Official seal of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

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The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISC or WHINSEC), formerly the School of the Americas (SOA; Spanish: Escuela de las Américas), is a United States Department of Defense facility at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. Image File history File links WHISC_logo. ... Image File history File links WHISC_logo. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (614x815, 18 KB) - US Army Institute Of Heraldry Description: A medium blue shield with a 1/8 inch (.32cm) yellow border, 2 1/4 inches (5. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (614x815, 18 KB) - US Army Institute Of Heraldry Description: A medium blue shield with a 1/8 inch (.32cm) yellow border, 2 1/4 inches (5. ... Department of Defense redirects here. ... Fort Benning is a United States Army base, located southwest of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama It is part of the Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. ... Columbus is a city in Muscogee County, Georgia, United States. ...

The SOA has been criticized for the participation in human rights violations of some of its graduates. Critics argue that the education encouraged such practices and that this continues in the WHINSEC. This is denied by the WHINSEC who argues that the education now emphasizes democracy and human rights."^[1][2]

History

In 1946, the The Latin American Training Center – U.S. Ground Forces was established in Panama^[3] at Fort Gulick, at what is now called the Melia Hotel.^[4] During 1949 it was expanded and became the U.S. Army Caribbean Training Center. It was expanded and renamed the U.S. Army School of the Americas in 1963. It relocated to Fort Benning in 1984, following the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty. More than 61,000 military personnel attended these United States Army schools.^[5] Fort Gulick was a U.S. army base in the former Panama Canal Zone located on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal near Fort Sherman. ... Map of Panama, with Panama canal The Torrijos-Carter Treaties (sometimes referred to in the singular as the Torrijos-Carter Treaty), are a pair of treaties signed by the United States and Panama in Washington, D. C. on September 7, 1977, abrogating the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty signed in 1903. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ...

The School of the Americas taught military education courses as they were taught in U. S. Armed Forces institutions -- the School translated the courses, lessons plans and all, into Spanish. Beginning in 1963, and evolving as the region changed, SOA taught, at various times, professional military education and training courses to officers and non-commissioned officers in the areas of:

• professional leadership (Command and General Staff course, Military Police courses, Infantry Officers Basic course, Artillery Officers course and a Cadet Orientation course);
• infantry weapons (Mortar Officer course);
• technical support (Engineer Basic and Officer courses, Radio Operators course, Small Caliber Repair course,
• Wheeled Vehicle Maintenance course and Medical Assistance courses);
• counter-insurgency (Internal Defense and Development course, Military Intelligence course, Military Police course), introduced during 1963; and
• specialized leadership and skills (Ranger course, Air Mobile course, Jungle Operations course, Patrolling course, Parachute Rigging course, Basic Airborne course, Pathfinder and Jumpmaster courses).^[6]

The current WHINSEC, now part of the United States Department of Defense, was created as part of the National Defense Authorization Act by Congress in 2001. The WHINSEC teaches primarily in the Spanish language, especially for Latin American military personnel, but is now also open for civilians and persons from outside Latin America. Presently roughly 700-1,000 students per year attend WHINSEC.^[7] Department of Defense redirects here. ... The National Defense Authorization Act is the name of a United States federal law that is enacted each fiscal year to specify the budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense. ... This article is about the international language known as Spanish. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ...

The WHISC was established "to provide professional education and training to eligible persons of the nations of the Western Hemisphere within the context of the democratic principles set forth in the Charter of the Organization of American States." Its "mission also includes fostering mutual knowledge, transparency, confidence, and cooperation by promoting democratic values; respect for human rights; and an understanding of U.S. customs and traditions. Specific subjects set by Congress include leadership development; counterdrug; peacekeeping; democratic sustainment; resource management; and disaster preparedness and relief planning. In every course offered, eight hours of democracy and human rights instruction is mandatory."^[8] Its motto is Libertad, Paz y Fraternidad (Liberty, Peace and Brotherhood).^[9] Headquarters Washington, D.C. Official languages English, French, Spanish, Portuguese Membership 35 countries Leaders  -  Secretary General José Miguel Insulza (since 26 May 2005) Establishment  -  Charter first signed 30 April 1948 in effect 1 December 1951  Website http://www. ...

