Alfonsin urged to hand power to Menem
NZPA-Reuterßuenos Aires Mobs, defying a state of siege, went on looting sprees in Argentine cities yesterday as pressure from labour and business leaders mounted on President Raul Alfonsin to hand power to Presidentelect Carlos Menem. At least 12 people were reported killed in two days of violence sparked by a galloping inflation rate that has dramatically eroded the purchasing power of Argentinians and caused food shortages. Rioters fired on security forces and set up barricades in working-class sectors of Rosario, Argentina’s second largest city, where seven people died, at least 60 were injured and over 1000 people were detained in 48 hours. Local news agencies reported five people killed in a clash with police in San Miguel, a northern
Buenos Aires suburb. The provincial government said policemen were attacked by armed groups in various poor districts.
Business and labour leaders called for Mr Alfonsin to bring foward the transfer of power to the Peronist leader, Mr Menem because of the social and economic crisis besetting the country. Mr Menem is not scheduled to take office until December 10. “We urge the Government to make a political decision to take the necessary steps to transfer power in the shortest time possible,” the Peronist-led General Confederation of Labour said. An industrial leader, Arnaldo Etchart, told reporters, “The situation could call for a change ... Alfonsin’s Administration has depleted its credibility, and no economy (can work) without confidence and credibility. Presidentelect Menem meets these
requirements.” Mr Alfonsin is due to meet Mr Menem today. “We will touch upon issues pertaining to the transition and the social and economic crisis ... (but) until now, the handover will take place on December 10,” Mr Menem, who led Peronists to a crushing victory in May 14 General Elections, said on radio.
On Monday Mr Alfonsin declared a 30-day national state of siege in a bid to curtail troubles in half a dozen major cities. Police blocked main avenues leading to Buenos Aires to prevent shantytown dwellers marching on central commercial districts. Thousands of shop owners in southern suburbs decided to put up their shutters in fear of looters. Panic spread as anguished residents telephoned friends and relatives with news that hordes of hungry slum dwellers were marching on the capital after a spate of bombings in the financial district, but the mobs were nowhere to be seen. The Government accused Leftist extremists of organising the looting, but a policeman on guard outside a ransacked supermarket in Rosario, 300 km north-west of the capital, disagreed.
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Press, 1 June 1989, Page 10
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423Alfonsin urged to hand power to Menem Press, 1 June 1989, Page 10
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