Fujimori Fires Armed Forces Chiefs
L I M A, Peru, Oct. 28 -- President Alberto Fujimori replaced Peru’s topthree military commanders Saturday after rumors they might beplotting a coup to restore his ousted spy chief, a powerful andshadowy figure whose dismissal has sent the nation into politicalchaos.
Fujimori announced that he had accepted the resignations of theheads of the army, the navy and the air force, and said the moveswere intended to “contribute to the process of institutionalfortification in this transition period.”
Peru has been in turmoil since the September release of a videoshowing intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos apparently bribinga congressman to support Fujimori. In the ensuing scandal, Fujimoriannounced he would step down in July, and Montesinos fled thecountry.
Rumors followed that Montesinos and his allies in the militarywere planning a coup, and Fujimori has since distanced himself fromthe spy chief.
Change of Guard
Montesinos returned to Peru on Monday after a failed asylum bidin Panama, and has been in hiding. Although no charges have beenfiled against him, the president launched a personally directedmanhunt — something many Peruvians believe is nothing but a show.
“This seems a step forward toward ending this politicalcrisis,” said retired Army Gen. Daniel Mora, a longtime critic ofFujimori’s cozy relationship with Montesinos. He called Fujimori’smove “a decision of courage.”
Interior Minister Walter Chacon would replace Gen. JoseVillanueva Ruesta as head of the army and chief of Peru’s jointarmed forces command, Fujimori told reporters at the GovernmentPalace. Villanueva Ruesta was perceived as a close ally ofMontesinos, with whom he attended military college.
Replacements also were named for Navy Adm. Antonio Ibarcena andAir Force Gen. Elesvan Bello. Both men have backgrounds inintelligence and were closely linked to Montesinos.
After making the announcement, Fujimori took off in a helicopterwith Montesinos’ brother-in-law, Gen. Luis Cubas. TV and radioreports said he was dismissed as commander of Peru’s tank divisionbased in Lima. The helicopter landed at Cubas’ military barracks,where he turned over command to a replacement chosen by Fujimori,cable news station Canal N said.
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