News from Lori's Parents
30 November 1998
In this update:November 30th -- Three Years of Lori's Wrongful Incarceration
Urgent Action 1
Please call the White House hotline, 202-456-1111, and when instructed, press 0 for a hotline opearator.
Express your concern (or outrage). Tell President Clinton that November 30th marks three years of illegal imprisonment in Perú for Lori Berenson. Urge him to use his powers to press Peruvian President Fujimori for Lori's immediate release. Also remind him that Lori Berenson is suffering physically and needs his help NOW.
Urgent Action 2
Please download the following letter and FAX to the White House at 202-456-2461
(Attention: Helen, Agency Liaison 6)
Subject: FREE LORI BERENSON
November 30, 1998
The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Clinton:
Today, November 30th, marks three years of illegal imprisonment in Perú for Lori Berenson. I urge you to use all your powers to press Peruvian President Fujimori for Lori's immediate release. Lori Berenson's health continues to deteriorate. PLEASE HELP HER NOW!
Sincerely,
____________________________________________Name
____________________________________________Address
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
If you find it easier, the above letter appears on Lori's new website at
You may be able to download the letter faster there.
ATTN: Supporters in Boston/Cambridge
In Perú "Pragmatic Democracy" = "Dictatorship"
On Tuesday, December 1st, at 12:30pm, Perú's former Foreign Minister Francisco Tudela, now a "Harvard Fellow," will be speaking at Harvard in a program sponosored by the Latin-American Society. His talk is on "Pragmatic Democracy" in Perú. We believe this event is open to the public -- and we wish we could be present. Mr. Tudela is a well-respected politician in Perú and in the U.S. However, to us, just the words "pragmatic democracy" in Perú are offensive. Without "stealing his thunder," we wish to present the following fact:
- In Perú, "Pragmatic Democracy" is a euphemism for "Dictatorship"
Proof:
- Lori Berenson and hundreds of others languish in prison without due process and without real trials while Perú snubs international pacts.
- Cardinal Alzamora in Lima expressed worry over trends away from democratic forms of government.
- Prime Minister Valle Riestra resigned his post because of the fascist/ totalitarian spirit which pervades the running of Peruvian government.
- A New York Times editorial has referred to President Fujimori as the most autocratic of South American rulers.
- In a major poll over 80% of the Peruvian population believe President Fujimori acts like a dictator.
- In a major poll over 65% of the Peruvian population believe that if President Fujimori decides to run for President in 2000 he will rig the elections.
- In Perú the executive branch controls the judiciary and the congress.
- In Perú the constitution is rewritten or "interpreted" to suit the desires of the executive branch -- this is why President Fujimori may be permitted to run for reelection in 2000.
- In Perú there is no real freedom of speech, no real freedom of press, and no real freedom of assembly. Persecution occurs at the whim of the government.
If a government is run in a manner in which there is no patience for opposing views or real dissent, and the executive is able to quash opposition through very loose interpretations of law, through micromanagement, and through fear, it is indeed a quantum leap to consider such a government a "pragmatic democracy."