U.S. Position

The U.S. has a history of inserting itself into the politics of El Salvador just prior to an election. In what I have come to term the ¨late Wednesday afternoon attack¨in the House Foreign Relations Committee, a few House members regularly issue threats to Salvadorans in the U.S. if their family members vote for the FMLN. (Former Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado was a regular participant in these attacks.) The timing of these threats is intentional as the campaigns have to stop at midnight so there is no opportunity for rebuttal in El Salvador.

On Tuesday, we visited with the political affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador. I have met with political and trade officers on four embassy visits, and he was by far the most welcoming of the bunch. He has been with the State Department for 17 years and has the savvy to show for it. He gladly took all of our questions but stuck very closely to the official line. Regarding the elections, he consistently said that the U.S. would not issue a formal policy statement as called for by members of Congress (not the ones who participate in the Wednesday attacks!), academic groups and various citizen organizations. He did say that the U.S. supports free and fair elections that reflect the will of the Salvadoran people and will work with the new government regardless of party affiliation. In fairness, they have maintained this line throughout this election cycle. We only hoped for something more "official." Three days later, on March 13, the U.S. Embassy did issue a formal declaration of neutrality in the elections.