ARGENTINA: FUNERAL OF ADELINO ROMERO WHOSE DEATH IS LIKELY TO ALTER BALANCE OF POWER.

Record ID: 448945

  • Title: ARGENTINA: FUNERAL OF ADELINO ROMERO WHOSE DEATH IS LIKELY TO ALTER BALANCE OF POWER.
  • Date: 16th July 1974
  • Summary: 1. GV TILT Down Union Building. 0.06 2. SV Coffin carried in. 0.14 3. GVS INTERIOR Crowd and wife around coffin. 0.22 4. SV ZOOM IN TO Int. Min. Llambi speaking 0.34 5. CU Woman crying. 0.37 6. SV Building and workers escort coffin (6 shots). 1.02 7. GVS Coffin carried to cemetery (2 shots). 1.15 8. GV Cemetery. 1.22 9. GVS'S deserted streets, shops and station (7 shots). 1.58 Initials AE/1.57 AE ??? Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 31st July 1974 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BUENOS AIRES
  • Country: Argentina
  • Reuters ID: LVA1NGJL5BLKS60Q7ACVZJ86BLHL
  • Story Text: Adelino Romero, leader of Argentina's powerful General Labour Confederation, was buried in Buenos Aires on Monday (July 15) amid speculation that the country is heading for a massive internal confrontation. The 51-year-old labour leader was considered one of the most powerful men in Argentina and his death form a heart attack came only 13 days after that of President Juan Peron.

    The Confederation was regarded as the strongest supporter of the late President and Mr. Romero as its head was a vital cog in the running of the country.

    A nationwide strike followed the death of Mr. Romero as the nation went into mourning. The stoppage lasted until after the funeral.

    Mr. Romero's death couldn't have come at a worse time for the new President, Senora Peron. The cooperation of the Confederation is vital to the Peronist survival. Just before his death Juan Peron threatened to resign because internal fighting broke out both within the labour movement and the commercial world over measures he had instigated to fight inflation. Dissention within the country came to a head with the workers complaining that prices were rising despite the ceiling imposed by the Government, and the commercial side of Argentina was bitter at the imposition.

    SYNOPSIS: Buenos Aires came to a halt on Monday as thousands gathered for the funeral of the second most important man in Argentina, Mr. Adelino Romero, head of the powerful General Labour Confederation.

    Mr. Romero died of a heart attack on Sunday. As leader of the most powerful workers body in Argentina his death brought grief to many.

    Mr. Romero was the third leader of the Confederation to die in office. His two predecessors were assassinated. Thousands lined the route of the funeral cortege as it made its way to the cemetery.

    Argentina's Labour Minister, Mr. Ricardo Otero, attended the funeral and the emotion caused him to have a heart attack... so becoming the latest victim in a strange string of coincidence which began with the death of General Juan Peron earlier this month.

    Buenos Aires came to a standstill soon after the death of Mr. Romero. As leader of the Confederation he was regarded as the second most powerful man in Argentina after the late President Peron. His death is likely to plunge the nation into turmoil. The Confederation supported General Peron throughout his exile. The country's new leader, Senora Peron, will need the support of the Confederation to stay in power. With the sudden death of Mr. Romero the turmoil which will follow as a successor is chosen could mean a massive power struggle both within the labour movement and the government which she may find hard to survive.
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