Violence flares in Argentina

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33588, 17 July 1974, Page 13

Violence flares in Argentina

(N Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) BUENOS AIRES, July 16.

President Maria Estela Peron of Argentina is facing an upsurge of political violence only two weeks after the death of her husband, President Juan Peron.

The cold-blooded killing yesterday of the former Interior Minister, Mr Arturo Mor Roig, riddled with shotgun and pistol fire as he lunched at his favourite Italian restaurant, was the! first successful political! assassination since General Peron’s death on July 1.

Three days earlier, gunmen shot Mr Leandro Salatto, a top aide of the Right-wing Social Welfare Minister, Mr Jose Lopez Rega, closest confidant of the new President and her late husband. He survived with three bullets in his chest.

Although police captured one of Mr Mor Roig’s killers, there was no immediate word! on their motives. As the last Interior Minister under Argentina’s former military rulers, he had

planned the return to constitutional rule last year. However, the Marxist People's Revolutionary Army (E.R.P.) had sentenced him to death in connection with the massacre of guerrillas at Trelew Naval Base in August, 1972. Developments within the powerful General Labour Confederation (C.G.T.) are also causing concern. The sudden death from a heart attack of the C.G.T. I secretary-general, Mr Adelino ■ Romero, a moderate Peronist [friendly with business, sent shock waves through political and labour circles and theatened to upset delicate power balances in both sec tors.

It shocked the Labour Minister (Mr Ricardo Otero) so badly that he, too, had a heart attack and was in serious condition today. r Without Mr Romero’s moderating influence, it was feared that hardline Rightist unionists of the Metal workers’ Union — accused of political violence and instransigence by the Left and Centre — could take over the C.G.T. and bring about a confrontation with industry and the Economy Minister (Mr Jose Gelbard).