Argentina: Information on the Peronist Montonero Movement (MPM) and the Authentic Peronist Party (PPA), including their activities, government action against these groups, and amnesties to their members since 1985

According to Revolutionary and Dissident Movements, the Peronist Montonero Movement (MPM) Movimiento Peronista Montonero is an openly left-wing Peronist urban guerilla group which began guerilla activities in 1970 (1991, 16). The same source indicates that the MPM conducted its activities, which included bombings, kidnapping and assassinations, throughout the 1970s. Information found in the Political Handbook of the World indicates that in 1972 the MPM merged with the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) (1992, 38). On 20 April 1977, the MPM reportedly merged with the Authentic Peronist Party (PPA) to form a "Supreme Council of Peronist Montoneros" (Revolutionary and Dissident Movements 1991, 16). By the late 1970s, the same source indicates that the MPM faced increasing pressure by the government and infiltration by security forces. It was almost inactive between 1980 and 1982, and ultimately was disbanded in 1983 (ibid., 16, 17).

The same source also indicates that 64 former Montoneros were among the prisoners granted amnesty in the 1989 following the implementation of a Law of National Pacification (ibid.). Firminich, a leader of the MPM, was pardoned by President Menem in December 1990 (ibid.).

According to Revolutionary and Dissident Movements, the Authentic Peronist Party (PPA) was formed on 12 March 1972 "to fight monopolies, promote worker participation in the planning and control of the national economy, and denounce the compromise [of the government] with imperialism to the detriment of the people" (ibid., 16). In 1975, the PPA and its newspaper El Auténtico were officially banned (ibid.). In 1977, it merged with the PPA as stated above. The same source indicates that in 1983, Dr Bidegain, who had been president of the PPA in 1972, returned from exile in "order to regain political and legal status for the PPA (while declaring that the MPM had been formally dissolved)" (ibid.). The source further states that R. Obregon, also returning from exile, was arrested upon his return and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment (ibid.).

Listed as one political organization in Argentina, Europa 1993 indicates that the leaders of the PPA are Mario Firmenich, Oscar Bidegain and Ricardo Obregon Cano (1993, 356).

For further detailed information on the activities and government action against the PPA and MPM, please consult the attached documents. Also, please consult Responses to Information Requests ARG14603 of 30 June 1993, ARG7522 of 3 April 1991 and ARG3420 of 27 December 1989, available at your regional documentation centre.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

The Europa World Yearbook 1993. 1993. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

Political Handbook of the World: 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Revolutionary and Dissident Movements: An International Guide. 1991. 3rd ed. Edited by Henry W. Degenhardt. London: Longman Group UK Ltd.

Attachments

Political Handbook of the World: 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications, p. 38.

Revolutionary and Dissident Movements: An International Guide. 1991. 3rd ed. Edited by Henry W. Degenhardt. London: Longman Group UK Ltd, pp. 16-17.