Salvadoran Doctor Tells of Torture Under Generals Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit The Miami Herald - June 25, 2002 Doctor tells of torture under two ex-generals by Alfonso Chardy WEST PALM BEACH - The second civil trial of two former Salvadoran generals accused of tolerating torture by soldiers under their command began in federal court Monday with the gripping testimony of a doctor who claimed that one of the generals interrogated him in a torture chamber. Dr. Juan Romagoza Arce told jurors that Carlos Eugenio Vides Casanova, one of the defendants, interrogated him between torture sessions that included beatings and electric shocks. "He wanted to know whether I had contacts with the guerrillas," Romagoza said, at times openly crying as he testified that he was repeatedly tortured at National Guard headquarters in San Salvador in late 1980 and early 1981. Romagoza and two other plaintiffs in the case want jurors to find Vides Casanova, an ex-National Guard director general, and Jose Guillermo Garcia,a former Salvadoran defense minister, responsible under the 1992 federal Torture Victims Protection Act. The victims do not need to prove the military leaders knew specifically they were being tortured. They only need to show that Garcia and Vides Casanova knew soldiers were committing atrocities and did nothing to prevent them. The two men now live in retirement in Florida -- Garcia, 68, in Plantation and Vides Casanova, 64, in Daytona Beach. If at the end of trial, the 10 jurors -- seven women and three men -- agree with the plaintiffs, Garcia and Vides Casanova could be ordered to pay millions in compensation. In addition, a verdict of responsibility would establish a precedent that former foreign officials who now live in the United States can be tried for human rights abuses while they were in power. Romagoza, the first witness to testify in the case, said he was told by soldiers that he was being tortured because he was suspected of being involved with leftist guerrillas. However, he denied being involved in anti-government activity. Kurt Klaus, the attorney representing both former generals, cross-examined him, bringing out that Romagoza had been blindfolded and, therefore, could not have seen his torturers. Romagoza agreed, but insisted that he recognized Vides Casanova's voice. This is the former Salvadoran generals' second federal civil trial in West Palm Beach in more than 2 =BD years. A federal jury in November 2000 found they were not liable for soldiers raping and murdering four American churchwomen in 1980. Jurors in the 2000 case did not agree with the plaintiffs' contention that Garcia and Vides Casanova had effective command of the troops who killed the women. The same concept is at play in the second trial. But what's different is that in this case the witnesses are alive. "The generals systematically waged a war against unarmed civilians," said James Green, the plaintiffs' lead attorney, during his opening statement. "They unleashed a reign of terror against unarmed civilians. Three of those victims are here." Green said testimony would show that Romagoza was tortured within 150 feet of Vides Casanova's office and that Vides Casanova had visited him between torture sessions. Romagoza said Vides Casanova did not torture him. Romagoza said he was in military custody for 24 days and was tortured repeatedly in several rooms at National Guard headquarters after being shot in the foot Dec. 12, 1980, during a raid by soldiers on a rural clinic. Romagoza said he survived because two of his uncles were military officers who ultimately helped release him. The two other plaintiffs, Carlos Mauricio, a science teacher, and Neris Gonzalez, director of an environmental organization, are scheduled to testify today. (c) 2001 miamiherald and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.miami.com ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytjus-06.25.02-15:34:35-6063