Argentinian Govt

Press, 27 August 1979, Page 16

Argentinian Govt

Sir, —Gordon Spence’s letter (August 23) concerning the brutality of the present Government of the Argentine was most timely. It was apt not only because the Puma rugby team is at present touring New Zealand, but also because the same issues of “The Press” carried a news item on the Argentine’s secret jails. It is encouraging to know that the United States Government is so disturbed by reports of human rights violations in the Argentine, and that United States embassy staff in Buenos Aires have been ordered to investigate.— Yours, etc., CORAL BROADBENT. August 23, 1979.

Sir, —It is true that there are political prisoners and intimidated trade unions in Chile and Argentina but such is the case in every Latin American country except Costa Rica where the Government is trying to develop a democracy based on the systems operating in New Zealand and Australia. The national boast is that they have more schools than soldiers; the only country in the whole of Latin America whose Government is worthy of aid. There is a common expression in Argentina towords bombers and kidnappers: “Destroy the dog and you destroy the rabies” and then there is a wink as they continue, “You know, shot while escaping.” There are rio doubt many trade unionists in prison in Africa and Asia also. All the world trades with Chile except New Zealand. JOHN J. FORSTER. August 24, 1979.