Extrajudicial Executions in Ayacucho; Peruvian Military and Sendero Blamed in Separate Cases

The document describes two separate mass killings, one committed by guerrillas and another by the military. The report indicates that the military patrol that committed the killings was under the command of a local military officer known as "centurion," who, according to other Embassy reports, has operated with impunity in Huanta and may have been the "right-hand man" of the Ayacucho military policy commander, General Fernández-Dávila. The prosecutor and the Regional President have attributed the killings to the "rondas" (civil defense patrols) or to the military, and the Senate has unanimously approved the formation of a Special Commission to investigate the killings. The report concludes that in this episode President Fujimori now faces the first real test of his commitment — and ability — to manage the military and make them accountable for the way they are pursuing the war against Sendero.