Word: salvadors
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...legislative front, conser vatives had nibbled away at Duarte's power and authority. Lacking a legislative majority, the Christian Democrats were unable to prevent the opposition from blocking the reform of El Salvador's moribund justice system or from slashing the executive branch's operating budget. The strongwilled President did not help things by refusing to seek deals with the opposition when it might have advanced his political aims. Said a veteran opposition figure: "He doesn't look for cooperation...
...haunts. Last week, however, the army claimed a major victory over the elusive rebels. A military spokesman contended that one of the country's most important guerrilla commanders, Joachin Villalobos, of the group known as the People's Revolutionary Army, had been shot and perhaps killed in eastern El Salvador. Rebel spokesmen issued denials...
Only infrequently in recent months have the rebels attempted large operations. One sizable attack came three weeks ago, on the slopes of the San Salvador volcano that looms over the capital. Anywhere from 100 to 400 rebels attacked a communications outpost on the mountain, inflicting seven casualties before retreating...
With such rare exceptions, the current low intensity of the conflict may have reinforced the longing among Salvadorans for more permanent tranquillity. That yearning may have been the most significant element in the Christian Democrats' victory. As Francisco Chicas, a factory worker in the San Salvador slum of Mejicanos, put it, "There has been too much suffering in this country. Duarte at least has started to talk to the guerrillas. We need to support him so that he will feel confident...
Duarte has confidence aplenty: the question is whether he can dampen El Salvador's passions or, instead, will further inflame them. One concern: too much flaunting by the President of his new strength might lead to an upsurge in death-squad activity by right-wing extremists. Last week the President took pains to show that his aim will be to encourage moderation. Said he: "We're going to build a government of tolerance, not a sectarian government." Most of his countrymen seem to agree with that...