Reuters. 16 January 2002. Argentina to Feed Poor, Weighs Freeing Up Police.
BUENOS AIRES -- Argentina on Wednesday announced emergency measures to feed the poor and considered using troops in support roles to free up police facing rising unrest and protests over banking curbs. With public anger flaring into violence, ministers debated using troops to guard frontiers and distribute humanitarian aid to free up civilian police to patrol streets. They also launched plans to buy 350 million pesos worth of food -- $250 million at the new official exchange rate -- to feed the poor, who looted supermarkets last month, triggering riots that forced out the elected president and killed 27. The government issued a decree to create "an emergency food program, destined for the purchase of foodstuffs, to meet the urgent basic needs for the survival of the most vulnerable." With Duhalde warning the country could slide into "chaos,'' his spokesman Eduardo Amadeo said troops could be moved to the borders normally patrolled by border police, who would be put on policing duties to keep the streets safe. The constitution bans the military from domestic security unless the police are overwhelmed and their help is sought. The armed forces have said they want no home security role. Riot police dispersed protesters smashing bank branches in a small town north of Buenos Aires with tear gas on Tuesday, while unemployed people in the poor northern province of Jujuy staged mock crucifixions on Wednesday demanding food and jobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry Stoller http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProletarianNews
