Monday, Feb. 01, 1988
World Notes ARGENTINA
When a band of Argentine officers revolted last Easter, President Raul Alfonsin rushed to the Campo de Mayo army garrison near Buenos Aires and talked the mutineers into surrendering. Faced last week with another rebellion of disgruntled soldiers in the northeastern city of Monte Caseros, Alfonsin chose not to waste any more words. Instead he sent 2,000 loyalist troops to crush the rebels at a local army base, ending a three-day uprising that had spread to several other units.
The government arrested 328 dissidents, including Revolt Leader Aldo Rico, 44, a cashiered lieutenant colonel who was embittered by the prosecution of officers for human rights atrocities committed during the 1976-83 period of military rule. He had fled authorities two weeks ago while awaiting court- martial for his part in the earlier rebellion. Declared a jubilant Alfonsin, after receiving the support of the army's high command: "Democracy in this country has been consolidated." But discontent in the armed forces simmers on.