Planet of the Arts “People who shut théir eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster” - James Baldwin 1 Let us not fool ourselves into believing that the principle terrorists of the world are the many major and minor malcontents who fill our newspapers. We must realize that the major terrorists of the world today practice and support internal “state terrorism “ and export “international state terrorism” to preserve their vested economic interests. To read about the atrocites reported by Amnesty International, Church Organizations and vol. 3 no. 6 April 1988 The Fine Art Central America, The U ENG LAL ELe Peo Thee CIOL ERG “Lb hp other Human Rights Organizations and to find through much more study and investigation how the nian ae TON, Fe, ; neue 2 ag mainstream media often gives us only the headlines,and rarely the full story, and never the truth anf ation nef ay that hc for j / about the motivations for power is to realize that media is big business too. mB] ot loc arma 8 that cane Alte Hort Panama, { Fete : t - : z : al S Shi ‘fo! a: The principal exporters of international state terrorism are the Soviet Union and the United ernmeny, °49F and falser ent that ion nama toy, HP a se. | States. The Soviet visibility to this practice is high because they use tanks and guns to control — “ ven be apres | their satellites - ie- Hungary (1956), Czechoslovakia (1968), Afghanistan-(an attempt to acquire a “araguan i i new satellite) (1980). It also serves the interests of the U.S. elite to profile the Soviet mistakes, and : the media is used for maximum effect for this purpose. However, the internal suppression in the Eastern Bloc of their own peoples pales in comparison to the undisclosed U.S. encouragement and support of mass killings, torture, and beatings practiced in Latin America as means to preserve the status quo. This is done by either allowing little or no information to get to the media or practising dis-information on a massive scale. —— The 1978 U.S. Senate Church Committee investigations into intelligence abuses (C.I.A. and F.B.1.) went into closed sessions when investigators asked how many agents were monitoring and working in the mainstream U.S. media in the U.S. and abroad. It has been found often in the past that being BLACKMAIL Pa nama Ex-C a reporter or editor is one of the best of C.I.A. cover positions. It is ideal for intelligence gathering and for providing dis-information and, most often, no information for the public. ; “Consider the case of William Krehm, Time (magazine) correspondent.in Central America and the Caribean in the 1940s. His book on the region- a rare event in itself- was published in Mexico in 1948 and then elsewhere in Latin America; the original English version appeared 36 4 LATIN PRESIDENTS CAUTIONED BY Uct. : 4 ; A apg eA years later. The book jacket states that Time refused to publish much of what he submitted for fear WASHINGTON, Oe ical of offending large corporations, and that this book was regarded as too controversial by American ON CONTR AS’ f ATE Inte in a cover-up of the 198° publishers.” 2 of a political OPPONENT an Another reason why U.S.A. activity in the export of international state terrorism is high, but their visibility is low, is that they are rich enough to “buy” whole countries, ensuring that their interests are preserved. They use accurate intelligence (C.1.A.) , large hidden financial support of “sympathetic” political groups and parties, and large infusions of “capital” for business (making sure that only the elite of these countries really benefit). The U.S. then loans these corrupt governments money , which through mismanagement, graft and corruption, cannot be paid back. This leaves these countries and peoples as the new economic “slaves” because they cannot pay their debt. All the better for the U.S.A. to introduce “foreign investment” to “stimulate the economy”. What are the major power’s interests? This can easily be seen to be the continuing acquisiton and control of as many re-newable and non-renewable resources in the world as possible and to maintain their “spheres of influence” at all costs. Since the 1823 Monroe “Doctrine”, Central and South America have always been seen by the United States as their (economic) backyard. One statistic of 20 years ago is still as valid today as it was then, (in spite of the expanding Japa- nese