PERU'S TRAGIC KILLING OF A HERO: RODRIGO FRANCO MONTES DE PERALTA

Vision Real Story of a Country The Last Days of Rodrigo Franco

Editor's Note: Here we can read the full text of the series of four articles published in the newspaper "Express" de Lima and the weekly "La Tribune" about the last days of the Rodrigo Franco APRA leader, assassinated in 1987. The saga has been built on personal memories of Campos, who was a friend and collaborator of Franco in the years before his death, that is until today subject of controversy and accusations. In this saga involves in fact the Director of "The Trade" of Lima, which published the text so that readers are those who draw their own conclusions). Photo Courtesy Masks THE LAST DAYS OF RODRIGO FRANCO (PART I) Painful but necessary clarification to speculation Cecilia Martinez del Solar and current director of "El Comercio", directly responsible for a press campaign against APRA government official disappeared. "With the truth, not afraid or offended," said Jose Artigas. This phrase heard repeatedly in the mouth of Victor Raul Haya de la Torre those young Catholic University, averaging the 70s of last century, used to establish ourselves in the seat of APRA Lima to be close to its leader and enjoy their extensive knowledge. Among those young people was Rodrigo Franco Montes de Peralta, grandson of a founder of APRA and loyal son of another militant, Dr. Alberto Franco Valera. Unwavering principled man, intelligent and friendly, we forged a fast friendship immediately recognizing ourselves in common: concern substantive issues of Peruvian reality, rejection of any kind of intolerance or bigotry, bulletproof sense. Today the name of Rodrigo returns to the spotlight in ways that he never wished to be reminded, now that is evident in his memory traffic subordinates purposes, creating doubts about the circumstances of his death, the authors of the murder and - worse - for those who exhausted all instances to confirm definitively the responsibility of Sendero Luminoso in this, it is necessary to speak our truth, without fear or offense. And since Cecilia Martinez del Solar, Franco's widow, has used the newspaper El Comercio to spread his crazy obsession - demonstrate that the APRA government or sector of the same murderous armed hand - and this newspaper holds a campaign similarly, recall here its sad role during the final days of Rodrigo. Paper that, in my brotherly friend, was directly inspired by Mr. Alejandro Miró Quesada Cisneros, who then acted sub named Director of Dean. The reader will appreciate how journalism sometimes ceases to be the most noble of professions and becomes the most vile trades. COUNSEL Rodrigo Franco became president of ENCI midway through the second half of 1986, replacing Rafael Saco. Had been serving as Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, then under the direction of Remigio Morales Bermúdez, and his appointment to the state-owned distributor of supplies for him constituted a challenge of the highest magnitude. To celebrate, I invited him to dine with my wife located in Pueblo Libre. Cecilia Rodrigo attended and spoke at length about the agenda of his new responsibility. On that occasion I was invited to join the board, rejected offer to make sure weeks after that was to represent the Ministry of Economy, whose owner did not keep a good relationship. However, I agreed willingly to fulfill the role of honorary advisor of his presidency, because at that time I was in charge of the daily management sub TODAY and exercise that seemed incompatible with public office paid. As he has all the high officials and secretaries ENCI the presidential office, there was no critical event management or stable in which Rodrigo stop summoning me to ask my opinions or recommendations. MEAT spoiled One such critical circumstances, the campaign was unleashed by trade due to the import of a batch of just over 500 tonnes of meat in Argentina, for which consideration was given bromatológico degree of decomposition. Against this, the directory ENCI had proceeded immediately to freeze the lot in two refrigerators, report the accident to the insurance company, the enforcement of security and establish the liability of shipowners who will carry. All this was said in twenty languages, just realized the theme Commerce in early August 1987. Rodrigo wrote with the relevant explanatory statements, we showed that he had never sold a gram of meat spoiled, as recklessly as hinted the same newspaper. Its editors invite to interview Rodrigo and define what happened. However, every day the issue was played as if it were the greatest criminal act detected level of the public sphere. By then, I frequented Alfonso Baella Tuesta - head of the political section of the Trade - home of businessman Adam Pollak. Alfonso, with genuine journalistic stance, listened to my complaints about the lack of objectivity that I attributed to handling the issue of spoiled meat in the Local section. He pledged to bring their offices to send a writer to interview Rodrigo. But days later - after the interview conducted and published - the campaign continued. Again I met Alfonso, did you see my confusion about the tone of this campaign, and he said: "Look Caesar much sympathy I have him to Rodrigo Franco. I find a great guy and very intelligent. But what appears in the newspaper not the responsibility of journalists. There is a level where you are watching the case. I have no more to say. " It was a skein of yarn that, unexpectedly, did not reach