Peru Cabinet chief testifies on attack (assassination attempt on Peru's former President)

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Peru Cabinet chief testifies on attack
Posted on Fri, Jan. 18, 2008

By CARLA SALAZAR
Associated Press Writer

LIMA, Peru -- Peru's Cabinet chief testified Friday at the trial of former President Alberto Fujimori that security forces attempted to assassinate two-time President Alan Garcia in 1992, when Fujimori was running the country and Garcia was out of office.

Jorge del Castillo and Garcia have spoken widely of the attack on Garcia's house April 5, 1992, but Friday's testimony was the first time it was described under oath in an effort to tie Fujimori to the siege.

Fujimori seized dictatorial power that day by sending tanks to shut down Peru's Congress and judiciary - a move he argued was necessary to fight leftist rebels and end economic chaos. Del Castillo told the court that he was with Garcia at his Lima home that night when soldiers opened fire on the house.

"We heard on a loudspeaker: 'In the name of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces, come out with your hands up, Dr. Garcia, and everyone else inside.' Then they started to fire on the house," recalled Del Castillo, who was a lawmaker for Garcia's Aprista party at the time. They wanted to "physically eliminate him, there's no doubt."



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/915/story/385543.html

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_Bush hosts Alan Garcia

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Alan Garcia, dancing with joy.