Violence renewed in Argentina

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32885, 7 April 1972, Page 9

Violence renewed in Argentina

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BUENOS AIRES, April 6. Fresh violence erupted in Argentina overnight, snipers and police exchanging fire in one city as a major confrontation loomed between the military Government and organised labour.

Troops and police went into action with tear* gas to disperse a column of demonstrators marching on the centre of the western city of Mendoza after the funeral of one of two men killed on Tuesday in clashes during a protest against a rise in electricity prices. The other death occurred in San Juan, 75 miles to the north. More than 100 people were also injured in Tuesday’s clashes between demonstrators and police. Last night’s demonstration in Mendoza was in defiance of a curfew imposed by military authorities after they declared a State of Emergency and took over control of the usually quiet wineproducing province. Chanting slogans as they marched, the demonstrators, estimated to be several thousand, set fire to a number of cars and damaged other property. Journalists in Mendoza reported shooting between snipers and police. Official sources said that scattered clashes continued well into the night In another demonstration tn the central industrial city of Corboda, about 500 students staged a demonstration of solidarity. They hurled Molotov cocktails as they scuffled with police, official sources said. Several arrests were made but there were no injuries. The Justificalist Party, the political organisation of the exiled former dictator, Juan Peron, called for immediate general elections, while the Peronist-dominated General Confederation of Labour (C.G.T.) held strikes against alleged police brutality dur-

ing Tuesday's demonstrations. The Government froze the bank accounts of all labour unions and their leaders in apparent retaliation for C.G.T. backing for the demonstrators, and demanded that it withdraw a statement

blaming federal authorities for the violence. C.G.T. leaders, after nightlong talks on their next moves, early this morning issued a communique saying that the union “rejects the violence used by the enemies of the noble enterprise of social peace.” The Secretary-General, Mr Jose Rucci, said that he issued the statement which the Government wanted withdrawn or changed without consulting the other members of the managing council. The wife and sons of Mr Sallustro were believed yesterday to have gone to a secret rendezvous with the urban guerrillas who are holding him. For the first time since the 57-year-old Fiat-Concord managing director was snatched 15 days ago, his home in the suburb of Martinez appeared dark and empty throughout the night, indicating the absence of his family. Both the Sallustro family and Fiat-Concord, Fiat’s Argentine subsidiary, have denied any recent contacts with the Trotskyite People’s Revolutionary Army (E.R.P.), which kidnapped Mr Sallustro, but informed sources said police are convinced the negotiations are under way.