Page 39 - double revenge 3.

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‘On December 29 1996,’ he began, ‘the longest and bloodiest of Latin Americas civil wars was
ended by the signing of a Peace Accord. The former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali

and the prime minster of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar, joined with the URNG, Guatemalan National
Revolutionary Unity, some of whom could not quite believe it and still covered their faces with
scarves, in the celebrations in Guatemala City’s Central Plaza. It must have been a party to end all
parties. Guatemala’s 36-year civil war and its 200,000 dead or disappeared civilians had been
confined to history’s trashcan.

The UN brokered the Accord and the whole thing is a compromise by all parties, thus it is a
minefield. One wrong step and Poof! Civil unrest and whatever that would lead to.

The Civil War was, of course, the response to the CIA’s orchestrated overthrow of the democratic
government of Jacobo Arbenz in 1954.

When Washington was presenting the diplomatic framework condemning Guatemala as a pro
communist state, prior to the overthrow of Arbenz, they preferred the debate and resolutions to be
heard by the Organisation of American States, where they held more influence than within the UN
debating chamber.

The UN, having brokered the Accord now stands as its guarantor of compliance and poses a
challenge to the US domination of the area. What also confronts Uncle Sam is China. The right wing
Junta had been supporting trade with Taiwan. China is now trying to reverse that by offering
considerable financial incentives and if they succeed, then America’s worst nightmare, a communist
country, albeit a Chinese version, and the possibility of a Red Domino effect in their own back yard,
can become a reality. So far?’

‘Yes so far. Where does Arnold Warner fit in?’ I replied.

Collinson ignored the question and continued.

‘There is very little comfort for Washington in this Accord. For example, under the Accord the

counter insurgency army, which controlled everything, is to have its role reduced to the defence of
the Borders and a new Police Force is in process.
Washington upset the UN even before the ink was dry. Instead of showing support for Guatemala’s
demilitarisation, they have been trying to involve the army in anti drug campaigns, which prompts
the question; does the US want to maintain the Guatemala counter insurgency army as a strategic
ally? The answer is, of course yes. The US has a 42 year liaison, some would call it a dangerous and
bloody liaison, with the Guatemala Army and if left intact, it would be the biggest obstacle for a pro
communist regime to overcome.

There can be no question that if Guatemala turns Chinese Communist it will have serious
implications for the whole World.’

‘And Arnold Warner?’ I persisted.