ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ - ARGENTINA - 1978/11/13

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06627113
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: November 13, 1978

Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06E71
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THIS DOCUMENT DATE: 09-14-2018
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Alberto RODRIGUEZ 1.7
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Minster of Justice
(since November 1978)
Alberto Rodriguez
Varela, an attorney and
law sdhool professor was
named Minister of Justice
in November 1978, taking
over a ministry that had
been controlled by the
Air Force since the mil-
itary government came to
power in March 1976. Pri-
or to accepting his cur-
rent position, Rodriguez Varela
ARGENTINA
had
had been the at-
torney general in Buenos Aires,province during the
governorship of Gen. (ret.) Iberico Saint Jean.
Because of the new Justice Minister's connections
with Saint Jean, US officials believe that the
Governor will be able to wield increased influence
over the administration of President Jorge Videla.
Other observers suggest that Rodriguez Varela's
appointment was helped along by Minister of Inte-
rior Albano Harguindeguy.
As provincial attorney general, Rodriguez
Varela played a role in the judicial reform move-
ment currently underway in the province. Just be-
fore his appointment as Justice Minister the Argen-
tine press alleged that Rodriguez Varela was the
author.of a political plan originating in the pro-
vincial government of Buenos Aires that would de-
lay a return to constitutional government for an-
other 10 years. Rodriguez Varela issued strong
denials to the press about the existence of such
a plan Ind his alleged participation.
Born in 1936, Alberto Rodrcguez Varela received
a law degree from the Catholic University of Argen-
tina in 1957 and a doctorate in law and social sci-
ences from that university in 1959. He gained prac-
tical experience as'a 1nW Clerk. He has been a
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Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06627113
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06627113
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professor at The Cc.
sity of Buenos Aire:
latter from 1971 ur.t
act of remonstrance
ident (1973) Hgctor
of the peronists.
llic University and the Univer-
Law school. He was dean of the
1 1973, when he resigned in an
pinst the government of Pres-
,ampora and the return to power
Rodrfguez Varela is said to be active in con-
servative Catholic lay organizations. Married to
the former Alexina Durrieu, he is the father of seven
children.
2
13 November 1978
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06627113