Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323153661
label
President Menem of Argentina 11/14/91 [OA 8319] [2]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323153661
contentType
document
title
President Menem of Argentina 11/14/91 [OA 8319] [2]
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13781-003
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323153661
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
85fee86c7418b1f6
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13781
Folder ID Number:
13781-003
Folder Title:
President Menem of Argentina 11/14/91 [OA 8319] [2]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
21
7
6
Grant/Aarhus
November 6, 1991
A:MENEMARR
Draft One
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: ARRIVAL CEREMONY FOR PRESIDENT MENEM
NOVEMBER 14, 1991
10 A.M.
Thank you all very much. President Menem, it gives me great
pleasure to welcome you to the White House. Nearly a year ago, a
revolt ensued by renegade soldiers confronted you in your
nation's capital. You stood firm in defense of freedom and
liberty and in defense of your people's right to a government of
their choice. From Rivadavia to Rio Gallegos, from Zapala to
Buenos Aires, your strong, committed leadership brought your
people hope for positive change, hope for a better future.
In your inaugural address you told the Argentine people,
"Only working together we shall become the architects of a deep
change and of a positive transformation." You called for a
"birth of a new time". You asked Argentina to "arise and walk".
President Menem, you are a leader of courage and common sense, a
man of conviction, and a human being of clear-sighted concepts.
When we met last year in beautiful Buenos Aires, we spoke
about the challenges your country faces, and the changes that
have already been set in motion. The ties between our two
countries have never been stronger, and a great deal of credit
goes to you and your administration.
Under your leadership, Argentina has become one of this
hemisphere's strongest defenders of democracy, both at home and
abroad. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, you sent troops from
the Argentine navy to join the international coalition that
liberated that pillaged nation. When tanks rumbled through the
streets of Moscow, threatening the Soviet Union's democratic
reconstruction, you were one of the first to speak out in defense
of liberty. You have called for democratic reform in Cuba and
worked to restore democratic government in Haiti.
At home, you have brought down barriers to trade and
investment, slashed government spending, privatized state-owned
industries, and abolished harmful government regulation of the
economy. Once-rampant inflation is under control, Argentine
industrial production is up, your stock market, the oldest in
Latin America, has risen sharply in recent months, and last year,
Argentina had a trade surplus of over $8 billion. In the last
year, U.S. firms have invested over $200 million in Argentina.
You faced many difficult challenges when you took office in
1989, but I can see, and the Argentine people can see that,
together, these measures have earned the respect of the
international community and set Argentina on the road to a
stronger competitive position in the global economy.
By the end of 1994, the Mercosur common market will eliminate
tariffs between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay --
linking your economies together consistent with GATT -- to form
one of the hemisphere's largest open markets. You and your
partners are taking a giant step toward the goal I stated last
year in announcing the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative: to
make the Americas the world's largest partnership of free-trading
nations.
We welcome your efforts -- and the efforts of Brazil -- to
bring the Treaty of Tlatelolco into force by setting in place
nuclear safeguards which will increase security in this
hemisphere and the rest of the world.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 28, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR WHITE HOUSE AND OEOB PASSHOLDERS
FROM:
DEBRA ROMASH DUNN
DIRECTOR
VISITORS OFFICE
SUBJECT:
ARRIVAL CEREMONY FOR HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. CARLOS SAUL
MENEM, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA.
The Official Arrival Ceremony for His Excellency, Dr. Carlos Saul
Menem, President of the Republic of Argentina will be held on
Thursday, November 14, 1991 at 10:00 a.m. All passholders are
cordially invited to attend.
Passholders should submit the names, dates of birth and
social security numbers of their guests to the Visitors Office.
This will be a ticketed event and your guests will need a ticket
to attend. All lists must be submitted to the Visitors Office
by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 1991.
The tickets can be picked up at the East Appointment Gate between
12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13th.
Those attending the ceremony must arrive at the White House by
8:30 a.m., on the day of the event. Gate assignments will be on
their tickets. Please remind all ticket holders to bring proper
identification, as security concerns require checking names at
the gates.
Passholders will not need a ticket.
Staff is reminded that the gold rope areas, surrounding the
podium, are for special ticket holders only; guests of the
Administration. Guests for that area must be cleared through
the Visitors Office.
Thank you for your attention to the above guidelines.
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01. Memo
Carol Blymire Aarhus to Visitors Office, re: Arrival
10/31/91
P-6, (b)(6)
Ceremony for President Menem; Social Security numbers.
(1 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File, Backup
Subseries:
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
President Menem of Argentina 11/14/91 [2]
Date Closed:
11/1/2004
OA/ID Number:
08319
FOIA/SYS Case #:
Re-review Case #:
2004-2265-S
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
MR Case #:
Appeal Case #:
MR Disposition:
Appeal Disposition:
Disposition Date:
Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advise between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
THE STATE VISIT
DRAFT
TO
WASHINGTON, D.C.
as 01 11/7/91
OF
2:30pm
HIS EXCELLENCY
CARLOS SAUL MENEM
PRESIDENT
OF
THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA
NOVEMBER 13 TO 16, 1991
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 13
5:00 pm-
Greeted by Deputy Chief of
5:05 pm
Protocol Fitzgerald and
Welcoming Committee Andrews Air
Force Base, Maryland.
5:05 pm-
United States Presidential
5:15 pm
Helicopters to Washington
Monument Grounds Reflecting
Pool, Washington, D.C.
-7-
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 13
(Continued)
5:15 pm-
Greeted by Acting Secretary of
5:20 pm
State Eagleburger, Washington
Monument Grounds Reflecting Pool.
5:25 pm
Arrive Blair House.
Private dinner, Blair House.
Overnight: Blair House.
-8-
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 14
8:00 am-
Working Breakfast with
9:15 am
Executives of International
Financial Organizations, Blair
House.
9:45
10:00 am-
Arrival Ceremony with The
10:20 am
President and Mrs. Bush, South
10:05
Lawn, The White House.
10:25 am-
Reception with The President and
10: 5 am
Mrs. Bush, State Floor, The
White House.
15
10:30 am-
Photo-Opportunity with President
10:35 am
Bush, Oval Office, The White
20
House.
20
10:35 am-
Expanded Meeting with President
11:30 am
Bush, Cabinet Room, The White
might address
11:15 15
House.
Moint Session
11:15-12
E Jont Address
12:00 pm-
Meeting with Acting Secretary of
12:30 pm
State Eagleburger, Deputy
Secretary's Conference Room,
Department of State.
-9- - -
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 14
(Continued)
12:30 pm-
Luncheon offered by Acting
2:00 pm
Secretary of State Eagleburger
in honor of President Menem,
Benjamin Franklin Room,
Department of State.
2:15 pm-
Meeting with Congressional
4:15 pm
Leaders, United States Capitol.
4:30 pm-
Meeting with Secretary of
5:00 pm
Defense Cheney, Blair House.
7:15 pm-
Refreshments with The President
7:45 pm
and Mrs. Bush, Yellow Oval Room,
The White House.
7:45 pm-
Reception, State Dinner, and
10:35 pm
After-Dinner Entertainment
offered by The President and
Mrs. Bush in honor of President
Menem, State Floor, The White
House.
Dress: Black tie.
Overnight: Blair House.
-10-
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 15
8:00 am-
Working Breakfast with Secretary
9:00 am
of Treasury Brady and Under
Secretary of Treasury Mulford,
Blair House.
9:40 am-
Protocolary Session in honor of
10:45 am
President Menem, to be followed
by Address before Permanent
Council, Hall of the Americas,
Organization of American States.
10:50 am-
Meeting with President Iglesias,
11:50 am
President's Office,
Inter-American Development Bank.
12:00 pm-
Luncheon with Members of the
2:00 pm
National Press Club, National
Press Club.
3:15 pm-
Meeting with Chairman of the
4:15 pm
Board Graham of the Washington
Post, Chairman's Office, The
Washington Post Building.
4:45 pm-
Tour of Goddard Space Flight
5:45 pm
Center, Greenbelt, Maryland.
-11-
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 15
(Continuted)
6:30 pm-
Reception hosted by President
8:30 pm
Menem in honor of United States
Officials and Special Guests,
Embassy of Argentina.
Dress: Business suit.
Overnight: Blair House.
-12-
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 16
8:00 am-
Working Breakfast with United
9:00 am
States Political Scientists,
Economists and Sociologists with
interest in Argentina, Blair
House.
9:30 am-
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Tomb
10:00 am
of the Unknown Soldier,
Arlington National Cemetery.
10:10 am-
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at
10:30 am
Monument of Liberator General
Jose de San Martin. Unveiling
of a Plaque to Commemorate
President Menem's visit.
10:35 am-
Meeting with Members of the
11:30 am
Foreign News Media, Embassy of
Argentina.
11:30 am-
Reception for Members of
1:00 pm
Washington's Argentine
Community, Embassy of Argentina.
-13-
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 16
(Continued)
1:25 pm-
Farewell Ceremony with Under
1:30 pm
Secretary of State Kanter, Chief
of Protocol Weinmann and
Farewell Committee, Washington
Monument Grounds Reflecting Pool.
1:30 pm-
United States Presidential
2:30 pm
Helicopters to Williamsburg,
Virginia.
-14-
Grant/Aarhus
November 8, 1991
A:MENEMARR
Draft Two
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: ARRIVAL CEREMONY FOR PRESIDENT MENEM
NOVEMBER 14, 1991
10 A.M.
Thank you all very much. President Menem, it gives me great
pleasure to welcome you to the White House. The ties between our
countries have never been stronger, and a great deal of credit
goes to you and your administration.
Nearly a year ago, a revolt ensued by renegade soldiers
faced you in your nation's capital. You stood firm in defense of
freedom and liberty and in defense of your people's right to a
government of their choice. In the end, freedom triumphed. It
was an honor to join you, just two days later, in beautiful
Buenos Aires, the capital of a proud and free Argentina.
In your inaugural address you told the Argentine people,
"Only working together we shall become the architects of a deep
change and of a positive transformation." You asked Argentina to
"arise and walk." And you reassured your people that the sight
of their forefathers would guide them: San Martin, Bolivar,
Artigas and Peron -- leaders who believed that common frontiers
must turn into union bridges. President Menem, in their
tradition, you are a leader of courage and common sense, a man of
conviction, and a visionary for a people facing common frontiers.
When we met last year in Buenos Aires, we spoke about the
challenges your country faces, and the changes that have already
been set in motion.
Under your leadership, Argentina has become one of this
hemisphere's strongest defenders of democracy, both at home and
abroad. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, you sent troops from
the Argentine navy to join the international coalition that
liberated that pillaged nation. When tanks rumbled through the
streets of Moscow, threatening the Soviet Union's democratic
reconstruction, you were one of the first to speak out in defense
of liberty. You have called for democratic reform in Cuba and
worked within the Organization of American States to restore
democratic government in Haiti.
At home, you have brought down barriers to trade and
investment, slashed government spending, privatized state-owned
industries, and abolished harmful government regulation of the
economy. You have worked hard to meet Argentina's foreign debt
commitments. You have brought once-rampant inflation under
control. Industrial production levels are up; your stock market
-- the oldest in Latin America -- has risen sharply in recent
months. Last year, Argentina had a trade surplus of over $8
billion; U.S. firms alone invested over $200 million in
Argentina.
You faced many difficult challenges when you took office in
1989, but these measures earned the respect of the international
community. More importantly, they set Argentina on the road to a
stronger competitive position in the global economy.
In the rapidly evolving relationship among the nations of
the Southern Cone, you have taken the lead in achieving regional
Grant/Aarhus
November 8, 1991
A:MENEMTOA
Draft Two
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: STATE DINNER TOAST
PRESIDENT MENEM OF ARGENTINA
NOVEMBER 14, 1991
President Menem, distinguished guests.
I'd like to begin tonight with a short story. In November
of 1840, the "Thomas Jefferson of Argentina," Domingo Faustino
Sarmiento, began publishing a weekly newspaper, El Zonda, and
wrote of the yearning for democracy and the dream of freedom for
his people. After six issues, it was forced out of business
after the Federalist Governor raised the tax on newsprint.
Soon after, Sarmiento was imprisoned for conspiracy and nearly
lynched, then sent into exile. Sarmiento, under armed guard
while crossing the Andes into exile, wrote a message in French on
the wall of a shack he had built in the Zonda Valley. The
soldiers escorting him to the border did not read French, and so
the message remained. Sarmiento had written: "On ne tue pas les
idees" -- translated, "ideas cannot be killed."
President Menem, you are a man of ideas -- ideas of freedom,
opportunity and hope for a better life for your people. These
ideas can never be killed.
In your Inaugural address, you said: "I call you to
participate in the birth of a new time. of a new opportunity
which may be the last one, which may be the most important,
definite and decisive opportunity of our days. The most
beautiful country is the one we have not built yet."
2
I now raise my glass to a man of ideas, Carlos Menem. To
the beautiful world that we have not yet built: May it be one of
freedom, opportunity and a better life for all people.
# # #
June 19 / Administration of George Bush, 1991
resilience, through scholarship and, above
guished friend Baena Soares; and Secretary
Hills, for her W
all, the example of your lives.
Brady and Secretary Mosbacher. Of course,
behalf of the 1
And as you do, think of those in this pro-
Carla Hills here at the table for the United
say I hope you
gram again who deserve our thanks. Our
States, and so many distinguished Ambassa-
I'm proud of th
Governor here, Governor John Engler, who
dors. We're delighted to have you here.
dertaken and
is Chairman of this White House Commis-
This is an occasion to be proud of. We
thank each Fo
sion. Think of the Commission sponsors who
want to refer to this, and will refer to this,
that you have
enable you to do this. And let me salute the
as the Rose Garden Agreement. For those
today possible.
Commission members who choose 141 hon-
who are new here, this is a very special
We all know.
orees from among all of America's high
place, this Rose Garden. Many historic
the words and
school seniors.
events have happened here; many current
paper is only th
But also remember the teachers who in-
events take place here. But we view this
tant part of any
spired you, the friends or adults who coun-
tation. I want
agreement as one of significance, and I
seled you, supported you, gave you the con-
committed to m
would refer to this as the Rose Garden
fidence to achieve great things. Kathryn
Agreement. It represents the culmination of
in practice. Ano
Cunningham, a scholar from Vermont, has
proposed the E
a great deal of negotiating work. It repre-
said, "I thank my parents for their advice
Initiative, our E
sents a new departure for our trade and
that achievements mean nothing if they
trade and grow
investment relations with Argentina, Brazil,
don't help anyone else." All your parents
prosperity to thi
Paraguay, and Uruguay.
ought to be proud. While this is your day, I
hemisphere.
And more importantly, this agreement
I don't intend
kind of think it's also theirs.
demonstrates how a new cooperative spirit
Americas to be
And to every Presidential scholar, my
is at work in our hemisphere. Almost exact-
afford here in th.
heartfelt congratulations. And in closing, a
ly a year ago, I set forth some ideas on how
more slogan and
challenge: Let us not only move mankind
the United States and the other countries of
not be followe
into the future, let us better it, ennoble it.
this hemisphere could address issues of
policy fail. And S
Make the best of the special blessings be-
trade, investment, and debt. And one of the
progress in this }
stowed upon you. God bless you all and
ideas advanced was the negotiation of bilat-
my commitment
your wonderful families. And may God bless
eral trade and investment framework
the United States of America. Thank you,
the same spirit (
agreements as a way to move us along the
the same spirit (
and congratulations to all of you.
road to our ultimate destination. Free trade
tion that produce
area-this is the way we see it-a free trade
So, I wanted t
Note: The President spoke at 2:35 p.m. on
area stretching from Alaska in the north to
the South Lawn at the White House.
simply say fron
Tierra del Fuego in the south. A major new
United States of
free trade area.
our interest. I a.
The four countries represented here
interest of all the
came back and they told us they had some
ment-this Rose
Remarks by President Bush and
innovative ideas, and they came back with
believe also the
President Collor of Brazil on Signing an
a very imaginative proposal. Instead of
others in this hem
Enterprise for the Americas Initiative
doing a bilateral framework agreement,
So, thank you 1
Multilateral Trade Agreement
why not do a framework agreement with a
so hard on it. A
June 19, 1991
number of countries? And we thought
just can't tell yo'
about it. The logic was compelling. And in
have you. And yo.
President Bush. Well, first, let me wel-
the marketplace of ideas, good ones ad-
President Collo
come everybody here-a most distinguished
vance, and this was a very good one.
of Foreign Affairs
guest list from all across our treasured
In keeping with that spirit and the pur-
gentlemen, for 1
hemisphere, and we're delighted to have
pose of the EAI-the Enterprise for the
countries took the
you here. Of course, I want to single out
Americas Initiatives-we were delighted, in
nations, we four
our guest of honor, who's been here for
keeping with that spirit, to join with a
the United States
what the United States feels has been a ter-
group of hemispheric countries that are
to inscribe our
ribly important visit, President Collor of
working together to break down barriers to
peace, justice, and
Brazil. I want to salute Foreign Minister Di
trade among themselves. And we've spent
agreement which
Tella; Foreign Minister Rezek; Foreign Min-
the last several months working with you all
peoples and gover
ister Frutos; Foreign Minister Gros; and the
to make this a reality. And I want to con-
May this mome
Secretary General of the OAS, our distin-
gratulate, with pride, our negotiator, Carla
historical milestor
818
Administration of George Bush, 1991 / June 19
and Secretary
Hills, for her work and that of her team. On
brighter and better future for generations
her. Of course,
behalf of the United States, I can proudly
to come. May this Rose Garden Agreement
for the United
say I hope you found them cooperative, but
flower as a source of inspiration for all of us,
ished Ambassa-
I'm proud of the negotiations that were un-
people and governments, rich and poor, as
you here.
dertaken and concluded. And I want to
a token of faith in our future-a common
proud of. We
thank each Foreign Minister for the work
future, but a better future on a planet
II refer to this,
that you have done to make this signing
where we can raise our children in peace
ent. For those
today possible.
and harmony and social justice with trust in
a very special
We all know, however, that agreeing on
our neighbors and no fear for our environ-
Many historic
the words and then putting them down on
ment.
many current
paper is only the first step. The most impor-
May God guide us. And thank you very
we view this
tant part of any agreement is its implemen-
much, President George Bush.
icance, and I
tation. I want to assure you that we are
Rose Garden
committed to making this agreement work
Note: The President spoke at 5:04 p.m. in
culmination of
in practice. And as I made clear when I
the Rose Garden at the White House. In his
/ork. It repre-
proposed the Enterprise for the Americas
our trade and
Initiative, our goal is to help bring more
remarks, he referred to Foreign Minister
trade and growth, more jobs and greater
Guido Di Tella of Argentina; Foreign Min-
entina, Brazil,
prosperity to this, our shared and treasured
ister Francisco Rezek of Brazil; Foreign
hemisphere.
Minister Alexis Frutos Vaesken of Paraguay;
is agreement
I don't intend for the Enterprise for the
Foreign Minister Hector Gros Espiell of
berative spirit
Americas to be just a slogan. We can't
Uruguay; Secretary of the Treasury Nicholas
Almost exact-
afford here in the United States to have one
F. Brady; Secretary of Commerce Robert
ideas on how
more slogan and then have the policy itself
Mosbacher; and United States Trade Repre-
r countries of
not be followed through on-have the
sentative Carla Hills.
ess issues of
policy fail. And so, we want it to mean real
nd one of the
progress in this hemisphere. And you have
ation of bilat-
my commitment to bring this agreement
framework
the same spirit of cooperation-bring to it
us along the
Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater
the same spirit of cooperation and innova-
n. Free trade
on the Establishment of the Council on
tion that produced it in the first place.
-a free trade
Trade and Investment
So, I wanted to thank you. I wanted to
the north to
simply say from the standpoint of the
June 19, 1991
A major new
United States of America: we know it is in
our interest. I am convinced it is in the
The United States today signed a frame-
sented here
interest of all the signatories to this agree-
work agreement with Argentina, Brazil,
ey had some
ment-this Rose Garden Agreement. And I
Paraguay, and Uruguay establishing a Coun-
e back with
believe also there's a good message for
cil on Trade and Investment. The Presi-
Instead of
others in this hemisphere.
dent, accompanied by Brazilian President
agreement,
So, thank you to everybody that worked
Fernando Collor, participated in the Rose
ment with a
so hard on it. And again Mr. President, I
Garden ceremony. United States Trade
we thought
just can't tell you how pleased we are to
Representative Carla A. Hills signed for the
'ing. And in
have you. And you get the final word.
United States. The other signatories were
d ones ad-
President Collor. Mr. President, Ministers
Argentine Foreign Minister Guido Di Tella,
one.
of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors, ladies and
Brazilian Foreign Minister Francisco Rezek,
id the pur-
gentlemen, for the first time since our
Paraguayan Foreign Minister Alexis Frutos
ise for the
countries took their places in the concert of
Vaesken, and Uruguayan Foreign Minister
elighted, in
nations, we four and President Bush and
Hector Gros Espiell.
in with a
the United States of America are meeting
The framework agreement is the first
S that are
to inscribe our common aspirations for
signed with a regional group since the
barriers to
peace, justice, and development in a formal
President announced the Enterprise for the
ve've spent
agreement which translates the will of our
Americas Initiative (EAI) on June 27, 1990.
with you all
peoples and governments.
The United States has signed bilateral
int to con-
May this moment be remembered as an
framework agreements with eight other
ator, Carla
historical milestone which foreshadows a
countries of this hemisphere under the EAI.
819
Administration of George Bush, 1990 / Nov. 29
and bi-zonal feder-
tity, aiming at creating a federation consist-
ty Council detailing the status of the negoti-
sovereignty, inde-
ing of two regions, one to be administered
ations through October 31.
tegrity and non-
by the Turkish Cypriot community and the
Sincerely,
will exclude union
other by the Greek Cypriot."
George Bush
any other country
President Vassiliou returned to Cyprus
secession.
Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas
several days later and, in a speech before a
S. Foley, Speaker of the House of Represent-
: to be negotiated
special session of his House of Representa-
atives, and Claiborne Pell, chairman of the
over all the issues
tives marking the island's 30th anniversary
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
question. It is en-
of its independence, he included the follow-
ted to the mem-
ing notable passage:
e EC will be dis-
"Naturally foremost in our hearts and our
minds is the national problem which is di-
d is concerned by
rectly connected with our survival and on
Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater
on of the situation
whose solution much else depends. We
on Argentine and Brazilian Compliance
:lopments in past
carry 30 years of experience as well as
With Nuclear Safeguards and
progress in the ne-
many wounds from which all of us, Greek
Nonproliferation Regimes
rend must be re-
Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots should learn.
