Continuing his series of tours into the interior of Argentina, President Jorge Videla visited the north western region on Thursday (12 August).

SYNOPSIS: His first official stop was at the town of Dorado in the province of Misiones. The north west region is generally regarded as the forgotten part of Argentina. Its climate is subtropical, it is under-populated, and under-developed, Most of the inhabitants speak a mixture of Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish, though it is Portuguese which is taught in the schools.

One of the objects of President Videla's tour is to allay fears about Brazil's increasing influence in the region. Misiones Province is virtually surrounded by Brazilian and paraguayan territory, and Iguazu Falls borders all three. In Misiones radios and televisions mainly receive Brazilian broadcasts. Consequently the region is threatened with being absorbed by its more advanced neighbours.

What industry there is in the province, is situated on the banks of the Parana River. These two factories - one producing cellulose and the other paper - are typical. The major production of the area is timber and paper.

At a news conference held during his tour, President Videla said that "human rights" were "fully in force" for all Argentines and foreigners of goodwill in the country. He said his Government wished to respect human rights to benefit all men of goodwill.