[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1085-E1086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE U.S. ARMY SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS: LEADING THE FIGHT TO KEEP DRUGS 
FROM REACHING U.S. BORDERS, WHILE PROMOTING DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS 
                   IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

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                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 1998

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues are aware, there 
has been a concerted effort on many fronts to close the U.S. Army 
School of the Americas (SOA). The opponents of the school have often 
used distorted or false information that only serves one purpose--to 
mislead the American public. Opponents of the U.S. Army School of the 
Americas are correct to point out that several of the school's 
graduates have been implicated in crimes, corruption, and human rights 
violations. Press reports have accurately noted that former Panamanian 
dictator Manuel Noriega was a former student, as was one of the 
Salvadoran officers responsible for the 1989 assassination of six 
Jesuit priests. However, my colleagues should be aware that more than 
60,000 young Latin American officers have graduated from the SOA since 
its creation in 1946, the vast majority of whom have served their 
nations honorably and responsibly. Graduates of the SOA are personally 
responsible for the return of democracy in Latin American

[[Page E1086]]

nations such as Bolivia and Argentina. Also, many of the school's 
graduates have lost their lives while combating the Narco-guerrillas 
and drug lords in Colombia and Peru.
  These counterdrug operations are of vital interest to the safety and 
security of our Nation as the efforts of these brave Latin American 
soldiers are aimed at reducing the flow of drugs into the United States 
of America. This Member feels it would be a disservice to brand all the 
school's graduates as criminals because of the misdeeds of a very few.
  The School of the Americas was established to heighten the 
professionalism of military establishments throughout Latin America. 
While the early focus of the institution during the Cold War was on 
combating Soviet-backed insurgencies, in recent years the school's 
emphasis has primarily shifted towards counterdrug operations to combat 
drug trafficking. The SOA curriculum also provides training in medical 
assistance, humanitarian and civil assistance, demining operations, 
peacekeeping operations, and most importantly human rights training.
  One very positive result of the recent exposure of the school has 
been a much greater emphasis on human rights. They now expose every 
student at the school to a rigorous formal and informal training 
program on basic human rights. Specific classes and case studies are 
used to enhance the training and to make U.S. concerns unambiguously 
clear. The roles and rights of civilians, clergy, human rights 
observers, and U.N. personnel are integrated into the training program.
  While the SOA has subsequently increased its emphasis on human 
rights, this Member believes that there is a basic value in encouraging 
young Latin-American military officers to study and train in the United 
States. An institution such as the SOA, which annually hosts 1,300 
students from almost 20 countries, provides a level of professional 
training that is not otherwise available. Moreover, exposure to the 
U.S. lifestyle, values, and ideals offers important lessons for the 
future military leaders of Latin America.

  There have been many false allegations in the past regarding the 
School of the Americas, such as the alleged existence of SOA torture 
manuals. This Member can assure my colleagues that there are no such 
manuals. This Member has contacted the Department of the Army, and the 
Department confirmed that such manuals do not exist. The SOA does not 
in any way engage in or endorse such heinous activities. Regarding the 
allegations that the SOA trains death squads and assassins, this Member 
can assure my colleagues that this is not true. The SOA is run by 
Officers of the United States Army that must operate the school in 
accordance with the governing regulations of the U.S. Army, the 
Department of Defense, and U.S. Public Law. Therefore, this Member can 
readily assure my colleagues that the SOA is not operating a training 
camp for death squads and assassins. The curriculum of the SOA is based 
on U.S. Military doctrine and practices, and uses the same materials 
from courses presented to U.S. military personnel. It is really 
outrageous that some people would tell such lies and sad that any 
Americans would believe such lies.
  In April, a member of my staff traveled to Ft. Benning, Georgia, with 
a staff delegation from the House Committee on National Security on a 
fact finding tour of the SOA. The staff delegation received a briefing 
on the entire curriculum currently being taught at the school. My staff 
member, with the aid of a translator, was able to engage in dialogue 
with a group of Latin American enlisted soldiers and asked questions 
about the type of training they were receiving from the SOA. The 
soldiers were from various countries such as El Salvador, Ecuador, 
Peru, Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela, and Mexico. My staff member noted 
that all of the soldiers were proud to have been chosen to represent 
their respective countries at the SOA. Many of these soldiers will 
return to their home and train other soldiers that could not attend the 
SOA in the proper application of U.S. military doctrine, human rights, 
and democracy. In addition, my staff member observed no improprieties 
in the training being given to students during the staff delegation 
visit. In fact, the School of the Americas readily welcomes both its 
proponents and opponents to visit the school to gain a better 
understanding of the type of programs being taught at the school.
  While, this Member cannot guarantee that no graduate of the SOA will 
ever abuse human rights or undermine civilian government. What this 
Member, can guarantee is that every effort will continue to be made to 
fully indoctrinate the students on respect for human rights and 
democracy at the U.S. Army School of the Americas. The training at this 
school undoubtedly does far, far more good to encourage appropriate 
human rights practices than any possible harm that could come from even 
a perversion of such an educational program some student might 
practice. This Member feels that it is really time for the 
congressional and religious opponents of the SOA to abandon this 
misguided attack on the SOA that misleads so many well-intentioned 
Americans who write their Senators and Congressmen.

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