November 29, 1990
bes that it will be
Mistakes and omissions were made by both
his plan of action
sides in the past. However, history and our
The United States applauds the Novem-
present situation have convinced us that all
ber 28 announcement by Argentina and
these, as well as foreign interventions, do
Brazil to work with the International
mber 17, 1990, the
not serve the interest of any Cypriot. Our
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to apply
Community, meet-
destiny was and remains common. Conse-
safeguards to all nuclear facilities and activi-
d the Government
quently, with goodwill, tolerance, mutual
ties in their countries and to bring into
ation for member-
respect for our differences and views, we
force the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which estab-
ommunity and de-
can find a solution acceptable to all. We can
ation to the Com-
lishes a nuclear weapon-free zone in Latin
and we must pinpoint the points which
n Community for
America. The prospects for a Latin America
unite us and serve us all and build on them.
forever free from the dangers of nuclear
The future cannot be secured with separat-
weapons have brightened.
ring Turkish Presi-
ist trends and sterile confrontation.
President Menem and President Collor
1 me, we discussed
Through contact and the exchange of views
have acted boldly to enhance regional and
.N. Secretary Gen-
on all levels, a climate of mutual trust and
understanding can be created, which will
world stability in pledging to use nuclear
romote reconcilia-
lary of State Baker
eliminate the mistrust created and main-
energy only for peaceful purposes. We an-
conversations with
tained by isolation. That is why we work for
ticipate that yesterday's announcement of
5. Samaras in the
rapprochement."
mutual inspections and negotiations with
the IAEA will lead to the early implementa-
ber 25, Under Sec-
In late September, the U.N. Secretary
tion of a full-scope IAEA safeguards agree-
met with Cypriot
General and his advisers reached agree-
ment. This will facilitate peaceful nuclear
ew York to stress
ment on how their "plan of action" would
for U.N.-sponsored
cooperation with Brazil and Argentina
be implemented. Ambassador Camilion and
dent Vassiliou, in
while broadening their access to other ad-
Mr. Feissel returned to Cyprus in mid-Octo-
a earlier that day
ber to begin a series of separate meetings
vanced technologies.
ch he insisted that
with the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot and
We also welcome and commend the com-
on to the Cyprus
Greek Cypriot communities to see if work
mitment by the Governments of Argentina
t negotiations are
could be restarted on a draft outline for a
and Brazil to bring the Treaty of Tlatelolco
th and are result-
Cyprus settlement. My special Cyprus Coor-
into force. We urge them to do so swiftly.
and time again,
dinator, Nelson Ledsky, met with these
We also urge those countries in Latin
nt as well as our
U.N. negotiators and with representatives of
America which have not done so to bring
se of negotiations.
the interested parties in New York and
the treaty into force as Argentina and
sals to the Turkish
travelled to the eastern Mediterranean in
Brazil are pledging to do and to support the
eyond the protec-
late October, to reemphasize U.S. support
international community's nonproliferation
and linguistic iden-
for the U.N. negotiating effort. The UNSYG
regime. President Bush will visit the region
has sent a further report to the U.N. Securi-
next week and looks forward to discussing
1939
Nov. 29 / Administration of George Bush, 1990
these issues in greater detail with Presi-
Statement on Signing the Bill on
Note: H.R. 5390, ap
dents Menem and Collor.
Wetland and Coastal Inland Waters
was assigned Public 1
Protection and Restoration Programs
November 29, 1990
Statement on Signing the Stewart B.
Today I am signing H.R. 5390, "An Act to
Remarks to the Ass
McKinney Homeless Assistance
prevent and control infestation of the coast-
Holding Companie
Amendments Act of 1990
al inland waters of the United States by the
zebra mussel and other nonindigenous
November 29, 1990
November 29, 1990
aquatic nuisance species, to reauthorize the
Well, thank you all
National Sea Grant College Program, and
It is with great pleasure that I have today
pleasure to do what's
for other purposes." This Act is designed to
signed H.R. 3789, the Stewart B. McKinney
as a cameo appearan
minimize, monitor, and control nonindigen-
Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of
delighted to be here
ous species that become established in the
1990. Congress first enacted the Stewart B.
very interesting time
United States, particularly the zebra mussel;
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act in 1987,
Gene Miller and, of
establish wetlands protection and restora-
and the act signed today will reauthorize a
don't want to put his
tion programs in Louisiana and nationally;
but my classmate-
broad array of programs to assist the home-
and promote fish and wildlife conservation
friend, and, of course
less, amend current programs, and author-
in the Great Lakes.
the banking industry
ize certain new programs to address the
Title III of this Act designates a State
Back in February
continuing needs of homeless, especially the
official not subject to executive control as a
of your organization
mentally ill and substance abusers.
member of the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands
S&L program, the re
Since 1987 the McKinney Act has provid-
Conservation and Restoration Task Force.
support helped us ta
ed over $2 billion for programs to assist the
This official would be the only member of
toward restoring the
homeless. H.R. 3789 will authorize the new
the Task Force whose appointment would
system, and we are
Shelter Plus Care Program, an administra-
not conform to the Appointments Clause of
And since then, Nick
tion proposal, which will help link rental
the Constitution.
to, I guess, everybod
housing assistance to other supportive serv-
The Task Force will set priorities for wet-
ducting a thorough rc
ices for the homeless.
lands restoration and formulate Federal
and the concerns of
Under the provisions of H.R. 3789, the
conservation and restoration plans. Certain
system.
Department of Health and Human Services
of its duties, which ultimately determine
What he's found i:
is authorized to establish a Family Support
funding levels for particular restoration
cant structural refor
projects, are an exercise of significant au-
pace with the revolt
Centers demonstration program that will
provide a number of health and related
thority that must be undertaken by an offi-
nancial services that
services for low-income individuals who
cer of the United States, appointed in ac-
two decades. And to
were previously homeless or are at risk of
cordance with the Appointments Clause,
ATM and the 800 nu
Article II, sec. 2, cl. 2, of the Constitution.
of intense competiti
becoming homeless. The act also authorizes
meet the consumer's
additional grants to the States that would be
In order to constitutionally enforce this
rethink and reexami
focused on those who are currently home-
program, I instruct the Task Force to pro-
tions and the need fo
less and suffer from both substance abuse
mulgate its priorities list under section
and mental illness.
303(a)(2) "by a majority vote of those Task
The regulatory syst
Force members who are present and
well, indeed, from it
H.R. 3789 recognizes that the homeless
ties, is today, in my
voting," and to consider the State official to
often have needs that go beyond housing
moded, is likely to p'
be a nonvoting member of the Task Force
assistance. By providing health services,
for this purpose. Moreover, the Secretary of
ing competitive as
substance abuse services, and counseling in
serve customers and
the Army should construe "lead Task Force
addition to housing assistance, this act en-
the system. The res
member" to include only those members
hances the administration's ability to ad-
ductive: Denying ba
appointed in conformity with the Appoint-
enter new market
dress the needs of the homeless in all their
ments Clause.
risky ventures that f
complexity.
George Bush
and regulations.
In January, the Tre
Note: H.R. 3789, approved November 29,
The White House,
make its recommen
was assigned Public Law No. 101-645.
November 29, 1990.
sive banking reform
1940
Administration of George Bush, 1990
September 16
join the international effort to enforce U.N.
nardino, CA. In 1985
In the afternoon, the President returned
Kids Against Crime,
economic sanctions against Iraq.
to the White House from a weekend stay at
not only how to pre-
September 20
Camp David, MD.
at to do in case crime
The President met at the White House
f Kids Against Crime
with:
rt and Referral Hot-
September 17
The President met at the White House
-the Vice President; John H. Sununu,
with:
Chief of Staff to the President; Brent
-the Vice President; John H. Sununu,
Scowcroft, Assistant to the President for
Chief of Staff to the President; Brent
National Security Affairs; and members
'S Moines, IA. Found-
Parents, an all-volun-
Scowcroft, Assistant to the President for
of the CIA briefing staff;
cope with the stress
National Security Affairs; and members
-John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the
S, offering emotional
of the CIA briefing staff;
President;
-John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the
-the Vice President, for lunch.
President;
September 21
-members of the Cabinet;
The President met at the White House
le, IL. As an employ-
-Secretary of the Treasury Nicholas F.
with:
or the Deaf, Ms. Elias
Brady.
the students at the
-H. Lee Atwater, chairman of the Re-
e youth, she is like a
In the morning, the President telephoned
publican National Committee;
Linda Warsaw, the 250th Daily Point of
-the Vice President; John H. Sununu,
Light.
Chief of Staff to the President; Brent
In the afternoon, in an Oval Office cere-
Scoweroft, Assistant to the President for
nenectady, NY. Girls
mony, the President participated in the
National Security Affairs; and members
ady, formerly called
presentation of the National Education
of the CIA briefing staff;
b, offers a variety of
Goals poster.
-John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the
r girls and young
President;
tion SMART, which
September 18
; Youth Expressions
-British Defense Minister Thomas King,
The President met at the White House
perform plays about
to discuss the Persian Gulf crisis;
with:
Than Sorry, which
-congressional leaders, to discuss the
protect themselves
-the Vice President; John H. Sununu,
Persian Gulf crisis;
na Splits, a support
Chief of Staff to the President; Brent
-Secretary of State James A. Baker III.
vorced families; and
Scowcroft, Assistant to the President for
The President announced his intention to
hes safety skills for
National Security Affairs; and members
nominate Katherine D. Ortega, of New
of the CIA briefing staff;
Mexico, to be an Alternate Representative
-John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the
of the United States of America to the 45th
President.
Session of the General Assembly of the
Claire, WI. Founded
The President designated Jack A. Joseph-
United Nations. She would succeed Barbara
e provides continu-
son, of New York, to be Chairman of the
nd adults after the
Franklin. Most recently, Mrs. Ortega served
Cultural Property Advisory Committee. Mr.
as Treasurer of the United States.
or spouse, providing
Josephson was appointed as a member of
ding counseling and
In the afternoon, the President and Mrs.
he death of a loved
the Committee on June 12, 1990. Currently
Bush went to Camp David, MD, for the
he serves as president of Sellers and Joseph-
weekend.
son, Inc., in Norwood, NJ.
The President designated Timothy J.
McBride, of Michigan, to be a member of
Nominations
the Overseas Private Investment Corpora-
Submitted to the Senate
tion. Mr. McBride currently serves as an
nents
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade
The following list does not include promo-
Development.
tions of members of the Uniformed Services,
'S the President's
nominations to the Service Academies, or
September 19
nominations of Foreign Service officers.
items of general
In the evening, President Bush sent a
e Office of the
personal message to President Carlos Saúl
Submitted September 17
cluded elsewhere
Menem of Argentina, thanking him for
Leonard H.O. Spearman, Sr.,
sending two ships to the Persian Gulf to
of Texas, to be Ambassador Extraordinary
1423
Administration of George Bush, 1990
of a Resolution
gether that agreement and put in place the
September 29
Continued
largest deficit reduction in history. It's a sad
In the afternoon, the President and Mrs.
commentary that the full House did not
Bush attended the National Security Coun-
have the courage of those convictions. But
cil picnic at Fort McNair.
surely the reality of a government close-
Later in the afternoon, the President and
is at hand. At mid-
down will convince everyone that a solution
Mrs. Bush traveled to New York City. In his
ess of the United
must be found. It is time to act responsibly
suite at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Presi-
shutdown of gov-
on this problem and produce a fiscal year
dent Bush held bilateral meetings with:
esulting confusion
1991 budget.
-President Cesar Gaviria of Colombia,
this land because
-Prime Minister Salim al-Huss of Leba-
udget. It is deeply
non,
Note: The President returned H.J. Res. 660
verning bodies of
-President Violeta Chamorro of Nicara-
without approval on October 6.
agle with the Na-
gua,
-ly a year and fail.
-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney of
Canada,
is no budget, the
Points of Light Recognition Program
-Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki of
nt, under existing
Poland, and
thority to continue
: be a party to the
The President named the following individ-
-Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu of Japan.
gain put off meet-
uals and institutions as exemplars of his
September 30
a few more days. I
commitment to making community service
In the afternoon, President Bush held bi-
tinuing resolution
central to the life and work of every Ameri-
lateral meetings in his suite at the Waldorf-
d Senate tonight,
can.
Astoria Hotel with:
:e again the most
-President Fernando Collor de Mello of
ponsibility of gov-
September 29
Brazil,
3 people's money.
our national parks
Variety House for Children, of New York, NY
-President Carlos Andrés Pérez of Ven-
ezuela,
e. Cleanup at haz-
October 1
-President Václav Havel of Czechoslova-
ise. Social Security
new applications.
Joey LoDuca, of San Diego, CA
kia,
-King Baudouin I of Belgium,
e delayed. In one
October 2
-Prime Minister Felipe González Már-
er another, thou-
Mary Vandiver Moorhead, of Anderson, SC
quez of Spain,
ees will no longer
-President Carlos Salinas de Gortari of
tasks necessary for
October 3
Mexico, and
eople of America
Southern Oregon Drug Awareness, of Medford,
-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of
entatives to Wash-
OR
the United Kingdom.
onsequences.
ural address, they
October 4
October 1
icker. And tonight
Carol McGann, of South Bend, IN
In the morning, President Bush held bi-
to act as quickly as
lateral meetings in his suite at the Waldorf-
acceptable budget.
October 5
Astoria Hotel with:
lose confidence in
Leslie Sloan, of Springfield, IL
-President Carlos Saúl Menem of Argen-
ow, tomorrow, as
tina,
ice a budget that
-President Luis Alberto Lacalle of Uru-
ds recession, and
guay, and
path of sustained
-Secretary General Salim Salim and
Digest of Other
Chairman Yoweri Museveni of the Or-
with the Members
White House Announcements
ganization of African Unity.
responsible plan.
In the morning, President Bush met at
k, we produced a
the United Nations with U.N. Secretary-
vould have cut a
The following list includes the President's
General Javier Perez de Cuellar de la
deficit over the
public schedule and other items of general
Guerra and U.N. General Assembly Presi-
ouse and the con-
interest announced by the Office of the
dent Guido De Marco.
e Democratic and
Press Secretary and not included elsewhere
In the afternoon, the President had tele-
d hard to put to-
in this issue.
phone conversations with Members of Con-
1533
Administration of George Bush, 1990 / Dec. 3
le, I recently ac-
sometimes painful, economic choices are
was unpopular with the leather industry in
your Ambassador
being made by President Menem. These
Argentina. But here are some economic
luardo MacGilly-
choices involve the transformation of very
facts: By forbidding the export of hides
illycuddy is a dis-
large sectors of the Argentine economy.
from Argentina, prices for these hides in
ates Senator from
Like many other leaders of this hemisphere,
Argentina are driven down because they
bassador MacGil-
President Menem is making the difficult
can only be sold in the domestic market.
a brother of the
choices and implementing economic reform
This means that leather exported from Ar-
all legend by the
policies to make Argentina more competi-
gentine commerce to other markets, such
tive and guarantee the country's long-term
as the United States, is priced artificially
ample. As I men-
economic health.
low.
e midst of trying
Privatization has played a part in this eco-
Argentina's competitors in the U.S.
bitious trade ex-
nomic restructuring. As your question
thought this was unfair and complained to
des. If this effort
noted, instead of continuing to have the
our authorities. Following a very detailed
d world trade by
economy dominated by an inefficient state
and open process in accordance with our
ccident that this
apparatus, which has stifled initiative and
law, in which the Argentine industry was
is called the Uru-
blocked economic growth, the Government
represented by experienced counsel, the
ntry which served
of Argentina has adopted policies aimed at
Commerce Department agreed that a subsi-
g.
privatizing businesses such as the airline
dy was being provided by virtue of the Ar-
ngs as well. Presi-
and the telephone company. This has re-
gentine Government's policy prohibiting
President of this
duced Argentina's debt burden and brought
the export of hides. This is not an issue
ifter I announced
back to these companies the incentive to
where the President of the United States
mericas Initiative
compete for investment and for clients.
can intervene to tip the scales one way or
has been a strong
Quite frankly, I believe that good airlines
another. The solution is for Argentina to
his proposal work.
can and should depend on their passengers
allow exports of hides, so that its leather
need the help of
for their revenues and not depend on the
will be priced according to the forces of the
iter-American De-
taxpayers.
international market.
is headed by an-
As for the participation of United States
Iglesias.
investors-whether this be in the form of
I should note that this has been a long-
am eager to visit
capital, of technology, or of management-
standing sore point in our bilateral relation-
President Lacalle,
as long as there is a level playing field, and
ship. Several years ago, we had negotiated a
by that I mean that the rules are the same
solution under the section 301 provision,
iayan Congress. I
erms of benefits to
for all investors, I think that rational eco-
but because the agreement was not fulfilled
Ve are looking for
nomic choices will be made. That's what
by Argentina, U.S. industry felt it had no
recourse but to seek relief under U.S. trade
the whole hemi-
freedom to compete is all about, whether it
is in Argentina or Alaska.
laws.
es we can derive
round and a free
With regard to wheat, I assume you are
U.S. Trade Policies
n Alaska to Tierra
referring to the Export Enhancement Pro-
Q. At the final stage of the Uruguay
gram. This program was designed to keep
round of GATT, the U.S. is standing again
U.S. wheat competitively priced with the
against subsidies and all kinds of protection-
wheat being sold by other producers, pri-
; on the economic
ist trade barriers for agricultural products.
marily the European Community. We hope
id other countries
Nevertheless, the Government is subsidiz-
that a successful outcome of the agricultural
and, at the same
ing some grain exports, with potential harm
talks in the Uruguay round will make this
SS of deep restruc-
for Argentina and other countries in the
and other export subsidy programs superflu-
d its institutional
hemisphere, and is keeping some tariffs that
ous.
ession of the fact
make difficult the entrance of products like,
Petroleum
big state corpora-
for example, Argentine leathers. Is it possi-
ephone company)
ble that the administration could modify
Q. Venezuela has increased its oil produc-
ne participation of
these policies in favor of a more consistent
tion by half a million barrels daily to help in
of American man-
attitude with respect to all forms of protec-
the Gulf crisis and is opening its doors again
tionism?
to U.S. private investment in the oil sector.
he most important
The President. I know that the Com-
Recently, President Carlos Andrés Pérez
elates to what is
merce Department's decision to impose
stated that his country deplored the specu-
today. Difficult,
countervailing duties on Argentine leather
lation which was driving oil prices up and
1969
10/17/91 14:43
202 707 2005
LC/HISP
5
001/007
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
OCT 17 P2:48
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20540
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
Tel: (202) 707-5400
Fax: (202) 707-2005
To: Carol Aarhus
Date: October 17, 1991
FAX 456-6218
From: E. Larson, Head, Ref. Section
Message: Six pages follow this cover sheet. The English version of the
Argentine National Anthem appears on page six.
LC/HISP
10/17/91 14:44
202 707 2005
27
ARGENTINA
Words by
Music by
VICENTE LOPEZ Y PLANES
BLAS PARERA (1765- c. 1830)
(1785-1856)
Arr. by JUAN PEDRO ESNAOLA (1808-1878)
VERSE
Maestoso
¡O-id;mor-
7
- ta - les! el gri - to sa - gTa
do;
¡Li - ber -
- tad,
li - ber-tad, -
H - ber - tad!
O-id el
Officially adopted as National Anthem, 11 May, 1813, by the General Constituent Assembly.
9
99
so1 A
iprs
IPP
das
?" - n
5023
-
una
-
d
d
€
Las Pro-
not
-
22.19 - our - 25. - in-sip - ou - 0.17 725 DI
24
d
-2
29
#
- oz of D Du - 0.47
us PaA
Sou
-
ap - DD
tas
-
de TO
op
2321
k
28
CC/HISP
C202 707 2005
11:11 T6/LT/01
200/007
004/007
- 10/17/91 14:44 202 707 2005
LC/HISP
29
Ii
bres
del mun
1
do
res - pon
-
den:
¡Al gran
b
P
mf
pue
-
blo_Ar - gen-ti
1
no,
Sa - lud!
¡Al gran
mf
pue - blo Ar-gen - ti - no, Sa - lud!
y
los
P
li
-
bres del mun - do Tes - por - den
¡AI gran
or
P
10/17/91 14:45 6202 707 2005
LC/HISP
005/007
30
mf
pue - blo_Ar-gen - ti
-
no, Sa - lud!
Y.
los
mf
li
- bres del mun - do Tes - pon - den
¡AI gran
mf
pue - blo_Ar-gen-ti - no, Sa - lud!
N
10/17/91 14:45
6202 707 2005
LC/HISP
006/007
31
CHORUS
Allegro vivace
Sean e - ter - nos Los lau - Te - les.
Que 526 - pi - mos con - se -
Lento
P
- guir:
Que SZZ - pi - mos con - se - guir:
Co - TO -
+
P
lunga
Allegro vivace
- na
I
dos
de
glo
-
ria
vi
-
Da
mos
O.
ju -
VII
- re mos con glo - ria mo - rit.
0
ju
-
32
- Te
mos
can
glo
-
ria
To
-
rer.
0
ju
- re
-
mos con glo - ria mo - rir.
Free Translation
Hear. oh mortals! the sacred cry:
Freedom, freedom, freedom !
Hear the noise of broken chains;
See the throne of Equality the noble.
The United Provinces of the South
Their throne full of dignity opened!
And the free of the world reply:
A salutation to the great Argentine people!
CHORUS Let those laurels be eternal
Which we knew how to win:
Let as live crowned by glory
Or swear with glory to die.
U.S.NEWS
The onset of
big-debt blues
The economic summit did little to fix the $1.3
trillion mess. Now, debtors might stop payments
H
OW bad is the world debt problem?
The most visible sign of woe was the
Bad enough that the leaders of West-
inability of Mexico and its banks, after
ern democracies all but threw up
months of haggling, to reach a debt-
their hands at the Paris economic summit
restructuring agreement prior to the end
last weekend and stopped pretending that
of the summit. The Bush administration
a viable solution is at hand to defuse the
had desperately wanted such a deal to
$1.3 trillion debt bomb. After two decades
show that its new strategy to significantly
of profligate lending-first to Eastern Eu-
ease debtors' burdens could work and
ropean nations that squandered $70 bil-
said more than $1 billion in interim fi-
lion in Western loans, then to Latin
nancing could be raised to clinch an
America, where billions of dollars passed
agreement. Now, its best efforts have
through these countries into the private
come to naught, and the Western Alli-
accounts of corrupt officials-the credi-
ance faces either a prolonged period of
tor nations now find themselves at a
stasis or a crisis that could bring the
The last laugh. Bush and Mexican President
crossroad. Hard choices must be made
international finance system to its knees.
about who deserves to get a fresh start and
Try as it might to put the best face on
government. "Debtors will have to try to
who does not. President Bush made clear
the situation, the fact is that the world's
grow and fix their economies while the
last week during his trip to Poland and
banking system, after seven years, re-
creditors lick their wounds." Although a
Hungary that he would rather focus on
mains hostage to a score of debtor nations
number of major U.S. banks have already
encouraging change in Eastern Europe
who have missed out on years of global
written off considerable portions of their
and the Soviet Union, furthering the East-
growth. More and more economists and
loans to Latin American countries, a uni-
West rapprochement, than engage in a
foreigners are saying there might be no
lateral moratorium might wipe out the
comprehensive new effort aimed at poorer
solution to the problem short of a morato-
entire capital of a handful of big institu-
nations in Latin America and Africa. Yet
rium on debt payments similar to the
tions and severely cripple others unless
that is where the worst problems are and
situation in the 1930s. "We're going into a
the government changes the way these
where it looks like already fragile infra-
decade where debt service may be sus-
losses have to be assessed. If the rules are
structures could collapse unless these na-
pended," said economist Rudiger Dorn-
changed and the banks are given tax
tions first take steps to put their econo-
busch of the Massachusetts Institute of
breaks to survive, then U.S. taxpayers
mies on a sounder footing.
