Coup in slow motion

Press, 11 December 1981, Page 6

Coup in slow motion

NZPA-Reuter Buenos Aires Argentina has entered the last act. of a slow-motion coup expected to produce a negotiated exit for President Roberto Viola’s troubled eight-month-old government. General Viola was taken ill a month ago and later temporarily handed over power to his Interior, Minister. But speculation is rife that the chain-smoking President's heart condition had been complicated by an equally serious political ailment.

At the root of the crisis is Argentina’s sick economy which is languishing under the worst industrial slump of the century. Inflation is galloping along in three figures, unemployment and interest rates are soaring, and the peso is plummeting in value. The resulting social strains have contributed to mounting popular disenchantment with the junta and public calls for an end to military rule. Jockeying for power within the ruling military has now burst into the open. Newspapers report feverish

negotiations to prevent the replacement of General Viola from destroying the image of unity the military men have promoted since they toppled the government of President Maria Peron on March 24, 1976. Informed sources said the 57-year-old President refused to resign on health grounds but had what they described as a decisive meeting on Monday with the Army commander, General Leopoldo Galtieri, widely tipped to take over the presidency.