Argentina Sees ‘Breeding Ground’ for Army Disquiet ("Dirty War supporters"

Posted 06/05/06 15:38
Argentina Sees ‘Breeding Ground’ for Army Disquiet

By REUTERS, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina


Argentina’s government on June 5 expressed concern for the first time in years about discontent in the ranks of the military, which ruled the country in a bloody dictatorship from 1976-1983.

The government became concerned when it learned that several officers attended a May 24 ceremony to honor military officers and civilians killed by rebel groups in the early 1970s.

The ceremony was seen as provocative since the killings were used to justify a 1976 coup. The subsequent military government killed some 30,000 people, according to human rights groups.
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The military has been shaken up by the arrests of dozens of military and police officers on charges relating to kidnapping, torturing and killings in the so-called "dirty war" since the Argentina’s Supreme Court struck down two amnesty laws in February.
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http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1848888&C=america

"The government publicly condemned last week’s ceremony and the officers who took part have since been under arrest.

The military has been shaken up by the arrests of dozens of military and police officers on charges relating to kidnapping, torturing and killings in the so-called "dirty war" since the Argentina’s Supreme Court struck down two amnesty laws in February.

In addition to stripping the military of its long-held amnesty, Kirchner annoyed many when he forcibly retired dozens of generals after he took power in 2003 for their links with the dictatorship. The military has also seen its budget cut.

When Kirchner spoke at an Army Day ceremony last week, several uniformed officers turned their backs on the president and his security detail removed the wife of a forcibly retired officer who heckled the president."

need to be nipped in the bud. After what it did in the dirty war.