Technology, an adviser to the Mexican
might have to bear these huge expenses.
CAUGHT IN THE DEBT TRAP
For the countries deepest im hock to:creditors;
debt consumes much of, if notimore:than; what
Buends
they produce: each year. Debt;also:stifles
investment andicontributes to higminflation:
Brasilia
Much: of the debt is privately held, making,
agreements
Mexico
City?
Argentina
Brazil
Mexico
1988 debt:
$59.6 bil.
1988 debt:
$120.1 bil
1988 debt:
$107.4 bil
1982 debt:
$43.6 bil.
1982 debt:
$91.9 bil.
1982 debt:
$86.1 bil.
Debt-service ratio:
201%
Debt-service ratio:
106%
Debt-service ratio:
61%
1988 payments due: $6.1 bil.
1988 payments due: $24 bil.
1988 payments due:$15.6 bil.
GDP:
$71.5 bil.
GDP:
$299.2 bil.
GDP:
$141.9-bil.
Per capita GDP: $2,234
Per capita GDP: $2,092
Per capita GDP:
$1,730
Per capita debt: $1,863
Per capita debt:
$840
Per capita debt:
$1,310
Inflation:
337%
Inflation:
582%
Inflation:
114%
Note: Figures are for 1988, except gross domestic product (GDP), which is for 1987.
GDP and debt figures not adjusted for inflation. Reserves are total reserves minus gold, year-end figures. Debt-service ratio is 1988 principal-and-interest payments as a share of total exports.
20
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, July 24, 1989
GREG GIBSON/AFP
White House Chief of Staff John Sununu.
Bush began the romancing of the East
bloc during emotional, whirlwind trips
through Poland and Hungary. He prom-
ised only modest amounts of seed money
at first-$115 million to Poland and $25
million to Hungary-which disappointed
the recipients. "It speaks of millions when
we need billions," complained the pro-
Solidarity paper Gazeta Wyborcza in Po-
land. Solidarity leader Lech Walesa had
asked Bush for $10 billion. Still, White
House aides made clear they hoped this
would only be the beginning of a long-
term campaign to pump much more
Western help into the reform-minded na-
tions. And they vowed not to repeat the
mistakes of the 1970s when vast sums
were loaned to both nations without re-
quiring changes in their economies.
Drop In the bucket. That is where the
allies enter the picture. Bush walked into
the summit pursuing accords for signifi-
cant allied assistance to Eastern Europe
and other struggling nations. Japanese
Prime Minister Sousuke Uno agreed to
tap his country's bulging surpluses by
committing $10 billion to support Bush's
Salinas got along well at the Paris summit. But back home, по debt relief was in sight
debt-reduction plan and an additional $28
billion for other international aid pro-
For the U.S., financial issues swirling
the kind of massive assistance many of the
grams, which also solidified Japan's posi-
around the developing world's $1.3 tril-
indebted nations need.
tion as the world's emerging rich uncle.
lion debt burden are intertwined with
Like any banker, the administration
While this may sound like a lot of
politics. That is because many of the most
must decide which nations and which
money, it is a drop in the bucket consid-
troubled debtors are Third World nations
democratic and market-oriented reforms
ering the amounts now owed, let alone
like Mexico, Argentina and the Philip-
most deserve nurturing, because the
the need for new capital to spur growth
pines that desperately are attempting to
U.S. cannot do it all and its bankers
in developing nations. Those issues were
maintain fragile democratic institutions
have been burned badly in their zeal to
most clearly in focus in the negotiations
and Second World nations like Poland
flood developing countries with loans.
between Mexico and its U.S. bankers.
and Hungary that are trying to move from
That is why the decision last week to
For months, the government of Presi-
Marxism toward democratic systems and
focus on the Soviet Union and Eastern
dent Carlos Salinas de Gortari has been
market economies. The Bush administra-
Europe is so important. "These are oppor-
trying to renegotiate its loans under the
tion hopes to reward liberalizing reforms
tunities that ought not to be let go by and
format of the Brady Plan. Treasury Sec-
but is hard pressed itself to come up with
really call for concerted action," argued
retary Nicholas Brady recognized in
LESLIE JORGENSEN-USN&WR
Budapest
Abidian
Lagos
Poland
Hungary
ivory Coast
Nigeria
Philippines
1988 debt:
$39.1.bil
1988 debt:
$17.2 bil.
1988 debt
$14.2 bil
1988 debt:
$30.5 bil
1988 debt:
$30.2 bil.
1982 debt:
$26.5 bil
1982 debt:
$7.7 bil.
1982 debt:
$7.8 bil
1982 debt:
$12.9 bil.
1982 debt:
$24.3 bil
Debt-service ratio:
83%
Debt-service ratio:
49%
Debt-service ratio:
29%
Debt-service ratio:
35%
Debt-service ratio:
18%
1988 payments due: $6.1 bil.
1988 payments due: $2.8 bil.
1988 payments due: $1.5 bil:
1988 payments due: $6.5 bil.
1988 payments due: $3.4 bil.
GDP:
$259.5 bil.
GDP:
$87.6 bil.
GDP:
$7.7 bil.
GDP:
$24.4 bill
GDP:
$34.6 bil.
Per capita GDP: $6,829
Per capita GDP:
$8,264
Per capital GDP:
$700
Per capita GDP
$228
Per capita GDP
$592
Per capita debt: $1,029
Per capita debt:
$1,623
Per capita debt:
$1,291
Per capita debt:
$285
Per capita debt:
$517
Inflation:
NA
Inflation:
NA
Inflation:
6.9%
Inflation:
51%
Inflation:
8.7%
NA=Not available.
USN&WR Basic data: World Bank, IMF, CIA, Institute of International Finance, Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, July 24, 1989
21
U.S.NEWS
March that international debt levels
Plan a debt reduction from U.S. banks of
real debt reduction. "There may yet be a
were dangerous and could not be re-
close to 40 percent. However, banks
cosmetic settlement to make everybody
duced simply by economic growth as
were given no incentive to take billions
feel good after wrestling in the mud for
Brady's predecessor, James Baker, had
of dollars of write-offs on loans that, for
so long," says economist Dornbusch,
argued. Brady for the first time called on
the most part, are being repaid, though
who predicts the seven-year problem
U.S. banks to reduce chunks of their
the payments are occasionally late. In
over debt relief will continue to fester.
debt in return for guarantees by interna-
the Mexican negotiations, it is purely up
That is why the idea of a moratorium on
tional agencies that the remaining debt
to each bank to decide whether to grant
debt payments is gaining currency. Unless
would be covered. The Bush administra-
any write-offs. They also have the option
a struggling nation deals with its funda-
tion also wanted the Mexican negotia-
of reducing interest rates or of lending
mental economic problems by cutting
tions to succeed because Salinas is exact-
new money and piling the debt higher.
inflation and stemming the flight of funds,
ly the kind of believer in free markets
"Cosmetic" at best. Thus, it is not at
reduction of its debt burden will not help
and political reform that Western lead-
all surprising that many banks have es-
much. For all the lip service paid to the
ers should be trying to help. Moreover,
chewed the write-off option in the Mexi-
Brady Plan at the summit, the dawning
Mexico had a solid record of good-faith
can negotiations. Sources close to the
lesson is that debt reduction alone will not
efforts to keep up its debt payments.
talks say that even if an agreement is
help fundamentally sick economies. The
The fundamental flaw of the Brady
reached the upshot is that Mexico's
underlying message of the problems in
Plan is that it raised expectations that
debts will be bigger than ever, although
the write-offs would bear some relation
Paris is that the debtors have to clean up
it will get some cash-flow relief. As the
their own act before creditors will be
to the discounted market value of the
Paris summit convened, Brady staunch-
willing to take the plunge again.
loans. Mexico's debt, for example, trades
ly insisted that the Mexican talks were
at about 60 percent of its face value. So
still on track, but experts believe that a
Mexico hoped to get under the Brady
by Jack Egan with Douglas Stanglin with
final agreement will not achieve much
the President and bureau reports
We cry for
tion first requires the
kind of trust seldom seen
you, Argentina
in Argentina. Businesses,
fearing a freeze, indulged
in a frenzy of markups
N
o one said building a democracy
before Menem took over.
is easy. But Argentina's way
In just one day, butter
seems particularly benighted.
Raúl Alfonsín, who took over from
nearly tripled in price;
bread and milk prices
the generals in 1983, faced down three
quadrupled.
military uprisings as President. In
The central issue is
May, 15 people died in food riots
whether Menem has the
sparked by hyperinflation that, by
courage of his new convic-
June, had hit 114 percent for the
tions. Selling off state
month, or an incomprehensible
companies inevitably
947,221 percent projected over a year.
means paring bloated pay-
Carlos Saúl Menem, Argentina's
The wages of hyperinflation. A soldier looks for
rolls, angering Menem's
new President, hardly seemed the
looters in a trashed Buenos Aires supermarket
old union friends. And the
man to clean up this mess. A flam-
loss of protection will hit
boyant playboy and a self-declared
they have to make difficult decisions,
Menem's new friends in the private
populist heir to Juan Domingo Perón,
make them quickly and stay with
sector hard. One foreign economist
candidate Menem sang the old Per-
them." The U.S. has no plans, how-
predicts that a quarter of all businesses
onist song of everything for everyone.
ever, to bail out Menem, as it did
will fail, doubling unemployment to
But somewhere on the road to the
Alfonsín countless times before cut-
nearly 25 percent. Menem was dealt a
Pink House, Menem saw the light. In
ting him off earlier this year.
heavy blow last week when his respect-
his July 8 inaugural address, the new
Without anesthesia. The new gov-
ed Economics Minister, Miguel Roig,
President declared that the only way
ernment wasted no time making
died of a heart attack.
out was to turn to the free market,
good on Menem's word. The austral
With social tensions on the rise, and
small government and personal sacri-
was devalued by 116 percent to pro-
more violence likely, Menem is mend-
fice. "Argentina has broken down,"
mote exports. Prices for state prod-
ing fénces with the military. Rosendo
Menem said, admitting that the coun-
ucts and services were boosted
Fraga, a military-affairs analyst, sayst
try has no credit left overseas and
sharply: Gasoline jumped from 23
he expects Menem to pardon all nine
now stands, or falls, alone.
cents a gallon to $1.65, and bus, tele-
top commanders now in jail for crimes
That is the truth. Argentina repre-
phone and heating-oil prices made
ranging from human-rights abuses to
sents the most extreme test of how
similar leaps. Negotiations began
losing the Falklands War. And he may
much, if anything, the United States
with business and labor for a limited
drop the prosecution of an additional
can do to keep struggling democra-
wage-price freeze. The government
110 officers, including recent muti-
cies afloat. And early this year, both
drafted plans to sell off state-owned
neers. This should be enough to keep
patience and money finally ran out.
monopolies, lower barriers to foreign
the military on Menem's side during
Menem's conversion was refreshing,
investment and end subsidies for Ar-
the next 90 days of crisis.
but, as one visiting senior U.S. official
gentina's sheltered private industry.
put it: "He clearly understands that
Can it work? Breaking hyperinfla-
by Carla Anne Robbins in Buenos Aires
22
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, July 24, 1989
World
ARGENTINA
its size through layoffs or attrition. But
NICARAGUA
Run for
Menem, a Peronist whose political base
is Argentina's powerful labor movement,
Dangerous
has not had the stomach to set the stage
The Money
for a confrontation with the country's
blue-collar workers by carrying out those
Highways
A fight to save the economy-
plans.
Did the contras attack church
He did make a commendable start, and
and the government
for a few months the hyperinflation he in-
workers and kill two nuns?
herited was subsiding. But in early Decem-
E
conomy Minister Antonio Erman
ber his program of wage-and-price stric-
González called it "a week of econom-
tures began to crumble. Interest rates on
N
icaraguan President Daniel Ortega
Saavedra says the U.S.-backed con-
ic terror. That was no exaggeration, even
short-term bank deposits soared out of
tras did it. The contras deny any responsi-
in a country where economic scare stories
control, to 600% monthly. Nervous inves-
bility. Nicaragua's political opposition says
are all too common. Among the latest hor-
tors began to turn their assets into dollars,
the Sandinistas may be accountable. Pub-
rors: a sudden year-end collapse of the val-
and the flight from the austral began in
licly the Bush Administration says Wash-
ue of the austral, which plunged from 1,200
earnest.
ington hasn't a clue who did it, but private-
to the U.S. dollar to 2,000 be-
ly officials suggest it was renegade Miskito
fore markets closed for the New
Indians in the area. On this much, howev-
Year, and price rises of as much
LLOYDS BANK
RAFAEL WOLLMANN
er, all parties agree: the incident was, as
as 100% as rumors circulated
one contra spokesman put it, "a monstrous
that the value of Argentina's na-
and abominable crime."
tional currency might be halved
Two Roman Catholic nuns, Sister Mau-
again. Shell-shocked citizens
reen Courtney, 45, of Milwaukee, and Sister
waited for Erman, the third
Teresa de Jesús Rosales, a Nicaraguan in
Economy Minister since Presi-
her early 20s, died last week in a bloody noc-
dent Carlos Saúl Menem took
turnal ambush 200 miles northeast of Ma-
office last July, to announce yet
nagua, as they drove in a pickup truck from
another rescue plan, the fourth
the capital to a church meeting in Puerto
in Menem's tenure. The chal-
Cabezas on the Atlantic Coast. Bishop Paul
lenge: to dispel the worst out-
Schmitz, 46, an American wounded in the
break of hyperinflation in Ar-
attack, said a rocket-propelled grenade hit
gentina since food riots broke
the hood of the white Toyota, and "every-
out last May.
thing just exploded." Automatic-rifle fire
The emergency program Er-
pierced the pickup, breaking Schmitz's arm.
man cobbled is intended to stop
He and a fourth passenger,
the rush to convert australs into
Nicaraguan Sister Frances-
dollars and force down the
ca Colomer, 24, screamed
prices of goods. To achieve that,
that they were religious
the government has promised to
workers, and the gunfire
end its frenetic minting of mon-
stopped. But Schmitz never
ey to finance decades of chronic
saw the assailants.
deficits; no more australs will be
With tension already
printed until the level of Argen-
high between Washington
tina's hard-currency reserves
and Managua, the political-
rises. If that promise is kept, it
ly tinged charges were
would amount to a tight leash
hardly surprising. Long-
on the inflationary money
Panic: customers wait for the bank holiday's end
strained relations soured
Courtney
supply.
further last month when
To give the government time to put the
Many investors showed little faith in
the U.S. invaded Panama-which the San-
plan into effect, Erman declared a two-day
the new monetary program-or in the lat-
dinistas predictably denounced as Yanqui
bank holiday Jan. 2 and 3. By midweek
est economic plan as a whole. For fear of
imperialism. To make matters worse, U.S.
thousands of people had gathered outside
panic selling, the country's stock market
soldiers burst into the residence of the Nic-
the country's bank branches, afraid that
remained closed all last week.
araguan Ambassador to Panama and
the value of their savings would evaporate.
Economic instability in Argentina in
searched it for weapons, a blatant violation
But as the value of the dollar sank to
evitably brings worries that the military,
of diplomatic immunity. Managua retaliat-
roughly the same level as before the aus-
which ran the country with brutal ineffi-
ed by expelling 20 American diplomats.
tral's collapse, the dollar panic seemed to
ciency from 1976 to 1983, might hanker
Still bristling last week, Ortega drew a nas-
subside, and relieved retailers began roll-
for another turn at power. Those fears
ty parallel between the ambush and the
ing back their hasty price hikes.
were heightened last week when the
November slaying of six Jesuit priests in El
During the crisis, Menem remained
army chief, General Isidro Cáceres,
Salvador, a crime many believe was com-
virtually out of sight. The key question is
warned that "the army is worried about
mitted by the U.S.-backed Salvadoran
whether he will stick to this latest plan,
the economic situation." For Menem, the
army.
since he has failed to honor many other
best way to keep the soldiers at bay and
The stakes are high for the contras: if
austerity plédges. He had promised to
serve out his full six-year term would be
they are found culpable, that could sound
rid the swollen Argentine government of
to set a course for economic stability and
the death knell for U.S. aid. But it is hard
scores of money-losing businesses and to
then hold firm to it. In Argentina that is
to see how the charges can be proved. A
make the country's bloated public sector
no easy task.
-By William R. Doerner.
cooperative investigation by these two an-
more efficient, presumably by trimming
Reported by Gail Scriven/Buenos Aires
tagonistic nations seems unlikely.
40
TIME, JANUARY 15, 1990
however, they apparently agreed that an
The Fall and Fall of Argentina
early transition would suit neither one.
Alfonsín wants a normal, democratic
transfer of power-Argentina's first since
Amid hyperinflation and hunger, a nation drifts into chaos
1928-while Menem and his sharply di-
vided party realize they have no compre-
T
he crowd began to gather silently last
The upheaval began two weeks ago,
hensive plan for stitching together the
Monday afternoon on the streets ad-
with isolated outbreaks of looting in sev-
shattered economy.
joining the Boerio Supermarket in Rosa-
eral provincial capitals. Widespread food
The country's eruption was the sec-
rio, Argentina's third-largest city. The
riots broke out in Rosario (pop. 957,000)
ond such outburst to hit debt-stricken
tin-roofed grocery store had served its
early last week, after lame-duck President
Latin America this year. In February and
middle-class neighborhood for years, so
Raúl Alfonsín announced his fourth
March more than 300 people died in Ven-
manager Luis Nicastro
emergency economic plan
ezuéla during protests against an austerity
recognized many of the
Rising out of Reach
of the year. Roving crowds,
program aimed at bringing down a for-
well-dressed people out-
While Argentine wages have
described by police as a
eign debt of $30 billion. Argentina, which
side the store as his regular
risen rapidly during the first five
mixture of the hungry, the
has a $60 billion external debt, has made
customers. Some of the
months of this year (up 117% for
criminal and the opportu-
no payments since April 1988.
others were toothless,
construction workers, 173% for
nistic, overwhelmed poorly
The economy, desultory even in the
hungry folk in tattered
government employees), the
prepared local police.
best of times, is now virtually shut down.
clothes, who came from
raises have been no match for
Stores not gutted by looters
Automobile, tire and auto-parts produc-
nearby shantytowns. By 2
those in the cost of living:
closed their doors, creating
tion have come to a stop. Ranchers have
p.m., a mob of more than
Increase since Jan.
widespread food shortages.
halted delivery of cattle because they are
500 filled the parking lot.
BREAD
554%
The unrest then spread to
being paid with uncashable checks. The
"I thought of closing the
the volatile working-class
government cannot print money fast
MILK
441%
doors," Nicastro says. "But
suburbs of Buenos Aires.
enough, so a severe cash shortage has
what good would it do?
EGGS
466%
Alfonsín responded by
prompted bank closings. Because the aus-
With all this glass, there
COOKING OIL
993%
declaring a 30-day state of
tral has lost 90% of its value since Febru-
was nothing we could do
siege, which entitles police
ary, most people try to conduct their busi-
but let them in."
FRESH CHEESE
1,000%
to detain suspected looters
ness in U.S. dollars, although it is now
The crowd held back
COFFEE
2,850%
without charging them.
illegal to do so. According to private esti-
while a group of 40 hungry
750%
The President, following
mates, what is left of the economy runs on
AUTOMOBILES
women and children
the lead of provincial lead-
$500 million worth of austral notes and $5
rushed into the Boerio and
ers, also ordered the cre-
billion in U.S. currency.
grabbed as much milk, flour and sugar as
ation of hundreds of soup kitchens and
Food riots in a country considered to
they could carry. As they fled, the ran-
the free distribution of food. Some mea-
be one of the world's breadbaskets
sacking began in earnest. Young, strap-
sure of order was restored after four days,
amounted to a devastating indictment of
ping men armed with crowbars knocked
but many citizens. were calling for Al-
the Alfonsín government, which failed to
spaghetti, oranges and hunks of meat onto
fonsín, whose Radical Civic Union party
act quickly enough to put Argentina's fis-
the floor as they rushed to scoop up gro-
was convincingly defeated by Peronist
cal house back in order in 1983, when Al-
ceries. Others carted off boxes of laundry
Carlos Saúl Menem in May 14 elections,
fonsín became the first civilian President
detergent, frozen foods and toilet paper
to step down before his term ends on Dec.
in nearly eight years. The former human-
into their Peugots, Volvos and even wait-
10. When the two men met last week,
rights activist valued political stability at
ing taxis. Within 20 minutes they
the expense of wrenching but
had destroyed the bakery at the
necessary economic changes to
rear of the store, smashed out the
correct the country's low produc-
windows and broken open the
tivity, over-regulation, bloated
cash registers. As the looters left,
public payroll and money-losing
one of them, laughing hilariously,
state-owned companies. By the
asked Nicastro, "What time do
time Alfonsin began pushing for
you open tomorrow?"
economic reforms in 1985, his
After years of tottering on the
popularity had eroded, and the
brink of economic crisis, Argen-
Peronist-controlled Congress
tina started sliding into chaos last
was able to block his moves.
week. In food riots that erupted
Now Argentinians have
in Rosario, Córdoba, Buenos
turned their eyes to Menem. But
Aires and other major cities,
since the President-elect has yet
more than 2,000 people were ar-
to define a concrete economic
rested and at least 15 killed. The
plan, the situation seems bound
primary trigger: hyperinflation-
to deteriorate further. Even Ar-
ary price increases that have left
gentina's generals, who have
even middle-class citizens unable
never been shy about staging
to afford food and other necessi-
coups before, appear reluctant to
ties. Inflation for the month of
intervene for fear of saddling
May reached 75%, and is accel-
themselves with the blame for
erating at a pace that would
economic ruin. "We are in a pro-
amount to more than 80,000%
cess of decline," says Federico
for the year. Said David Feld-
Zorraquin, president of the
man, news director of Radio Ro-
Banco Commercial del Norte.
sario: "It's not just hunger. Peo-
"No one knows where it will
ple are crazed. There is extreme
Trying to curb the looting: a policeman collars a suspect in Rosario
end." Christine Gorman. Report-
tension here."
