Rebel Colonel Surrenders in Argentina : 3-Day Military Crisis That Had Convulsed Nation Brought to End

Rebel leader Lt. Col. Aldo Rico surrendered today after an assault by loyalist troops, ending a three-day revolt at Monte Caseros in northeastern Argentina, officials said.

Fifth Army Corps Commander Gen. Humberto Ferrucci said Rico turned himself over “to the loyalist troops . . . (and) placed his arms before Col. Colotti, commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade.”

The surrender brought to an end a military crisis that had convulsed Argentina since Rico escaped from house arrest Friday. On Saturday he turned up in Monte Caseros, declaring himself in rebellion and seizing an army compound with 100 followers. (Story, Page 6.)

About 2,000 loyalist troops backed by artillery had attacked the compound at noon.

After Rico took the Monte Caseros camp Saturday, at least six other insurrections sprang up in other parts of the country.

Other Revolts Waning

Authorities said the other revolts are waning, with the unconditional surrender of two rebel regiments, one in the northwestern town of Tucuman, the other in the western town of San Luis. A four-hour rebel seizure at Buenos Aires’ metropolitan airport also ended peacefully today.

Before the assault began in Monte Caseros, Rico and the 100 rebel officers asked for six hours to surrender, but Army Chief of Staff Gen. Jose Caridi demanded an immediate surrender, the government said.

It was not immediately known what, if any, terms Rico had sought.

In Buenos Aires earlier today, President Raul Alfonsin’s Cabinet met in emergency session. His spokesman, Jose Ignacio Lopez, said reports that the president was considering declaring a nationwide state of siege were premature.

Ignacio Lopez, spokesman for Alfonsin, said loyalist troops had launched a two-pronged attack on Monte Caseros, 325 miles from the capital.

Bridge Blown Up

Earlier, Radio Chajari reported that a bridge leading to the camp was blown up today when a loyalist soldier fired a warning shot that apparently set off a mine planted by the rebels, the radio said. No injuries were reported.

Also before the assault today, a lieutenant and a sergeant were seriously wounded in the explosion of an anti-tank mine planted on a road into Monte Caseros.

In an announcement this morning, the Defense Ministry said that order was restored at the busy metropolitan airport and that at least four rebels were arrested, though others escaped in the confusion. About 20 rebels seized the tower before dawn, forcing cancellation or detour of flights to Ezeiza International Airport, authorities said.

The most recent uprising was the second led by Rico in nine months. In April, he led a brief military revolt demanding an end to prosecution of senior officers accused of human rights abuses during eight years of military rule that ended in 1983.