The Hindu : Emergency in Paraguay

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2002

International

International

Emergency in Paraguay

Paraguayans stumble in panic as they run for cover from rubber bullets and tear gas fired by riot police breaking up an anti-Government demonstration in front of Congress in Asuncion on Monday. — Reuters

ASUNCION (Paraguay) JULY 16. Paraguay's President declared a state of emergency after violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters killed one and injured at least 17 others in widespread demonstrations against his economic policies.

National police searched for lingering demonstrators early on Tuesday and took up positions outside Congress in downtown Asuncion, where hundreds gathered on Monday to call for the resignation of President Luis Gonzalez Macchi. Police and soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets from behind plastic shields at demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans in the capital city. One protester died late Monday in a clash with police in Ciudad del Este. Dozens were arrested in scattered protests nationwide.

Mr. Gonzalez Macchi, whose Government has been dogged by a persistent economic crisis, responded to the growing unrest by ordering more police into the streets and imposing emergency measures that suspend some civil rights. The state of emergency bans demonstrations and gives police greater powers to make arrests and stamp out protests.

Some Paraguayans questioned the justification for the measures, saying the Government had acted with too heavy a hand. Jose Ayala, a constitutional expert, said the emergency decree was excessive.

The Government has blamed the protests on Lino Oviedo, a former army chief last reported to be living in asylum in Brazil, who is accused by Paraguayan authorities of planning the assassination of Vice-President, Luis Maria Argana. — AP

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