Don Aurelio Miro Quesada Sosa and Alejandro Miró Quesada Garland (co directors Trade) until the second family environment. So at least, had also reached the ears of Rodrigo Franco Montes de Peralta. (CONTINUED) TOMORROW: two disputed shipping for transporting fertilizers. Why was interested in this topic to Alejandro Miró Quesada Cisneros? The author of this testimony is a journalist. Rodrigo Franco met in the cloisters of the Catholic University, where they both studied law. In the APRA government, he served as Director of Communications of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture advisor, presidential adviser and sub ENCI Press Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic. He PAP militancy in 1990 to engage in political journalism. He worked at the magazine and other publications HEAR. Testimony of loyalty THE LAST DAYS OF Rodrigo Franco (Part II) The main troubles ENCI President, until the eve of his death, were caused by the systematic campaign against its management Trade. He sought to explain the reason for such cruelty and got an answer. End of April 1985. In the very close office TODAY newspaper's editorial page - which he shared with his boss, Ricardo Ramos Tremolada - I get a phone call from Rodrigo Franco. He wanted to tell me personally and we met at a cafe called La Campana, which then stood at the oval Gutierrez of San Isidro. Alan Garcia had just triumphed in elections on Sunday 14 and opened new perspectives for what would be the first government of APRA. Since the death of Victor Raul Haya de la Torre - who professed a special affection - Rodrigo had departed from the PAP internal vicissitudes. One, for his early marriage and the arrival of his sons, and two, the crisis faced by the entire party high command in a fratricidal dispute. His temperament inclined to harmony and tolerance, not stand that contention. However, had regained the vigor in Garcia's campaign and even lent his country house for days proselytizing. Still, his reinstatement with APRA existing structure and the new spokespersons of the next government administration, was not consolidated. Was anxious to channel their concerns and proposals are totally into the matter of agriculture since her family founded regained Nana, which - to a greater extent - had belonged to his maternal grandfather, Armando Montes de Peralta, Prime Minister of Public Health the country had. In this regard, during our coffee in La Campana, asked me to access an interview with Luis Gonzales Posada, factotum of Hoy and confidant of the flamboyant president. For various reasons, this meeting did not take place. But that did not prevent us to continue maintaining constant communication. In December of that year, I received a call from Rodrigo cheerful. There had been the first change in the Cabinet and Remigio Morales Bermúdez accessed the office address of Agriculture, replacing Mario Barturén. The then deputy APRA Carlos Roca, a great friend of Franco and his family had been in contact with the new minister, he had heard, checking the vastness of his knowledge in the field matters. Without further ado, Morales Bermúdez appointed Secretary General of the portfolio. Rodrigo entered the maelstrom of public convinced capture device - honestly and intelligently - the promotion of agriculture, which had been devoting all his efforts. RAIN OF HEADLINES My last conversation with Alfonso Baella Tuesta - head of the political section of the Trade - in which he explained that the daily campaign against Rodrigo Franco management ENCI, transcended the will of his flat journalism, told the concerned with details. At that time, in August 1987, I worked full time for the Agriculture he had stopped working on publications. Rodrigo was so mortified and hurt. And for good reason, seeing the flashy headlines of Commerce: "The meat smells bad ... in stores ENCI" (8/11/87, p. A 12). "In ENCI stores, grabbing meat ..." (8/12/87, p. To 16). "The prosecution PIP and imported meat analyzed by ENCI" (8/14/87, p. A 9). "The ill-fated ENCI meat: who will take the loss?" (8/15/87, p. A 9). "Politicians claim penalties for perpetrators of meat brought ENCI" (8/17/87, p. A 11), etc.. Thanks to the mediation of Baella Tuesta, the newspaper had published two statements dean of Rodrigo (Friday 13 and Wednesday 19 August). One of them even took place in the premises of the newspaper. With that, we thought we had closed the painful chapter of spoiled meat imports, whose volume is not represented or 1.3% of the meat sold by ENCI. However, this did not happen. Yesterday, EXPRESS played 6 page A Trade dated August 29, 1987, in which - in the absence of major elements to attack Rodrigo management - is reported "findings in detail ENCI business management" tuck your batteries not only against the issue of spoiled meat, but also of an alleged overstaffing, food losses in stores provinces and alleged discrimination in the granting of shares Pacasmayo corn. Undoubtedly, a black hand holding as wanted negative information about ENCI. Rodrigo did not read that last and interested story. He was killed on the morning of the same day. For many who we rounded, relentless media campaign that exposed him in the eyes of terrorism as a miserable and corrupt public official. Is it not with those adjectives that Abimael Guzman, in 1988, refers to Franco, the Shining Path attribute to his murder? Are we going to wipe out the sinister words heard Guzman: "We destroyed one bureaucrat extremely dangerous parasite!"