Women and children grabbed as much as they could carry.
ed by Laura López/Rosario
TIME, JUNE 12, 1989
47
March 13, 1989
The Nation.
339
economic plight of young adults and low-wage workers. But
even the strengthened community of advocates lacks the po-
ORBIS
litical muscle to foster positive legislation to control capital
flight, increase welfare benefits and provide jobs. Such meas-
PALESTINIAN/JEWISH
ures were politically unpopular even before Reagan's ideo-
PERSPECTIVES
logical assault. But only such reforms-together with the
children's agenda-offer any chance of ending poverty.
JUSTICE, AND ONLY JUSTICE
A Palestinian Theology of Liberation
Naim Stifan Ateek
ARGENTINA'S TURMOIL
The problems and prospects of Palestinians are
analyzed in this ground-breaking book through the
Dirty Secrets of
eyes of Ateek, who is a Christian, a clergyman and a
Palestinian. Offering a theology for Palestinian Chris-
tians, Ateek seeks to promote reconciliation-the
The 'Dirty War'
essence of church mission today.
545-X Paper $9.95 540-9 Cloth $18.95
TOWARD A JEWISH THEOLOGY
MARTIN EDWIN ANDERSEN
OF LIBERATION
vents in Argentina are rarely what they seem on
The Uprising and the Future
E
Marc H. Ellis
the surface. A fresh reminder of this came in late
January, when reports began to filter out about
Marc Ellis's controversial book examines contemporary
Judaism in the light of liberation theology. Updated
yet another commando assault on a military base.
with a never-before-published response to the
Three times in the space of twenty-one months, the threat to
Palestinian uprising, this book gives us a Jewish
Argentine democracy had come from ultrarightist military
perspective on the conflict in the Middle East today.
422-4 Paper $9.95 434-8 Cloth $18.95
officers demanding vindication for their vicious unconven-
At bookstores or from
tional "war" against leftist guerrillas and others in the 1970s,
Orbis Books Maryknoll, NY 10545
in which as many as 20,000 people were abducted, tortured
1-800-258-5838
In NYS call collect 914-941-7687
and killed in scores of secret death camps.
Orbis Books is represented to the trade by Abingdon Press.
To universal surprise, however, those involved in the
January bloodbath, in which thirty-nine people died, were
leftists, and as their identities and foreign connections
became known, Argentina's unrepentant right wing had a
RUSSIA TOURS
field day. The attackers seemed to confirm the armed forces'
every stereotype of the left. "No one," wrote the playwright
1989 IS THE YEAR
Osvaldo Soriano in the center-left daily Página 12, "had so
RUSSIA IS THE PLACE
far done so much in favor of the 'vindication' demanded by
PROGRESSIVE IS THE ORGANIZER
the armed forces."
HERITAGE TOUR $2499 TO $2699 15 DAYS
Among those who died in the attack on the La Tablada
DEPARTURES FROM JUNE TO OCTOBER
barracks, just outside Buenos Aires, was Jorge Baños, a
PRAGUE, KIEV, OVERNIGHT SLEEPER, MOSCOW,
EREVAN
well-known former human-rights lawyer. Baños's All For
the Fatherland Movement, which received financial sup-
SPLENDORS OF CENTRAL ASIA $2899 TO $2999
port from Cuba, sustained most of the casualties in the
DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 15 DAYS
MOSCOW, TASHKENT, SAMARKAND, BUKHORA,
attack. Several of the irregular combatants were former
LENINGRAD, PARIS
members of the People's Revolutionary Army (E.R.P.), one
of the two most important guerrilla groups in Argentina in
SOVIET THEATRE & ARTS OUTS
TO
$1999
16
DAYS
DECEMBER
the 1970s.
MOSCOW, TALLIN ILNIUS, LENINGRAD
To make matters worse, the leader of the assault on La
NORTHERN CAPITALS $2359 TO $2649 16 DAYS
Tablada was one of Argentina's most wanted fugitives,
DEPARTURES FROM MARCH TO DECEMBER
former E.R.P. commander Enrique Haroldo Gorriarán
MOSCOW, OVERNIGHT SLEEPER, RIGA, TALLINN,
Merlo. It was not his first confrontation with the Argentine
LENINGRAD
Army. Two years before the 1976 military coup, he led a
SOUTHERN CAPITALS $2349 TO $2699 16 DAYS
failed attack on an army base in Azul. At about the same
DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO-DECEMBER
time, he also played a central role in the kidnapping of oil
MOSCOW, KISHINEV, KIEV, LENINGRAD
executive Victor Samuelson, a U.S. citizen, which netted the
Commissions Available for Groups of 4 or more
E.R.P. $12 million in ransom. But Gorriarán is best remem-
PROGRESSIVE WORLD TOURS
Martin Edwin Andersen worked in Buenos Aires from 1982
"A Nice Efficient Travel Company"
to 1987 as a special correspondent for Newsweek and The
4003 Islewood Dr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (305)427-4779
Specialists in Russia, Mongolia, Eastern Europe & China
Washington Post. He writes regularly on foreign affairs.
340
The Nation.
March 13, 1989
bered for masterminding the 1980 assassination in Paraguay
ransom, was in fact a state intelligence safe house in which
of deposed Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. He also
two agents were present.
helped set up the Sandinistas' security apparatus in the early
Adding to the doubts about Firmenich has been the fact
days of the Nicaraguan revolution.
that he was one of the few senior guerrilla leaders to survive
Yet Gorriarán's combat record did not guarantee him
the dirty war and that his parents, unlike the relatives of
laurels within the guerrillas' ranks. In 1974 the E.R.P.'s top
thousands of desaparecidos, the "disappeared," did not
leader, Mario Roberto Santucho, had him demoted from
receive so much as a single death threat during the years of
the organization's all-important political bureau for brutally
military terror. Firmenich also continued to make outland-
torturing an E.R.P. member whom Gorriarán wrongly
ish claims of imminent military victory long after other
believed to be an army infiltrator. He did not regain top
Montonero leaders were privately admitting a stunning rout.
rank within the E.R.P. until Santucho was killed in July
Rather than trying to persuade the junta to end the blood-
1976. With Santucho's death, however, the E.R.P. was large-
bath by acknowledging military defeat, Firmenich gave the
ly destroyed, so Gorriarán remained a rather marginal
military the pretext it needed for continued repression. In
figure on the outer fringe of Argentina's revolutionary left.
1979 he even sent scores of exiled Montoneros back into
Despite his political isolation, the raid that Gorriarán led
Argentina for a "final offensive," which resulted in their
in January is already being used by the military to justify,
massacre.
retroactively, its conduct in the "dirty war." More than five
In fact, Firmenich's cooperation with the army began as
years into the civilian government of President Raúl Al-
early as mid-1973, as he watched his cohorts in the na-
fonsín, the Argentine military continues to maintain that the
tionalist guerrilla movement move steadily to the left. Ac-
elaborate cell structure of the guerrillas in the 1970s obliged
cording to the U.S. diplomat, who was extremely close to
it to resort to "unconventional" means of repression. But a
top members of the Argentine security establishment,
growing body of evidence suggests that much of the so-called
Firmenich was "handled" by a colonel in the notorious
war was merely a violent show in which the military used
601 Intelligence Battalion who was later promoted to
smoke and mirrors to exaggerate the threat from the left and
general and became the head of army intelligence. Asked to
frighten and intimidate the Argentine people.
comment on this, a second U.S. official, who served as the
For example, military propagandists continue to claim
C.I.A. station chief in Buenos Aires from 1972 to 1974,
that the army defeated up to 1,000 E.R.P. irregulars at-
said, "It's certainly plausible.
[Firmenich] did seem to
tempting to set up a "Red Republic" in the remote north-
have a rather open relationship with the military establish-
western province of Tucumán in 1975 and early 1976. Yet
ment." The former station chief also pointed out that in
army intelligence documents and interviews with former guer-
contrast with the E.R.P., which was "really sophisticated,"
rillas show that the E.R.P. could rarely field more than sixty
the Montoneros were "not a disciplined made
or seventy poorly equipped combatants at any one time; less
them more easy to penetrate."
than 230 guerrillas took part in the entire eighteen-month-
One of several guerrillas vying for leadership of the Mon-
long military action, many of them rotated in and out of duty
toneros, Firmenich bolstered his reputation when he spread
from urban centers. According to Argentine intelligence and
the word that he had been behind the assassination of
police sources, about one-fourth of the security forces' re-
the head of the powerful Peronist labor confederation in
ported victims of "leftist subversion" in Tucumán in fact
1973, as well as the killing of a former interior minister
died in accidents or other unrelated incidents.
in 1974. The claims were false. According to the U.S. diplo-
mat, those murders were actually the work of Peronist Social
One man who can reveal many of the dirtiest secrets of
Welfare Minister José López Rega. Known as El Brujo-
the dirty war is today serving a thirty-year prison sentence in
the Sorcerer López Rega was the man responsible for set-
Buenos Aires, after he was captured and extradited from
ting up the notorious Argentine Anti-Communist Alliance,
Brazil in 1984. He is Mario Firmenich, leader of the Monto-
or "Triple-A," death squads. Nevertheless, the two killings
neros, a group some historians claim was Latin America's
were consistent with a pattern of leftist terrorism that
largest urban guerrilla movement of the 1970s. But Fir-
seemed to make a military crackdown imperative. By 1976
menich is not what he appears to be. According to a former
the military had overthrown the government of Juan Perón's
U.S. intelligence officer who was assigned to the U.S. Em-
widow, Isabel, and the paramilitary Triple-A was replaced
bassy in Buenos Aires for most of the 1970s and charged by
by state terrorism.
then-Ambassador Robert Hill with keeping track of the left-
Terror by the left was "serious and deadly," the U.S.
ist guerrillas, Firmenich was a double agent working for the
diplomat recalled, "but its scope was exaggerated. At no
Argentine military.
time did [it] ever represent a threat to the stability" of the
Doubts about Firmenich have been fitfully raised before,
constitutional regime. (Even according to the military's own
mostly by political opponents of the Montoneros and often
claims, which are surely inflated, a total of some 650 peo-
based on the fact that he began his political career in the
ple were killed by the left between 1969 and 1979.) The real
1960s as a neofascist. Two years ago further questions were
reason for the coup, the diplomat said, was the disastrous
raised when it was shown that the site of a clandestine 1975
state of the Argentine economy and the staggering corrup-
press conference, at which Firmenich had released a cap-
tion of Isabel Perón's government. "A considerable number
tured Argentine industrialist for a whopping $60 million
of the murders, kidnappings and extortions attributed to the
342
The Nation.
March 13, 1989
guerrillas were caused by other elements," he went on, "and
by the release of a major terrorist leader of the left. Yet
many of their actions were conveniently blamed on leftist
Firmenich's real background makes such a proposal a mock
terrorists," who offered the armed forces "a convenient
ery of the Alfonsín government's valiant efforts to restore
vehicle to seek retaliation against real or imagined wrongs."
the rule of law. All those who would benefit from an amnes
The former C.I.A. station chief believes that it was the
ty are of the whether they wear uniforms or not
desire for vengeance-not the military capability of the
The failure to reveal the true history of the military period
guerrillas-that led the armed forces to launch the dirty
will condemn Argentina to repeat it. That history needs to
war. Again, the E.R.P. was seen as a greater threat than the
be told again and again, so that 30 million people are not
less-well-organized Montoneros. "The military was embar-
manipulated a second time into believing that the military
rassed," he said, "because the E.R.P. made them look like
must be called in once more to crush a subversive threat that
jerks, incompetents." In the end, the biggest prize that the
the generals themselves had a hand in creating.
army netted through the efforts of its double agent, Fir-
menich, was the E.R.P.'s top commander, Mario Roberto
Santucho. According to the U.S. diplomat, Santucho's
Newhouse
death in a shootout with an army patrol in 1976 came
after Firmenich had betrayed the E.R.P. leader's where-
(Continued From Front Cover)
abouts. When Santucho's body was laid out on display at
alert to the tax problems of certain headline-worthy politi-
the Campo de Mayo military base, a number of high-
cians. Indeed, the Newhouse papers themselves have dis-
ranking Argentine officers took the opportunity to urinate
played admirable vigilance in pursuit of such corner cutters
on the corpse.
like Lee Alexander, the former Mayor of Syracuse, New
York. The chain's Post-Standard and Herald-Journal, good
Since the appearance of Jacobo Timerman's Prisoner
watchdogs that they are, barked noisily for months before
Without a Name, Cell Without a Number, there has been a
Alexander ultimately was found guilty on tax evasion and
virtual deluge of literature, both fiction and nonfiction,
other charges last year. In fact, no sooner was the Federal
about the atrocities committed during the Argentine mili-
indictment handed down in 1987 than the Herald-Journal
tary's years in power. There remains, however, a striking
editorialized that "the case looks solid," adding that if Alex-
gap in all these works, one that provides the military forces
ander was found guilty "we will have precious little sym-
with the opportunity for revisionism about their past role-
pathy" for him.
and, for that matter, their future one. Until the question of
The government's case against the Newhouse family may
whether what took place in the 1970s was really a war is
be solid, too, but I resist any rush to judgment, for such
fully addressed, the debate will remain narrowly framed
haste is not the American Way. Suffice it to say that the trial
about the methods, brutal and repugnant as they may be,
deserves a bit more attention than it has got, even though it
that the military used to win.
is complex and the arithmetic involved requires a certain con-
The double life of Mario Firmenich, like the exaggeration
centration. I urge readers to press on, if only to put their own
of the threat posed by the guerrillas in Tucumán, helps to il-
tax problems into perspective as April 15 looms. After all, if
lustrate that the dirty war, while unquestionably dirty, was
two brothers who control a fortune estimated at $5.2 billion
not much of a war. So does the evidence from the scores of
may lose a fifth of it to the government, how bad off can the
bodies of desaparecidos that have been exhumed, nearly all
rest of us be?
of them shot at very close range in the head or back of the
Our story begins in 1979, when Samuel Irving Newhouse
neck.
died. He was 84 years old and had pursued a sufficiently full
Whether the disastrous assault on La Tablada turns out to
life to leave behind the largest privately held media empire in
have been a reckless act by extremists or whether the
the United States. Besides the newspapers, which also in-
shadowy hand of military intelligence will again become ap-
cluded the Newark Star-Ledger, the Cleveland Plain Dealer
parent, the only immediate winners are the armed forces.
and the New Orleans Times-Picayune, he owned some cable
Already, Argentina's right wing has proposed that the coun-
television operations and Condé Nast magazines, Mademoi-
try's new national security law be amended to allow the
selle and Vogue among them. The magazines he bought in
military to act as guarantor of internal security, a role cur-
1959 as he liked to say surprise present for his wife,
rently monopolized by the police.
Mitzi, on their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary.
In recent months both the military and Firmenich's sup-
Six months after "S.I." died, his two sons, the aforemen-
porters have been clamoring for an amnesty, a move they
tioned Samuel Jr. (Si) and Donald, together with the fam-
say will encourage a spirit of "national reconciliation." The
ily's fiduciaries, valued his gross adjusted estate at nearly
candidates of both major parties in this May's presidential
$181.9 million and filed a return listing the net tax due as
elections, the Peronists and the Radicals, have gone on
just shy of $48.7 million. After some scrutiny, the I.R.S. in
record as opposing an amnesty. But if military putsches
1983 advised the brothers that the estate was worth an esti-
and insurgent harassment begin to spiral, it is an open
mated $1.2 billion, and thus the tax as computed was defi-
question how long the civilians will be able to stick to their
cient by more than $609 million. Moreover, the government
promises. There is, of course, a certain neatness to the con-
tacked on a 50 percent penalty ($304 million and change) for
cept of amnesty. Military wrongdoing would be washed away
civil fraud.
"Menem's agenda is ambitious and must be implemented swiftly.
Few doubt that
Menem wants changes in the nation's economic structure, but, as always, most Argentines are
skeptical about his chances of success."
The Peronists Triumph in Argentina
By GARY W. WYNIA
William Kenan Professor of Latin American Politics, Carleton College
R
AUL Alfonsín's presidency is quickly becom-
mood to elect another Radical to the presidency.
ing ancient history in Argentina. After
Carlos Saúl Menem was the first person the Per-
thriving on democracy's restoration, Alfon-
onists (the Justicialista party) ever nominated in a
sín gradually saw his leadership crumble, leaving
direct primary election rather than in a party con-
him no choice but to turn over the presidency to
vention controlled by a few dozen politicians and
Peronist Carlos Saúl Menem in July, 1989, six
labor leaders. The direct election was crucial to his
months ahead of schedule.
success, since Buenos Aires governor Antonio
Alfonsín, the Radical Civic Union's leader, had
Cafiero was preferred by most of the leadership.
hoped to reach the finish line when he introduced a
Only 1.7 million of the party's 4.1 million members
new economic program in August, 1988. Labeled
bothered to turn out for the July, 1988, primary,
the Primavera Plan (Spring Plan), it sought to de-
but 53 percent of those who did voted for Menem
celerate inflation - prices had risen by 26 percent in
rather than for the favored Cafiero.
July and attract financing from the International
Starting in August, Menem campaigned across
Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the
the country, relying heavily on personal contact at
United States, for a total of $2.5 billion.
the grass-roots level and exhibiting the same con-
But Argentina's creditors, still unhappy about
geniality that had made him a popular governor in
Alfonsín's halting interest payments early in 1988,
La Rioja province. Instead of stressing specific is-
balked at his request. When the new loans failed to
sues, Menem called for Argentina's "reunification,"
arrive, it became impossible for the Central Bank
for greater productivity and for more social justice.
either to prop up the Argentine currency (the
And when these slogans did not excite anyone, he
austral) at 14 australes to the dollar (U.S.$) or to hold
reminded them of what they had suffered during
down prices. The Primavera Plan unraveled in
five years under Alfonsín: bouts of astronomical in-
February, 1989, taking public confidence in Alfon-
flation, losses in real income and declining op-
sín's leadership down with it. 1
timism about the nation's future.
Eduardo Angeloz, the Radical Civic Union par-
By April, all 10 of the nation's polls predicted that
ty's presidential candidate in the May, 1989, presi-
Menem would win from 33 percent to 47 percent of
dential and congressional elections, insisted that
the popular vote. When the ballots were counted on
Juan Sourrouille and his economic team be dis-
May 14 he came out on the high side, with 47 per-
missed; Alfonsín reluctantly complied in March,
cent of the vote, compared with 37 percent for
even though it was obvious that this action would do
Eduardo Angeloz. Menem received majority sup-
little to increase the government's popularity.
port in only 8 out of 24 provinces, but he garnered a
Alfonsín knew that he was losing economically, but
plurality in all but 5 of them, guaranteeing his vic-
it was not until after the election that one of his
tory in the Electoral College. The Peronists could
economists admitted failure in establishing control
now legitimately claim the right to govern the
over the government's inflated budget. The
Argentine democracy.
Primavera Plan had been a last-minute exercise in
The Peronists also added 17 seats in the Cham-
economic acrobatics, but it was wholly inadequate.²
ber of Deputies, which gave them a total of 127
Prices rose again, first "only" by 9.6 percent in
seats, or exactly half the Chamber. Meanwhile, the
February, then by 18 percent in March, and 33 per-
Radicals lost a few seats and were left with just one-
cent in April, 1989, leaving the electorate in no
third of the Chamber under their control. None of
this transformed the Peronist factions into a truly
Judith Evans, "The February Crash," Latin Finance, May,
cohesive political party, but Menem's triumph was
1989, p. 47.
²See interviews with government economist Adolfo Canitrot
enough to assure him support in Congress during
in Somos (Buenos Aires), May 24, 1989, pp. 48-52; and Ambito
his first 100 days.
Financiera (Buenos Aires), May 28, 1989, p. 35.
When asked why he lost, Angeloz confessed that
13
14
CURRENT HISTORY, JANUARY, 1990
the Radicals had not fully recovered from the defeat
provinces, to practice law and Peronist politics. The
they had suffered in September, 1987, when the
son of Syrian immigrants who came to Argentina in
Peronists swept congressional and gubernatorial
1912 and eventually prospered in the wine
elections. Some Radicals just sat down and
business, Menem cultivated the playboy image
watched, Angeloz complained, while others pulled
away from home and was not taken seriously in
out altogether. Even Alfonsín, the much-admired
Buenos Aires. Yet he never lost touch with people in
democrat, took on the demeanor of the disgruntled
La Rioja, where he tried to run for governor in 1963
politician who was pained to discover how quickly
only to be stopped when the exiled Juan Perón
people in all social classes were turning against
ordered party members to boycott the election.
him.³
When Menem tried again in 1973, he won easily.
