El Salvador Rebels

The two El Salvadorian rebels whose November 12 appearance here was cancelled while they went to trial as illegal aliens are free on bond and will speak tonight at 8 p.m. in Science Center B.

Barring last minute problems. David Mendez and Mauricio Henriquez will deliver the speech, focusing on the role of U.S. imperialism in El Salvador, a member of the South Africa Solidarity Committee (SASC), the Harvard sponsor of the talk, said yesterday.

They will also discuss the current status of the struggle between the government and the numerous opposition groups.

Henry C. Park '84, the SASC spokesman, added that the rebels' speaking tour has "international significance" because the events in El Salvador are not isolated. "The United States and Russia are going at it across the world, like in Afghanistan. The same questions apply all over the world, and these men believe the oppressed of the world should unite in their struggle for freedom."

How Impressive

A spokesman for the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade (RCYB), the national sponsor of the tour, said yesterday that the men hope to raise the "political consciousness" of the people here and to gain support within the United States.

Bradford C. Mank '83, president of SASC, described the rebels as "pro-Maoist" and "hard-liners," saying they are not members of the major Salvadoran opposition group.

Mendez and Henriquez are being allowed to remain in the United States pending the outcome of their trial. If they are not given political asylum as they have requested, they will probably be deported back to El Salvador, Park said.

"If they are sent back, there is a good chance that they would be killed. The El Salvadorian government is watching them." Mank said. Because the United States is trying to "minimize" the trouble in El Salvador, it is possible that they will be sent back, he added.