| Official relief effort declared illegitimate On January 16, a broad-based coalition of Salvadoran social movement organizations formed the "Civil Society Forum for the Reconstruction and Development." They issued a public statement declaring that the National Commission of Solidarity (CNS) is illegitimate, and that the Civil Society Forum is establishing alternative methods to deal with the relief effort, including supporting the organizing the civilian population. The coalition includes over 20 groups, including the Association of Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador (CRIPDES) and the Mel�da Anaya Montes Women's Movement (MAM). They blame much of the intense effects of the earthquake on the past ten years of Arena's ruthless implementation of neoliberal policies. |