Second Spanish general sacked after coup bid

Press, 27 February 1981, Page 6

Second Spanish general sacked after coup bid

NZAP-Reuter Madrid After the Spanish Civil Guard’s brief but brutal attempt to kill Spain’s infant democracy early this week, parliamentarians reconvened in their bullet-scarred debating chamber yesterday to clear the way for the formation of a new Centrist Government.

Amid emotional scenes in which deputies from rival parties embraced each ether, Parliament passed a vote of confidence in the Prime M?nis t e r-designate, Leopoido Calvo Sotelo. Outside, however, feelings were less cordial and another top general has been sacked for his role in the abortive take-over.

There were repeated ovations as the Speaker (Mr Landelnio Lavilla) heaped praise on King Juan Caros for his role in ending the abortive coup in which rebel Civil Guards stormed Parliament and held captive more than 300 deputies and Ministers for 17 hours.

The deputies gave thun-: derous applause to the tearful Mr Lavilla, who said: “When you say ‘long live Spain’ it is henceforth the same thing as saying ‘long live the Constitution’ and ‘long live democracy*.” The full scope of the Right-wing coup attempt remained unclear yesterday, although two top military chiefs have been sacked from their posts and other officers are under arrest.

The first to be sacked was the Valencia military commander, General Jaime Milans del Bosch, who ordered his tanks into the

streets on Monday evening He has been arrested. Th rebels said that Genera Milans del Bosch would lea; their proposed new govern ment. The latest officer to losi his job is the deputy, chia of the Spanish Army,’ Genl eral Alfonso Annada Comia He led the negotiations that led the rebels to surrent der and has since been aoi cused of being too lenieri with them.

Military sources said theji believed the coup plot waj much more extensive than q had at first been thought. *

The Acting Interior Minisi ter (Mr Juan Jose RosonJ told the Madrid nswspapen “El Pais,” that well-knowri people might have been irffi plicated in the coup, aU though he gave no Political sources said "de( mands for a purge of rri maining Army seemed certain to increase in the next few days.

Officials of the ruling union of the Democratic Centre Party showed no imj mediate enthusiasm for sues* a purge, which they believed could create further tension in an already highly charged atmosphere.

Mr Carlos Sotelo, whos< confirmation as Prime Mini ister was delayed by the in( vasion of Parliament, wag due to be sworn in by Juan Carlos later yesterday. He is expected to mo/j quickly to appoint a new Centrist government, which] will end the power vacuum! created by the resignation of the Prime Minister, Adolfo Suarez, on January 29.