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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