Edition: U.S. / Global   Published: November 5, 1989 (Page 5 of
6)  ''But there is something older, deeper too. The idea of a
socialist revolution reaches and touches profound strings in the
Latin American heart. It links up with the whole messianic
tradition as it established itself here hundreds of years ago,
under the Spanish Catholics. It is a faith, and faith has a very
strong appeal. You cannot argue with faith.''  He paused for a
moment, and then said: ''In literature, fantasy and romance
produce such wonderful works. But in reality, in politics and
economics, they have produced such disasters.''  LIBERTAD'S
HEAD-quarters is located on Avenida Javier Prado, a wide and
well-trafficked boulevard that is lined with some of Lima's most
stately homes. No signs or banners identify the headquarters;
taxi drivers know it as the place with the tall white wall and
the guards in blue fatigues at the curb, cradling submachine
guns. Behind the wall, and beyond several checkpoints, lies a
small compound of offices,