Junta in Argentina gives some hints

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 11

Junta in Argentina gives some hints

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BUENOS AIRES, March 24. Argentina’s new military rulers began tackling crucial and explosive economic problems today amid indications that they plan an early return to constitutional rule.

The three-man junta of armed forces chiefs who took power after ousting President Roberto Levingston in a bloodless coup early yesterday, have made no statements so far on their proposed social and economic policies.

But they hinted when announcing their take-over that they intended to keep the pledge that they made when they placed General Levingston in office last June after

ousting President Juan Carlos Ongania. At the time they promised to restore a democratic system of Government in Argentina within the shortest possible time.

The usually well-informed evening newspaper “La Razon” said that Genera! Aljandro Lanusse, Admiral Pedro Gnavi and Brigadier Carlos Rey proposed to hand over power to elected authorities on October 12, 1973. If the date mentioned by “La Razon” is correct, this would be much earlier than the four to five years General Levingston said would be required. This assessment of General Levingston’s was at the root of his dispute with the military chiefs. Joint rule “La Razon” also said that the three military chiefs, who indicated they would rule jointly rather than appoint another President, would shortly begin consultations with representative figures on the drafting of a political plan to prepare for elections. Elections were last held in Argentina in March, 1965 15 months before a military coup swept General Ongania to power. The junta, however, is faced with the more immediate problem of forming a Cabinet and confirming or replacing 21 provincial governments.

It will also have to deal with day-to-day problems

which were besetting the Levingston Government. These included soaring prices, insistent labour demands for higher wages, and a serious crisis in the meat industry, one of the country’s economic mainstays.

As a precautionary measure, exchange transactions were temporarily restricted yesterday but otherwise the coup appeared to have not affected everyday life ■ in Argentina. Feud was cause It was ostensibly started by a simmering feud between General Levingston and General Lanusse which broke into the open when the President dismissed the Army chief, saying that he had disobeyed orders by not taking measures to prevent rampaging riots during a strike in Cordoba city last week. General Lanusse was held under arrest at the colonialstyle Government Palace in Buenos Aires while General Levingston announced his dismissal in a nation-wide radio and television broadcast late on Monday night. But military support soon rallied around the imprisoned Army chief and after his release, the three military chiefs decided to topple General Levingston and jointly take over power themselves. General Levingston offered no resistance and after he handed in his resignation, he was allowed to leave the Government Palace and return to his home.