Santa Cruz: gov’t seeks ‘political solution’

Cabinet Chief Aníbal Fernández claims ‘there is no other way out’

Cabinet Chief Aníbal Fernández called yesterday for “a political solution” to the conflict in Santa Cruz province over the Supreme Court ruling demanding the restitution of prosecutor Eduardo Sosa, fired by former president Néstor Kirchner in 1995 during his stint as governor. Meanwhile, Radical Deputy Ricardo Gil Lavedra condemned the graffiti sprayed by pro-government activists in the province against the Radical Party leaders last week, which he considered as “an overreaction of the ruling party leadership.”
Aníbal Fernández said Supreme Court Judge Eugenio Zaffaroni had stated in an interview earlier last week that “the only solution (to the conflict) is political” and agreed with the Court official
“If a Justice of the (Supreme) Court, who is part of the issue, says that, it is because the situation is complex,” said Fernández during a radio interview yesterday. “The only way out is political, there is no other solution,” added the Cabinet Chief, who backed Governor Daniel Peralta.
“A political way out is what the Governor suggested to the legislature,” said Fernández. “The prosecutor post is split in two, so the one that is currently on the post doesn’t have to leave and the new post created will solve the problem of Sosa, who had complained about his sidelining,” he added.

Fernández insisted “that is what Peralta suggested and the legislature will have to make a decision.”
“This situation of public provincial right never reaches the Court,” said Fernández. “It reached the old Court with automatic majority because the goal was to pressure the provincial government for other reasons,” added the Cabinet Chief in reference to the complaint filed by Sosa after being sacked in 1995.
Fernández claimed the issue reached the Supreme Court back then due to the fact that Kirchner’s administration, which ruled the sidelining of Sosa, “did not obey the orders of the national government” of former president Carlos Saúl Menem.
The Supreme Court has ordered the reinstatement of Sosa in his post, but the provincial administration has refused to obey the ruling claiming they cannot sack the current prosecutor — a position that has been publicly supported by the national government.
The Radical Party presented a bill requesting the federal intervention of Santa Cruz to restore Sosa in his post, and were accused by pro-government activists of being “coup mongers.”
Gil Lavedra said “an absolute tall story has been set up” in the province “saying we are trying to sack local authorities,” and insisted the Radical bill does not contemplate the replacement of the province Governor or Lieutenant Governor.
The Radical Deputy said the bill contemplates “an intervention with no sidelining” and aims to obey the Supreme Court ruling: “Remove the current prosecutor (Claudio Espinosa) and restore Sosa.”
“Under no circumstance the other branches of power in the province will suffer any interference in their functions,” said Gil Lavedra.