Inauguration in Uruguay Brings Back Democracy

Julio Sanguinetti was inaugurated president today, ending nearly 12 years of rule by the rightist armed forces and bringing Uruguay into the growing ranks of democratic Latin American nations.

Sen. Jorge Batelle, head of the joint assembly, administered the oath of office to the new centrist leader in the somber red-carpeted House of Representatives as the legislature and delegates of 72 nations, including U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz, watched.

Thousands of people surrounded the ornate marble Congress Building, carrying political banners and blue and white national flags. “Long live democracy!” they cheered.

Vice President Enrique Tarigo took his oath immediately after Sanguinetti, 49, a former journalist who leads the traditional Colorado Party.

Plaza Crowded

Thousands more Uruguayans, some of whom had camped out overnight, were jammed into the spacious Independence Plaza outside the presidential palace.

Earlier this week, workmen tore down the walls that had been erected around the palace by military rulers.

Military rule followed a period of leftist terrorist activity and coincided with widespread labor unrest over an ailing economy.

Armed forces rulers failed to remedy the economy and agreed, after four years of on-and-off talks with civilians, to give up power.

Free Enterprise

Sanguinetti has said he will try to stimulate free enterprise rather than increase government control in his battle with 66% annual inflation, 14% unemployment and a $5-billion foreign debt.

Traditionally a new president receives the sash and a ceremonial baton from his predecessor, but Sanguinetti refused to let the country’s former military ruler participate in his inauguration.

Including Uruguay, democratic governments have replaced military regimes in eight Latin American countries since 1980. The others are Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama and Argentina. Brazil’s first civilian president in 21 years, Tancredo Neves, is scheduled to take office March 15.

Sanguinetti won the Nov. 25 elections by almost 120,000 votes. However, his two chief political rivals had been barred by the military from running for office.