Argentine Truce As Big Forces Opposed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30100, 6 April 1963, Page 11

Argentine Truce As Big Forces Opposed

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) BUENOS AIRES, April 5. Rival Argentine service chiefs today agreed to a provisional truce in the naval revolt and negotiated preliminary conditions for a ceasefire.

Usually reliable Government sources said the loyalists had demanded the Navy’s unconditional surrender as the basis for a truce. Other conditions were believed to be that rebel officers and civilians be brought before the courts and that the marine force be reduced.

Agreement on a truce came as two powerful forces totalling 30,000 men faced each other at Puerto Belgrano. The truce may have averted an all-out battle between the two forces. A rebel leader. RearAdmiral Eladio Vasquez will fly to his besieged base at Puerto Belgrano today to put the terms to other naval chiefs. Rear - Admiral

Vasquez, a rebel leader, had been negotiating for more than 30 hours with Army and Air Force leaders. . At Puerto Belgrano 1000 marines, with their backs to the sea, were concentrated, backed by the mighty guns of the ocean fleet. Facing them were the loyalist forces deployed in three strong columns equipped with long-range artillery and headed by battle-scarred Sherman tanks. Peaceful citizens were evacuating the area as civic and church dignitaries pleaded with rebels and loyalists alike for restraint.