economy): the United States (3 percent of the “free worlds” population) owns and/or controls 75 percent of the “free worlds” resources. “Free world” is Newspeak for U.S. economic sphere of influence, now slowly being eroded by the Far East. The translation to action is that U.S. corporations or wholly owned subsidiaries in Central America continue to own, and further, to buy more large chunks of agricultural land, and convert them into fruit, sugar, cotton, coffee, or banana plantations. The latest practice: stripping the forest of trees for profit, then letting the peasants work the corporation soil for them. When the land is agriculturally non-viable, allow it to grow grass for a cattle ranch for the U.S. beef market. Another statistic: in Central America 98 percent of the arable land is owned by less that 3 percent of the population. In Nicaragua however, peasants are given a piece of deeded land, and a rifle at the same time to defend it. In any other country in Central America the guns are only in the hands of the military, who are best known for using these weapons to kill and drive the peasants off the land. In 1979 Nicaragua had a popular revolution that overthrew the corrupt U.S. supported Somoza dictatorship. In the following years, Nicaragua established itself among aid agencies (governmental and non-governmental), church organizations, and the World Bank, as one of the most progressive and least corrupt of any Central American government. What the United States has feared ever since is that socialist Nicaragua will set too good an example of what a sovereign nation can do for its people. Thus were the Contras (short for counter-revolutionaries) born, with their role to de-stabilize and overthrow the Nicaraguan government. FURTHER AID IS THE ISSUE —< Security Adviser Tells Leaders Rebel Failure Could Hurt Their Countries Badly b pyNEILA.LEWIS = Special to The New York Times WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 — The Presi- dent’s national security adviser has warned the leaders of four Central American countries that they could face serious economic and political tras collapse, according to senior Ad- ministration officials and diplomats RESULTS andinistas are + Called Victims of - double Standard = *‘Andard, There are several examples of non- familiar with the discussions... «| consequences if Congress lets the con-}" nilitary leader, a 0 official testified today- (Sam) and denounce Nicaragua ... and fast! No w whether Honduras actually “asked” or “was told to Other examples of this type of scare tact * — The headlines several years ago tha Nicaragua from the Soviet Union. This story was renewed and increased Contra funding. Nicaragu: because it certainly won't get it from the U.S. whic! the U.S. Administration to accuse them of being “C protecting their own country. * The recent defection of a prominent information was designed to incite fear about Nica - a U.S. green card (citizenship) and monetary::pa’ The Contras are called the proxy army ir that they are acting in the place of U.S. troops. Thi fighters” when they are mercenary (paid) killers is | Contras have waged war against Nicaragua illegal Costa Rica to the south. Their main targets for de ~people (Health), schools for the children (Educatio Calero , one of the Contra leaders (paid $6,000 U. killing innocent people on these farms... “There is | civilian farm owned by the government and a (Nicz spent by the U.S. to topple this “communist” state, supporting what U.S. President Reagan calls the’ the pain, death and agony they now suffer, they at The killing of innocents , the destruction tion lines), the rending of all the most basic and ne those who are fighting to “free the people”, has no people. The sending of U.S. troops to Central America recently is just another symptom of the Let us take a short look at the definitior compliance with the treaty by states | - sickness of hidden wholesale terrorism much greater in scale than that found and reviewed as headlines in the daily newspapers or reported on mainstream commercial radio and television news. This “news story” about Nicaraguan armed forces “invading” Honduras is just the latest move by the U.S. Administration to instill fear about Nicaragua. They hope to garner support for more Senate money for “lethal aid” (weapons for killing ) for the “Contras” in their war against the