National Dialog - A Chance for Reconciliation?

By Dave Lindstrom - FHRG

The pieces may be falling into place for a credible dialog for Reconciliation, at a national level. But the Portillo administration and the ruling FRG party has so far shown little interest in the opportunity. Four years ago, the ground-work for Reconciliation was laid in the signing of the Peace Accords, which were architected by representatives of many areas of Guatemalan society and the Guatemalan government (with the backing of the international community). But most sectors agree that little has happened as far as the implementation of the Peace Accords. Among the negotiators in the Peace Accords was Rodolfo Quezada Toruño, who earned a great deal of the respect from many different sectors of Guatemalan society as well as many governmental leaders. With the recent appointment of Quezada Toruño as Metropolitan Archbishop of Guatemala, as well as the formation of a common call for Reconciliation from many sectors of society, the time is ripe for a National Dialog for Reconciliation.

Some observations about the process of reconciliation The victims of oppression are the only ones who can forgive. A government who has oppressed a people cannot "proclaim" forgiveness, but can ask for it. Forgiveness is a decision of the victim(s). And, if a victim(s) makes a commitment to forgive, reconciliation has a chance at happening. Unfortunately, in all too many cases, it is the victim(s) who must start the process of reconciliation. And often times, it ends with the victim(s). All too often, the one(s) who has done oppression is not interested in true reconciliation. In this case, reconciliation becomes a process of the victims coming to terms with themselves, with their families, with their neighbors. For those who have suffered atrocities, reconciliation often means learning how to live in and with their family, community or society in a process of healing, of becoming alive again. Sometimes victims' paths to health involve seeking the humanity of those who have oppressed them. Often times, this may involve demanding that those who have committed crimes against humanity deal with their own humanity. Many Guatemalan victims of oppression are publicizing the truth about the terrible atrocities that have been committed. And they are demanding justice. They are involved in the construction of a new society that will not stand for powerful people to act less than human. Truth is a necessary part of reconciliation. For true reconciliation, a government can't try to say to a people, "Let's forget about past oppression look to the future; let's forget about it and be friends." Truth needs to be acknowledged by both parties, by the community at large. The steps of the Reconciliation process, not just the end result, are important in the healing process. The victims' telling of the story, putting context to the event, receiving support from a wider community who listens, may help them to find reconciliation with themselves, with their past, with the community.

The first half of this year has seen a dramatic rise in violence throughout Guatemala. Much of the violence appears to be organized. At the same time, as a result of many factors (including factions within Portillo's political party, the FRG), the administration of President Portillo has shown itself to be less and less effective at dealing with the deteriorating situation. At a time when much of Guatemalan society, as well as the international community have been calling on the Portillo government to respond to the social situation, the administration has been blindly pushing legislation for increasing taxes, in spite of massive public outcry and demonstrations.

Many sectors outside the government have been calling for a National Dialog. The "Forum for Reconciliation," is headed by Archbishop Quezada Toruño. "Guatemala Forum" is another group headed by the Rectors of the universities of San Carlos and Rafael Landivar. The "Barometer Group" is made up of intellectuals from the political, economic and social sectors of society. Also calling for national dialog are the United Nations Mission to Guatemala (MINUGUA) and other countries including the United States. Together, these groups represent interests of the Church (Catholic Church, Evangelical Alliance, the Episcopal Conference), human rights groups, political and economic groups, the business sector, universities, non-government organizations, Civil Society and international governments and organizations.

A key ingredient to a national dialog for reconciliation is involvement from the indigenous and peasant sectors who make up the majority of Guatemalan population. Their involvement in a National Dialog is not yet clear. The fact that indigenous people are regularly left out was again made clear recently by one indigenous organization, the "Mayan Defense League" (Defensoria Maya), in their recent celebration of the United Nations sponsored "International Day of Indigenous Peoples". In a public declaration, they asked the Portillo government to uphold "Convention 169," which refers to the constitutional Article which obliges the State to consult with indigenous peoples before taking legislative measures or other political programs which might affect them. Along these lines, the United Nations made a public pronouncement of concern regarding the serious decline in the fulfillment of the "Accord Regarding the Identity and Rights of the Indigenous Peoples." The U.N. recommended the re-establishment of a timeline for fulfillment of this and other Peace Accords directly affecting indigenous people. They also hinted at the need for dialog between the government and the indigenous people.

Instead of responding seriously to the calls from the private and business sectors, Portillo and the FRG are carrying their own agenda to the upcoming November meeting of the "Consultive Group" (Groupo Consultivo) in Washington, D.C. This event will be attended by representatives of the governments of other countries, as well as representatives of financial institutions, etc. The Portillo administration has proposed an agenda geared toward showing their advancements in terms of the economy, justice, security and human rights. But the meeting will have little support by most of the non-governmental sectors of Guatemala, who have refused to participate in another public charade.

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