I do not think that we would say that attacking a group that appeared to be a group of armed and uniformed men constitutes attacking a civilian target.

Mr. BONKER. Well, we are the hand that feeds them and I think it has to be more than

Mr. ABRAMS. Mr. Bonker, I really think this is unfair. I have been sitting around since 2:30 waiting to testify

Mr. AUCOIN. Well, I have been sitting here, Mr. Secretary, since 2:30 as the representative of who used to represent Benjamin Linder to ask you a question.

Mr. ABRAMS. Well, I am sorry, Mr. AuCoin, but I——

Mr. AUCOIN. Let me ask you one question before we go catch a vote. Mr. Secretary, is it not true that some kind of consistent information is imparted from the agencies of the U.S. Government to the contras in terms of rules of engagement and targeting? Is that not true?

Mr. ABRAMS. Well, those were-I understand those were settled in a sense

Mr. AUCOIN. Is that not true? On an ongoing basis, rules of engagement, including information about targeting, is imparted from our information on an ongoing basis to contra forces?

Mr. ABRAMS. Rules of engagement, I think the answer is that we have had lengthy discussions with them. I do not know that we are saying anything about it now.

Mr. AUCOIN. Does our Government or does it not provide consistent information about areas of potential targeting?

Mr. ABRAMS. That is classified information.

Mr. AUCOIN. I have been briefed-

Mr. ABRAMS. Yes, maybe you have. But this is not a classified session. It is an open hearing.

Mr. BONKER. Mr. Abrams has to go and we must vote. Thank you, Mr. Abrams.

Mr. ABRAMS. Thank you.

Mr. BONKER. The subcommittee will recess for approximately 10 minutes, then we will proceed with the next witnesses if they will approach the witness table.

[Recess.]

PANEL THREE

Mr. CROCKETT. Our third panel at this hearing consists of Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton, Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit; Mr. J. Michael, Director of Publications for the Council for Inter-American Security and Mr. Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Welcome, gentlemen.

You may proceed, Father Gumbleton.

STATEMENT OF BISHOP THOMAS J. GUMBLETON, CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT

Reverend GUMBLETON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is an honor to be here before this committee and to be before you as its Chair. And I say that with particular pride because you are Representative from my City of Detroit. So, I thank you very much.

Mr. CROCKETT. Thank you.

Reverend GUMBLETON. It is also an honor to be here with Dr. and Mrs. Linder and to share with them in their sorrow. I admire their courage, especially in the face of the extraordinary abuse which they have had to accept today.

I am deeply saddened to be here, today, to testify yet again about the tragedy of U.S. policies toward Nicaragua, this time stealing the life of Ben Linder. As we all know, Ben is not the first victim of the terrorist policies of the contra. And Ben's death was not an accident. We have heard enough testimony on that this afternoon, so, I do not have to repeat it.

For the last four years, I have served on the Advisory Committee of Witness for Peace, a faith-based organization working non-violently to change U.S. policies toward Nicaragua. Since its inception in 1983, Witness for Peace has maintained a permanent presence of U.S. citizens throughout the war zones where the U.S. backed contras terrorize the civilian population.

Our volunteers gather documentation of contra abuses. Our goal is to educate the U.S. Congress and the public at large as to how our tax dollars are being used in Nicaragua. In February, I presented a report prepared by Witness for Peace documenting how 225 Nicaraguan civilians were kidnaped, raped, wounded, or killed by the contra between the months of July 1986 to January 1987. I submit this report to you and the subcommittee, along with a more current report highlighting contra abuses.

Ben Linder's death has brought national attention to the other North Americans who live and work at risk in Nicaragua. Ben was one of approximately 1,500 U.S. citizens who have chosen to live their lives working along side Nicaraguans building dams, working in health clinics and contributing to daily life in a variety of different ways.

I feel confident and proud to say that Ben is a model, an example for all the North Americans working in Nicaragua as well as an example for all of us here in the United States. He lived out the best of what America stands for. A person willing to help benefit the lives of others, to work tirelessly, selflessly and compassionately to bring joy and light to others. Ben's life exemplifies the best in our national and also our religious tradition. To graciously respond to God's call to serve, regardless of risk involved.

I am proud of Ben's life, as I am of my fellow citizens who continue to work in Nicaragua. We, as citizens of the United States, could be playing a special role in the lives of Nicaraguans. First of all, all of us could work to change what our Government is doing to their country to work to end all aid to the contra.

Secondly, we can share the gifts and skills that we have with the Nicaraguan people. There are countless ways to do that.

The Quest for Peace is one such project that I have personally been involved in. Last year, people all across the United States raised $27 million in humanitarian aid to match the money given to the contras by the U.S. Congress.

This year, when Congress increased the aid to $100 million, an equal amount was pledged for humanitarian projects throughout Nicaragua. Thirty-five million dollars of this aid has already been raised and sent. Programs, such as the Quest for Peace, embody the best of the American people. Where our Government has gone

astray, we are determined to make amends, with our time, our resources and even our lives, if necessary.

The people of the United States do not have difficulty carrying out friendly relationships with the people of Nicaragua. Why is it that the Government of our country cannot do the same? Why does our Government insist that Nicaragua is a threat and wage war against a tiny, poor country of three million with 50 percent of its population under the age of 16? The Nicaraguan Government has agreed to sign international treaties to forego all foreign military presence on its soil. And, yet, the United States continues to seek only military solutions.