? Shippers After my conversation with Baella narrate, Rodrigo lumbered his head from side to side. So days, the issue of the nationalization of the banking, financial and insurance companies also had him worried, because he considered an unfortunate. However, this time I touched the point of the bench on which we had long conversations in the weeks before, but openly discussed the campaign of El Comercio. "There is a fundamental issue - I said - which is linked to the transport of fertilizers and other products. There are two shipping lines are scrambling shipments from abroad: Santa and Humboldt." Mediating a break or perhaps another comment adjective, remember perfectly Rodrigo's question: "Tell me, do you know the son of Alejandro Miró Quesada?". Actually, I had never fully considered the leafy family genealogy owns Trade, or knew their ramifications. Franco inquired by the rod then co namesake Director, Alejandro Miró Quesada Garland. At my refusal, he added: "He's involved in this. Now I know The mechanism importer. Political projects of Rodrigo Testimony of loyalty THE LAST DAYS OF RODRIGO FRANCO (Part III) The same prosecutor has reopened the investigation into the murder of Rodrigo Franco must quote Alejandro Miró Quesada Cisneros, figure out what it had links with a shipping company in 1987 and whether the interests of the transport of inputs and fertilizers, led the campaign Trade against ENCI and the hideous crime. Thursday August 27, 1987, eight of the night. Urbanization Camacho, La Molina. Residence Pizarro engineer Julio Flores, whose family heraldry APRA exhibits bulletproof. Maria Eugenia, the youngest daughter, came serving as advisor to the President of ENCI, but the prostrate disease several weeks. Rodrigo Franco go regularly to visit and take the opportunity to quote me in her house in order to exhaust the gatherings on the political events of the day. Despite the ruthless campaign of El Comercio, I see that day happy. Martha Lopez Pizarro joins the huddle and listen carefully. "Today I spoke in the afternoon with Pierre Vieger (one of the top aides of President of the Republic). Has confirmed that Alan called me to offer me the presidency of the Central Reserve Bank, "says Rodrigo. The sisters rejoice Pizarro and formulate comments approval. I stick to the analyst: "Alan knows of your questions to the nationalization of banks. If you named in the BCR, it is because you want to send a signal to employers and ensure that paraphrase as "speculum. "Yes, it is possible," Franco answered, adding that Javier "Pocho" Tantalean - head of the National Planning Institute - also had called for ratificarle the offer would receive the president. Rodrigo we look at three expectantly, as if waiting for reviews of the highest caliber. "Sure. If calls you, you must accept, "I express. Martha Maria Eugenia and validate the same impression. Rodrigo smiles and nods. Soon after, observes his watch and says goodbye. It was the last time I saw him alive. IMPORTER MECHANISM Law No. 22,067, which regulated the freight domestic shipping, provided the priority of the missing craft Peruvian Steamship Company (CPV) for the maritime movement of goods purchased by the state from outside. Failing that, authorized private national shipowners replaced in that role with own or foreign vessels (charter). The crisis of the CPV and the deterioration of their boats, were almost constant resort to the second option. Legal norms also pointed to the obligation of private owners on the register of the General Directorate of Water Transport. In 1987, four companies were suitable for the whole call: Consortium Naviero, Naviera Humboldt, Naviera Neptuno and Naviera Santa. ENCI used two types of contracts for imports: Cost, insurance and freight to the port of destination, in which case the exporter provided the input, transport and insurance, and only cost (formula called FOB), in which case the exporter only provided the input and hired ENCI independent insurance and transportation. This method is generally used when the supplier was a foreign owned company dedicated specifically to providing certain inputs, excluding the provision of other services. Although there were four suitable, only two shipping companies competed fiercely in each of the invitations to purchase inputs or fertilizer from abroad. St. Robert were "mono" Leigh, and Humboldt, founded by Luis Banchero Rossi, but then under the captaincy of Ernesto Ferraro. THE MESSAGE When I heard for the first time refer to the name Rodrigo Franco Alejandro Miró Quesada Cisneros, linking the issue of shipping, was stunned. I had one piece of evidence to assess this relationship. I ENCI President clarified the point. "Some time ago, one of my brothers got a message in which I proposed a bribe, was a manager of Humboldt. He said there were hundreds of thousands of dollars for me, if at all favored in competitions by invitation. Of course, my brother sent him to hell, "he said. "Later, I met with Alejandro Miró Quesada (Cisneros) through a mutual friend. I noticed that I talk about how to help Humboldt, which interceded, he told me, just for friendship. I explained that ENCI presidency had nothing to do in that case, having a committee of managers charged with evaluating proposals and proceed with technical criteria. The issue was there. " According to Rodrigo, the failure to intervene to privilege committed to shipping in competitions by invitation, explaining the campaign against El Comercio. Until then, naively thought that the reason was the pure antiaprismo diary. We never thought that - as in the films of Francis Ford Coppola - was just business. The Bodyguard coward and processed by ENCI. The tragic final day. Testimony of loyalty THE LAST DAYS OF RODRIGO FRANCO (IV) Cristobal Garcia Castro, the "effective partner" 20035, was accused of cowardice by hiding under the bed and not fulfill its task of security, the time of the murder of Rodrigo Franco. Now the version is taken by the trade as major source of ridiculous speculation. Friday August 28, 1987. 