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Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2997911
3.5(c)
The
National Intelligence
Daily
Published by the Director of Central Intelligence for Named Principals Only
TUESDAY JUNE 1, 1976
VOLUME 3, NUMBER 128
3.5(c)
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2997911
3.5(c)
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Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2997911
_T-02-SEeFter
3.5(c)
2 TUESDAY JUNE 1, 1976
THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DAILY
Argentina: Curbs on Civil Rights
Argentine President Videla may be
forced to approve new legislation severely
restricting citizens' civil rights.
One of Videla's close advisers has told
the US ambassador that new laws of
"revolutionary justice" will be announced
shortly. These laws, he said, will allow the
government to punish those "known to
have committed crimes against the state,
but against whom there is insufficient
evidence."
The new legislation could pave the way
for punishment of many of the political
President Videla
and labor figures regarded as subversive
by members of the military government
who favor a tougher line on dissidents.
Such measures run counter to the
moderation Videla has advocated.
Passage of the new laws would be assured,
as all lawmaking authority lies with the
junta.
The hardliners regard Videla's ap-
proach as inadequate to deal with what
they view as entrenched leftist terrorism,
an undisciplined labor force, and
irresponsible and corrupt politicians.
Some members of the military and the
security services have apparently sought
to embarrass and undermine the President
by carrying out vigilante-style activities
against known and suspected leftists. The
most dramatic of these actions was last
week's abduction and killing of four
Uruguayan political exiles, two of whom
were former congressmen.
Videla's adviser acknowledged that the
President is having trouble with officers
who want harsher measures, but insisted
that the junta chief will be able to control
them. Videla apparently hopes to temper
the impact of the new law by releasing a
number of political prisoners and an-
nouncing the names of those still under
detention. If approved, however, the new
law will be not only a concession to the
hardliners but also an invitation to further
demands.
JR-SIEeltEr� 3.5(c)
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Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2997911
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