DATE=12/22/97 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-224437 TITLE=ARGENTINA POLICE (L ONLY) BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO CONTENT= VOICED AT: *INTRO: ARGENTINA'S LARGEST POLICE FORCE -- IN BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE -- IS BEING REORGANIZED TO SHAKE OFF ITS IMAGE OF CRIME AND CORRUPTION. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU REPORTS THAT AS OF TODAY (MONDAY) THE FORCE HAS ITS FIRST CIVILIAN CHIEF. TEXT: FORMER CONGRESSMAN LUIS LUGONES WILL BE POLICE CHIEF AND SECRETARY OF SECURITY OF THE PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES FOR THREE MONTHS. SWORN IN IN LA PLATA, 60 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF THE ARGENTINE CAPITAL, MR. LUGONES SAID HE WANTS TO TURN THE DISCREDITED POLICE INTO A DEMILITARIZED AND DEMOCRATIC FORCE FOR PEACE. HE SAYS IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PURGE THE INSTITUTION TO ELIMINATE BAD OFFICERS. BUENOS AIRES POLICE ARE ACCUSED OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE 1994 BOMBING OF A JEWISH CULTURAL CENTER, WHICH KILLED 86 PEOPLE AND OF THE MURDER THIS YEAR OF NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER JOSE LUIS CABEZAS. POLICE OFFICERS HAVE ALSO BEEN CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION, DRUG TRAFFICKING, AUTOMOBILE THEFT, AND PROTECTION OF GAMBLING AND PROSTITUTION. CHIEF LUGONES WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DECENTRALIZING THE BUENOS AIRES POLICE. ITS 46-THOUSAND MEMBERS -- A LARGER FORCE THAN ARGENTINA'S ARMY -- HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED VERTICALLY. NOW THEY WILL BE SPLIT UP INTO 18 COMMUNITY PRECINCTS. THE REORGANIZATION IS THE INITIATIVE OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR EDUARDO DUHALDE, A PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL IN THE RULING PERONIST PARTY FOR THE 1999 ELECTION. POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY THE DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF THE BUENOS AIRES POLICE FORCE WAS ONE REASON MR. DUHALDE'S WIFE HILDA LOST A CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION IN OCTOBER. THE WINNER WAS GRACIELA FERNANDEZ MEIJIDE OF THE OPPOSITION COALITION, WHO IS ALSO SEEN AS A STRONG CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY. (SIGNED) NEB/GM/CB/MGB 22-Dec-97 3:46 PM EST (2046 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America
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