Former logo of the School of Americas.

Currently all students are given a minium of eight hours of instruction in "human rights, the rule of law, due process, civilian control of the military, and the role of the military in a democratic society." Courses must focus on leadership development, counter-drug operations, peace support operations, disaster relief, or "any other matter the Secretary [of Defense] deems appropriate."^[10][11] Image File history File links Soa_logo. ... Image File history File links Soa_logo. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      The rule of law, in its most basic form, is the principle that no one is above the law. ... In United States law, adopted from English Law, due process (more fully due process of law) is the principle that the government must respect all of a persons legal rights instead of just some or most of those legal rights when the government deprives a person of life, liberty...

Any workday visitors are welcome to come, sit in classes, talk with students and faculty, and review instructional materials. During the annual demonstration (see below) visitors are invited to tour and participate in a discussion about the institute.[1]

According to the Center for International Policy, a "Board of Visitors" is reuired to review and evaluate "curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, and academic methods." A federal committee, the board must include the chairmen and ranking minority members of both houses' Armed Services Committees (or surrogates), the senior Army officer responsible for training (or a surrogate), one person chosen by the Secretary of State, the head of the U.S. Southern command (or a surrogate), and six people chosen by the Secretary of Defense ("including, to the extent practicable, persons from academia and the religious and human rights communities"). The board reviews the institute's curriculum to determine whether it complies with U.S. laws and doctrine, and whether it is consistent with U.S. policy goals toward Latin America and the Caribbean.^[12] The Center for International Policy, located in Washington DC, was founded in 1975 by diplomats and former peace activists in the wake of the Vietnam War. ...

Otto Reich was one of the first appointees in 2002.[2]^{[not in citation given]} Otto Reich Otto Juan Reich (born October 16, 1945), a Cuban-American, is former senior official in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. ...

Controversy

The previous School of the Americas (SOA) was alleged to have committed state terrorism by the US military. In 2001 the Pentagon^{[citation needed]} changed the school and its mission. The "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation" (WHINSEC) was created for the post Cold War period. A bill to abolish the school with 123 co-sponsors was introduced to the House Armed Services Committee in 2005.^[13] The United States of America has been accused of sponsoring state terrorism by various United Nations recognized governments and by various individuals. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

There is alleged to be an instance of an accused human rights abuser still attending the Institute. In 1992 the OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights recommended prosecution of Col. Cid Diaz for murder in association with the 1983 Las Hojas massacre. His name is on a State Department list of gross human rights abusers. Diaz went to the Institute in 2003. [3] [4]

Training Manuals

See also: U.S. Army and CIA interrogation manuals

On September 20, 1996, the Pentagon released seven training manuals prepared by the U.S. military and used between 1987 and 1991 in Latin America and at the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA). These particular manuals are similar to lesson plans used by the school as far back as 1982 [5] and similar to those of Project X and KUBARK. According to Lisa Haugaard of School of the Americas Watch, these manuals taught repressive techniques and promoted the violation of human rights throughout Latin America and around the globe.^[14] The manuals contain instructions in motivation by fear, bounties for enemy dead, false imprisonment, torture, execution, and kidnapping a target's family members. Joseph Kennedy said "These manuals taught tactics that come right out of a Soviet gulag and have no place in civilized society." The Pentagon admitted that these manuals were a "mistake"^[15] In 1996, seven controversial military training manuals were declassified by the Pentagon. ... is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Project-X is a scrolling shooter game for the Amiga computer released in 1992. ... KUBARK was a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency cryptonym for the CIA itself. ... It has been suggested that Presente litany be merged into this article or section. ... Joseph Kennedy, II Joseph Patrick Kennedy II (born September 24, 1952), named after his late uncle Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. ...

