WHEREAS:

During the past six years, the Reagan Administration has attempted to impose a policy of military and economic intervention on Central America despite historic evidence that such policies have not brought peace to the area; and

WHEREAS:

As part of the Administration's avowed policy of increasing military budgets at the expense of domestic programs, hundreds of millions of dollars have been poured into the military forces of Central America, allegedly to suppress opposition forces and preserve democracy; and

WHEREAS:

The record has been clear to all who will look at the facts that the result has too often been military terrorism against the civilian populace and preservation of privilege and corruption; and

WHEREAS:

Failure of the similar US. policy in South America has been demonstrated by civilian takeovers from the military and trials and investigations that document the terror imposed by military forces against the people; and

WHEREAS:

The hypocrisy of U.S. policy under the Reagan Administration is demonstrated by its selective opposition to boycotts and intervention in South Africa while at the same time it urges support for the Contras in Nicaragua and imposes a boycott on trade; and

WHEREAS:

Despite the fact that Central American nations are struggling to fashion a peaceful solution to the problems compounded by U.S. intervention, they find the Reagan Administration blocking the Contadora process at every opportunity; and

WHEREAS:

The U.S. continues to demand total support for the Duarte Administration in El Salvador despite military intervention in trade union disputes and a call by the majority of the nation's trade unions for Duarte to honor the commitments he made to the working people when he sought and won their support for his election.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That this 27th International Convention reaffirm AFSCME's support for the Contadora process in Central America and call on the U. S. Administration to demonstrate its support for the achievement of peace and non-intervention in that region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME oppose Administration efforts to turn Honduras into a military base for U.S. intervention in Central America, involving the stationing of U.S. military "advisors" in that country, the co-opting of the Honduras military establishment and the consequent undermining of the fragile democracy in that country, and the inevitable conflict such policies have with the Contadora process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge Congress to reject the Administration's request for aid to the Contras in Nicaragua and instead press the Administration to seek peaceful resolution of the conflict in that country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the 27th International Convention of AFSCME condemns the policies and actions of the Reagan Administration that seek to use American Military force to solve the economic, political and social problems of Central America; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the U.S. end its embargo against Nicaragua; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME pledge support to the democratic unions in El Salvador in their opposition to President Duarte's failure to observe trade union and human rights and his attempt to make workers bear most of the economic sacrifices required by the continuing military struggle and his failure to seek peaceful resolution to the conflict.

SUBMITTED BY:

International Executive Board

John Bimel, President
Linda D. Sampson, Recording Secretary
Local 843, Council 28
Seattle, Washington

Marion Porro, President and Delegate
Local 1930, District Council 37
New York, NY

Cheryl Trujillo, President
Derric Brown, Secretary
Local 1640, Council 25
Detroit, Michigan