The Radicals, who several years before were
The military evicted the Peronist government in
claiming that they were building a new majority
1976 and arrested Menem and other party leaders
party, discovered how wrong they were. At first,
at the start of the Proceso. Five years passed before he
Alfonsín had led Argentina adeptly, but that was
was finally released, and to this day Menem says
never enough to secure the loyalty of more than 40
that he does not know why he was considered such a
percent of the electorate. Had Alfonsín accom-
threat. Within Peronism, he was militant but never
plished more with his economic policy, Angeloz
very radical; i.e., he wanted to rebuild a welfare
probably would have triumphed in the presidential
state that was run by the Peronists. The champion
election of 1989, but the President's failure to turn
of the provincial poor, Menem also admired the
his 1985 Austral Plan into a durable conquest of in-
kinds of private enterprise that had allowed his
flation doomed Angeloz. The acrobatics of the
father to prosper in his new country. It was not cap-
Primavera Plan never really came close to making
italism that he detested, but the people who prac-
up for this failure.
ticed it without sharing their profits with their em-
According to the constitution, Alfonsín was to
ployees, the nation's poorest provinces and Peronist
turn over the presidency to Menem on December 1,
politicians.⁴
1989, six months after Menem's election. To sur-
Menem is the most relaxed President that Argen-
vive that long, Alfonsín tried to get President-elect
tines have ever seen, and he seems as happy on the
Menem to support his latest emergency stabiliza-
futbol and the tennis court as he is in the presi-
tion program, which included a 40 percent increase
dential office. Two weeks after his inauguration,
in public service rates, a 10 percent tax increase on
the 59-year-old Menem played an entire futbol game
farm exports and a higher value-added tax. But
alongside the famous star Diego Maradona to raise
Menem just watched as the public panicked and the
money to aid the poor. No recent Argentine Presi-
value of the austral plummeted to 220 australes to
dent has ever dared such a feat or has been physical-
the dollar. Fearful of a catastrophe, big business
ly able to attempt it.
joined the general public in demanding that Alfon-
Menem enjoys asking anyone who chats with
sín depart early and allow Menem to make a fresh
him to join his team, and he brags about being the
start.
consummate coalition-builder rather than the old-
At first, Alfonsín resisted, going on television on
fashioned Peronist partisan. After his election,
May 23 to announce that he would stick it out; how-
Menem spent almost as much time meeting with
ever, he quickly realized that he had become a lame
conservatives like Alvaro Alsogary (a man once
duck who could do more for Argentina by departing
hated by Peronists) as he did with labor leaders.
gracefully than by hanging on. On July 8, he
Where he was headed with such tactics no one was
turned over the presidency to Menem. To his
certain, but that apparently did not stop many of
credit, Alfonsín left behind a country that was
the Peronists' old opponents on the right from ac-
politically more democratic than it had been at any
cepting his invitations.
time in this century; but Argentines must also eat
Menem filled his Cabinet with loyal Peronists
and pay rent, and most of them will remember
and several unaffiliated ministers. Peronists likest
Alfonsín for making it harder to do both.
union leader Jorge Triaca and lawyer Italo Luder
were given the Labor and Defense Ministries,
A PERONIST SURPRISE
respectively, but the Foreign Ministry went to
Carlos Saúl Menem fits no presidential stereo-
Domingo Cavallo, a free-trade economist with no
type. After completing law school in 1955 at age 20,
party affiliation. Most surprising was his choice of
he returned to La Rioja, one of Argentina's poorer
little-known Miguel Roig to supervise the economic
³La Semana (Buenos Aires), August 3, 1989, p. 15.
rescue operation. Roig was a retired executive from
4For more on Menem's biography, see the book by journalists
the Bunge & Born conglomerate, which was once
Alfredo Leuco and Jose Antonio Diaz, El heredor de Peron
Argentina's leading grain trader and was never a
(Buenos Aires: Planeta, 1989).
friend of Peronism. When Roig died of a heart at-
The Peronists Triumph in Argentina
15
tack on July 14 (just 5 days after his appointment),
devaluing the austral to 630 to the dollar (in just
Menem quickly appointed Nestor Rapanelli,
four years, the austral had depreciated by an in-
another Bunge & Born vice president, to replace
credible 60,000 percent). Most shocking to the Ar-
Roig. He was convinced that executives from large
gentine consumer, he raised public utility prices.
corporations were the only people who could induce
Gasoline, for example, went from about U.S.$0.40
their colleagues to help him end the nation's
a gallon to over $1.50 in one day. Next, he froze
economic crisis.
wages and persuaded major industries to freeze
Menem's consultations with business leaders ac-
prices for 90 days. The program worked swiftly:
tually began six months before his election, when
prices, which had risen 196 percent in July, went up
Jorge Born offered his firm's services to help prepare
only 38 percent in August and rose even less in
Menem's economic program. A little over a decade
September.
ago, the Born brothers had been kidnapped by
Menem next asked Congress to pass two vital
young extremists and had to pay several million
bills aimed at drastically reducing the size and cost
dollars for their release while the Peronist govern-
of the Argentine government. It was public
ment stood by and watched. But in 1989 business
knowledge that the government's many enterprises
and government needed one another, so Born set
were plagued by huge deficits $1 billion for YPF
aside his displeasure with Peronism.
(the state-owned petroleum company), $500 mil-
Bunge & Born executives subscribe to the annual
lion for the railways, $430 million for Segba (the
macroeconomic analyses of Argentina written by
state-owned electric power company) and less for
North American consultant and Nobel prize-
others, totaling $5.5 billion in 1988 alone. 6 Printing
winner Lawrence Klein, a personal friend of Jorge
new money in order to pay these bills meant higher
Born's. At the end of 1988, Klein forecast high infla-
inflation.
tion and an abrupt decline in consumption by
The State Reform bill authorized the privatiza-
mid-1989, dangers greatly feared by Born since his
tion of several government corporations-some-
enterprises produced as much for the domestic
thing the Peronists had intensely opposed three
market as they did for export. Confident that
years earlier when the Radicals had proposed a
Menem would win the election, Born shared the
milder version. But Menem argued that without
data with him during the campaign. Then, when
transferring ownership, the government could not
Menem discovered that he would take office in July
control its finances. As quickly as possible, private
rather than December, he turned immediately to
corporations, including multinationals, would be
Born for more assistance. At Born's invitation,
invited to buy all or part of the largest government
Menem attended an elaborate presentation by the
firms.
firm's economists on May 23, where they outlined
The second piece of legislation, known as the
the problems Argentina faced and explained why
Emergency bill, instructed authorities to suspend
the new President had to avert a collapse in con-
tax and financial subsidies directed at the private
sumption. Menem agreed and immediately ap-
sector. It also proposed bolder efforts to end wide-
pointed Miguel Roig to act on what the Bunge &
spread tax evasion in an attempt to raise the gov-
Born economists had proposed.⁵
ernment revenue from 16 percent of the gross na-
Economic recovery would not be easy. Menem's
tional product (GNP) to 24 percent.⁷ After a brief
election had not served to halt inflation. On the con-
debate and some opposition from the Radicals,
trary: in May, prices rose 78 percent and in June,
Congress passed both the State Reform bill and the
114 percent. With a nearly bare treasury, huge
Emergency bill with only minor revisions.
debts and a virtually collapsed economy on his
Economic growth was not ignored, although for a
hands, Menem knew that populism would have to
time it would have to be more concentrated than
wait. In the meantime, he asked the Bunge & Born
usual. Specifically, Menem wants to produce more
people to draft immediate remedies. Their program
petroleum and natural gas for export and to boost
was more immoderate and economically more or-
farm production. The former was to be accom-
thodox than the program that Klein had suggested.
plished by bringing more foreign capital into the oil
The original Bunge & Born proposal had been neo-
business, a step that Alfonsín had begun a few years
Keynesian in its approach, mixing the promotion of
earlier. For the rest of the industrial sector, em-
consumption with some fiscal austerity. But with
phasis was to be placed on encouraging firms that
inflation out of control in June, more drastic
produced goods primarily for export.
measures were necessary.
Menem hoped these measures would impress the
Initially, the medicine was bitter. Roig started by
IMF. Annual interest on the debt was U.S.$6 bil-
⁵La Nación (Buenos Aires), July 23, 1989.
lion, but the trade surplus was only U.S.$3.5 bil-
⁶The New York Times, September 11, 1989.
lion. If Argentina were to begin paying interest
⁷The New York Times, September 15, 1989.
again, it would need the financing that was denied
16
CURRENT HISTORY, JANUARY, 1990
Alfonsín during his last year. Menem promised the
satisfaction with the prosecution and conviction of
IMF that he would lower inflation to 15 percent an-
officers who had killed several thousand civilians
nually, reduce the fiscal deficit to 1.8 percent of the
over a decade ago. Alfonsín and the Congress
GNP and stimulate the economy to grow at around
responded to their complaints in 1987 by prohib-
6 percent in 1990, incredibly ambitious objectives.
iting the trial of any except the most senior officers,
But without such promises, he stood no chance of
but this action had not satisfied them. In addition,
receiving IMF stand-by loans.⁸
many younger officers were unhappy with the
Menem had little choice; he had to force Argen-
generals and admirals who refused to reorganize
tines to accept austerity, unpopular as that might
and modernize their services in the wake of the
be. Austerity was not a Peronist solution, but it was
Falklands (Malvinas) War, and with Alfonsín's
dictated by an ugly reality that everyone recog-
reluctance to make the military do so.
nized. In his own defense, Menem never tired of in-
All this provoked another rebellion within the ar-
sisting that it was "better that people insult me for a
my in December, 1988, led by Colonel Mohammed
year and applaud me for a century, rather than the
Ali Seineldin. After seizing a base near Buenos
other way around." This was a different Menem
Aires and demanding that Alfonsín dismiss the ar-
from the Menem who, as governor of La Rioja
my's chief of staff, raise military salaries and grant
province between 1983 and 1987, had more than
amnesty to all officers, Seineldin negotiated with his
doubled the number of people on the provincial
commanders and surrendered to their custody after
payroll and issued worthless bonds to help pay their
two days of discussion. A few weeks later, Alfonsín
wages.
dismissed the army chief of staff, General José Ciar-
Predictably, organized labor was not enthusiastic
di, but went no further. Seineldin, a brash right
about Menem's economics, so he tried to head off
winger, is popular with some soldiers less because of
protests that might undermine him. Since Saul
his ideology than because of his opposition to the
Ubaldini, the secretary general of the General Con-
military leadership. Other officers will probably
federation of Labor (CGT), had thrived on leading
voice their demands from time to time, so Menem is
the opposition to similar measures undertaken by
trying to find ways to head them off.
Alfonsín, Menem wants him replaced. Replacing
Civilians are not immune to organized violence
Ubaldini will not be easy, however, since much of
in Argentina, as they demonstrated on January 23,
Ubaldini's support comes from the powerful Metal
1989, when a few dozen individuals surprised the
Workers Union headed by Lorenzo Miguel, one of
nation by invading the Third Army Regiment
Menem's supporters in the election.
based at La Tablada, just outside Buenos Aires.
Menem cannot afford to alienate labor leaders
Well-armed, the group, which called itself the
the way that Isabel Perón did a decade earlier, so he
Movement for the Fatherland, drove onto the base
has chosen to work quietly through CGT factions
in cars and trucks and fired on those who resisted
that share his desire to evict Ubaldini. Menem's
them, gaining control over portions of the base until
dilemma is obvious: a united movement that sup-
they were routed the next day by armed units.
ports him will make him nearly invulnerable polit-
Their affiliation with clandestine organizations on
ically, but a movement that turns against him could
the extreme left was evident, but their motives are
quickly ruin his economic rescue operation.
still unclear after several months of trials. Accord-
Similarly, a divided CGT might find it hard to
ing to one theory, they feared that officers like
resist Menem, but division risks radicalizing oppos-
Seineldin were about to strike again and implement
ing factions that might feel compelled to prove their
a coup against the government, so they attacked the
militancy to the rank and file. That is why Menem
base in an attempt to convince other civilians to join
has chosen to be careful in dealing with the CGT's
them. However, there is no evidence that a coup
leadership, at first doing little more than privately
was contemplated, nor that the attackers were try-
making his preference for Ubaldini's replacement
ing to mobilize public opinion. Another theory
well-known. 10
claims that the civilians were tricked into attacking
by the military itself in order to remind Argentines
MILITARY AFFAIRS
that the armed forces were the only group that pre-
Many officers began 1989 unhappily. They
(Continued on page 34)
claimed to support constitutional government, but
they wanted better treatment from civilian author-
Gary W. Wynia is the author of The Politics of Latin
ities. For some, the issue was still their dis-
American Development, 3d edition (New York: Cam-
bridge University Press, 1990), and Argentina: Illu-
⁸Buenos Aires Herald, September 17, 1989, p. 2.
⁹Washington Post National Weekly Edition, July 17-23, 1989, p.
sions and Realities (New York: Holmes & Meier,
15.
1986). Wynia gathered material for this article
¹⁰Buenos Aires Herald, August 13, 1989, p. 3.
while he was in Argentina during August, 1989.
34
CURRENT HISTORY, JANUARY, 1990
elected officials serve as a powerful deterrent. Hun-
would not accept pardons since they did not believe
dreds of others have received death threats, and
they had committed any crime.
many have resigned. In addition, the states of
Two schools of thought within Menem's govern-
emergency that prevail in more than 30 percent of
ment quickly emerged on the pardon issue. One
Peru's provinces complicate the voting process,
argued that pacification of the military was vital to
even though special arrangements are planned to
assure peace and to build confidence among foreign
open a window of constitutional "normalcy" around
investors who were reluctant to spend more money
election days.
in a country that was plagued by an ineffective
The dramatic fall-off of incidents and deaths in
military. Others argued that, apart from the ob-
September and October, 1989, after the grotesque
vious, morally repugnant aspects of legal absolu-
record pace of January through July probably
tion, meddling with the justice system would be
masks the intense preparations being made by both
frowned on by the liberal democratic governments
the military and the insurgents to have maximum
on which Argentina currently depends for political
impact around election time. Elections will take
and economic support. The Radicals were as divid-
place, but they are likely to be marred by substan-
ed as the Peronists: some favored pardons, while
tial violence, especially where Shining Path has
others, including Alfonsín, intensely opposed them.
been most active, and they may be impossible to
In October, 1989, Menem began to resolve the
carry out in scores of localities.
difficulty by pardoning almost 280 people. About
Even so, several recent developments may pro-
40 were retired military officers who had been in-
vide. more political space than could have been
volved in the Proceso; others were participants in the
predicted at the beginning of 1989. Modest im-
Falklands War or had participated in recent army
provements have occurred in the economic picture,
rebellions. Menem also extended pardons to about
with inflation cut to 25 percent per month, reserves
60 civilians, many still in exile, who had been
up fourfold to $1.3 billion and the average wage
charged with subversion. However, none of the
again advancing in real terms (from about $30 per
people who took part in the attack at La Tablada
month in January to about $45 per month in
were on the list. Eight others, including former
September). In addition, the police and military
Presidents Jorge Videla and Roberto Viola, and
took a more offensive position against the guerrillas
Montonero leader Mario Firmenich, were also ex-
between April and July, and are taking delivery of
cluded, but Menem promised that their cases
new helicopters and vehicles, restoring some faith
would be reconsidered later in the year. Menem in-
in their capacity to protect the system. Further-
sisted that the pardons were essential to building
more, President García has been more active dur-
respect within the armed forces for constitutional
ing his last year in office than was expected after the
government; nevertheless, some Argentines pro-
problems he experienced in late 1988 and early
tested against what they considered to be an im-
1989. With the presence of multiple political alter-
moral presidential decision, especially as it applied
natives at the local level and an emerging conser-
to those who had exterminated several thousand
vative alternative at the national level, Peru may
civilians between 1976 and 1980. 11
well be poised to begin its long climb back from the
Exhibiting the same boldness that he had dis-
edge of the abyss.
played in domestic matters, Menem ended Argen-
tina's embargo on trade with Great Britain (the
British had ended their embargo on Argentina in
ARGENTINA
1985): Even though he reasserted Argentina's claim
(Continued from page 16)
to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, Menem
vented leftist insurrection. To date there is no con-
agreed to initiate talks with the British in Madrid.
vincing evidence to support either theory.
Menem's motives were pragmatic: Argentina needs
During his campaign, Menem had promised to
more trade with Europe and that requires better rela-
consider pardons for everyone-from the junta
tions with all European nations. Air and sea links
members who governed in the 1970's to rebels like
between the two countries and between Argentina
Seineldin. Nevertheless, he proceeded cautiously,
and the Falklands, fishing rights, and ways to
aware that there was opposition to such benev-
prevent military incidents were also on the agenda
olence. The issue was complicated by the diversity
for the October 17 meeting. At that meeting, Britain
of crimes involved, from torture and murder during
and Argentina renewed diplomatic relations.
the Procesco, to launching an ill-conceived war in the
Menem wanted to convince other nations that
Falkland Islands, to rebelling against military and
Argentina was entering a new era that necessitated
civilian authorities. Moreover, people like former
fresh responses.
President Jorge Videla made it clear that they
When he went to the United Nations General
11 The New York Times, October 10, 1989, p. 3.
Assembly meeting in September, 1989, Menem
RG
HITE
®
IAY 1991
Keview
CENTER
AMOUNT
$2.95
COW
How
E0502 DC "NOLYNIHSAM
9478 OFF 03X3 M3N 0229 Wd
WILL EXEC OFF OF THE PRES LIB
OFF OF ADMIN/0E0B
05
**
TO I
WP FEB 92
HETT
#9E06007022MN IS3d#
502 11910-E ********
361"64612
LIVING
Children of the 'Disappeared'
EL PORTEÑO
we are children of the missing. For pro-
"People treat you very
gressive people, we're super-kids; for
one of the children in Argentina's La
others,
it would be better if we
N
Semilla (The Seed) Workshop is old-
didn't exist."
well or very badly;
er than 18, but each already carries a
There is also always the possibility of
heavy burden of memories. They are the
running into one of the "enforcers," the
there's no in-between."
children of the desaparecidos (disap-
military personnel who carried out the
peared), the men and women abducted
abductions. One of the workshop mem-
and murdered under the Argentine mil-
bers, Elizabeth, quit the student associa-
itary dictatorship of the 1970s. Some of
tion at her college because, she says, "It
ents. "To date, we have located 50 chil-
the youngsters went through detention
turned out that most of the students
dren," she says. "Of these 50, seven
camps with their parents; others do not
were children of the enforcers."
were murdered, 25 have gone back to
even remember their fathers' faces. To-
Some of the children now live with
their original families, and 13 are still
day, they live with whatever family they
their mothers; others live with their
living with people who adopted them in
have left. Argentine President Carlos
grandmothers. Some remember every-
good faith." Carlotto says that Menem
Saúl Menem granted pardons last De-
thing, and some are rebuilding their
has not yet met with the group: "So far,
cember to military leaders convicted in
identities little by little. Virtually all of
we have not heard him speak a word
connection with the "disappearances."
the children talk of continuing in their
about the existence of missing chil-
"I had to learn to be a man on my
fathers' footsteps, although not all of
dren
If the government persists in
own," says Julian, 14. "Nobody taught
them are entirely clear about what their
refusing to see us, we are going to get
me how to shave
I could never tell
fathers stood for.
very tough. Thus far, we grandmothers
my father what it was like to be in love
have been very diplomatic. But we'll
with a girl
Those are little things
P
ablo, 13, is the youngest of the group
change our language and our attitudes,
that may seem dumb, but they hurt.
and very serious; he almost never
because what we're talking about here
They hurt a lot, because I never got a
laughs. "My father was a lawyer who
are children who are being denied their
chance to be taught how to grow up."
defended political prisoners," he says.
identities."
Julian has been telling his story for
"My mother and I believe that he was
Two children who were returned to
years. "One night in 1976, when I was
taken in the street
After the kid-
their families through the group's ef-
six months old," he says, "a group of
napping, [my mother and I] went to
forts are María Victoria Moyano Arti-
soldiers burst into the house. They
Mexico, and from there we went to Nic-
gas, 12, and Paula Eva Logares, 14. Ma-
threatened my mom and took my dad
aragua, during the Sandinista govern-
ría Victoria has been living, "very
away. He was a writer and journalist,
ment. We also went to Cuba several
happy and secure," with her maternal
and he was working at home
That
times. I've been back [in Argentina] for
grandparents for two years. She now
is the last I heard of my old man."
three years now. The more I understand
knows that her father was Argentine
La Semilla, which consists of 30 chil-
about my father's story, the worse I feel,
and that her mother was Uruguayan;
dren age 13 to 17, originally met to get
but it gets me in gear to do what my fa-
that her parents were kidnapped; and
the children exemptions from manda-
ther was doing."
that she was born in a detention camp.
tory military service. Today, it has be-
Luciana, 14, also wants to be like her
"Eight hours after my birth," she says,
come a kind of support group. The
father. He was an employee representa-
"I was taken to live with a man named
youngsters are wary, and it is not easy to
tive at a bank and was abducted from
Víctor Penna and his wife, María
find them: They tell hardly anybody
his office in 1977, when Luciana was
Elena
I lived with them for nine
where they meet. They accepted the
four months old. She says that what she
years, until December 26, 1987. I'll nev-
meeting with El Porteno only after tak-
likes most is going to the student center
er forget that date: It was the day I
ing security measures. Many of the chil-
at her high school and to the workshop.
learned from the judge that I had been
dren use a pseudonym, and almost none
"I want to continue in my father's foot-
kidnapped. The couple had lied to me
gives a last name. Pictures are out of the
steps, even if many people think it's bad
when they told me I had been adopted."
question. "It's good that we should be a
because [he was a] guerrilla."
"I have no memory of my parents,
little paranoid," says one.
Not all children of missing persons go
and I would like very much to be able to
In one way or another, all of the chil-
to the workshop. Some do not know of
see them again," says Paula Logares,
dren feel discriminated against. "People
its existence or even of other youngsters
who bears a marked resemblance to a
treat you very well or very badly; there's
who have similar histories. And some
photograph of her mother. Paula was
no in-between," says Fabian. "For oth-
have only recently learned about their
located by her grandmother and uncles
er people, the idea is always present that
pasts. According to Estela Carlotto,
in late 1983. She now refers to the peo-
who heads the activist group Grand-
ple with whom she had been living with-
By Julio Spina; from the liberal monthly "El
mothers of Plaza de Mayo, about 500
out mentioning their names. "I never
Porteño" of Buenos Aires.
children were abducted with their par-
want to see them again," she says.
58 WORLD PRESS REVIEW
MAY 1991
CHRIS. SCI. . MON
:
10/03/91
With World Bank Loan in Hand, Argentina
Moves 165/182 Ahead to Reorganize Its Military
for three factories that make ex-
ment, but this idea has changed.
By Julia Michaels
plosives, munitions, and weap-
especially as the military has
ons. These will not be sold to pri-
played a smaller political role.
Special to The Christian Science Monitor
vate investors but may take on
Argentina has experienced six
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
outside partners.
military coups since 1930. The
Another new secretariat will
last one. in 1976, led to a violent
RGENTINA moved closer
oversee the privatization of steel.
internal war and the 1982 Falk-
A
to the long-promised re-
petrochemicals. shipping, and
lands War with Britain. which was
form of its defense com-
other factories that belong to the
a disaster for Argentina. When ci-
plex this week with the reorgani-
defense establishment. The two
vilian President Raúl Alfonsin
zation of three Defense Ministry
new departments replace three
came to office in 1983, he made
departments.
former ones.
drastic defense cuts.
The reorganization follows last
Political analysts say the re-
The World Bank loan, details
month's news of a $250 million
form is coming because of pres-
of which must still be worked out.
World Bank loan to the Argentine
sure from President Carlos Saúl
is to be disbursed sometime after
government for the restructuring
Menem. who is reported to be un-
June 1992, says Ana Kessler. the
and privatization of the country's
happy with the slow pace of de-
Defense Ministry's new undersec-
defense industries. It also follows
fense restructuring. Altogether.
retary for restructuring and man-
within a month of a highly publi-
the armed forces own part or all
agement. Until then. the govern-
cized trial in which the leaders of
of 33 companies employing
ment hopes to obtain a loan from
a December military rebellion by
33.000 people. though many lay-
private banks to fund the restruc-
the so-called "painted faces."
offs are now expected. The re-
turing.
were convicted by both civilian
structuring is to be completed by
The privatizations. she says.
and military courts.
the end of 1992.
should bring in from $5 billion to
"The reform should begin to-
"The international and re-
$10 billion and will also provide
day," Military Affairs Secretary
gional political situation is lead-
considerable savings.
