The Fading Image

Outside the hotel in Buenos Aires, an angry crowd chanted, "Death to the tyrant!" Inside, a handsome, dark-haired woman held court for newsmen. She was Isabel Martinez de Peron, 34, third wife of the ex-dictator who, at 70, lives in Spain and insists that he will one day return to Argentina. How was Juan Domingo Peron? asked a reporter. "In excellent health," she replied. And what was she doing back home? "I have come on a mission of peace," smiled Isabel.

Signs of Change. Everyone knew better. Isabel's mission was to enliven last week's Peronista rally scheduled for the 20th anniversary of Peron's rise to power--and thus brighten his fading image among the 3,000,000 or so Argentines who call themselves Peronistas. The old strongman's problem is that the people he once called his descamisados (shirt less ones) do not need him any more. Argentina's working class is now well organized, and looking for leadership among half a dozen tough young politicians and labor leaders. To many of these leaders, the exiled septuagenarian is becoming an anachronism; some Peronistas pay him lip service but little else and unflatteringly call him "Casanova 70."

Isabel's plan was to stir a popular up roar on Peron's "Loyalty Day" by playing an emotional tape-recorded message from el lider. Once in Buenos Aires she could see for herself the signs of Peronista change. There were almost no Loyalty Day posters. Three full days elapsed before the top Peronista politicians and labor leaders got around to calling on her. What had not changed were the hatreds engendered by the mere mention of Peron's name. For three nights, riots between Peronistas and anti-Peronistas erupted outside Isabel's hotel.

Message Undelivered. On the eve of Loyalty Day (Oct. 17), the tension reached the point where President Arturo Illia decided to forbid all Peronista demonstrations. Next morning 5,000 well-armed police patrolled Buenos Aires streets. Out came some 6,000 Peronistas--as much to taunt the cops as cheer Peron. By nightfall, more than 600 of the rioters were in jail. Isabel had dropped out of sight, and Peron's tape-recorded message had gone undelivered. President Illia then warned that any unions dabbling in politics would lose their legal rights. The Peronistas called for a 24-hour general strike, but it was only partially successful.

One indication of Peron's flagging appeal was the attitude of Argentina's anti-Peronmilitary during the episode. "Street demonstrations," said one ranking soldier, "do not in any way threaten the government. The military respects the civil authority's capacity to handle what is essentially a police matter."

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