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