DATE=1/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225553
TITLE=ARGENTINA / REPRESSION (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: RELATIVES OF VICTIMS KILLED DURING ARGENTINA'S MILITARY
DICTATORSHIP HAVE HURLED INSULTS AND EGGS AT A RETIRED NAVY
COMMANDER KNOWN AS "THE ANGEL OF DEATH." CORRESPONDENT GEORGE
MEEK REPORTS ALFREDO ASTIZ TESTIFIED IN COURT CONCERNING THE
MURDER OF A JOURNALIST.
TEXT: THE ANGRY CROWD SHOUTED "ASSASSIN" AND OTHER INSULTS AS IT
PELTED THE CONTROVERSIAL OFFICER WITH EGGS. COMMANDER ASTIZ,
UNDER HEAVY GUARD, WAS ENTERING COURT TO TESTIFY ABOUT THE 1993
MURDER OF JOURNALIST MARIO BONINO. ON MONDAY, HE TESTIFIED ABOUT
THE 1977 DEATH OF ANOTHER JOURNALIST, RODOLFO WALSH.
IN A MAGAZINE INTERVIEW LAST WEEK, COMMANDER ASTIZ BRAGGED THAT
HE WAS TAUGHT TO KILL POLITICIANS AND JOURNALISTS, AND SAID THE
KILLING OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED DURING ARGENTINA'S MILITARY
DICTATORSHIP FROM 1976 TO 1983 WAS JUSTIFIED. ON ORDERS FROM
PRESIDENT CARLOS MENEM, THE NAVY ARRESTED COMMANDER ASTIZ FOR 60
DAYS, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY.
COMMANDER ASTIZ IS IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION FOR ACTS COMMITTED IN
THE SO-CALLED "DIRTY WAR" BECAUSE OF AMNESTY LAWS PASSED IN 1987
AND 1988. HOWEVER, HE HAS BEEN SUMMONED TO TESTIFY IN THE MURDER
CASES IN THE HOPE HE COULD SHED LIGHT ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SO
FAR, HE HAS OFFERED LITTLE IN THE WAY OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION.
ARGENTINA'S INTERIOR MINISTER, CARLOS CORACH, SAYS THE NAVY
SHOULD EXPEL COMMANDER ASTIZ FROM ITS RANKS FOR GOOD. HE RETIRED
IN 1996. A MILITARY TRIBUNAL COULD ORDER HIS DEMOTION AND
DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE FOR HIS REMARKS IN SUPPORT OF ATROCITIES,
AND HIS WARNING TO SOCIETY TO STOP CRITICIZING THE ACTION OF THE
ARMED FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/TMD/RRM
20-Jan-98 4:07 PM EST (2107 UTC)
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