Fujimori Takes Office in Peru, Vows a Rebirth

Political newcomer Alberto Fujimori took office Saturday as the 107th president of beleaguered Peru, pledging to rebuild an economy ravaged by inflation, drugs and guerrilla war.

The new president also attacked corruption in government, offered dialogue with Marxist rebels and promised fairer treatment for the South American nation’s poor.

The bespectacled former college president--an independent whose Change 90 party won an upset victory in June elections--accepted the red-and-white sash of office and said, “I swear by God” to try to solve the nation’s problems.

Fujimori was celebrating his 52nd birthday on Saturday, which is also Peru’s Independence Day.

His comments at the ceremony in the red-carpeted, cedar-paneled House of Representatives chamber brought cheers from lawmakers.

But the inauguration was marred when outgoing President Alan Garcia’s farewell speech was interrupted by hoots and insults.

While five visiting Latin American presidents looked on stoically, rightist congress members stopped Garcia from beginning his speech three times by banging their desks and jeering him.

Garcia has been accused of ruining the country’s economy and letting corruption run rampant.

Fujimori did not mention Garcia by name in his speech. But he said: “We inherited a disaster.”

The new leader faces daunting problems. While the illegal drug trade prospered during the previous government, Peru’s economy shrank 3%, agricultural production fell by almost one-fifth, and inflation soared out of control, he said.

Fujimori said he will actively promote exports and encourage foreign investment in Peru by establishing a free-market economy, although he ruled out the sale of all state enterprises, most of which he said are near collapse.

He announced the creation of an anti-corruption committee to investigate cases of fraud and graft, saying: “The people of Peru elected us to . . . restore honesty in the public administration.”

Regarding drugs, Fujimori took a stand similar to that of President Virgilio Barco Vargas of Colombia. Barco was on hand for the inauguration, along with the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Venezuela.

Fujimori said cocaine-consuming countries are just as responsible for stopping drug use as are South American nations that grow coca leaf and turn it into cocaine.