[SANITIZED]LATIN AMERICA REGIONAL AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS 26 APRIL 1977 - 1977/04/26

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06628219
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: April 26, 1977

Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628219
Latin America
REGIONAL AND
POLITICAL ANALYSIS
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628219
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628219
NR
LATIN AMERICA
AMERICA
26 April 1977
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CONTENTS
3.5(c)
Argentina: Inplications of
Subversive Investigation
5
This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington community by
the Latin America Division, Office of Regional and Political Analysis, with oc-
casional contributions from other offices within the Directorate of Intelligence.
Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed 'to the authors of the
individual articles.
ET
RP ALA 77-032
26 April 1977
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Argentina: Implications of Subversive Investigation
President Videla, although faced with a potential
political problem, last week adopted a business-as-usual
attitude by attending a scheduled meeting with President
Stroessner in Asuncion. By going ahead with his trip,
despite domestic problems, Videla probably was attempting
to demonstrate that he sees no threat to his position.
Before he left, Videla delivered a major public
statement on the problem of subversion. His address in-
cluded a lengthy explanation of a complicated investi-
gation that has linked the leftist Montoneros with prom-
inent civilian businessmen, journalists, and officials
of previous governments...The scope of the case has
widened steadily and is causing serious concern among
military and civilians alike. At the same time, Videla's
education minister and a top aide in the economy ministry
have resigned. The officials concerned have come in for
considerable criticism previously and their departure
comes as no surprise.
3.5(c)
, The most important immediate concern is the investi-
gation of the alleged subversive links between the
Montoneros and the family and associates of financier
David Graiver. The financier, who some Argentine of-
ficials believe faked his own death last year in Mexico
to escape punishment or retribution, is said to have
handled the vast assets the Montoneros had accumulated
in ransom kidnapings. A number of persons connected
in one way or another with Graiver have now come under
suspicion; some of these are being detained by the
government. At least a few of those implicated were
minor officials of either the ousted Peronist adminis-
tration or a past military government.
The arrest of a leading publisher, coupled with
the death of one newspaperman and the disappearance of
another, is arousing fears that vengeful military
"hardliners" are in control of the investigation. Videla's
public explanation of the case may have been designed
to quell public concern and to assert his control over
the situation.
RP ALA 77-032
26 April 1977
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Nonetheless, the Graiver case, which some top of-
ficers have publicly said would prove to be truly shock-
ing, has important political implications. Hardliners,
who have been pushing the investigation, will see the
case as justification for the harsh measures they ad-
vocate.
Although the regime has claimed substantial success
against the terrorist movement, the affair will undoubtedly
raise new fears among the military that they have only
scratched the surface in dealing with the problem. Be-
cause it implicates a number of individuals not previously
known to be involved with the left, the case could set
the stage for the investigation of others who otherwise
might not have come under suspicion. The military unity
that Videla has carefully put together in recent months
does not yet appear to be in grave danger, but the in-
vestigation could put that consensus to an early test
by emboldening right wing officers who in recent weeks
have muted their criticism.
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SfiettEl"--
3.5(c)
RP ALA 77-032
26 April 1977
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Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628219