Nicaraguans. The U.S. senate recently cut off all aid to the Contras after seven years of terrorism against the people of Nicaragua. In spite of the very vitrioloc administration campaign regarding Nicaragua, polls show that two out of three U.S.A. citizens oppose aid to the Contras. This support for Nicaragua has most likely been due to the severe blunders of the Reagan Administration, not from a realization that little Nicaragua should be allowed to seek its own destiny. These blunders,such as the World Court ruling in favour of Nicaragua when the U.S. mined their sea-ports, and also the Iran-Contra scandal show how the effect of the media on public perception of these issues is disturbing. One of the most ironic examples of media image building was that of rugged Lt.-Col. Oliver North and his elevation to hero status at the center of the Iran- Contra Affair. His is the perfect example of the naivety of the “patriotic” military man who breaks every principle in his efforts to defend them, and is ultimately the scapegoat for those higher up. In his misguided fervor to assist other than Nicaragua. The mos} ing offender is probably Honduras. ~ Despite the peace plan's call for all outside aid to be cut off to rebel groups, Honduras has never stopped assisting the American-§ (1a rebels acked Nicar. » AC rding to 0 Honduran prone the rebel Mexico Is Condemned slar- aguan con- several] diplo- Central America. Our attention in newspapers an the throwing of a grenade , the taking of a hostage bulldozers, blows-holes in ships, guns down thre: own citizens seeking refugee status, shoots and t the media as “terrorism” . Until now, for most of u The principal western practitioners of “st the world today are South Africa and recently Isra “governments” of Central and South America. | ar level of oppression as South Africa, as they are ju: terrorism and of Media suppression to make it “inv Perhaps you remember the death of the Mediterrannean cruise ship “Aquile Laro” several called “terrorism” and stack this up against 60,00( Honduras, 100,000 dead in Guatemala since 196 Nicaragua since 1980, and go over in our minds h where they are from, they do not come across as the Contras he was the expendable pawn in the big power game. Had he been overweight, balding en, international commission 4 which they shouldn't be. How much prime media | and 65, he would never have captured the public imagination and would have been a less effective strongly sya, hich has bed and the details of his death? Is he any more valua screen for Reagan and Bush. Now that the diversion of the highly publicized and emotional Ceeiitee Honduras. Guscaragua, EI mother in Central America? If equivalent media tin televised hearings are over and the “Ollie” fad, with its pop manifestations of cultural idolatry (T- biased observecn@e™ Mexico ag” who has recently died in Central America and for t shirts, posters, songs, etc) has diminished,North, with recent indictments against him and three tion (Ct abolishing the original yest; be able to look at the United States and perhaps c others, is all but forgotten. created a tenia gong The body count in Central America is du Oliver North's testimony about bringing “freedom” to Nicaragua rings very hollow as the Auttee made up of the toning com designed to serve the agri-business and other cot Nicaraguans had elections in 1984. They received little, if any coverage on the U.S. media. There committee ie wen Ministers —— and South America. This is done by encouraging were seven political parties. One party (most likely a “front” for the C.I.A.) dropped out. Two other im Aa of aspect ee for on-site areas while mouthing the appropriate words abou! parties were offered three hundred thousand dollars U.S. by the U.S. Embassy to drop from the campaign and denounce the election. They refused. The U.S. chose to ignore the elections in their media and continued to brand the winning Sandinista party as a “communist dictatorship.” Further, the so-called “invasion” of Honduras by Nicaraguan soldiers in pursuit of the Contras is quite true, and these incursions have happened several times before. Only now, because funds have stopped and the Nicaraguans are close to militarily defeating and routing the Contras, has the U.S. thought this important. Honduras, in the past, has not. The Nicaraguans were only once again pursuing the Contras out