12 Police Hurt in Argentina Protests

President Adolfo Rodriguez Saa got a taste Saturday of the unrest that brought down a predecessor when a protest against his government’s handling of Argentina’s economic crisis turned violent. At least 12 police officers were injured.

For the second time in as many weeks, thousands of middle-class Argentines took to the streets with sticks and stones, this time directing their anger at Rodriguez for continuing to restrict access to bank accounts and for appointing several high-ranking officials widely considered corrupt.

From his ranch in Crawford, Texas, President Bush urged Rodriguez to work with the IMF to develop a “sustainable economic plan” for the crisis-hit country, the White House said.

“The president emphasized the need for the Argentine government to develop a sustainable economic plan and to work closely with international financial institutions to do so,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

Although there were no reported protests outside of the capital, Buenos Aires, about 5,000 people gathered at the Plaza de Mayo to bang pots and pans in a spontaneous outpouring of anger--in part over a weeks-old government order restricting cash withdrawals from banks to $1,000 a month.

Hours into what began as a peaceful protest late Friday night, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd as it threatened to storm the presidential palace, better known as Casa Rosada.

Later, some protesters briefly broke into Congress as rage over government austerity measures erupted one week after the deadly riots drove Fernando de la Rua from office.

Twelve police officers were injured, six of them seriously, including one officer who was beaten bloody by a mob before he could be led away from the street battles outside the presidential palace. Police declined to specify how many protesters were injured but said 33 people were arrested.

The renewed social unrest cut short the honeymoon for Rodriguez, who took over as the second interim president after De la Rua resigned Dec. 20 and is now feeling the wrath of Argentines who say they are fed up with the country’s political leaders and their inability to resolve the economic crisis.

“People’s patience is wearing thin,” said Sergio Curia, a 32-year-old lawyer. “Many people feel the government isn’t listening. People want a change in economic policy and they want it now.”

Rodriguez, who met Saturday with top aides at the presidential residence, issued a statement saying he was saddened by the violence and appealed to Argentines to “maintain the peace.”

As a symbolic gesture, his entire Cabinet offered to step down in the case of a government reshuffle.

Amid the demonstrations, at least one presidential advisor resigned after angry crowds gathered in front of Olivos, the Congress building and Casa Rosada.

Carlos Grosso, a former mayor of Buenos Aires who has faced a slew of corruption charges, stepped down from his post as the swelling crowds chanted insults at him and demanded that he go.