President Belaúnde Makes Surprise Visit to Emergency Zone
President Belaunde visits the city of Ayacucho in an attempt to demonstrate a united civilian and military approach against terrorism and the economic crisis. The document notes that opposition leaders and the press perceive Belaúnde's endorsement, by association, of the military's anti-terrorist tactics. The cable also describes public criticism and news editorials regarding deaths and the unknown fate of hundreds of people detained by the military, and the Government's unwillingness to offer the public any explanation.