of Nicaragua. The Contras however, are based in Honduras illegally and in violation of the Central American Peace Plan which both nations have signed. The Arias Peace Plan restricts these countries from allowing foreign arms and aid in their countries in support of any rebel organization. To raise this issue is to advertise that you are housing and protecting an illegal force whose object is the violent overthrow of a neighbouring government. A simple threat to withdraw U.S. aid to Honduras is enough to make the Honduran President cry Uncle 6. Avoid alcohol. context is Newspeak for : the equal opportunity of with impunity remove the profits from that nation. educate the civil police, the national guard, and se and most persuasive brands of threats, beatings, kidnapping, assassination, and disappearing. Oft bombs planted, both of which are blamed on the “l train at the National Police Academy and/or select their new lessons. The movies by Costa-Gavras ( speak to the same political evils and are quick His Planetofthe Arts vol.3 no.6 l4use “People who shut thor eyes 1 roa simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who Insists on romaining ina stato of innocence long ator that innocence is dead tums himself ito a ‘monster -Jamos Baldwin 1 [Lets not fool ourselves into boiving that the principle torrorss of the word ao the ‘many major and minor malcontonts Who four nowspapers. Wo must realize that the major {errtists ofthe world today practice and suppor itoral “stato tororsm * and export “ntoational stato terri’ to prosorvo thoi vosied economic interests "To oad about tho atroctos reported by Amosty Intemational, Church Organizations and ‘thor Human Rights Organizations and o find through much more study and investigation how the ‘mainstream moda ofon gives us only tho headlines and raroly th fl story, and never the truth ‘bout the motivations for power fo reaze that moc is big businoss too. “The principal exporters ofintornational state tortorism are the Soviet Union and the United ‘States. The Soviet visibly 10 tis practice is high because they uso tanks. and guns to contol ‘heir saoites-ie- Hungary (1958), Czechoslovakia (1968), Aghanistan-{an attempt to acquire a ‘now satalite) (1960). Ir alzo sorves tho itorosts of tho U.S. elo to profilo the Soviet mistakes, and ‘the media is used for maximum offect fortis purpose. Howover, tho Inia suppression in tho Eastor Bloc oftheir own peoples pales in ‘comparison tothe undeclosed U.S. encouragemont and suppor of mass klings, tortura, and beatings practod in Latin America as means to prosorve tho status quo. This is done by ether lowing Ile of no information to get tothe media or pratsing disinformation on a maseive sca. ‘The 1978 US. Sonato Church Committe invostgatons into intoligonco abuses (C.LA. and FB.) wont ito closed sossions whon invesSgalos asked how many agonts wore menitring and working in tho mainstoam U.S. mediain th U.S. and abroad. Ithas been found often inthe past hat being reporter of editors one ofthe best of C.LA. cover positon. Its ideal for itoligence gathering ‘and for providing disinformation and, most ote, no information forthe pubic. "Consider the case of Wiliam Krehm, Time (magazine) crrespondentin Central Ameria ‘and the Caribean inthe 1940s, His book on tho region-a rare ovont in isolt- was publshod in Mexico in 1948 and thon elsewhere in Lain America; tho original English version appeared 38 years later. The book jackot states that Timo rtusod to pubsh much of what ho submitted for fear ‘foffnding large corporations, and that his book was regarded as to controversial by American publchors.” 2 “Anothor reason why U.S.A. activity inthe export of international stat terorism i high, but thoi visibly is tow, is that thoy are rich enough to "buy" whole counties, ensuring that their Interests are preserved. They Use accurate intligenco (C.LA.), large hiddon financial support of “sympathetic palieal groups and parias, and are infusions of capita” for business (making sure that only the ele ofthese countries realy bonoft). The US. thon loan these corupt governments ‘money , which through mismanagement, graft and corupion, cannot be paid back. This leaves. thoto countos and popes asthe new economic. “slaves” because they cannot pay their debt. All the bottor forthe USA. to intodueo “foreign investment” to “stimulate the economy \ihat are the major