Quicker Deal

Rich, smart, handsome and popular, Vicente Eli Saadi seemed to have just what it takes for a brilliant political career. When a vacancy in the federal Senate occurred in the Argentine province of Catamarca three years ago, Deputy Saadi, the son of Syrian immigrants, was elected to the job by his Peronista colleagues in the provincial legislature. In Buenos Aires, Senator Saadi rose rapidly --to chairman of an important committee, then to floor leader of the Peronista majority. But one day he made a little mistake; during a closed session of the Senate he arose to object to the presence of "an outsider." The outsider happened to be Eva Peron.

Soon after that, President Juan Peron called Saadi to the Casa Rosada and told him that he had been chosen as the strongest possible Peronista candidate to run for governor of Catamarca province.

On the surface, at least, this was a signal honor and there was no practical way to refuse. Saadi quit as senator, was easily elected governor, then settled down to build his personal following in remote Catamarca. Presently he learned that Catamarca was perhaps not quite remote enough. From the capital came private word that President Peron was being urged to oust him on charges of graft and mismanagement.

To protect himself, Saadi thought up a quick, slick deal. He assembled his legislature, submitted his resignation as governor, then had the deputies re-elect him to his old job in the Senate. But President Peron was quicker. He intervened (i.e., dismissed the governor and legislature) in Catamarca and dated the intervention back 24 hours, thus nullifying Saadi's maneuvers.

Saadi was whipped. In rapid succession he was thrown i) out of the Peronista party and 2) into jail. The charge: showing disrespect for the President.

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