12 Noon. Griselda Klaric, floor receptionist ENCI local 7 - where was the CEO's office - talk to your boss, Rodrigo Franco. He announces that must travel to Arequipa where his father, who turns years. Franco says with joy that is precisely an invitation from Arequipa and Puno, for a day of sales promotion of potato, that maybe the contacted to assist it in the Altiplano. He asks his phone in the White City and escorts her into the elevator. They say goodbye forever. 2 pm. Jorge Trujillo de Zela, the General Manager, Rodrigo calls. Depart for Tarapoto, where he held the anniversary of ENCI. "Geez, really." He says Franco. The travel schedule is recharged. "I have my bag ready to board the plane. I'll call you later, "he adds. Trujillo never hear his voice. 8 pm. Rodrigo returns to visit his adviser, Maria Eugenia Pizarro. Also Patricia Pizarro, one of the sisters, who announces that prepare rice with eggs and fried plantains. "Excellent, I want the same." Exhibits very good mood and eating with relish. Half an hour later, know that you should go pick up Cecilia's house her mother, located on South Cross Street Groove, and then go to Nana. Patricia embraces him with affection and the hairs of her cashmere sweater adhere to suit your friend. Rodrigo wants to warn but swift hand. Never see him again. 10 pm. Cecilia Martinez del Solar, in fact, the culmination of a long conversation with his mother - Margarita Montes de Peralta - in this house, located in the Miraflores and Venice street goes to his mother. Rodrigo gives the encounter and both, along with three children, enrumban to Nana. Margarita phones to make sure they arrived safely. "Yes mom, all right," says Rodrigo, shortly after telling is eating an avocado. These are the final words between two loved ones, one of them will suffer for the rest of his life an absence impossible to fill. TRAGIC DAY The Franco brothers were most concerned about the safety of Rodrigo. In that season, many public officials had fallen as victims of subversion. A confusing incident occurred weeks before the bridge access Nana - where President ENCI truck was grazed by another vehicle - warned the need to take precautions. Diego Franco got three weapons: a small carbine bullets (going into the hands of the bodyguard aparar Hugo Ortiz Palomino), two pistols and .38 caliber Smith & Wetson, five shots short barrel. A Rodrigo and the second was another bodyguard, Christopher Garcia Castro. The circumstances of the assault on the country house murder by a column, at 5:45 am on August 29, 1987, has been told from various perspectives. However, the most striking is that of García Castro, now called "effective partner" No. 20035, who maintains that he left the room where he spent the night, behind Ortiz Palomino, just heard the first shots. He adds that, seeing his companion riddled, yet managed to distinguish several people. "Nine or ten, some ran. Two of them were hooded. All were black .... The two people I saw and looked at me, were almost dark complexion, dark ... "(El Comercio, Sunday February 22, 2005). "This fagot ..." This version differs completely from that this reporter has been able to gather, based on what I mentioned several witnesses, including the farm laborers. After the attack, Salvador Gutierrez - close friend and collaborator Rodrigo - collects and Jose Antonio Franco Diego street Venice and depart swiftly to Nana. The other brother, Rafael, Benito came later with Cuba. None found Cecilia, who after leaving their children at home Uranga family, went to Lima, where Rodrigo's body lay in the American clinic. She also had suffered a gunshot wound to the ankle. Jose Armando Franco went directly to the hospital. Diego vehemently seeks explanations for what happened. Cristobal Garcia Castro was crying about, "Diego, I could not do anything." Shortly after the farm laborers appear as: Chinese, Papicha, Felipe and Manolo. They are dismayed, but Chinese is displayed rather annoying. "Lord Diego, how much this fag cry (referring to Garcia Castro). I found him hiding under the bed. Above, after I saw, shot in the air all the bullets from his pistol. " Obviously, he did to justify an alleged confrontation with murderers. All agree that Garcia Castro never left the room surveillance. Palomino Hugo Ortiz was shot inside the van, which suggests that it was not in the room, as it says the other bodyguards. Moreover, with the mists of winter morning, how could have distinguished the attackers and even the color of his skin, in the distance? Diego Garcia Castro takes the lapels and shakes him. "What kind of security are you, that you came to defend my brother?" Shouts. I calm down a bit, while the bodyguards still crying. In the afternoon, during the wake held at the house at Venice, presented by the kitchen door. Diego sees and sift again, this time against the refrigerator. To date, never met again. But the brother of Rodrigo Franco waiting patiently to a new confrontation and confront the lies that today has called "effective partner."