powers intorsts? This can easily bo soon to be tho continuing ‘acquiston and contol of many re-newable and non renewable resources in tho world as possible ‘and o maintain thei epheres of nfuanes” at all oss. ‘Since the 1823 Monroe “Doctrine”, entra ‘and South America have always boon seen by tho Uniod States as thor (economic) backyard. ‘One statistic of 20 years ago sil as valid today as twas thon, (in spito ofthe expanding Japa ‘nese economy) the United Siatos (3 porcent of tho “reo words: population) owns andor controls 75 pereant othe “roo words” resoutees. “Free wort is Nowspeak for U.S. economic sphere of inflbence, now slowly boing orodod by tho Far East “Tho translation action is that U.S, corporations or wholy owned subsidiaries in Central ‘Amarica continue to own, and further, to buy more large chunks of agricultural land, and convert thom into tut, sugar, coon, cofoo, or banana plantatons. The latst practice: stripping the forest of trees fr profit, ten leting tho poasants work the corporation sal for them. Whon the land is. ‘grcultualy non-vablo, alow it to grow grass fora eat ranch forthe US. beef market. Anothor ‘state: In Contral Amtica 98 porcont of tho arabl land i owned by los that 8 porcent ofthe population. In Nicaragua however, peasanis ar given a pice of daedad land, and aile atthe ‘Same timo to dofond it In anyother county in Cental Amaiea the guns are oly in tho hands ofthe ‘miltary, who are best known for Using tase weapons to kill and dvo tho poasans ofthe land, In 1978 Nicaragua had a popular rovolsion that overthrew th comupt US. supported SSomoza dictatorship, Into folowing Yous, Ncaragua established tol among aid agencies (Governmental and non-govermenta), church organizatons, andthe World Bank, as one of the most progressive and loast corupt of any Central American government. What the United States has foarod ever sine is that soctalit Nicaragua wil eat oo good an example of wha a sovereign ration can do fore poop, Thus were the Contras (shor for countor-rvelutionaies) born, wth their ole to de-stabiize and overtwow tho Nicaraguan government “Tho sonding of U.S. troops to Cental America rocenty i ust another symptom of the sickness of hidden wholesalotarorism much greta in scale than that found and reviewed as headin in tho daly nowspapors or reporiad on mainstream commercial radio and tolvision news. ‘This "news stor" about Nicaraguan armod frcas “invading” Honduras is just the latest move by the US. Adminstration to instil fear about ‘Nicaragua. Thy hope to gamer suppor for more Senate ‘money for lethal ad" (woapons forking for the “Contras in ther war agaist the Nicaraguans. ‘Tho US. sonato recenty ou of al id to tho Contras afor sven years of torrrism against the ‘people of Nicaraguan spit of the very vitioloc administration campaign regarding Nearagua, polis Show that wo out of threo U.S.A. eizons oppose aid tothe Contas. This support for Nicaragua hhas most likely boon due tothe severe blundors ofthe Reagan Adminstration, not from a realzation that Ite Niaragua should be allowed to sook is own destiny. These blunders.such asthe World {Court rung n favour of Nearagua whon tho U.S. mined thoi soa-pors, and aso the Iran-Contra, ‘scandal show how the elfoct of tho mecsa on public porcopton ofthese issues is disturbing ‘Ono ofthe most ronic examples of moda imago bulding was that of ruggod Lt-Col. Clver Nort and his elovation to hor status at tho cntor of the Iran-Contra Afar. His is the perlet example ofthe naivety ofthe “paviose miltary man who breaks evory principe in his efforts {o defend them, ands ulimataly tho scapogoat for those higher up. In his misguided fever to assist the Contras he was the expendable pawn in the big power game. Had he beon overweight, baling ‘and 65, he would never have captured the public maginaton and would have boon a lass etlective ‘areen for Reagan and Bush, Now that th diversion ofthe highly publcized and emotional {elovsed hearings are over and the “Oli” fa, with its pop manifestatons of cultural idolaty (T= ‘shits, posters, eonge, ete) has diminished North, wih cent inciciments against him and three ‘thors, all but forgoten ‘iver Nort’ testimony about bringing “reedom to Nicaragua rags very hotow as the Nicaraguans had elections in 1984, Thoy recoived lito, if any coverage onthe U.S. media. There ‘wore seven poliial partes. One party (most kay