News In Brief

Death squads active again, Salvadorean cleric says

The archbishop of San Salvador said Sunday there has been a recent increase in death squad activity even though the government and leftist guerrillas have started peace talks and are discussing a Christmas truce.

Msgr. Arturo Rivera y Damas said the Roman Catholic Church's legal aide office here had reports of three apparent death squad killings last week. Death squad activity had virtually ceased since peace talks between the government and guerrillas started Oct. 15.