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)

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Source: Voice of America

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