a "ron fr tho CLA) dropped out. Two othor parties wore offered tree hundred thousand dors U.S. by the US. Embassy to dop rom the ‘Campaign and denounce the elocion. Thoy rotused. The U.S. chose to ignore the elections in heir ‘moda and continued to brand th winning Sandinista party as a "communist itaorship.” Further, the so-called invasion” of Honduras by Nicaraguan sors in pursuit of tho Contras is quit tue, and these incutsons havo happened sovorl times boore. Oniy now, because funds have stopped and the Ncaraguans ar closo to miltarly dofeaing and routing tho Contras, thas the US. though this important. Honduras, in tho past has not. The Necaraguans were only ‘once again pursuing the Contras out of Nicaragua, The Contras howover are based in Honduras Tlgally and in velaton of tho Cental American Poaco Plan which both nations have signed. The ‘Arias Peace Plan estes theee counties rom allowing foreign arms and ad in their counties in support of any bel organization. To raise this isue is to advertise that you are housing and protoctng anilogal force whose object i the volont overtvow ofa neighbouring government. A Simple threat to withdaw U.S. aid t Honduras is enough t9 make the Honduran President ery Uncle 6. Avoid alcohol. ‘April 1988 The Fine Art Tame. Up BLACKMAIL LATINPRESDENTS CAUTIONED BI US. ON CONTRA’ FATE FURTHER AID IS THE ISSUE| a Security Adviser Tells Leaders Rebel Failure Could Hurt ‘Their Countries Badly ne" tensa are Sandinistas are called victims of 4 double standard, Central America, The U. veces sinc tice Sue (Sam) and denounce Nicaragua and fast! No w ‘whether Honduras actually “asked or "was told o ‘Other examples ofthis ype of scare tac + "The hoadines soveral years ago th ‘Ncaragua from the Soviet Union. Ths story was, renowed and increased Contra funding. Nicaragu because it cortainly won't getit rom the U.S. whic the U.S. Administration to accuse thom of being “ protecting their own county. The recent detection ofa prominont information was designed 1o into fear about Nica '2 US. groon card (etizonship) and monetary pa “Tho Contras aro called tho proxy amy that they are acting in tho place of U.S. oops. Th fightors* when they are mercenary (pac killers is Contras havo waged war against Nearagua illegal Costa Rica to the south. Their main targts for do ‘people (Healt), schools for he chitren (Educatio Caloro, ono oth Contra loadors (paid $5,000 U. kiling anocant people on those farms... “There is ‘vlan farm owned by the government and a (Ne Spant by the U.S. to topple ths “communist stato, Supporting what U.S, Prosident Reagan calls tho the pain, death and agony they now slr, they a “The kiling of innocents, the destruction ton ines), the ronding of al th most basic and ne those who are fighting to “oe he people’ has no people, Lotus ako a short look atthe sof Central America. Our atetion in newspapers. a the throwing ofa grenade the taking of a hostage bulldozers, blows hols in ships, guns down tre ‘own cizans seeking rlugoe status, shoots and the media. as “terrorism”. Uni now, for most of u “Tho principal west practitonors of 3 tho word today aro South Arca. and recent Ir “governments of Cental and South America. a lovel of oppression as South Africa, as thoy ae ju terrorism and of Media suppression to mako iti ‘Perhaps you remombor the death of ho Moditorrannoan cruso ship “Aqule Laro” several ccallod "tororsm and stack tis up against 60,00 Honduras, 100,000 ead in Guatomala sinco 196 Nicaragua sinco 1980, and go ovorn our minds h were they are from, they do not come across as lihich thoy shoul bo. How much prime mea ‘and tho deals of his doa? Is he any more val ‘mathor in Contal Ameriea? equivalent media ‘whe ha recently ied in Cental America and for be able to look at tho United Statos and porhaps “Tho body count in Central America is designs o are to ag busts and ota a ‘and South America, This is done by encouraging reas while mouthing the appropriato words abou Contoxt is Newspeak for: the equal opportuni of with impunity remove the profits from that nation. ‘educate the civil poco, th national guard, and s ‘and mast porsuasivo brands of twoats, boaings, kidnapping, azsassinaion, and disappearing, Ok ‘bombs pantod, both of which are blamod on tho tran at ho National Pace Academy andor sole their new lessons, The movies by Costa-Gavras speak othe samo polical evils and are quick His