Court overturns Menem dismissal.

[bemildred]

A Buenos Aires court on Friday overturned a ruling dismissing charges against former Argentine President Carlos Menem in a case involving arms smuggling to Ecuador and Croatia between 1991 and 1995

The Economic Crimes Court ruling also annulled another decision to drop charges against Domingo Cavallo, who was economy minister at the time the illegal deals took place.

The court also ordered Judge Julio Speroni, who is in charge of the case, to "expand the investigation" into the arms-smuggling deals and to follow "the money trail" pertaining to the case.

Menem is presently living in Chile and has disregarded summons from Buenos Aires judges who are investigating other criminal charges against him.

MercoPress

[Festivito]

1. I wish I understood this better.

I was in BA when Menem first ran and I thought he was a joke. Years of stupid politicians had taken office, raped the economy with high inflation, but, with plenty of paper money for their own family and friends. Then Menem took office and the economy stabilized then soared. All Menem seemed to want was to be a bit of a stud. He'd play soccer and put Maradonna on his own team, they'd let him make a goal for looks and his team would always win, and that's all it seemed he wanted rather than taking huge amounts of cash as had all the prior presidents.

I don't know what the deal was with arms sales. But, I'm American and cannot hold that against Argentina on principle. Why, we've sold biological weapons to Iraq. I could hold a grudge against A. on competitive grounds perhaps, but, not principle.

An economy now soured, it is easier to blame the playboy than for the current administration to blame itself. But, enough about the U.S., I should be talking about Argentina. But, then again, I am.

[bemildred]

2. I don't seen how the current administration could blame itself.

At least not yet. Kircher is at the end of a string of leaders
thrown out by popular revolt. He's managed a bit of stability,
seems to be a tough negotiator, and the economy is stabilized and
growing (here).

Another Kircher story: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=916464

As for Menem, it's easy to google up all sort of opinions and information
about him and his actitivies. This story seems clear enough, but of course
it puts him in no larger context. Your comments are interesting, thank you.

[Festivito]

3. Maybe it should not.

I lost Menem's fall from grace to understand that. I hope this new guy will do well. The economy article sounds dubious comparing one month to another and one quarter to the same quarter a year ago. Typical spin construct. 9% GDP growth would be great if constant and sustained, especially in this world economy.

Uruguay seemed destined for stability as long as the hundred families remain happy and could afford to live with pretty cars. I hope they didn't get too bored.

Difficult economic times causes a military-congressional industrial complex to drool with anticipation. I'd hate to see gas rich Argentina draw the specter of trouble to the south of SA.