Letter to the Senate on Military Aid to El Salvador, September 18, 1981

September 18, 1981

Dear Senator:

I write regarding the forthcoming vote on the FY 1982 Foreign Aid Authorization Act (S.1196).

The principal concern of the U.S. Catholic Conference (USCC) is the provision in the Act for more military assistance to El Salvador. The USCC has consistently opposed all military assistance to the parties of the conflict in El Salvador. Our position has been based upon and designed to support the repeated requests of Bishop Rivera y Damas that military aid from all sources should stop.

The continuing level of violence, without any sign of its abating, confirms our view that military assistance from any source is not the kind of help the people of El Salvador need at this time.

We seek your support in opposing all military assistance to El Salvador and in encouraging the Administration to pursue with greater intensity and urgency a political resolution of the conflict.

Sincerely yours,

Bishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P.
General Secretary