Juan Ferreira Pinho said Tuesday
ing the armed forces to change
With the savings and inflow of
in a telephone interview. It is "a
their objectives. mission. and re-
funds. the ministry plans to re-
new phase. with more implemen-
ality." says Pinho. referring to the
equip the armed forces. Pinho
tation rather than planning."
spread of democracy and growing
says the objective is to reduce the
Appointed Monday as secre-
regional economic integration.
size of the military, make it more
tary for military affairs. a newly
Beginning in the 1940s. Ar-
agile and less geographically
created post within the Defense
gentines felt they must be able to
spread out. and to use budget re-
Ministry Mr Pinho is responsible
produce their own defense equip-
sources more efficiently.
L.A.TIMES:09/22/91
Communist Ideology Fading Fast in Latin America
Politics: Parties fared
T
hen came the bloody military
CUBA
coup of September, 1973. The
poorly in the 1980s and
Communist Party went under-
Soviet aid in the form of huge
ground, advocating violent resis-
trade subsidies was reduced to
Soviet changes have
tance to the dictatorship of Gen.
nearly zero this year. And if fledg-
further harmed their
Augusto Pinochet.
ling capitalists in the Soviet repub-
When the military regime al-
lics eliminate barter arrangements
morale and prestige.
lowed elections in 1989, balloting
with Cuba, putting all trade on a
rules were such that no candidate
cash basis, Cuba would become the
customer of last resort and face far
TIMES
By WILLIAM R. LONG 78/172/182
with less than about 30% of a
STAFF
WRITER
district's votes could win a seat in
worse shortages of food and fuel
the Congress. The Communists
than the Draconian ones it already
S
ANTIAGO, Chile-U.S. presi-
won none.
suffers. The political impact of
dents from Dwight D. Eisen-
Jorge Insunza, a Chilean Com-
dwindling Soviet help will become
hower to Ronald Reagan worried
munist leader, admits that the
clearer when Communist delegates
about communism in America's
Soviet Communist Party's troubles
debate Cuba's economic and politi-
back yard. Obviously, times have
have compounded the crisis in his
cal course at the Fourth Party
changed: As world communism
party. But he vowed that the
Congress, starting Oct. 10.
cracks and crumbles, the "Red
Chilean party will pull through
The party's only formal reaction
menace" in Latin America is all but
these hard times.
to the Soviet coup failure, an
forgotten.
"The party has very deep roots
editorial in the official newspaper
Today, most Latin American
in Chilean society," he said. "We
Granma on Aug. 29, said: "What-
Communist parties have renounced
started out before the October
ever happens in the Soviet Union,
old dreams of Cuban-style revolu-
revolution, and we do not depend
we will not move away from the
tion. Some are splitting up, falling
on what happens in the Soviet
1
path we have chosen
our
apart or withering away. Others
Union." He added that the Chilean
independent, Cuban and socialist
are overhauling their ideologies to
party rejects the "bureaucratic
line." A debate over what exactly
embrace democratic and even
model" of communism that domi-
that means has been under way in
free-market principles. A few are
nated the Soviet Union until the
the party for months and has been
hanging tough, stubbornly sticking
era of President Mikhail S. Gorba-
intensified by events in the Soviet
to Marxist-Leninist doctrine. But
Union.
chev's perestroika and is in the
throughout the region, Communist
process of making "very deep
parties are in crisis.
S
ays Gillian Gunn, a Cuba spe-
changes" in its own ideology.
In general, Latin American
cialist at the Carnegie Endow-
"We have come to the conclu-
Communists fared poorly at the
ment for International Peace in
sion that Marx's old concept of the
polls during the region's democrat-
Washington: "Had the Soviet coup
dictatorship of the proletariat can-
ic revival in the 1980s. The succes-
succeeded, the prospect of more
not be used today," he said. And
sive Communist failures in Europe,
stable [Soviet] economic assistance
the party's anti-market concepts
culminating in the abortive Soviet
would have strengthened the hand
will be revised, he said, "accepting
coup in August, have further dev-
the fact that the market exists in
of Cuban hard-liners. The failure
astated the morale and prestige of
reality and continues to exist in a
of the coup, and the related expec-
pro-Moscow parties in this region.
Socialist society."
tation that aid will decline more
That does not portend the death
Former Chilean Communists,
rapidly than before, has strength-
of the Latin American left, with its
however, say the party remains
ened those arguing for introduction
banners of equality and social jus-
resistant to open discussion and
of some market mechanisms as the
tice in countries where inequality
deep change. Fanny Pollarolo, who
only way to avoid economic col-
and injustice are commonplace. But
quit the party last year, said
lapse."
Jose Joaquin Brunner, an analyst
changes in the Soviet Union en-
Meanwhile, the sight of huge
with the Santiago-based Latin
couraged her and other reformers
anti-Communist demonstrations in
American Faculty of Social Sci-
to break with orthodox Communist
Soviet cities appears to have
ences, said that the influence of
strengthened Havana's resolve to
traditional Communist ideology is
thinking.
crack down even harder on the
Pollarolo is among 10 of the
waning fast.
Central Committee's 45 members
island's small dissident movement.
"The tendency is a new type of
which is demanding an end to
left in Latin America; I think it will
who have resigned. Several have
Castro's one-party system. Dissi-
formed a new movement, the
have more Social Democratic
Democratic Left Party. Pollarolo,
dent groups, emboldened by events
traits," Brunner said.
56, is president.
in the Soviet Union, tried to organ-
Communist parties began ap-
ize a demonstration recently, but a
pearing in Latin America early in
"The perestroika process, the
pro-government mob chanting "In
the century, but few ever mustered
figure of Gorbachev, has had great
Cuba, there can be only one party"
much popular support or power at
significance for us," she said. "It
harassed the first dissidents to
the polls. They did, however, earn
has given us hope for reformulat-
arrive, and the rally never got
considerable measures of respect
ing a democratic, humane, modern
under way.
and fear for their discipline, organ-
society, free from all formal ortho-
izational skill, revolutionary zeal
doxy."
NICARAGUA
and intellectual luminaries.
As Communists in other Latin
The Sandinista National Libera-
In Chile, for example, a widely
American countries re-examine
tion Front, in its first party con-
revered Communist was Pablo Ne-
their political identities, it remains
gress a month before the Soviet
ruda, the Nobel Prize poet. But
to be seen how much formal Com-
coup, took steps toward abandon-
Neruda is dead, and today Chile
munist orthodoxy will survive in
ing its guerrilla past and creating a
offers a prime example of crisis and
the region. But Marco Aurelio Gar-
democratic opposition party. The
decline in Latin American commu-
cia, a history professor who spe-
delegates dropped references in
nism.
cializes in leftist Latin American
working documents to being a
Older than the Soviet Union, the
movements at Brazil's University
Marxist-Leninist party but rejected
Communist Party of Chile was
of Campinas, said parties remaining
a democratic bid within the party
founded in 1912. It shared govern-
faithful to Marxist-Leninist doc-
to shake up the self-appointed
ment power early in the 1970s as a
trine will be discredited by the
Sandinista leadership with an open
senior partner in the coalition that
Soviet Communist failure.
election. At the same time, the
elected President Salvador Allen-
"The situation of the orthodox
Sandinistas decided sto continue
de, himself a leader of Chile's old
left is going to be very difficult in
calling themselves socialist, revo-
Socialist Party, a Marxist-Leninist
the coming years," Garcia said.
lutionary and anti-imperialist
institution.
As president of Nicaragua, San-
Starting with Cuba, where com-
munism has been the official ideol-
dinista party leader Daniel Ortega
was forced by the war with the
ogy since the early 1960s, here is a
Contras, economics collapse, and
sampling of how Latin American
Communists are dealing with the
U.S. and Latin American pressure
to embrace political pluralism and
difficulties:
run in a free election, which he
lost. Even while following Gorba-
chev's example of political open-
ness, Ortega has criticized Mos-
L. TIMES 09/22/91
cow's drift away from the socialist
model. Reacting with alarm to the
Soviet coup aftermath, Ortega said:
2063
"The most right-wing sectors are
trying to smash Gorbachev and
turn the Soviet Union toward capi-
in the Soviet-system confirmed the
talism. Boris Yeltsin's methods
leftist organizations.
need to break with the past.
against the Soviet Communist Par-
Perez told The Times by tele-
"If that model is exhausted, the
ty are totally anti-democratic and
phone that the proposed party
Communist Party is exhausted."
would be based on democratic
dangerous." The small Communist Party of
Freire told reporters at a recent
socialist ideals and would seek a
meeting of the Brazilian party's
broader base than the Communist
Nicaragua takes the opposite view.
Central Committee. "It isn't a mat-
Ariel Bravo, the party's secretary
Party has by itself, with the goal of
ter of renovating or reforming the
for national and international af-
winning 1994 presidential elec-
Communist Party. It is a matter of
fairs. said the Soviet upheaval was
tions. "I am convinced that it is
forming a new party with the
to be expected because "the Sovi-
possible," he said.
Communist Party as a base."
ets began deviating from true Len-
ARGENTINA
inism as soon as Lenin died and
URUGUAY
The Argentine Communist par-
Stalin took over."
The Communist Party of Uru-
ty, founded in 1918, has severely
VENEZUELA
guay could qualify currently as the
criticized Gorbachev's reforms.
most successful in Latin America
Fanny Evelman, a long-time Ar-
The tiny Venezuelan Communist
outside Cuba. It is the leading party
gentine Communist leader, said in a
Party, divided over events in the
in a leftist-oriented coalition that
telephone interview that the Sovi-
Soviet Union, suffered its most
won election to the municipal gov-
et changes are aimed at returning
serious blow Aug. 27 when Chair-
man Hector Mujica resigned from
ernment of Montevideo, the Uru-
to capitalism. "We, who have been
victims of American imperialism,
both his post and the party. Mujica,
guayan capital and the home of
more than one-third of the nation's
cannot accept that surrender," she
who had belonged to the party for
more than four decades, had adopt-
population.
said.
ed a reformist line. He said he was
And yet the Uruguayan Commu-
According to Evelman, 80, so-
nists are considering the possibility
cialism is the only solution to the
resigning because some sectors of
the party leadership opposed re-
of deep structural changes in their
underdevelopment of Latin Ameri-
form and supported the attempted
party. In early November. they
ca and the Third World. U.S.
will vote on a proposal by Sen.
capitalism. she said, "is corroded
coup in the Soviet Union.
Jaime Perez, the secretary general,
from within by its own contradic-
The University of Campinas'
to form a new party with other
tions."
Prof. Garcia said that the fallout
Times staff writer Richard Boud-
from the Soviet events could carry
reaux, in Mexico, and special corre-
small Latin American Communist
spondents Jan Howard, in Nicaragua,
parties such as Venezuela's "to a
and Stan Yarbro, in Colombia, contrib-
final phase, to their disappear-
uted to this report.
ance."
COLOMBIA
The Patriotic Union, a coalition
formed in 1984 to incorporate paci-
fied guerrillas, has been dominated
by the Colombian Communist Par-
ty, but the alliance is in trouble. In
light of the changes in the Soviet
Union, many Patriotic Union lead-
ers have quit the Communist Par-
ty, calling it a last bastion of
Marxist reactionaries. Oscar Gon-
zalez Arana, the Patriotic Union's
director of international relations,
said its differences with the Com-
munist Party have become so great
that a complete break between the
two is certain.
BRAZIL
Roberto Freire, secretary gen-
eral of the Brazilian Communist
Party and a former presidential
candidate, is proposing that the
party transform its structure,
change its name and drop its tradi-
tional hammer-and-sickle symbol.
He said that reforms in the 69-
year-old Brazilian party began
years ago but that recent changes
L. TIMES 09/22/91
30,3
Red Flag in Latin America
Gulf of
CUBA
DOMINICAN
Mexico
HAITI REPUBLIC
Atlantic
Ocean
HONDURAS
Caribbean Sea
NICARAGUA
GUYANA
GUATEMALAT
PANAMA
EL
VENEZUELA
SURINAMI
SALVADOR
CH GUIANA
COSTA
COLOMBIA
RICA
W
ECUADOR
0
400
PERU
BRAZIL
MILES
BOLIVIA
Pacific
Ocean
CHILE
ARGENTINA
Throughout Latin America, Communist parties have given up
on revolution. Some are withering away, others are changing, a
few are hanging tough. In nations marked in black, above, the
parties are in crisis. Here is a look:
Chile
Communist Party, bom in 1912, predates Soviet Union. Partner with
socialist Allende government in early 1970s, it went underground when
Allende was overthrown. Now legal again, it has done poorly at polls, and its
leaders talk of adapting.
Cuba
With Soviet aid all but cut off, Cuba suffers serious food, fuel shortages
that may grow worse. But defiant Communist Party vows to hew to
"independent, Cuban and socialist line," and dissidents remain largely
suppressed.
Nicaragua
With Marxist Sandinistas voted out and broad-based National Opposition
Union (UNO) in power, Nicaragua's small Communist Party has turned
pragmatic, joining UNO and refraining from identifying with any Communist
country.
Colombia
Communists dominate Patriotic Union coalition, but Soviet upheaval has
caused many coalition leaders to quit Communist Party as too reactionary.
Party's leader speaks of merging it with other leftist opposition groups to
form new party.
Venezuela
Tiny Communist Party was crippled this year when longtime leader, who
had called for reform and denounced attempted Soviet coup, resigned and
left party. To some, its continued existence is in question.
Brazil
Top Communist says changes in Soviet Union confirm need for reform
within Brazil's Communist Party, even to extent of changing name and
forming new party. Issue will be taken up at party conference this year.
Argentina
Argentine Communist Party has criticized Soviet reforms as return to
capitalism, and its longtime leader still sees socialism as only hope for
people of Latin America and Third World.
Uruguay
Outside Cuba, Uruguayan party is communism's biggest Latin success.
But like others, It is considering deep structural changes, possibly merging
with other parties to seek broader electoral base,
VICTOR KOTOWITZ Los Angeles Times
Administration of George Bush, 1990
with members of the
Robert Van Dine, of California. He would suc-
ceremony at the statue of Gen. José de San
community.
ceed Harry Evans Sloan. Mr. Van Dine is
Martin.
founder, vice chairman, and chairman of the
unced his intention to
executive committee of St. Ives Laboratories
In the afternoon, at Casa Rosata, Presi-
adny, secretary of the
Corp. in Rolling Hills, CA.
dent Bush met privately with President
nt of Natural Re-
Carlos Saúl Menem and with the interna-
Rudolph A. Oswald, of Maryland. This is a reap-
ssioner of the United
pointment. Currently, Dr. Oswald serves as di-
tional diplomatic corps. The two Presidents
Great Lakes Fishery
rector of the AFL-CIO education department
then participated in a working luncheon
m expiring February
in Washington, DC.
with U.S. and Argentine officials. After the
ucceed James M. Ri-
luncheon, President Bush addressed a joint
The President announced his intention to
session of the Congress at the Palacio del
inced his intention to
appoint Dominic Man-Kit Lam, of Texas, to
Congreso.
be a member of the President's Committee
g individuals to be
The President announced his intention to
on the Arts and the Humanities. He would
lent's Commission on
appoint the following individuals to be
succeed Joan Dillon. Currently Dr. Lam
ips:
members of the President's Council on
serves as chairman of the board of Houston
lifornia. He would suc-
Bio-Tech, Inc., and as director of the
Physical Fitness and Sports:
Currently Mr. Denend
Center for Biotechnology for Baylor College
Christine Marie Evert, of Florida. This is a new
e president of product
of Medicine in Woodlands, TX.
position. Ms. Evert is a retired tennis profes-
Corp. in Santa Clara, CA.
The President announced his intention to
sional.
ado. She would succeed
appoint Costa N. Miller, of Indiana, to be a
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, of California. He would
urrently Mrs. Klapper
Vice Chairman of the President's Commit-
succeed George W: Armstrong. Mr. Johnson is
ith the law firm of Gail
tee on Employment of People With Disabil-
a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
CO.
ities. He would succeed Anne H. Carlsen.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, of California. This is a new
f Texas. She would suc-
Currently Mr. Miller serves as executive di-
position. Mrs. Joyner-Kersee is a professional
Cash. Currently Mrs.
rector of the Indiana Association of Reha-
track star.
iles professor emerita of
C Affairs at the Univer-
bilitation Facilities in Indianapolis, IN.
Sammy Lee, of California. He would succeed
The President announced his intention to
Frederic V. Malek. Dr. Lee is a diving coach in
Huntington Beach, CA.
nia. He would succeed
appoint the following individuals to be
Mr. Vasquez serves as
members of the President's Commission on
James Lorimer, of Ohio. He would succeed Mitch
isor in Santa Ana, CA.
Executive Exchange for terms of 2 years:
Gaylord. Mr. Lorimer serves as vice president
of government relations for Nationwide Insur-
District of Columbia. He
Richard G. Quick, of Pennsylvania. This is a new
ance in Columbus, OH.
S. Scott. Currently Mr.
position. Currently Mr. Quick serves as presi-
er with the law firm of
dent and chief executive officer for HVP Inter-
Chi Chi Rodriguez, of Florida. He would succeed
Washington, DC.
national, Ltd., in Boalsburg, PA.
Harry N. Walters. Mr. Rodriguez is a profes-
sional golfer.
Shirley Young, of Michigan. She would succeed
nced his intention to
George P. Shultz. Currently Ms. Young serves
The President announced his intention to
individuals to be
as vice president for consumer market develop-
nominate Eunice N. Sato, of California, to
sory Committee for
ment for General Motors in Detroit, MI.
be a member of the National Advisory
tiations for terms of
In the evening, President Bush traveled
Council on Educational Research and Im-
to Punta del Este, where he attended a
provement for a term expiring September
V York. This is a reap-
dinner at the Posta del Cangrejo restaurant
30, 1991. She would succeed Noreen C.
r. Houghton serves as
hosted by President and Mrs. Lacalle. Fol-
Thomas. Most recently, Mrs. Sato served as
utive officer of Corn-
lowing the dinner, President Bush went to
mayor of the City of Long Beach, CA.
Loma Verde, where he stayed overnight.
In the evening, the two Presidents at-
fornia. This is a reap-
tended a rodeo at the Sociedad Rural Arena
Mr. Fisher serves as
December 5
and a state dinner at the Sociedad Rural
cutive officer of The
In the morning, President Bush attended
Restaurante. Afterward, President Bush
o, CA.
a private breakfast at the Hotel L'Auberge
went to the U.S. Ambassador's residence,
S. He would succeed
with President and Mrs. Lacalle, before
where he stayed overnight.
ently Mr. Fites serves
ecutive officer of Cat-
leaving for Buenos Aires, Argentina.
At midday, President Bush arrived at
December 6
Aeroparque Airport in Buenos Aires, par-
In the morning, President Bush met at
IS. This is a reappoint-
inder, chairman, and
ticipated in a welcoming ceremony, and
the U.S. Embassy with members of the
Snyder General Corp.
was presented with the key to the city.
American diplomatic community and then
Later, he participated in a wreath-laying
participated in a departure ceremony at
1997
The Military in a Democratic Society
by
Ambassador Terence A. Todman
School of the Americas
October 16, 1990
I am honored indeed to have the opportunity
to address this distinguished audience of military
professionals at the School of the Americas.
To begin, I wish to congratulate the School
for the great contribution it has made over the last
40 years to the professional development of this
hemisphere's military men and women. This is the
only U.S. military institution which offers the
intermediate staff college course in a foreign
language. The importance of this school is clear
when one considers that since its establishment in
1946, it has graduated more than 51,000 officers and
non-commissioned officers from twenty-two countries.
They have been, and in many cases still are, leaders
in the lives of their respective homelands.
It is a special pleasure to be meeting with
you at Fort Benning where I received my own basic
army infantry officer training. On being
commissioned, it was here also that I took my first
oath to defend my country against all enemies foreign
or domestic. That was in 1947 just after the end of
World War II. It was the year the Marshall Plan was
announced but also when the Soviet Union intensified
its efforts to establish its control over Eastern
Europe under Marxist-Leninist doctrine.
The world has changed dramatically since
then. For a long period we lived through several
limited international conflicts, huge arms build up
in face of the threat. of a major conflagration, a
period of so-called "cold war", various
communist-backed insurgencies and totalitarian
regimes in several countries. Now, despite the
plague of international drug traffic and terrorism,
we are witnessing a lessening of east-west tensións,
greater international cooperation and, above all, the
rebirth of free nations and the emergence of
democracies in various parts of the world.
-2-
Today I wish to share with you some personal
thoughts about the role of the military in a
domocratic society. My rémarks will reflect my deep
personal convictions about the critical part that a
nation's armed forces must play in the defense of
their country and of those institutions which
guarantee to its citizens life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.
The fundamental role of the armed forces
continues to be, as always, the protection and
defense of the vital national interests of each
country and, above all, its survival as as nation.
In a democracy, the performance of that role must
always be in accordance with the lawful decisions of
the duly constituted civilian authorities in keeping
with the wishes of the people. There is no other
viable way for the maintenance and consolidation of
democracy. That is the challenge for the military in
Latin America today, as nations throughout the
hemisphere show their will to live under democractic
systems chosen through free and fair elections.
In the past, democracy in Latin America has
often been fragile and intermittent. Sometimes it
has been at the sufferance or mercy of the armed
forces. At other times the military has felt a
mistaken need to take power directly as the only way
to deal with their country's problems. In a very few
instances they governed well for a short period and
then arranged quickly for a return to civilian rule.
However in most other cases they governed
unsuccessfully, without broad political support and
often even without respect for the very values they
claimed to defend. In the majority of these cases
the final results damaged the image of the armed
forces.
Of course, blame for what happened cannot be
laid at the door of professional military training
neither can it be placed on the military alone. On
the contrary, well trained officers are always more
confident, more professional, and less apt to seek
political power, even when encouraged to do so by
civilian elements serving their own interests. In
any case there is no place for military intervention
in democratic countries today.
-3-
The profound and far reaching developments
taking place around the world are accompanied by
several positive changes in Latin America itself.
The first and most important of these changes is the
resurgence of political democracy. Over the last
decade, authoritarian regimes have been replaced one
by one by democratic governments. In our hemisphere,
only Cuba still clings to an outmoded and repressive
model which has been discarded even in the communist
states that were once Castro's most fervent
supporters. This democratic resurgence is no passing
phenomenon. It is deeply rooted and here to stay.
A second and related change, in what
President Bush has called the "intellectual
revolution" sweeping Latin America, is a remarkable
period of economic reform based on the realization
that a market-based economic system is the one likely
to bring the greatest benefit to the people.
Accompanying the above two changes is a
dynamic movement toward regional economic cooperation
and integration based on a system of free and fair
trade.
Revitalized democracy has brought an improved
understanding and interaction between the military
and civilian sectors. There is greater awareness
within the military that its role is not to govern
and that it lacks the broad based political support
necessary to do so effectively. Also in this period
of economic reform and adjustment, the most astute
military leaders are doing their utmost to support
their civilian governments' efforts to insure
prosperity in a democratic environment.
