Paraguay’s Leader Denies Ties to Drug Trafficking
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Trying to dispel rumors of drug connections, Paraguay’s new leader today denied any involvement in narcotics trafficking and pledged to fight what he called ”one of mankind’s worst scourges.” Trying to dispel rumors of drug connections, Paraguay’s new leader today denied any involvement in narcotics trafficking and pledged to fight what he called ”one of mankind’s worst scourges.” Aware of international speculation about his past, the 64-year-old President, Gen. Andres Rodriguez, raised the issue himself during his first news conference since ousting the country’s longtime dictator, Gen. Alfredo Stroessner, last Friday. General Rodriguez also announced that new presidential and congressional elections will be held on May 1 and that all opposition groups except for the Communist Party can take part. He said he was willing to be a candidate if nominated by the ruling Colorado Party. Stroessner Wanted U.S. Exile The new President further denied estimates that upward of 300 people died in the fighting that preceded the coup, adding that there were no more than 50 dead or wounded. The new Foreign Minister, Luis Maria Argana, said the death toll was 17 dead and 30 wounded. General Stroessner was flown into exile in neighboring Brazil on Sunday. The Reuters news agency reported that he was staying in a Government guest house in the town of Itumbiara, 800 miles northwest of Rio de Janeiro. The news agency quoted a Brazilian Foreign Ministry official as saying that the General was free to go anywhere in Brazil. The United States was General Stroessner’s first choice for exile, but while the request was forwarded to Washington by the United States Embassy here on Friday, no answer had been received from the Bush Administration by Monday. So far, the United States has not formally recognized the new Rodriguez Government. Cabinet Is Sworn In General Rodriguez, on his first full day at the 19th-century presidential palace on the banks of the Paraguay River, first swore in his Cabinet and then received a large crowd of journalists in groups of 10 at a time. He had been warned by aides that the drug issue was certain to come up. General Rodriguez promised that his Government would adopt tougher laws as part of a ”firm and intransigent” war against drugs. More : query.nytimes.com |