Vote may start 'dirty war' trials

BUENOS AIRES - Mothers who lost their children in Argentina's "dirty war" claimed victory Thursday after Congress repealed two amnesty laws that shielded hundreds of military officers from prosecution for human rights abuses.

The gray-haired women, some holding yellowing photographs of their missing sons and daughters, chanted and clapped after the Senate voted to scrap the laws, calling it a crucial step in their quest for justice.

Shouts of "The impunity is going to end! Justice will prevail!" went up from the women wearing white scarves representing the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, a prominent human rights group that emerged during Argentina's 1976-83 military dictatorship.

"This is great victory and an important step forward," said Nora de Cortinas, whose daughter was among the thousands of leftists who disappeared during military rule. "But our happiness is measured today, because we know there is still a lot of work to do."

Argentina's Supreme Court must now decide on the constitutionality of the laws. The nine-member court has not signaled if it will take up the issue, but legal experts say Congress' move and other cases in the judicial system are likely to add pressure for the court to act soon. Lower courts have ruled them unlawful.

The "Full Stop" and "Due Obedience" laws were enacted after democracy was restored and in the wake of a series of military uprisings. The government sought to temper anger among military leaders over public trials of high-ranking officials.

Many human rights activists who have spent years fighting to find out what happened to their children said they felt encouraged by the vote.

"Justice is finally coming to life in this country after a long struggle," said Berta Schuboroff, a member of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo group that helps in the search for the missing.

Human rights groups say as many as 1,300 current and former military officers could face trial if the laws are annulled.

Official estimates say about 9,000 people died or disappeared during the junta years, but human rights groups say the number could be as high as 30,000. During that time, leftists and dissident opponents were hunted down, kidnapped off the streets, tortured and executed.

LONDON - A former Iranian ambassador to Argentina, wanted in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people, was arrested Thursday in England.

Police in northeast England, arrested Hade Soleimanpour, 47, at his home in Durham on an extradition warrant, police said.

Soleimanpour is to appear in court today, Metropolitan Police headquarters in London said.

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