ARGENTINA: INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE WATCHED BY JUNTA MEMBERS AND GENERAL VIOLA -- THE MAN DESIGNATED AS THE NEW ARMY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

Record ID: 449122

  • Title: ARGENTINA: INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE WATCHED BY JUNTA MEMBERS AND GENERAL VIOLA -- THE MAN DESIGNATED AS THE NEW ARMY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
  • Date: 11th July 1978
  • Summary: 1. GV Guards leading Presidential motorcade 0.06 2. SV President Videla arriving with other military chiefs 0.24 3. MV President Videla and others standing to attention 0.26 4. GV Military cadets leading parade 0.38 5. GV Crowds on balcony watch as infantry march past 0.51 6. CU Roberto Eduardo Viola watching as navy cadets march past 1.02 7. MV Women navy cadets march past 1.11 8. MV President Videla watches as marine cadets March past 1.20 9. MV General Viola watches as troops in historic colonial uniforms march past (4 shots) 1.35 10. GV Armoured vehicles carrying bazookas and missiles past (3 shots) 1.47 Initials BB/2240 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 26th July 1978 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • Country: Argentina
  • Reuters ID: LVA9YI5BBR0IG7R5B8TEE2UF1Z0M
  • Story Text: Argentina celebrated the one hundred and 62nd anniversary of its independence on Sunday (9 July). In the capital, Buenos Aires, the celebration was marked with a military parade.

    SYNOPSIS: Before the parade, the three members of the military junta attended a Mass at the metropolitan cathedral. The members are the President of Argentina, General Jorge Rafael Videla; Admiral Eduardo Emilio Massera, and Brigadier Orlando Agosti. Units of the armed forces stationed in the country were also taking part in the parade.

    The parade marched down Liberatador Avenue to where the Junta took the salute from a specially-erected reviewing stand. Balconies were crowded for the spectacle.

    Before Independence Day, President Videla announced changes in the Junta brought about by his decision to retire from the army at the end of July. To replace him as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, he named General Roberto Eduardo Viola, who at present is Chief of the General Staff.

    It was announced early in May that President Videla had been asked to continue in office after his retirement.

    President Videla has led the country since the military coup that brought the Junta to power in 1976, deposing the last civilian head of state, President Maria Estela Peron. It's reported that General Viola's designation as Army Chief came as no surprise. General Videla made the announcement after consultations with all senior generals.

    General Viola will become a Lieutenant General -- the highest rank in the army -- and will automatically become a member of the Junta.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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