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State Department Noon Briefing, October 30, 2000

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Q: ...And the other question is your assessment of all the military uprising
in Peru of this weekend.

MR. BOUCHER: ...As far as the steps being taken in Peru, I think, first, it's worth
noting that President Fujimori continues to demonstrate that he is in
charge in Peru. His action over the weekend to replace the commanders
of the Peruvian army, navy and air force were stated in terms of the
need to make changes for the good of the country. And I think there is
no indication at that time that the military high command intended to
take action against the president, but these actions underscore the
constitutional order and civilian rule that needs to be maintained --
that will be maintained during this time of political crisis.

This change of command follows last week's reassignment and brief
detention of senior and mid-level officers supportive of
ex-intelligence advisor Montesinos. He remains at large in Peru.
Military and police units continue their search for Mr. Montesinos,
and President Fujimori has stated that he will be turned over to
judicial authorities once he is located.

There was a protest over the weekend by a single military unit in
southern Peru. That appears to have been an isolated incident
involving a disgruntled army colonel. Not only did his calls for
nationwide action in support of his uprising fall flat, but the army
itself condemned his insubordination and sent units to arrest him and
his followers.

Certainly, we continue to believe that the electoral process which
returned President Fujimori to office was deeply flawed, but President
Fujimori has taken several positive steps over the past week towards
-- past weeks towards restoring democracy. They have set new elections
for April 8th of 2001. They have said a new president will be
inaugurated in July. Mr. Montesinos has been fired. The National
Intelligence Service is being deactivated under civilian oversight.
Military high command has been replaced. Mr. Montesinos' influence in
the military has been greatly reduced. And the OAS-sponsored talks on
democratic reform are yielding agreements between the government and
the political opposition on electoral and judicial reforms.

So there is still a lot going on in Peru, but there is a lot, we
think, that represents progress towards restoring democracy.

Q: Thank you.

MR. BOUCHER: Thank you.

(The briefing was concluded at 1:45 P.M.)