RELUCTANT GENERALS HAND OVER TO CAMPORA

The Argentine military who have held power for seven years are due to hand over to Presidentelect Hector Campora a week today (May 25).

In the March 1l presidential elections Campora, the candidate of the followers of ex-President Juan Peron, won over 50 per cent of the votes. This was a big victory for the Peronists and a defeat for the generals.

In the period since his election, Campora has warned the chiefs of the armed forces not to attempt to cling to power, but it is not yet certain that he will be able to take over peacefully.

Plans are going forward to release the many political despite the opposition of the prisoners in Argentine jails army which put them there.

Campora has suggested that the use of violence against the military junta was justified, but most of his statements have been deliberately vague. When asked about the choice of ministers and the commander-in-chief after May 25 he said: If the Constitution me that right, why shouldn't I use it?' The military have dominated Argentine politics and administration for the past seven years. They hold the levers of power throughout the country. More than 5,000 reofficers hold top jobs in Argentinian and foreign-owned firms.

Real power is wielded by an inner group of extreme rightwing . generals, admirals and top air force officers. If there is to be a coup d'etat they will give the orders. They and their friends are already recruiting special armed squads, nominally for protection against guerrilla attacks.

On May 4 Campora had discussions with the commanders-in-chief of the three armed forces at his home. He told them: "The armed forces have to be subordinate to the national authorities, in accordance with the fundamental norms of the Republic' The communiqué issued after the meeting showed that the military had taken a tough line. They expressed concern because of recent acts of violence 'by extremist elements with subversive aims'. It appeared that Campora had made concessions to them.

At the funeral three days before of Rear-Admiral Hermes Quijada, executed by the guerrillas, the head of the Fleet Air Arm, Rear-Admiral Mayorga said it was difficult to resist the temptation to put the country in order before handing it over free of guerrillas.

On the same day, the military commander of Buenos Aires re-imposed the death penalty. Those who publish guerrilla edicts were made liable to imprisonment for an indefinite time.

A jail sentence of up to four years awaits those who fail to obey an order from military or security forces and up to ten years for those who voke, threaten or offend the The generals have not yet decided upon a military coup, although some are known to favour it, including the military boss of the capital, General Tomas Sanchez De Bustammente; who issued these orders.

Evidently feeling his position threatened, Campora issued another statement on May 11 in which he called for a military and political truce to guarantee national unity. He promised co-operation with the armed forces if they would observe it and called for respect for the constitution and the principles of Peronism.

The Peronists themselves are split on the attitude to be adopted to the military on the one hand and the guerrillas on the other. The right wing is led by vice-President-elect Vicente Solano Lima and would only amnesty guerrillas who have not taken part in violent acts.

There are three main guerrilla groups now active: the Peoples Revolutionary Army (ERP); Mononeros; and Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR).

ous claim of the tartan Tories, but the Communist Party is known to be in a muddle about it.

It was the Stalinist-dominated Ucs Co-ordinating Committee which invited party They have carried out a number of spectacular attacks, executions and kidnappings.

While the Peronist youth movement and left wing wants to amnesty its own guerrillas, they do not favour the release of prisoners belonging to the ERP which is led by Pabloite revisionists who have abandoned proletarian politics for terrorist adventures.

The guerrillas have carried out a number of kidnappings this year, including, businessmen, politicians, bank officials, lawyers, doctors and military men. Big sums in ransom were paid out to secure the release of some of these men.

As part of the deal for the release of Swift Meat-packing boss Stanley Silvester, who was also the British Consul in Rosario, the firm distributed free food and clothing to its poorly-paid employees.

The army has established a special section to combat the guerrillas. Some of its personnel have close connections with the US Central Intelligence Agency. 'Above: Hector Campora. Lelt: Hooded guerillas, members of the ERP, one of the three main groups.

In August last year guerrillas released 25 of their comrades held in the Rawson prison, In revenge, naval offcers shot 16 guerrillas being held in the Trelaw naval base.

Guerrilla activity has been unable to overthrow or weaken the military regime. Nor can it prevent a military coup if the generals should decide to block Campora's accession to power. By substituting themselves for the mass movement the guerrillas, despite their self-sacrifice and bravery, leave the way open for rethe Peronists.

What is required in the Argentine is the building of a revolutionary party with its roots in the working class. Brazil's role as a junior