THE LIBERATION forces in El Salvador are moving towards the opening of a major new offensive against the military dictatorship. That's the almost Salvador, including that of spokespersons of the regime itself.
The rainy season rapidly approaching. which will severely hamper the government's military tactics and create a new sluduon tor the conduct of warfare in the countrysiae.
Since the failure of the 11 January general offensive to achieve all its objecLine tell-wing guenllas of the Farabundo MarNatonal Liberation Front have adopted lIC W tactics those of 'prolonged people's wa Essentially they boil down to a mobile war of manoeuvre, rather than a universal view in static war of position.
During the two monins une ruLN have conducted numerous raids on small government outposts, bombings of government buildings, and temporary occupations of towns.
But the FMLN have avoided large scale standup battles against government forces, recently bolstered by huge supplies of American arms, including artillery, tanks and helicopters.
Spurred on by their American 'advisors' National Guard and the army have also adopted Vietnam-style tactics. Small mobile groups are sent out on 'search and MISSIONS against alleged to be trolled by the FMLN, and the guerilla colazallist umns While the fighting continues, it is clear that debate is taking place the highest councils of US zuluchausu allu western allies about the possiblility COlL promise SO ULOU LOLC conflict.
War The Reagan-Haig 'hard line' policy is under fire the American Democrats, especially Senator Edward Kennedy. and some of the United States' international allies, in particular the West Germans, are arguing strongly against the possibility of a military solution to the Wal.
The 'compromise' would be an attempt to marginalise DOIN the revolutionary forces of the and the extreme right wing elements inside the mitar West German goverment argue that RECORD 'moderate' goverment could made up civilian members of the present junta, including the president Duarte, together with the less 'extreme' supporters of the FDR, the political wing of the guerilla movement They have in mind, in particular, Guillermo Jngo, leader of the social democratic MNR (NationRevolutionary Move. ment). It seems highly like. ly that secret negotiations are going on about the possibility of such a solution.
Junta Could the moderate compromise solution work? While such a situation is very attractive to there are treme difficulties in bringing it about. The balance of forces inside the present military junta makes unlikely that the majority will have any truck with a section of the FDR Moreover, the FDR, Ungo and the MNR are a tinv minority. HOwever much the imperialists may maneouvre, both the military junta and the FMLA al C looking for total victory them.. The Kurds have
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VIETNAN KORE
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