Participation

In 2004, Venezuela ceased all training of Venezuelan soldiers at the then-renamed School of the Americas.^[16] On March 28, 2006, the government of Argentina, headed by President Nestor Kirchner, decided to stop sending soldiers to train at the School of the Americas, and the government of Uruguay affirmed that it will continue its current policy of not sending soldiers to WHINSEC.^[17][18] In 2007, Oscar Arias, president of Costa Rica, decided to stop sending Costa Rican police to the WHINSEC. Costa Rica has no military, but had sent some 2,600 police officers to the school.^[19] is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Government After years of post-World War II instability, Argentina is today a fully functioning democracy. ... Néstor Carlos Kirchner Ostoić (born 25 February 1950) is the current President of Argentina. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Legislative action

In June 2007 the McGovern/Lewis Amendment to shut off funding for the Institute failed by 6 votes. [6] This effort to close the Institute was endorsed by the non-partisan Council on Hemispheric Affairs who called the Institute a "black eye". [7] The Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1975, with the goal of promoting awareness of hemispheric issues and encouraging the formulation of rational political and economic U.S. policies towards the region. ...

SOA Watch

Main article: School of the Americas Watch

Since 1990 the independent organization School of the Americas Watch has worked to close the SOA.^[20][21] It has been suggested that Presente litany be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Presente litany be merged into this article or section. ...

Public demonstrations

SOA Watch sponsors an annual (since 1990) public demoonstration of protest at Ft. Benning. In 2005, the demonstration drew 19,000 people. The protests are timed to coincide with the anniversary of the November 1989 murders of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter in El Salvador. A congressional panel concluded that some of the killers were SOA graduates.^[22] The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ...

Notable graduates of The School Of The Americas

According to SOA Watch

Country	Graduates[23]
Argentina	Leopoldo Galtieri, Roberto Eduardo Viola
Bolivia	Hugo Banzer Suárez
Ecuador	Guillermo Rodríguez
El Salvador	Roberto D'Aubuisson
Guatemala	Marco Antonio Yon Sosa[24]
Panama	Manuel Noriega, Omar Torrijos
Peru	Vladimiro Montesinos, Juan Velasco Alvarado

Image File history File links Flag_of_Argentina. ... Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri Castelli (July 15, 1926 - January 12, 2003) was an Argentinian general and the de facto President of Argentina from 22 December 1981 to 18 June 1982, during the last military dictatorship. ... Roberto Eduardo Viola Prevedini (October 13, 1924 – September 30, 1994) was a military officer who briefly served as interim president of Argentina from March 29 to December 11, 1981 during a period of military rule. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Bolivia. ... Hugo Banzer Suárez (May 10, 1926 – May 5, 2002) was a Bolivian soldier, polititian and dictator. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ecuador. ... General Guillermo Rodríguez Lara, known as Bombita, a graduate of the United-States-run School of the Americas, was the dictator of Ecuador from February 6, 1972 to January 11, 1976. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_El_Salvador. ... Roberto DAubuisson Major Roberto DAubuisson Arrieta (August 23, 1944 – February 20, 1992), a Salvadoran political figure known as Chele (white man) was a Salvadoran politician and military leader who founded the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), which he led from 1978 to 1985. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Guatemala. ... Marco Antonio Yon Sosa (194? - May 18, 1970) was leader of the Revolutionary Movement 13th November, a Guatemalan guerilla organization. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Panama. ... For other persons named Noriega, see Noriega (disambiguation). ... Omar Torrijos (right) with farmers in the Panamanian countryside. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Peru. ... Vladimiro Lenin Montesinos Torres (born May 20, 1945) was the long-standing head of Perus intelligence service, Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional (SIN), under President Alberto Fujimori. ... Juan Francisco Velasco Alvarado (June 16, 1910 – December 24, 1977) was a left-leaning Peruvian General who ruled Peru from 1968 to 1975 under the title of President of the Revolutionary Government. ...

Not in SOA Watch database but graduates according to other sources

• Luis Posada Carriles (according to the National Lawyers Guild)^[25]

Arrest photograph of Luis Posada Carriles Luis Clemente Faustino Posada Carriles (born February 15, 1928) is a Cuban-born Venezuelan anti-Castro agent. ... The National Lawyers Guild is a progressive Bar Association in the United States dedicated to the need for basic and progressive change in the structure of our political and economic system. ...

Sources

Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Further reading

is the 203rd day of the year (204th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... Common Dreams NewsCenter, according to its website, is based in Portland, Maine, and was founded in 1997. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• United States-Latin American relations
• School of the Americas Watch

The United States has always had a special conception of its relationship with the nations of Latin America. ... It has been suggested that Presente litany be merged into this article or section. ...

External links