Military chiefs to be charged—Alfonsin

Press, 15 December 1983, Page 6

Military chiefs to be charged—Alfonsin

NZPA-AP Buenos Aires Argentina’s new President said yesterday that he would initiate charges of spreading terror, pain and death throughout Argentinian society against leaders of the previous military regime. Raul Alfonsin, a lawyer and human rights advocate, announced yesterday that he would begin legal steps against nine generals, brigadiers, and admirals who formed the three three-man juntas that ruled the nation from 1976 to last year. He would also start legal proceedings against individuals who have prima-facie responsibility for terrorist action during the early and mid-19705.

The military overthrew the then President, Isabel Peron, in 1976. Mr Alfonsin announced the measures in a 25-minute address on radio and television. Through powers granted the Chief Executive in the Constitution, he issued two decrees declaring the necessity to prosecute seven leaders of guerrilla or terrorist organisations and nine Army generals, Air Force brigadiers, and Navy admirals. The military men will be judged by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, a tribunal comprising nine retired generals and admirals. But Mr Alfonsin said that the verdict and

sentence of the military tribunal would be subject to review by the Supreme Court under a law that he would send to Congress in the coming days. He outlined seven legislative proposals that the Executive will send to special congressional sessions beginning today. His party enjoys an outright majority in the Chamber of Deputies and controls the Senate by alliance with representatives of provincial parties. Peronist legislators in both Houses have also said that they will support legislation intended to punish human rights abuses, so the proposed laws are likely to pass with little opposition.