On the civilian side, there is an equally
important realization that the answers to difficult
national problems must be found at the ballot box, in
parliamentary debate, and through the exercise of
political leadership -- not by knocking at the
barrack's door. There is also a growing awareness
that the members of the armed forces, who are
responsibile for the defense of the country, must be
treated with the respect and consideration due them.
-4-
Efforts to integrate the military and
civilian elements of society are improving. All must
work to eliminate traditional institutional
isolation. One very positive trend in this regard is
the increased involvement of civilians in the study
and formulation of national security doctrine.
Another is the reform of the military educational
system, particularly broadening and upgrading
military academy curricula to make them equal to and
compatible with civilian university studies.
In many countries, military budget planning
and budget program management are still in the very
early stages of develpment. But in a period of
economic reform and restructure, governments are
being forced to focus on expenditure reduction and on
effective program management in all areas of public
spending, including defense and security. In this
context, defense spending is expected to fall,
certainly at least as a percentage of GDP.
Therefore, it is imperative for the armed forces to
develop coherent, integrated budget requests and to
communicate effectively their operational and
equipment needs to both the legislative and executive
branches.
Reduced expenditures will likely require
personnel reductions, force restructuring, and unit
consolidation in all branches. Civilian defense
officials will seek cost effective methods to meet
national security needs. They will demand better
command and control structures to ensure
inter-service coordination and cooperation in the
development and execution of operational strategy.
They will seek to eliminate waste and duplication.
Consolidation of training, logistics and support
units are likely. Some support activities, such as
health care, might be combined into a single corp for
all military services.
The manner in which the armed forces perform
their role depends, of course, on the nature and
extent of the threats to the maintenance of a
democratic system, to national integrity and to the
general well-being. Today those threats appear most
likely to come from groups seeking to seize power
-5-
through limited politico--military action, subversion
or uprisings. They may come also from drug
trafficking, often linked with terrorism, which
transcend national boundaries and attack public
order, established institutions and even national
integrity. In addition, although, more remote in the
Americas of today, they could result from aggressive
actions of a powerful neighhbor. It is to meet such
threats that the armed forces of our countries must
prepare.
I commend this school for focussing its
instruction in the first place on how to deal with
low intensity conflicts such as those which could
result from the first two previously mentioned
threats; and secondly on how to manage joint and
combined operations, which may well be needed for the
second threat and certainly will be essential for the
third threat which would call for an international
response.
The differences in the threats and the
responses which may be needed or possible are
influenced greatly by the dramatic changes which have
been occuring in global power alignments and by
developments specific to the Latin American region.
Over the past several years, indeed within
the last several months, the world's political and
economic landscape has been dramatically altered.
The era of the "cold war" or what some have called
military bipolarity, is coming rapidly to a close.
The map of Europe has been redrawn. Germany is
united and firmly in the Western camp. Democratic
reform is sweeping Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union
itself is struggling with the process of perestroyka,
trying to meet the rising expectations of its
citizens and to cope with the nationalist demands of
its diverse population.
The historic changes in east-west relations
have made it possible for the United States and other
leading industrial powers to devote more thought,
energy and resources to the north-south axis of
interchange. But these changes in the east-west
equation have not brought us to a millenium of peace
and prosperity. Economic and political conditions in
much of the world still contain the potential for
violent conflict.
-6-
Unfortunately, there have been some negative
changes affecting this hemisphere. For example,
traffic in drugs has reached dangerous proportions
which now present the most serious, complex and
violent challenges to democratic order in this
hemisphere. When combined with terrorism it can
threaten the very existence of nations. These
threats are transnational. Their targets are not
governments or military forces as such, but the
infrastructure of society, the common fundamental
values and cherished insitutions of western
civilization. We are accustomed to conflict
scenarios which focus on a foreign power, but today
the military may be forced to respond to threats that
cannot be identified with a single nation state.
In addition, extremists on both the left and
right of the political spectrum show greater
inclination to take advantage of the temporary social
and economic dislocations resulting from changes to
subvert democracy from within.
Some of the consequences of these changes for
the defense establishments in the Americas are
already evident, others nascent, and some still only
dimly perceived. Of course not all of these
consequences are equally felt in all countries of the
hemisphere. However, there are several general
trends which must significantly alter
political-military thinking and planning. We are
seeing now, and will see increasingly in the near
future, a shift in the traditional mission,
organization and structure of our armed forces to
respond to these new circumstances.
Iraq's invasion and seizure of its
independent neighbor, Kuwait, is the first post-cold
war challenge to national sovereignty, international
order, trade and peace. The inclination of others to
follow this example will be influenced greatly by the
outcome of this crisis. Fortunately, for the first
time there has been a clear rejection of the Iragi
action by the overwhelming majority of the world's
nations, including all the major powers and permanent
members of the United Nations Security Council. For
the first time ever the UN charter is working as it
was designed to do.
-7-
The multinational response to this crisis
underscores the need for expertise in managing joint
and combined operations to deal with such
developments. The challenge for the maintenance of
peace confronts all nations including those in Latin
America. These nations have important places in the
world community -- in trade and commerce, in the arts
and sciences, and in international politics. Thus,
it is fitting that Latin American armed forces should
participate in international efforts to preserve
peace.
Furthermore, as members of the United
Nations, democratic states have a special obligation
to share the burden of peace keeping operations. The
principles which underlie the UN charter are the same
as those on which our own constitutions are based.
When those principles are violated, our nations are
especially threatened. We are all somehow diminished
in the process.
In that regard, I wish to pay tribute to the
courageous and responsible action taken by the
government of Argentina in response to Iraqi
aggression against Kuwait. President Menem's
decision to contribute military forces to the
multinational force in the Persian Gulf region was a
firm affirmation of support for the rule of
international law. This was a purely Argentine
national decision made in response to the appeals of
the affected Arab states, in accordance with the
United Nation's resolutions and in the desire to
contribute by its presence to the consolidation of a
new international approach to maintaining peace and
security. It is a worthy example of the kinds of
actions Latin American leaders will likely be calling
on their armed forces to perform in the future.
One of the most important consequences of the
changes described is the need to realign defense
policy with new geo-political realities. Most Latin
American military establishments have traditionally
adhered to conflict hypotheses which assumed first:
that there would be a conventional war against one or
more neighboring states, and second: that there was a
threat of Marxist-sponsored guerrilla action
supported by a foreign power. These hypotheses now
appear to be somewhat outdated.
-8-
Shared democratic principles have produced a
climate of confidence which is permitting nations to
resolve major differences and to define and deal
effectively with bilateral problems peacefully.
Moves toward economic integration have also changed
the strategic equation. Former traditional rivals
are creating broad based economic partnerships which
will tie them together in many areas. Nations must
now work together to defend common commercial and
economic interests.
The political and economic conditions which
sparked insurrections by the violent left during the
1970s no longer exist in most of the countries where
those groups operated. The former financial and
spritual patrons of these Marxist movements have
thrown their Leninism on the ash heap, at least for
the moment, and are marketing goods and services
rather than exporting revolution.
However there still remains the need to face
the threats posed by narcotrafficking, especially
when linked with terrorism, which is far greater than
any single nation alone can handle. International
cooperation is required if this danger is to be
combatted successfully.
The very nature of the threats has provoked
serious political countroversy about how our
societies can best respond. Much of the debate has
centered on the question of repression. In the
United States, the understandable desire to use our
military resources to combat these threats has
clashed with long standing legal prohibitions against
such use to aprehend civilian law breakers. Many
civilian leaders contend that terrorism and narco
trafficking -- whatever the motives of those involved
-- are criminal activities, and their suppression is
essentially a police matter, the exclusive job of
civilian law enforcement agencies.
This argument also finds particular resonance
in countries recently returned to civilian control
after years of military rule. There is great
reluctance among civilian leaders to give the armed
forces any significant role in internal security
matters for fear this might lead either to their
direct involvement in politics or to abuses of civil
rights experienced under military regimes.
-9-
The armed forces themselves recognize that
their involvement in police work risks undermining
public support for the military. Additionally, many
military professionals are often reluctant to
undertake unconventional operations, especially
counter narcotics efforts, for which they are not
trained, organized, or equipped. Some members of the
military have also argued that their involvement in
such activities diverts resources and diminishes
their capacity to defend the nation against
conventional threats. And understandably they fear
the potential for corruption associated with
narcotics.
Since circumstances vary in every country, it
seems to me impossible to prescribe a uniform
solution. The recent experience of democratic states
in dealing with terrorism illustrates this point.
When faced with very serious terrorist threats from
violent, extreme leftist groups, the governments of
Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany responded
by creating special police units, improving
intelligence collection and coordination, and
streamlining their judicial procedures. They were
able to contain and neutralize the threat without
resorting either to military force or extra
constitutional means. On the other hand, the United
Kingdom has been required to deploy its armed forces,
as well as using the methods described above, in
response to the IRA's terrorist campaign.
Current debate about the use of military
force centers on the problem of narco trafficking and
narco terrorism. The extent and nature of the threat
vary in the distinct regions of the hemisphere. The
problems posed by narcotics. cultivation and
production in the Andean region and those of
trafficking existing in the southern cone require
very different responses. Each nation, therefore
must make its own decision about the degree of
military involvement in the counter narcotics
struggle based on its own circumstances and domestic
law. In most cases, their mission will be limited by
law and circumstance to the support of civilian
police agencies. Nonetheless, in extreme cases, one
cannot discount consideration being given to the use
of the armed forces in direct combat against the
irregular armies employed by traffickers.
-10-
What is clear is that the narcotics threat is
transnational and will require a coordinated,
multinational response. We know that when narcotics
production or trafficking is surpressed in one
country or region, it soon appears in another. The
magnitude and scope of this threat are so great and
implications of the threat for our democratic
societies so immense that we must utilize, as
effective as possible, the available resources in all.
of our countries to defeat it.
The U.S. recognizes that an effective counter
narcotics strategy must include education,
prevention, and treatment --- and not only
interdiction and suppression -- and that it must be
based on international cooperation. Therefore the
United States has been fully prepared to provide
appropriate levels and types of assistance for
counter narcotics work by friendly military forces
where requested by the governments concerned.
The common nature of this and other security
threats mandates that we work toward building common
defense structures. As the democracies of this
hemisphere expand trade and build the framework for
integrated markets, the political destinies and
economic prosperity of each will be more closely
linked to that of the others. Regional security
systems and common defense arrangements are therefore
logical and necessary components of economic
integration. Armed forces personnel must have the
political, psychological as well as military
preparation essential for effective participation in
the joint and combined operations that will be
required.
of course there will always be potential
threats to internal security and national integrity
rising from localized actions of groups seeking to
impose their will and control over specific
geographic areas. In each case, these purely
internal matters will have to be resolved in
accordance with the decision of the duly constituted
authorities within the framework of constitutional
government. There could well be instances when the
military is called on to assist in asserting full
democratic control with reliance on national forces
alone. After all the armed forces in a democracy
represent the sovereign will of free people to defend
themselves, their patrimony and their institutions.
-11-
As you consider the military's role in a
democratic society, you can rely on the U.S. desire
to build mutually beneficial defense relations with
Latin American states in the context of shared
democratic values and adherence to constitutional
order.
The challenges facing the military to operate
in this new democratic environment will not always be
easy. You will have to reject calls and pressures
from politicians and others for you to intervene and
make governmental changes or even assume power
yourselves. You may have to tolerate watching
government actions or inactions that you do not
consider to be in the best interest of your
countries You may even have to resist pressures
arising from the ambitions of a few well-meaning
military colleagues to resort to direct actions to
change things. The survival of democracy could thus
often depend on your decisions.
When faced with these challenges and
pressures, just remember that, to paraphrase
Churchill, democracy is the worst form of government,
except all others that have been tried. It is
definitely worth preserving.
Within the democratic framework, the United
States undoubtedly will continue to assist Latin
American countries to build strong and effective
military establishments structured to meet
contemporary security needs. Established programs in
education and training, joint exercises, and
personnel exchanges have increased mutual confidence,
understanding, and professional expertise.
As you at the School of the Americas know
from your experiences, we have much to learn from
each other and many ways in which to assist each
other. The presence at this institute of
distinguished guest instructors from many nations
makes an important contribution to the school and the
U.S. Army by increasing mutual understanding and
broadening international perspective.
-12-
The close personal and professional ties
between our armed forces that are being developed at
the School of the Americas surely help to heighten
civic awareness among military leaders. They
recognize that democracy affords to all its citizens,
soldiers as well as civilians, the benefits of
liberty and justice. Today's soldiers have a better
understanding of the nature of national security in
the modern world and the proper, constitutional role
of the armed forces in the defense of human liberty
and individual rights.
In my opinion, the U.S. commitment to Latin
American cooperation and integration is clear. We
want an ever-improving and mutually beneficial
relationship with our neighbors. We realize that we
must build this relationship together. In his
"Enterprise of the Americas" initiative, announced in
June of this year, President Bush opened a bold new
chapter in hemispheric relations. That initiative
recognizes that our economic interaction must shift
toward economic partnership. Certainly the same
criteria must apply to our military relations.
Increased military cooperation among all the
hemisphere's armed forces is essential to strengthen
democracy and sustain economic growth and development.
Latin American governments have made clear
that they are ready to participate in the building of
new and more productive relationships among
themselves and with the United States. They are
ready as President Bush noted "to play a constructive
role at this critical time to make ours the first
fully free hemisphere in all history." The posture
and actions of the Latin American military are vital
in the historic effort to keep the Western hemisphere
free and democratic.
I am sure that you military professionals
-thanks in large measure to your training and your
experiences in a democratic environment -- understand
your role in the defense of our common values and
democratic ideals which are essential to the peace
and prosperity throughout the Americas.
I wish you every success in your careers.
Thank you very much.
The President
of
The United States of America
and Mrs. Bush
will greet
His Excellency
Carlos Saul Menem
President
of
The Republic of Argentina
10:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 14, 1991
at The White House
Customs Observed
at
The White House
During Honors
Welcome to The White House.
It is customary for all present to
stand when Honors are rendered.
All those in uniform execute a
military salute.
During the National Anthems
Americans not in uniform place
the right hand over the heart. When
a hat is worn by a gentleman, it is
removed and held over the heart.
Program
10:00 a.m.
His Excellency Carlos Saul
Menem, President of the
Republic of Argentina,
arrives at the White House
President Bush and President
where he will be geeted by
Menem will inspect the Troops.
The President and Mrs. Bush,
The Vice President and Mrs.
Musical Troop in Review.
Quayle, Acting Secretary of State
Eagleburger, a Representative of
President Bush will welcome
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a
President. Menem.
Representative of the Diplomatic
Corps, and other officials.
President Menem will speak.
Honors will be rendered:
10:20 a.m.
The President and Mrs. Bush
and President Menem
Ruffles and Flourishes,
will receive members of the
Welcoming Committee in the
Hail to the Chief,
Cross Hall.
A 21-Gun Salute,
The National Anthem of the
Republic of Argentina, and
The National Anthem of the
United States ofAmerica.
background
notes
Argentina
United States Department of State
August 1990
Bureau of Public Affairs
BOLIVIA
People
GDP (1990 est.): $2,134. Inflation rate (1990
BRAZIL
est.): 1,000%.
PARAGUAY
Nationality: Noun and adjective-
Argentine(s). Population (1989 est.): 31.1
Natural resources: Fertile plains
Pacific
million. Annual growth rate (1989 est.):
(pampas). Minerals-lead, zinc, tin, copper,
Ocean
1.5%. Density: 27.8 per sq. mi. Ethnic
iron, manganese, oil, uranium.
Agriculture (15% of GNP, about 70% of
ARGENTINA
groups: European 97%, mostly Spanish and
Italian. Religions: Roman Catholic 92%,
exports by value): Products-grains,
URUGUAY
Buenos Aires
Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%.
oilseeds and byproducts, livestock products.
CHILE
Languages: Spanish (official), English,
Industry (23% of GNP): Types-food
Italian, German, French. Education: Years
processing, motor vehicles, consumer
compulsory-7. Adult literacy-92%.
durables, textiles, metallurgy, chemicals.
Trade (1989): Exports-$9.5 billion
Health: Infant mortality rate-27/1,000.
Life expectancy-70 yrs. Work force:
(US-12%): grains, meats, oilseeds.
Atlantic Ocean
Agriculture-19%. Industry and com-
Imports-$4.2 billion (US-21%):
merce-36%. Services-20%. Transport and
machinery, fuel and lubricating oils, iron
communications-6%. Other-19%.
and steel products, wood and lumber,
automotive equipment and parts, chemicals.
FALKLAND ISLANDS
(admin. by U.K.,
claimed by Argentina)
Government
Major trading partners-European
Community, USSR, US, Brazil.
Type: Republic. Independence: July 9,
Official exchange rate (free market
1816. Constitution: 1853.
since December 1989): US$1=Austral
Branches: Executive-president, vice
5,210.00 (June 26, 1990).
Official Name:
president, cabinet. Legislative-bicameral
External financing: IBRD and IDA-
Congress (46-member Senate, 254-member
$887 million in FY 1989 (July 1, 1988-June
Republic of Argentina
Chamber of Deputies). Judicial-Supreme
30, 1989); IDB-$12 million in CY 1989.
Court.
Subdivisions: 22 provinces, 1 district
PROFILE
(federal capital), 1 territory (Tierra del
Membership in
Fuego).
International Organizations
Geography
Political parties: Justicialista
UN and some of its specialized and related
(Peronist), Radical Civic Union, numerous
Area: 2,771,300 sq. km. (1.1 million
agencies, Organization of American States
smaller national and provincial parties.
sq. mi.); about the size of the US east
Suffrage: Universal.
(OAS), Latin American Integration
of the Mississippi River. Cities: Capital—
Flag: Horizontal blue and white bands
Association, Nonaligned Movement, Group
Buenos Aires (metropolitan area pop. 10.5
emblazoned with "Sun of May."
of 77, Latin American Economic System
million). Other major cities-Cordoba,
(SELA), New Group of 15, and the Rio
Rosario, La Plata, Mendoza. Terrain:
Group (formerly known as the Group of
Varied. Climate: Varied, predominantly
Economy
Eight).
temperate.
GDP (1990 est.): $70.1 billion. Annual
growth rate (1990 est.): -0.9%. Per capita
GEOGRAPHY
Sucre
48
60
Iquiquel
BOLIVIA
Uyuni
Campo
Argentina shares land borders with
Villa Montes
Grande
Presidente
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and
Epitácio
Uruguay. It is bounded by the Atlantic
PARAGUAY
Pedro Juan
and the Antarctic Oceans.
JUJUY
Caballero
San Salvador
Antofagasta
de/Jujuy
Extending 3,705 km. (2,302 mi.) from
Rio
Maringa
Rivadavia
north to south and with an Atlantic
Principal
24
Salta of
FORMOSA
Asunción
SALTA
BRAZIL
coastline 2,850 km. (1,600 mi.) long,
Formose
CHACO
Curitiba/
Argentina is the third largest country in
TUCUMAN
San Miguel
São
the Southern Hemisphere, after Brazil
de Tucuman
Santiago
Resistancia
Rio
Uruguay
Francisco
Copiapo
CATAMARCA
del Estaro
Corrientes
Posadas
do/Sul
and Australia, and the eighth largest in
Cetamarca
SANTIAGO
Santo Tome
SANTA
the world. Its topography, as varied as
DEL ESTERO
La
FE
Sao
CORRIENTES
Borja
Rioje
that of the United States, ranges from
Curuzd
ARIOJA
Porto
La Serena
Laguna Mar
Cuatis,
Uruguaions
Alagre
subtropical lowlands in the north to the
Chiquita
towering Andean Mountains in the west
SAN JUAN
Cordobs
San Juan
Santa
Pelotas
and the bleak, windswept Patagonian
ENTRE
CORDOBA
RIOS
Negro
steppe and Tierra del Fuego in the south.
Mandoze
Rio
Rio Grande
San
1R10 Cuarto
Rosario
Valparaiso
Luis
URUGUAY
Sentingo
SAN
Coloni
LUIS
Junin
CHILE
MENDOZA
Montevideo
BUCROS
PEOPLE
Realice
Aires
La)Plata
Telen
Santal
The Argentine nation has been built by
Rosa
LA
BUENOS
AIRES
Concepcion
PAMPA
the fusion of diverse national and ethnic
NEUQUEN
Batira
groups. Waves of European immigrants
Mar del Plate
Rio
Neuquer
Colorado
Blanca
arrived in the late 19th and early 20th
PACIFIC
Zapala
Rio
centuries. Today, descendants of Italian
OCEAN
RÍO NEGRO
Negro
and Spanish immigrants predominate, but
Viedma
many trace their origins to British and
Puerto Month
San Carlos de Bariloche
ATLANTIC
West and East European ancestors.
Esquel
Rio
Syrian, Lebanese, and other Middle
Chubut
OCEAN
Rawson
Eastern immigrants number about
CHUBUT
500,000 and are concentrated in urban
areas. In recent years, there has been a
Comodore
substantial influx of immigrants from
Colonia Los Heras Rivadavia
neighboring Latin American countries.
Rio Deseado
SANTA
Puerto Deseado
The native Indian population, estimated
CRUZ
at 50,000, is concentrated in the periph-
Gobernador
Grogores
eral provinces of the north, northwest,
48.
and south.
Santa Cruz
Argentina
The Argentine population has one of
International boundary
Río
Gallegos
Provincia boundary
the lowest growth rates in Latin America
Stanley
National capital
(1.5%). Eighty percent of the population
FALKLAND ISLANDS
Provincia capital
(ISLAS MALVINAS)
Railroad
reside in urban areas of over 2,000, with
Punta,Arenas
Porvani
TIERRA DEL
(administered by U.K.,
Road
claimed by Argentina)
FUEGO
more than one-third of the population
Ushuala
0
300 Kilometers
living in the metropolitan Buenos Aires
0
300 Miles
area. The sprawling capital, with more
Boundary representation is
unot necessarily authoritative.
48a
than 10 million inhabitants, serves as the
focus for national life. Argentines have
literacy rate is 92%-one of the highest in
HISTORY AND
enjoyed comparatively high standards of
Latin America. Literary and artistic
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
living; half the population considers itself
tastes have been influenced mainly by
middle class.
Western Europe and, more recently, by
More than 90% of Argentines are
What is now Argentina was discovered in
the United States.
Roman Catholic. Religious freedom is
1516 by the Spanish navigator Juan de
A large number of Spanish daily
allowed, although all non-Catholic
Solis. A permanent Spanish colony was
newspapers are published in the greater
established on the site of Buenos Aires in
denominations are required to register
Buenos Aires area; a dozen community
with the government. The Protestant
1580. Argentina was further integrated
newspapers are published in English,
community is small but active. Argen-
into the Spanish empire following the
French, German, Greek, Hungarian,
tina's Jewish community of 350,000 (est.)
establishment of the Vice-Royalty of Rio
Italian, Japanese, Polish, Ukrainian, and
is concentrated in Buenos Aires.
de la Plata in 1776, and Buenos Aires
Yiddish. All the community newspapers
The Argentine educational system is
became a flourishing port.
are periodicals except the daily English-
compulsory for grades 1-7. The adult
language Buenos Aires Herald.
