[SANITIZED]LATIN AMERICA REVIEW 14 FEBRUARY 1983 - 1983/02/14

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06628020
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: February 14, 1983

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Articles
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Latin America
Review
14 February 1983
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Argentina: Church Takes Progresske Stand
The Catholic Church is activel criticizing regime policies and has
taken a firm stand in demanding a return to civilian rule- -a course
that could lead to a confrontation with the military if the proposed
transition is aborted.
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Articles have been coordinated a.% appropriate with other offices within CIA.
Comments and queries regarding this publication may be directed to the Chief.
Production Stcdt: Office of African and Latin American Analvsis, telephone
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"PPP/
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Argentina: Church Takes
Progresske Stand
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The Argentine Catholic Church is actively criticizing
regime policies and has taken a firm stand in demand-
ing a return to civilian rule--a course that could lead
to a confrontation with the military if the proposed
transition is aborted
Owing to the historical dominance of conservative
priests, the Argentine Church has traditionally ex-
pressed less interest in political and social injustice
than some of its counterparts elsewhere in Latin
America. In September 1976. however, six months
after the coup that unseated Isabel Peron. clergymen
began showing more of a willingness to confront the
government. Without repudiating the regime itself.
they met privately with military leaders to condemn
their handling of the war against subversion. .Asa
result of continuing allegations of human rights viola-
tions, 67 of Argentina's 84 bishops signed a public
document in 1977 protesting J11 government's repres-
sive antiterrorist tactics
Progressires Bring Increased Political Awareness
With the death of more than a third of Argentina's
bishops since 1977. younger and more liberal church-
men. influenced by progressive Church doctrine, have
moved into positions of power. They have demonstrat-
ed a strong concern for social problems and according
to press reports speak out frequently on political
issues.
The remaining conservatives still urge restraint, as-
serting that both the Church and the public would
best be served if dissatisfaction with government
policies were expressed privately. They are leery of
activism because of their recollection of the Pcronist
ban on Church activities in the 1950s after the clergy
confronted the regime directly
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et
Increasingly, however, pronouncements by the clergy.
Oil current issues seem dominated by more liberal
thinking. The escalation of civilian discontent in the
wake of the Falklands debacle has been accompanied
by broader and more vocal Church criticism of regime
policies. Complaints have focused on conservative
economic policies and the reluctance of the military to
provide information on the persons who disappeared
� during the war against the terrorists, but have also
included demands for a restoration of civil liberties
and the release of political prisoners
In addition, the Church has strongly supported the
transition to civilian rule, scheduled to take place in
1984. Since last August. the Argentine Council of
Bishops has issued two forceful documents warning
the military not to reverse the process. To facilitate a
smooth change of power, the hierarchy agreed in
November to act as mediator between the military
and civilians after a stalemate in negotiations over the
conditions and timing of the elections. Since then, a
reconciliation commission of three bishops has been
meeting with military and political leaders to work
out a solutio
The broad differences between the civilians and the
military have given the Church a key position. It is
acceptable to the government because, of all opposi-
tion groups, it is still the least critical of the armed
forces. Civilian groups. for their part. probably count
on Church progressives�who hold a majority on the
commission�to influence the mediation in their
favor.
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The Stakes
The Church and the politicians share similar views on
a number of important issues. Recent meetings be-
tween the Argentine Episcopal Conference and politi-
cal and labor leaders indicate that the Church is
prepared to back civilian groups on matters ranging
from an accounting of the disappeared persons and
>err
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the release of all political prisoners to demands for
higher wages and better social conditions for workers.
Because the reconciliation commission will probably
recommend a settlement favorable to the political
parties, the Church could reap substantial gains if the
transition does, in fact, lead to the election of a
civilian government. On the other hand, the Church
stands to lose if the proposed return to democracy
fails because it will be left in the uncomfortable
position of having to justify its support for civilian
interests to a resurgent military.
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