(IPYS/IFEX) – Journalist César Hildebrandt reported that General César Saucedo, Chief of the Armed Forces Joint Command (commander-general of the Army,) accused him of being a “traitor.” Hildebrandt also reported on an intense campaign within army ranks to convince officials and soldiers that the Peru-Ecuador peace accord is positive. In the 5 November 1998 edition […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – Journalist César Hildebrandt reported that General César
Saucedo, Chief of the Armed Forces Joint Command (commander-general of the
Army,) accused him of being a “traitor.” Hildebrandt also reported on an
intense campaign within army ranks to convince officials and soldiers that
the Peru-Ecuador peace accord is positive. In the 5 November 1998 edition of
his television programme, the journalist alerted the public to his fears
that he would be the victim of an attack in the coming days. In his
programme which aired on the evening of 6 November, he revealed the
specifics and Saucedo’s name.
According to what Hildebrandt reported, the treason comments began in 4 and
5 November meetings at central army headquarters in Lima and at other army
headquarters. On 5 November, for example, army officials gathered to view
videotapes of Hildebrandt’s Channel 13 television show, “Enlace con
Hildebrant”, in which it was said his patriotism could be faulted. Also,
images of President Alberto Fujimori and Foreign Minister Fernando
Trazegnies were shown to highlight the benefits of the peace accord and
“denounce” Hildebrandt’s lack of patriotism, since he is opposed to the
peace accord signed by the government. In another meeting the next day at
army headquarters, General Saucedo again said anyone opposing the accord was
a traitor. Saucedo launched the attack in front of officials from Momep (the
group of military officers from the guarantor countries of the Rio de
Janeiro Protocol assigned to monitor the disputed zone in the Peru-Ecuador
conflict), who were reportedly surprised by Saucedo’s belligerent tone.
According to Hildebrandt, Defence Minister Julio Salázar Monroe and
presidential aide Vladimiro Montesinos Torres are behind these manoeuvres.
(It is largely because of them that the accord was signed.) Hildebrandt
pointed out that the massive government publicity effort about the accord is
the backdrop to the campaign being waged against him. It has also led to
certain independent media outlets being forced to submit to the government’s
will.
Background Information
A few days ago, Hildebrandt criticised one of the guarantor countries for
selling arms to Peru and Ecuador barely eight days after the accord was
signed. Hildebrandt also said that certain figures within the government,
like Montesinos, who in the past were accused on well-founded treason
charges, are now benefiting from their close ties to Fujimori’s regime.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities below:
him and urging that those responsible be punished accordingly
he be
allowed to continue freely exercising his profession
Appeals To
Ing. Alberto Fujimori
President
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 426 6535General Julio Salázar Monroe
Defence Minister
Ministry of Defence
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 433 9299Dr. Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 426 6657César Saucedo
Commander-General of the Army/Chief of the Armed Forces Joint Command
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 433 7479
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