2
The formal declaration of independ-
into exile, eventually settling in Spain. In
Serious economic problems, defeat by
ence from Spain was made on
the 1950s and 1960s, the government
the British in June 1982 after an attempt
July 9, 1816. Gen. Jose de San Martin-
passed between military and civilian
to take control over the Falkland/
who campaigned in Argentina, Chile, and
administrations, as each sought to deal
Malvinas Islands, human rights abuses,
Peru-is the hero of national independ-
with diminished economic growth and
and charges of growing corruption
ence. Following the defeat of the
continued social and labor demands.
combined to discredit the military regime,
Spaniards, a lengthy conflict was waged
When the military government of Juan
which moved to a period of gradual
between centralist and federalist groups
Carlos Ongania (et. al., 1966-73) brought
transition leading the country toward
to determine the future structure of the
economic failure and escalating terrorism,
democratic rule. Bans on political parties
nation. National unity was established
the way was open for a return of Peron-
were lifted and other basic political
and the constitution promulgated in 1853.
ism.
liberties restored. The military imple-
In the late 19th century, two forces
On March 11, 1973, general elections
mented a successful and generally
created the modern Argentine nation-
were held for the first time in 10 years.
peaceful process for the return of elected
the introduction of modern agricultural
Peron was prevented from running, and
government.
techniques and the integration of Argen-
his stand-in, Dr. Hector J. Campora, was
On October 30, 1983, Argentines
tina into the world economy. This
elected. The Peronists also commanded a
went to the polls to choose a president,
economic revolution was aided by foreign
strong majority in both houses of the
vice president, and 14,000 other national,
investment-primarily British-in such
National Congress, which assumed office
provincial, and local officials in fair, open,
fields as railroads and ports and by the
on May 25, 1973. Campora resigned in
and honest elections. Raul Alfonsin,
influx of European manpower necessary
July 1973, paving the way for Raul
candidate of the Radical Civic Union
to developArgentina's resources.
Lastiri, a Peronist Party loyalist, to
(UCR), was elected, winning 52% of the
Conservative forces dominated
assume the presidency and call for new
popular vote. He began a six-year term
Argentine politics until 1916, when their
elections. Peron won a decisive victory
of office on December 10, 1983. In 1985
traditional rivals, the Radicals, won
and returned as president in October 1973
and 1987, large turn outs for mid-term
control of the government through a
with his third wife, Maria Estela (Isabel)
elections demonstrated continued public
democratic election. The Radicals, with
Martinez de Peron, as vice president.
support for a strong and vigorous
their emphasis upon clean elections and
Even after Peron's dramatic return,
democratic system. The Radical Civil
democratic procedures, opened their
extremists on the left and right continued
Union-led government took steps to
doors of power to the nation's expanding
to threaten public order. The govern-
resolve some of the nation's most pressing
middle class as well as to the elites
ment resorted to a number of emergency
problems, including accounting for the
previously excluded for various reasons.
decrees, including the implementation of
"disappeared," establishing civilian
Radical rule came to an end in 1930 at the
special executive authority to deal with
control of the armed forces, and consoli-
hands of the Argentine armed forces as
violence. This allowed the government to
dating democratic institutions. Its
they threw out aged Radical president
imprison persons indefinitely without
effectiveness was hindered by constant
Hipolito Yrigoyen and, thereby, ushered
charge.
friction with the military and chronic
in another decade of Conservative rule.
On July 1, 1974, Peron died and was
economic problems.
Using fraud and force when necessary,
succeeded by his wife, the first woman
In May 1989, Carlos Saul Menem, the
the governments of the 1930s were only
president in the Western Hemisphere.
Peronist candidate, was elected president
temporarily able to contain forces for
Mrs. Peron's administration was under-
with 47% of the popular vote and a clear
economic and political changes that
mined by economic problems, Peronist
majority in the nation's electoral college.
emerged with the government of Juan
intraparty struggles, and persistent
The Peronists and their allies also won
Domingo Peron.
terrorism from both the left and the right.
control of both houses of the new Con-
In 1943, a military coup-led by,
As a result, Mrs. Peron was removed
gress, which took office in December
among others, Col. Juan Domingo Peron
from office by a military coup on March
1989. President Menem was to have
(1895-1974)-ousted the constitutional
24, 1976. Until December 10, 1983, power
succeeded Alfonsin in December 1989, but
government. In 1946, Peron was elected
was formally executed by the armed
a rapidly deteriorating economy and
president. He pursued a dynamic policy
forces through a military president and a
resulting loss of confidence in the national
aimed at giving an economic and political
three-man junta composed of the three
government led Alfonsin to resign, and
voice to the working class. The number of
service commanders.
Menem to succeed him in July. Although
unionized workers increased significantly,
The military quashed terrorists and
the transition came five months earlier
which helped consolidate the powerful
their sympathizers, silenced armed
than planned, the transfer of power was
General Confederation of Labor (CGT).
opposition, and restored basic order. The
the first between democratically elected
In 1947, Peron announced the first five-
costs were high in terms of lives lost and
presidents in over 60 years.
year plan based on nationalization and
basic human rights violated. The events
Menem surprised most observers,
industrialization. He was aided by his
of this "dirty war" remain controversial
including members of his own party, by
energetic wife, Eva Duarte Peron (1919-
and divisive in Argentine politics, having
adopting economic policies antithetical to
52). She enhanced his appeal to labor and
fueled military discontent that produced
Peronism's traditional statist approach.
women's groups and helped women obtain
three aborted military uprisings against
He initiated economic emergency and
the right to vote in 1947.
President Raul Alfonsin (1983-89).
state reform legislation to cut govern-
Peron was reelected in 1952, was
ment spending, increase revenues, and
ousted by the military in 1955, and went
reduce state involvement in the economy.
3
Menem has chosen to battle inflation
with the consent of the Senate. The
ment, in 1978, embarked on a new
through conservative fiscal and monetary
Supreme Court has the power, first
developmental strategy to move away
policies, and he has moved quickly to
asserted in 1854, to declare legislative
from the closed-economy model and
privatize government-owned industries
acts unconstitutional.
establish a free-market economy. The
such as Aerolineas Argentinas and the
strategy also featured the removal or
telephone company. These policies have
reduction of restrictions in the manufac-
generated resistance among sectors
Principal Government Officials
turing sector and financial markets as
historically allied to Peronism as well as
President-Carlos Saul Menem
well as the search for foreign and
the Radical Party. However, the opposi-
Vice President-Eduardo Duhalde
domestic investment. Despite those
tion remains fragmented, and the
President Pro Tempore of the
efforts, by late 1980, Argentina entered a
President's personal popularity remains
Senate-Eduardo Menem
period of recession, with declines in
relatively high.
Speaker of the Lower House (Chamber
production and real wages. After a
of Deputies)-Alberto Pierri
notable economic recovery in 1986,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court—
economic growth again has slowed.
GOVERNMENT
Ricardo Levene
Argentina has recorded successive
declines in economic activity in 1988 and
The 1853 Argentine constitution, similar
Ministers
1989.
to that of the United States, mandates a
Interior-Julio Mera Figueroa
Faced with healing a scarred society,
separation of powers into executive,
Foreign Relations and Worship-
the Alfonsin administration was slow to
legislative, and judicial branches at the
Domingo Cavallo
tackle the root causes of the economic
national and provincial level. Each
National Defense-Humberto Romero
problems. In an attempt to control
province also has its own constitution.
Economy-Antonio Erman Gonzalez
inflation and set the country on a prudent
The president and vice president are
Education and Justice-Antonio
fiscal course, in June 1985, the govern-
elected to a six-year single term and
Francisco Salonia
ment introduced a "shock" plan (the
cannot immediately run for reelection.
Labor and Social Security-Jorge
Austral Plan), which succeeded temporar-
Senators are elected by provincial
Alberto Triaca
ily. Inflation in 1986 slowed to double
legislatures (with the exception of the two
Health and Social Action-Eduardo
digits (86%) for only the second time since
senators representing Buenos Aires, who
Bauza
1972. But in 1987, with a significant
are elected by an electoral college) for
Public Works and Services-Jose
increase in the public sector deficit
nine-year terms, with one-third standing
Roberto Dromi
accompanied by very large price and
for reelection every three years. Depu-
Ambassador to the US-Guido Jose
wage increases, inflation climbed 175%
ties are elected for four years in alternate
Maria di Tella
and reached 386% in 1988.
terms, with half up for reelection every
Ambassador to the OAS-Juan Pablo
Another economic plan, the Spring
two years. Cabinet ministers are
Lohle
Plan, was announced in 1988; its collapse
appointed by the president. Considerable
Ambassador to the UN-Jorge Vasca
in February 1989 marked the start of a
power, including a line item veto power, is
rapid deterioration of the economy which
granted to the president by the constitu-
Argentina maintains an embassy in the
was worsened by political and economic
tion.
United States at 1600 New Hampshire
uncertainties surrounding the May 1989
The Argentine judiciary functions as
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel.
elections. Unable to instill confidence in
a separate and independent entity of the
202-939-6400). Argentina has consulates
an economic program, President Alfonsin
government. The apex of the court
general in Houston, Miami, New York,
advanced by five months the date of his
system is the Supreme Court, whose nine
New Orleans, San Francisco, and San
departure from office.
judges are appointed by the president
Juan and consulates in Chicago and Los
President Menem, who took office in
Angeles.
July, moved quickly to change expecta-
tions and to combat rapidly escalating
prices. Inflation reached 198% in July, a
Profile of the Congress
ECONOMY
Western Hemisphere one-month record.
(By Political Parties)
In contrast with earlier reform efforts,
Argentina has impressive human and
Menem's economic program includes a
Senate:
Justicialist
25
natural resources, but political conflict
serious effort to reduce the government's
Radical
14
and uneven economic performance since
role in the economy. Menem's economic
Provincial Parties
6
World War II have impeded full realiza-
team has taken steps to reduce import
Vacant
1
tion of its considerable potential. None-
barriers, slash subsidies and transfers,
Total
46
theless, it remains one of the richest
and privatize public sector firms (e.g., the
countries in Latin America.
telephone company and the national
House:
Justicialist
120
Among the reasons for the military
airline). The International Monetary
Radical
90
coup of March 1976 was the deteriorating
Fund (IMF) approved a stand-by
UCEDE
11
economy, caused by declining production
agreement for Argentina in November
Small National and
and rampant inflation. Under the
1989; however, a second bout of hyperin-
Provincial Parties
33
leadership of Minister of the Economy
flation caused Argentina to fall short of
Total
254
Martinez de Hoz, the military govern-
negotiated targets, and the program was
4
revised in May 1990. Argentina is a
electrical production capacity, mostly
foreign investment in Argentina are
major debtor country; foreign debt stands
from hydroelectric sources. It has
major priorities. Relations traditionally
at about $60 billion. In June 1990, for the
indicated it wants to reduce the size and
have been closest with Western Europe
first time since April 1988, the govern-
cost of the massive Yacyreta hydroelec-
and Latin American neighbors. President
ment made an interest payment on its
tric project (2,400 megawatts) being
Menem is publicly committed to improv-
foreign commercial debt. Interest arrears
jointly constructed with Paraguay and
ing relations with the United States and
on the debt are currently over $6 billion.
scheduled for completion in the mid 1990s.
Europe, while encouraging Latin Ameri-
The heartland of Argentina is the
can regional integration.
rich temperate plains known as the
Having settled its Beagle Channel
pampas, which fan out for almost 800 km.
DEFENSE
dispute with Chile in 1984-85, Argentina
(500 mi.) from Buenos Aires. Argentina's
currently has only one active territorial
richest natural resource is this farmland,
The armed forces of Argentina (army,
dispute; this is with the United Kingdom
producing large quantities of wheat, corn,
navy, air force) are organized under the
over a group of islands some 480 miles
sorghum, soybeans, and sunflower seeds
control of the president, who is com-
northeast of Cape Horn. The Argentines
and providing year-round pasturage for
mander in chief of the armed forces, and
refer to the islands as the "Malvinas
Argentina's cattle industry. The country
the Ministry of Defense, which is headed
Islands"; the British call them the
is one of the world's largest exporters of
by a civilian; three under secretaries are
"Falkland Islands." Historically, Euro-
foodstuffs. The crops and livestock of the
also civilians. The joint staff, established
pean powers, notably Britain and Spain,
fertile pampas have long provided it with
in 1984, is directly under the Ministry of
made competing claims to sovereignty
abundant food for domestic consumption
Defense and is staffed by officers of all
over the islands. In the early 1800s,
in addition to unusually plentiful exports.
services. The joint staff is an advisory
Spanish and then Argentine authorities
Agricultural products constitute the
and planning body with no operational or
administered the islands. However, in
major source of foreign exchange earn-
command responsibilities. The senior
January 1833, Britain reasserted sover-
ings. In a good year, grains and oilseed
military officer of each of the armed
eignty, and the islands first became a
harvests can total some 40 million metric
services is the chief of staff. The para-
crown colony and later a self-governing
tons. The cattle industry, with an
military forces under the control
dependency.
estimated 50 million animals, provides for
of the Ministry of Defense are the
In an effort to establish its sover-
domestic consumption and export
Gendarmeria and the Naval Prefectura
eignty claim, Argentine military forces
markets.
(Coast Guard).
occupied the islands on April 2, 1982.
Argentina exports to a variety of
Since the return of democratic
After a brief, costly war, the Argentine
buyers. In the early 1980s, the Soviet
government, the US and Argentine
forces were defeated. Direct talks
Union became the major purchaser of
armed forces have developed a growing,
between Argentina and the UK began in
grains, while, more recently, Iran, Brazil,
mutually beneficial defense relationship
September 1989 in an attempt to rees-
and China have served as major markets.
through an extensive range of contacts,
tablish-normal relations, which were
Argentina also exports agricultural goods
including professional exchanges, visits,
severed following the Falklands/Malvinas
to the United States, primarily canned,
training, and joint exercises. There are
conflict. The talks took place under a
precooked, and frozen beef; sugar, and
modest international military education,
formula that separated the sovereignty
fruits and fruit products.
training, and foreign military sales
question from discussions on bilateral
Argentina obtains about 21% of its
programs. Argentina has offered its
relations. The two countries rees-
imports from the United States. Total
Pampa trainer aircraft as a candidate for
tablished formal relations in February
imports in 1989 were $4.2 billion, of which
US Air Force adoption. The Argentine
1990. Argentina continues to press its
$9 million was from the United States.
armed forces also maintain defense
sovereignty claim in a variety of forms.
Capital equipment, computers and
cooperation and military supply relation-
The United States has taken no position
peripherals, telecommunications, chemi-
ships with a number of other countries,
on the merits of the two countries'
cals, and electronic components were the
principally Israel, Germany, France,
sovereignty claims.
principal items sold to Argentina. In
Spain, and Italy. The lack of budgetary
1980, Argentina exported $9.5 billion
resources is the most serious problem
worth of goods and services; $8 million
facing the Argentine armed forces.
US-ARGENTINE RELATIONS
(12%) went to the United States.
Current economic conditions and the
Argentina was a net energy importer
government's commitment to reduce
The United States and Argentina have
in 1987. However, it has reserves of
public sector spending have slowed
maintained diplomatic relations since
petroleum and natural gas and was self-
modernization and restructuring efforts.
1823. Both countries have sought a
sufficient in crude oil in 1989. An effort
constructive relationship based on
begun under the Alfonsin administration
reciprocal respect and understanding, but
to open the petroleum sector to private
FOREIGN RELATIONS
bilateral relations often have been
investment and increase petroleum
turbulent.
production has expanded since July 1989.
Argentina pursues a pragmatic foreign
In the 1970s, US-Argentine relations
In addition, significant deregulation of the
policy and maintains relations with almost
entered a particularly difficult period.
petroleum sector, including an end to
all countries. Maintaining political
Concerned about serious human rights
price controls, is scheduled to take effect
sovereignty and encouraging trade and
violations by the Argentine military
January 1, 1991. Argentina also has large
5
Travel Notes
Visas: Visas are not required of US
Health: Competent doctors, dentists,
Transportation: Buenos Aires' Ezeiza Airport
citizens entering Argentina for tourism
and specialists are available in
is serviced by many international carriers,
for periods up to 90 days. Visas are
Buenos Aires. No particular health
with flights originating in the US, Europe,
required for visits to Argentina for all
risks exist, and no special precau-
and Latin American cities. Buenos Aires
other purposes.
tions are required. Tapwater is safe.
has an extensive subway and bus system.
Climate and clothing: Climate ranges
Taxis are plentiful. Outside Buenos Aires,
Telecommunications: International
from the hot, subtropical lowlands of
travel by train, air, bus, or auto.
services are adequate; however,
the north to cold and rainy Tierra del
long delays in placing international
Time Zones: Argentina is one hour later
Fuego in the south. The seasons are
calls may occur due to the
than US Eastern Standard Time (EST).
reversed: the weather in January in
overburdened system. Most
Daylight savings time is observed from
Buenos Aires is like July in Washing-
provincial cities and Uruguay also
October to April, during which time clocks
ton, DC; weather in July is similar to
can be dialed directly from home and
are set one hour ahead.
that of San Francisco in January.
business phones.
government in the campaign against
Argentina maintains its independent
Counselor for Consular Affairs-
terrorism, the United States restricted
stance in world affairs but cooperates
Barbara Hemingway
both military assistance and the sales of
with the United States in resolving
Counselor for Economic Affairs-
military and other controlled-export
bilateral differences. The countries
James M. Derham
items to Argentina. Congress prohibited
consult regularly on hemispheric issues.
Counselor for Labor Affairs-
both military sales and assistance.
Argentina's relatively advanced economy
Donald R. Knight
Argentina consistently maintained that
prompted the United States to phase out
Counselor for Administrative Affairs-
these actions were attempts to influence
its bilateral economic assistance program
Bernard Segura-Giron
domestic politics. In the early 1980s,
in 1971, although some training assistance
Counselor for Commercial Affairs-
better relations seemed possible as
continues. While the program existed,
Rafael Fermoselle
Argentina demonstrated some improve-
the Agency for International Develop-
Defense Attache and Air Attache-
ments in human rights. The Falklands/
ment (AID) and its predecessor agencies
Col. Kenneth J. Monroe, USAF
Malvinas war, however, placed additional
authorized development loans and grants
Drug Enforcement Administration-
strains on bilateral relations. The US
to finance such projects as road building,
James D. Miller
position on the non-use of force for the
housing, feasibility studies, and agricul-
Military Group-Col. George A.
resolution of disputes led the United
ture. There are no Peace Corps volun-
Carpenter, USA
States to impose new sanctions on
teers in Argentina.
Argentina and to provide limited assis-
Many US industrial firms and banks
The US Embassy in Argentina is
tance to the United Kingdom in its
maintain subsidiaries in Argentina.
located at 4300 Colombia, Buenos Aires
campaign to regain the islands.
Licensing agreements with local compa-
1425. The APO address for the embassy is
US-Argentine relations improved
nies are common. US private investment
APO Miami 34034-0001 (tel. 774-7611;
after the Falklands/Malvinas war.
totals more than $2.6 billion, primarily in
774-8811; 774-9911).
Sanctions imposed during the fighting
manufacturing, chemicals, agricultural
were lifted, and the United States
manufacturing, transportation equipment,
supported Argentine-sponsored UN
and banking. Several thousand US
resolutions on the Falklands/Malvinas
citizens reside in Argentina.
calling for renewed negotiations.
Published by the United States Department
The Argentine human rights
Principal US Officials
of State
Bureau of Public Affairs
situation and political climate improved
Office of Public Communication
dramatically following the military's mid-
Ambassador-Terence A. Todman
Washington, DC
August 1990
1982 decision to return the country to
Deputy Chief of Mission-Thomas A.
Editor: Phyllis A. Young
democracy. During 1983, all remaining
Forbord
political prisoners being held without trial
Counselor for Agricultural Affairs-
Department of State Publication 7836
under state-of-siege powers were
Marvin L. Lehrer
Background Notes Series
This material is
released. Also in 1983, the nine-year-old
Counselor for Public Affairs-
in the public domain and may be reprinted
state of siege was lifted, and restrictions
Michael P. Canning
without permission; citation of this source is
on trade union activities and press
Counselor for Scientific and Techno-
appreciated.
censorship virtually ceased. Legal
logical Affairs-Paul Maxwell
prohibitions on military sales were
Counselor for Political Affairs-
For sale by the Superintendent of Docu-
removed upon the inauguration of the
ments, US Government Printing Office,
James D. Walsh
democratically elected government of
Washington, DC 20402.
President Alfonsin in December 1983.
6
US DEPARTMINT 01 SIALI
D
ISPATCH
For Third- or First-Class Delivery
BORIAU 01 PUBLIC ALLAIRS
Superintendent of Documents
US Government Printing Office
We are pleased to introduce
Washington, DC 20402-9325
Telephone: (202) 783-3238
Dispatch, the new weekly record of the
US Department of State.
Annual Subscriptions:
Designed to provide timely infor-
Third Class Mail - $75 per year
mation on US foreign policy, Dispatch
First Class Mail - $142 per year
will offer major speeches and congres-
Foreign - $93.75 per year
sional testimony by senior US officials,
To order subscriptions: Specify Dispatch and
foreign policy summaries, fact sheets
List ID USDSD. Payments by check (made
out to the Superintendent of Documents),
on global issues, and updates on coun-
GPO Account, Visa, or Mastercard (include
tries around the world, including
account number, expiration date, and autho-
rized signature). You may FAX your credit
events in the Middle East and Europe.
card order using
In addition, Dispatch will publish
(202) 275-0019.
current US treaty actions and be
indexed every 6 months.
The US Department of State
For First-Class or Overnight Delivery
Dispatch is available through a paid
subscription from the Superintendent
National Technical Information Service
of Documents or the National Techni-
US Department of Commerce
cal Information Service. Please review
5285 Port Royal Road
the coupons to the right and select the
Springfield VA 22161-2171
Telephone: (703) 487-4630
delivery option that is best for you.
For further information on
Annual Subscriptions:
Dispatch, write or call the Office of
First Class Mail - $142 per year
Public Communication, Bureau of
Overnight Mail - $430 per year
Public Affairs, US Department of
To order subscriptions: Specify Dispatch and
State, Room 6805, Washington, DC
publication # PB90-923500ACT. Payments by
20520. Telephone: (202) 647-8195.
check, money order, or American Express, VISA
and Mastercard (include account number, expira-
tion date, and authorized signature). Microfiche
will be offered as a 6-month collection with index.
US Department of State
Bureau of Public Affairs
Office of Public Communication