DATE=1/7/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-224943
TITLE=ARGENTINA REPRESSION (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
///EDS:REISSUING WITH CHANGES TO LAST GRAF///
INTRO: ARGENTINA HAS DECIDED TO TEAR DOWN A GRIM REMINDER OF
POLITICAL REPRESSION -- THE NAVY MECHANICS SCHOOL IN BUENOS
AIRES, WHICH WAS USED AS A TORTURE CENTER DURING THE MILITARY
DICTATORSHIP FROM 1976 TO 1983. WE HAVE DETAILS FROM
CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: PRESIDENT CARLOS MENEM SAYS THE NOTORIOUS BUILDING WILL BE
DESTROYED AND REPLACED WITH A PUBLIC PARK AND A MONUMENT TO
NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION. THE TRAINING FUNCTION OF THE
NAVY MECHANICS SCHOOL WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO ARGENTINA'S LARGEST
NAVAL BASE AT PUERTO BELGRANO.
NAVAL OFFICERS HAVE REVEALED IN RECENT YEARS THAT DURING THE
DICTATORSHIP THOUSANDS OF POLITICAL OPPONENTS WERE INTERROGATED
AND TORTURED AT THE MECHANICS SCHOOL, THEN DRUGGED AND DROPPED TO
THEIR DEATHS AT SEA FROM NAVY AIRCRAFT.
PRESIDENT MENEM SAID AT A NEWS CONFERENCE THAT THE BUILDING IS
BEING TORN DOWN TO SHOW THAT THE ARGENTINE PEOPLE WANT TO PUT THE
PAINFUL PAST BEHIND THEM, IN A SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION.
MR. MENEM CRITICIZED A PROPOSAL BY TWO OPPOSITION CONGRESSMEN TO
NULLIFY THE 1987 AND 1988 AMNESTY LAWS. THE LAWMAKERS, OF THE
CENTER-LEFT FREPASO FRONT, SAY THE AMNESTY LAWS PERMITTED THE
ASSASSINS OF THE REPRESSION TO MAINTAIN THEIR FREEDOM.
BUT PRESIDENT MENEM SAYS REPEALING THE AMNESTY LAWS WOULD OPEN
WOUNDS THAT HAVE HEALED. IN 1990 MR. MENEM PARDONED THE LEADERS
OF ARGENTINA'S MILITARY DICTATORSHIP, WHO WERE CONVICTED OF HUMAN
RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/KL/WFR
07-Jan-98 5:30 PM EST (2230 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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