New Defense Minister Is Told to Rein in Generals
From Times Wire Reports
Brazilian Vice President Jose Alencar was sworn in as defense minister with the mission to rein in wayward generals who have defended killings, kidnappings and torture by the 1964-85 military dictatorship.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told high-ranking officers that they could not compete for power with civilian leaders after the resignation last week of Defense Minister Jose Viegas, who had accused the army of being authoritarian and behaving in ways incompatible with democratic rule.
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