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Show rM rr-r- v i r rrr The Sail Lalte Tribune, December Thursday, '2H. ,V) 19!i Salvadoran President Faces Tough Political, Economic Times Vincent J Schudulshi Chicago Tribune nter ?AN SALVADOR Eighteen months after taking office, resident Just Napoleon Duarte appears to he headed for the most difficult period his administration has encountered '0 far Both political and economic problems await him in the new year According to Salvadoran politicians. opposition figures and Western diplomats Duarte may find it harder to deal with the problems because a n limber of recent events have eroded his popularity. A series of strikes last month, the serious slippage of the nation's economy, the continued war with guerrilla. and decisions taken during the kidnapping of Ins daughter last SepFsv spokesman Lt. Col Carlos Armando Aviles Huitrago It was a test of fire and we passed " However, there are reports that some within the aimy were strongly opposed to any negotiations with the rebels from tlie Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, the mam Salvadoran guerrilla group arious sources said these elements within the army were convinced they were right when, just two days after the release of Duarte's daughter, unknown assailants suspected of being rebels seized Col. Napoleon Avalos, director of the nation's civil aviation. He is still being held "I think it is certain that the armv will have a lot more to say about negotiations on Avalos than they did w ith the president s daughter." sjid one Salvadoran opposition leader Col Sigifrido Ochoa, commander of the army's 4th Infantry Brigade, is widely rumored to have been the most vocal officer to oppose dealings with the rebels on the kidnapping lie and several of his subordinate officers reportedly signed a letter stating their opposition to talks during the affair. After it was over. Ochoa was quoted widely as opposing any such talks. "1 do not believe in negotiations nor dialogues with the communists." he said' in one interview. "History has proven that every concrete program that will lead develooment " to help the sagging economy, which has suffered from a number of factors including the dramatic decline m investment during six years of war tune they negotiate they win Ilut the thing that is most likely to spark a crisis for Duarte in the near future is the economy. "The big prob lorn has not boon the war, it has been the economy," said a Western diplomat "That is problem number one " The Complicating Duarte s derisions on the economy are political factors highlighted by the recent strikes by several unions The unions, many of which are made up of traditionally strong supporters of Duarte's Christian Democratic Party, were de inanding wage increases. Although the strikes ended alter the president granted a small raise to some workers. the imp ict lingers expectations that many )t(iple in the private sector had of recovery in the economy . . - have not materialized," said Juan Vicente Maldonado, executive director of the country's main private sector organization. known as ANEP speeches during the last two months, Duarte has indicated he plans to announce a sene of austerity measures in January. These are expected to include a devaluation of the Salvadoran colon, wage freezes, selective price controls and increased taxes, including a war tjx of some sort Several Salvadoran observers said the steps w ill be too little and too late In "The problem is that investors just do not have confidence in the government." said Freddy Uhristiam. presiNationdent of the alist Republican Alliance (ARENA). "These new steps are only to stop a further slide in the economy, not a "These people were saying, 'Look. Mr. President, we are your supporters. not the enemy.' " said one European diplomat "That was a serious " warning tember have all complicated D&arte's situation would liken him to a man who ha painted himself into a corner," said a European diplomat. "He has rnlich less room to maneuver now thjin he did a year ago." jndeed. the first year and a half of Duarte's presidency was caught up in developments that, while consolidating his control on power, forced deI lays in many essential economic steps. furthermore, the failure of his ortginal efforts to establish a dialogue with guerrillas has led to a change in Duarte's strategy in dealing with them. Most observers now see little hope for a conflict. quick end to the Another troubling factor is the view of some that Duarte lost pres- tige and some support within the armed forces as a result of the deal he1 negotiated for the release of his oldest daughter, who was kidnapped bv rebels on Sept. 10. Jo obtain her freedom, that of her secretary kidnapped with her and that of 40 mayors and municipal officials seized earlier by the rebels. Duarte agreed to release 22 captured guerrillas apd .allowed 96 sick and wounded rebels to leave the country. "f think he president lost some credibility on that, said one Salvadoran business leader who asked not to be identified. How much is hard to say. Some people think he gave too much away .f Hugo Barrera, secretary general of the new Patria Libre party, said, Many qdmire him as a good. father, but many see him as a values start At Albertsons with Quality Products, Friendly Service & competitive Prices. .X , k if r ' V' 1 steaks too sirloin steaks Fjmiiv Pack a or More in il -- . eo 4,99 9 I I . I'OUND TH CAT AND DIDN T CVf N U t WAN' tD AVE. 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