The workers were dismissed after participating in a protest march against then-President Guillermo Endara (1989-94), who accused them of
sedition and violating state security and "democratic constitutional order." According to the IACHR ruling, issued February 13th, the
government is liable for damages because the employees were fired without due process.

The court ordered the government of President Mireya Moscosco to reinstate the fired workers, or offer them alternative employment at the
wage and benefit level of their previous jobs, and pay their legal expenses and court costs within the next twelve months. Moscoso has agreed
to abide by the court ruling. (LatinAmerica Press)

Berenson Granted New Trial in Peru

American citizen and journalist Lori Berenson, imprisoned in Peru since 1995, was granted a new trial in Peru's civil court system in late
August, 2000. She was convicted of aiding leaders of the Revolutionary Movement of Tupac Amaru (MRTA) and master-minding an aborted
plan to take members of the Peruvian Congress hostage. The trial, which began in March of this year, followed the government's unexpected
dismissal of her initial life sentence. Berenson faces 20 years imprisonment if convicted on new charges of "collaboration" with known rebels.
Although she denies any involvement with the MRTA, she continues to refuse opportunities to condemn the group.

Although the Berenson family is certain that the Peruvian government has not and cannot prove Lori guilty, Lori stated in an interview with the
New York Times that she expects to be convicted. This, her supporters say, is not surprising due to Peru's courts' horrendous track record.
Human Rights Watch: Americas calls this system one of the two worst in all of the Western Hemisphere.

A decision in the trial is expected soon.

For more information, log onto www.freelori.org

Peru's Election

In the second round of elections this year, a run-off version of the presidential contest, Peru's front runner, Stanford-educated Alejandro
Toledo, is proposing a pact between all the parties. "I invite everyone, not only the candidates who are competing now [to join]," he said. The
pact has only been vaguely described as intended to "cement policy on employment, public investment priorities, state decentralization,
corruption and human rights." This is only the latest turn in an election mired in scandal questions of Toledo's possible cocaine use, the
resignation of military chiefs who were exposed as having backed the disgraced ex-President Alberto Fujimori that bolstered feelings of
disenchantment among Peruvians.

The race for president has been reduced to two candidates: Toledo and former president Alan Garcia. Garcia's time in office, between
1985-1990 is firmly linked with hyperinflation, corruption, and a battle with terrorist groups. Toledo is a former world bank employee and
business professor. A recent poll conducted by the Peruvian press indicates that of voters ready to cast ballots, Toledo would win the election
easily, 61% to 39%. However, the same poll also indicated that 39% of eligible voters would leave their ballots blank or write graffiti on them
to voice their displeasure at both candidates. (Reuters, The Economist, New York Times)

Colombian Fighting

Clashes between the Colombian army and left-wing rebels are reported to have left twenty people dead in the north-western province of
Antioqua. Army officials say five of the dead were army soldiers, and the remaining fifteen were members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces
of Columbia (FARC).

"Recently, the area has seen intense fighting between leftist rebels, outlawed right-wing paramilitary groups and government troops. Meanwhile,
the United States announced that one paramilitary group, the Self-Defense Units of Columbia (AUC), is to be listed as a terrorist organization.
But, unlike left-wing rebel movements, the right-wing paramilitaries are not perceived as a threat to U.S. national security, and Washington is
not expected to take any measures against them."

The Colombian government has condemned the actions of both the AUC and revolutionary groups. However, it remains to be seen how evenly
they pursue the two. (BBC World Service)

Colombia Abandons Research on Biological Warfare

Now that all research on anti-coca agents is illegal under the Bioweapons Convention (Hamburg and Austin, 25 January), Colombia has
abandoned a project to develop biological agents to eradicate coca and opium poppy plants, dealing another major defeat to the US-promoted
idea to use biological weapons in the Drug War. Last year, Colombia refused a US-funded United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP)
proposal to field test fungal pathogens developed by US researchers. But, responding to US pressure, the Colombian government floated a
counterproposal to domestically develop biological agents for drug eradication. Like its UNDCP predecessor, the counterproposal was
intensely opposed as biological weapons research. Now, Colombian Environmental Minister Juan Mayr has abandoned the plan altogether.
Mayr's announcement follows Vienna-based UNDCP's decision (The Sunshine Project News Release http://www.sunshine-project.org, en
español: http://www.sunshine-project.org/pr250101es.html )

Earthquakes Rock El Salvador

On January 13, 2001, a massive earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Ritcher Scale struck El Salvador killing over 800 people and causing
widespread devastation. Since then thousands of aftershocks and additional earthquakes have furthered the destruction in this tiny Central
American country. Landslides have destroyed entire towns and one in five Salvadorians is homeless.

The international community responded to the disaster by pledging millions of dollars in emergency aid, yet the distribution of these funds has
thus far been politicized. Many communities that do not support the current ARENA government report that little or no disaster relief money
has reached them. The Flores administration has also been criticized for taking advantage of the current crises to dispel dissent on other issues
such as the dollarization of the Salvadorian economy and the building of a U.S. military base outside of San Salvador.

CUSLAR initiated a fundraising campaign and worked to raise awareness about the devastation by sponsoring several panel discussions and
fundraising events.Through our efforts, over $4500 was raised and sent directly to community organizations working on disaster relief in El
Salvador. CUSLAR also collected material aid including medical supplies, food, and clothing, sent with a Pastors for Peace Caravan to El
Salvador.

Ithaca Activist Found Guilty in Vieques Civil Disobedience Trial

US Federal District Court in Puerto Rico found Ithaca resident, Mary Anne Grady Flores, guilty of trespassing on US Navy territory in
Vieques, Puerto Rico. Grady Flores committed civil disobedience with fifty-five activists by entering a US Navy bombing range on May 13,
2000 to protest the naval presence on the island of Vieques. Following a lengthy and impassioned statement to the court, she and three
co-defendants, including Ismael Guadalupe, Miguel Gonzalez, and Nydia Gonzalez were sentenced to time served and a $10 fine by Judge
Dominguez.