Why cannot our Government let the Nicaraguans live in peace or be like Ben and help bring resources into their lives?

I urge members of this subcommittee and all members of the Congress to help end the current insane policy of the United States Government. I urge you also to rigorously investigate all circumstances around his death. The people of the United States have the right to know if our Government is now supporting terrorists that not only kill Nicaraguan civilians, but also purposely kill U.S. citizens involved in development work. There are many questions that need to be answered and actions that need to be taken to bring the killers of Ben Linder to justice.

I give thanks-great thanks for the life of Ben Linder and I mourn his death. I pray God that this tragedy which has captured the world's attention will finally convince our Congress and our President that U.S. policies must change. Thank you very much. [Prepared statement of Bishop Gumbleton follows:]

PREPARED STATEMENT OF BISHOP THOMAS GUMBLETON, AUXILIARY BISHOP, ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT, MI

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I am deeply saddened to be here today to testify yet again about the tragedy of U.S. policies towards Nicaragua this time stealing the life of Ben Linder. Ben was killed brutally by the U.S.- backed contras on April 28, 1987. He was killed alongside two Nicaraguans as they worked to bring electricity to the community of San Jose de Bocay, Jinotega Province, in Nicaragua. His death has shaken millions around the world, those who knew him and those of us who did not. I carry with me today the hope that these hearings will be the beginning of thorough investigations to determine all circumstances surrounding Ben's murder. Who specifically is responsible for his killing? Was he targeted by the contras? What communication did the U.S. government have with the contras in this area?

I also hope that this unnecessary tragedy will help the Reagan Administration and the U.S. Congress rethink its immoral policy towards Nicaragua and once and for all end aid to the contras.

Ben is not the first victim of the terrorist policies of the contras. Eight volunteers from Switzerland, France, West Germany, Spain and Belgium have been killed over the last four years. International sources report that between 1982 and 1986 9,638 Nicaraguan civilians have been wounded, kidnapped or killed by the contras. Nor was Ben`s death an accident. The killings of Ben and the two Nicaraguans working on the hydroelectric project were not an exception to contra policy, but rather a perfect example of how the contras systematically target projects and persons working to improve the lives of poor Nicaraguans. the past five years at least 58 schools and 45 health centers have been destroyed by the contras. At least 103 teachers and 22 health workers have been killed.

In

For the last four years I have served on the Advisory Committee of Witness for Peace, a faith-based organization working non-violently to change U.S. policies towards Nicaragua. Since its inception in 1983, Witness for Peace has maintained a permanent presence of U.S. citizens throughout the war zones where the U.S. backed contras terrorize the civilian population. Our volunteers gather documentation of contra abuses. Our goal is to educate the U.S. Congress and the public at large as to how our tax dollars are being used in Nicaragua. In February I presented a report prepared by Witness for Peace documenting how 225 Nicaraguan civilians were kidnapped, raped, wounded or killed by the contras between the months of July 1986 to January 1987. I submit this report to you and the subcommittee along with a more current report highlighting contra abuses. Since February

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This

Witness for Peace has documented 196 abuses by the contras. includes 81 kidnappings, 79 people killed and 36 injured. TWO Witness for Peace volunteers were among the first to interview one of the survivors of the contra attack that killed Ben.

Like Ben, Witness for Peace volunteers are at risk carrying out their work in the war zones. Yet 2,300 U.S. citizens have participated in Witness for Peace and have taken that risk. They do so not with the intention or desire to be killed, but rather with the determination that the killing of the Nicaraguans, caused by our U.S. policies, must stop. And they are willing to risk their lives in order to help bring the killing to an end.

Ben's death is tragic, yet not unique. And unless this senseless policy is stopped there will be countless others killed by the U.S.-funded contras.

Ben's death has also brought national attention to the other North Americans that live and work at risk in Nicaragua. Ben was one of approximately 1,500 U.S. citizens who have chosen to live their lives working alongside Nicaraguans-- building dams, working in health clinics and contributing to daily life in a variety of different ways. I feel confident in saying that Ben is a model and example for all the North Americans working in Nicaragua as well as an example for all of us here in the United States. He lived out the best of what America stands for a person willing to help benefit the lives of others. To work tirelessly, selflessly and compassionately to bring joy and light to others. Ben's life exemplifies the best in our Biblical Judeo-Christian tradition. To graciously respond to God's call to serve, regardless of risk involved.

I am proud of Ben's life, as I am of my fellow citizens who continue to work in Nicaragua. Christianity has a long tradition of sending volunteers around the world to help improve people's lives. The current volunteers in Nicaragua follow in that tradition, bringing technical assistance and friendship to an impoverished nation where clean water and electricity are not accessible to most people. About 2000 people from my own state of Michigan have been to Nicaragua. At least 50 now live there permanently. They are joining with Nicaraguans to help improve living conditions. Our government's illegal, immoral policy directly contradicts such citizen efforts. Our government supports terrorism designed to destroy the projects which Nicaraguans, assisted by North Americans, are working to develop.

We as U.S. citizens could be playing a special role in the lives of Nicaraguans. First of all, all of us could work to change what our government is doing to their country -- to work to end all aid to the contras. And secondly we can share the gifts and skills that we have with the Nicaraguan people. There are countless ways to do that. We can physically go to Nicaragua as Ben did, or we can get involved from our own communities. The Quest for Peace is one such project that I have personally been involved in. Last year people all across

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