LATIN AMERICA WEEKLY REVIEW 25 MAY 1978[SANITIZED] - 1978/05/25

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06628668
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: May 25, 1978

Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628668
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628668
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628668
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ArgentinaI A Bleak Future for Cigilian
PoiltiOt
3.5(c)
Despite President Videla's wish for a poli-
tical opening, incorporation of civilians
into the government seems far off.
9
ii
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ssedi
3.5(c)
Argentina: A Bleak Future for Civilian Politics
Argentine Interior Minister
Harguindeguy is pressing President
Videla to clarify his recent, state-
ment of intent to incorporate civil-
ians into the government. Videla
may have had to compromise on this
issue to secure military support
for an extended presidential term.
Shortly after Videla announced
in March during a major address
that the junta had put the country
"back on its feet and it is time to
make it walk," General Harguindeguy
informed reporters that the ban on
political activity is still in force
IrdiFerMini re Hgideiuy and that most political parties will
have no future role. Harguindeguy
denied contradicting Videla, saying that the dialogue called
for by the President had not yet officially begun.
Despite Harguindeguy's insistence that he is in tune
with the President's wishes, their obvious divergence
suggests a fundamental lack of agreement at the highest
level over the future role of civilians. Moreover,'
Harguindeguy's categorical statement that there will be
no political opening indicates that he has the backing
of the other members of the junta and probably the
majority of the high command.
A few days after Harguindeguy issued his warning,
veteran politician and Radical Party leader Ricardo Balbin
was arrested in an outlying province and 'detained for
several hours after provincial authorities turned down a
request from local politicians to hold a dinner in. Balbin's
honor. Other politicians have also been harassed, and
two newspapers were shut down for a few days for reporting
political maneuvering within the military junta.
9
SE
25 May 1978
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628668
'3.3(b)(1)
3.3(b)(1)
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628668
3.3(b)(1)
Antipathy toward civilian politics remains widespread
within the anted forces.
the majority of officers in the
Air Force and Navy oppose a political dialogue. (
3.3(b)(1)
In spite of Videla's apparent desire for some sort
of political opening, the President may have been per-
suaded to go along with Harguindeguy to attain his pri-
mary objective of stavina in nower.
10
3.5(c)
25 May 1978
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06628668