Her letter described the difficulties facing the displaced victims of the war in that country. I have recently received another letter from Ericas parents who just returned from a 2week visit there. Their letter describes two recent incidents of violence at a refugee camp outside of San Salvador. On January 16. while the DahlBredines were in El Salvador. 200 Salvadoran soldiers reportedly forced their way into the San Jose de Calle Real refugee camp near San Salvador and attempted to remove 15 persons. The camp is run by the Archdiocese of San Salvador and Erica is a volunteer there. Only the arrival of Bishop Orieste from the Archdiocese averted a more serious incident. Then. on January 21 or 22 government troops once again surrounded the Calle Real refugee camp and opened fire with machineguns and possibly mortars or grenades. seriously injuring at least one person and endangering the lives of the inhabitants and workers in the camp. These recent incidents heighten my concern about the overall safety of individuals in El Salvador. particularly refugees. It is clear that the lives and safety of the refugees. and those who work with them. including American citizens. are in danger. We simply cannot turn a blind eye to these incidents and other acts of violence against the innocevnt in that country. I have written tc. the Salvadoran Ambassador to express my deep concern over the situation and the ongoing abuse of power by the military in El Salvador.
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