 that the National Civilian Police (PNC) has received 115
complaints of election-related violence, and the Office of
the Attorney General has received 80 such complaints.
Additionally, the PNC reported that at least 38
election-related brawls have taken place in the metropolitan
area of San Salvador.
3. Salvadoran President Elias Antonio (Tony) Saca urged ARENA
and the FMLN to cease electoral violence. ARENA presidential
candidate Rodrigo Avila said he has instructed ARENA
supporters to avoid violence. FMLN Campaign Chief Roberto
Lorenzana said the Salvadoran people deserve an electoral
campaign that ends calmly, and that will result in political
and social stability for the country. Lorenzana, along with
ARENA Campaign Chief Cesar Funes, verbally agreed to work to
end violence following a meeting with Supreme Electoral
Tribunal (TSE) authorities. The Director of the PNC, the
Attorney General, the Ombudsman for Human Rights, and the
Public Defender all attended the meeting.
4. La Prensa Grafica reported that Norman Quijano, ARENA
Mayor-elect of San Salvador, denounced the election-related
violence, pledging to fully investigate and discipline those
responsible. Ombudsman for Human Rights Oscar Luna issued a
statement March 5 condemning the violence, and imploring the
PNC and Office of the Attorney General to thoroughly
investigate and capture the people who have incited the
incidents.
--------------
JOURNALISTS INJURED
--------------
5. La Prensa Grafica reported that, on March 4, following a
TSE accreditation ceremony for recently elected mayors and
municipal council members, a melee broke out between ARENA
and FMLN supporters. Manuel Pacheco, a radio ournalist,
Daniel Hernandez, a television reportr, and two cameramen
were reportedly injured in he incident. La Prensa Grafica
reported that ARNA supporters involved in the altercation
were shuting that people from channels 21 and 33 were for
the FMLN.
--------------
TV ADS
--------------
6. Bot presidential campaigns have unleashed a torrent o
TV advertising. By and large, ARENA has soughtto portray
Funes as a radical and link him to Hugo Chavez. FMLN ads
have featured Funes clinging to the constitution and the
Bible, essentially rebutting the radical claims.
BLAU