ROBERTO EDUARDO VIOLA - ARGENTINA - 1981/05/18

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06627158
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: May 18, 1981

Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06627158
Roberto Eduardo VIOLA
(Phonetic: vee0Hlah)
President (since March
1981)
Addressed as:
Mr. President
A shrewd, self-assured
politician, Lt. Gen. (ret.)
Roberto Viola was chosen
by the ruling military
junta to serve a three-year
term as his country's
highest official. He will
be Argentina's second
military president since
the coup that ousted President Maria Estela
in 1976. Before his selection, Viola had to fight
a fierce, secret battle with the military hierarchy
over his future powers as president. He emerged from
that fight with his authority intact. ne will none-
theless have to work intimately with the junta, which
is composed of the commanders of each of the three
military services. A career army man, Viola has a
reputation among his peers as a competent but low-key
staff officer. .His real talent is for political
maneuvering, which he used in the Army to build a
base of support. He has also maintained ties to
civilian labor and political groups. Viola has been
described by US Embassy officials as a moderate with
a breadth of political vision.
pracnortisetsp
ARGENTINA
Peron
Goals for the New Administration
Viola's two major domestic priorities are economic
recovery and greater Political freedom for Argentina.
He intends to combat the problems of inflation, an
overvalued peso, and the balance of payments by
continuing the previous administration's policy of
encouraging a liberal economy.. dominated by private
enterprise. 3.5(c)
Although he fully expects the military to
remain in power until the late 1980s, Viola has stated
that they have accomplished their primary purpose
for being in public life--the war against subversion
is over. He therefore intends to begin the slow 51.97
(cont.)
3.5(c)
-weer
CR M 81-11984
EO 13526
3. 3(b)(1)>25Yr:
EO 13526
3. 3(b)(6)>25Yr;
EO 13526
3 Ft" \
3.5(c)
3.5(c)
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06627158
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06627158
-Sfe!MT'
process of returning Argentina to civilian rule. One
of his goals is to introduce legislation enabling
political parties to function normally again after a
five-year hiatus.
3.5(c)
Foreign Policy
During his tenure as President, Viola plans to
concentrate on improving his country's image abroad by
mending fences with Latin American and European nations
and by working out a solution to the Beagle Channel
dispute with Chile in conjunction with the papal
mediation effort begun under Videla. He has initiated
dialogue with US officials on a wide range of issues,
including human rights, the rain embar o and nuclear
development.
3.5(c)
Early Life and Career
Viola graduated from the Argentine Military Academy
in 1944 as an infantry officer. He subsequently worked
his way up through the ranks, holding a variety of impor-
tant positions. He served as Commander in Chief of the
Army and a member of the ruling junta from 1978 until
he resigned in December 1979.
Personal Data
_ . _ . _ _
3.5(c)
Viola, 56, is married
to the former Nelida Gregorio; the couple has two
children and two grandchildren. Viola speaks French,
Italian and some English.
3.5(c)
-2-
18 May 1981
3.5(c)
3.3(b)(1)
3.3(b)(1)
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06627158