1.
LV CROWD WAITS OUTSIDE MUNICIPAL BANK (2 SHOTS)
0.09

2.
CU CLOCK
0.12

3.
SV CROWD ENTER BANK (3 SHOTS)
0.24

4.
GV GOVERNMENT HOUSE
0.27

5.
LV FRONDIZI ENTERS CONFERENCE HALL
0.31

6.
SV AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0.34

7.
CU FRONDIZI
0.37

8.
SV NEW CABINET MINISTERS SWORN IN
0.45

9.
LV PHOTOGRAPHERS
0.46

10.
CU CABINET MINISTER PAN TO FRONDIZI
0.49

11.
SV FRONDIZI CONGRATULATES CABINET MINISTER
0.53

12.
SV AUDIENCE
0.54

13.
CU ANOTHER CABINET MINISTER BEING SWORN IN
0.58

14.
SV FRONDIZI CONGRATULATES NEW CABINET MINISTER
1.02

15.
GV AUDIENCE
1.05

16.
LV CABINET MINISTER BEING SWORN IN
1.08

17.
SV DITTO
1.13

18.
SV AUDIENCE
1.15

19.
LV CABINET MINISTER SWORN IN
1.19

20.
CU FRONDIZI SPEAKING
1.22

21.
CU CABINET MINISTER'S HAND RESTING ON BIBLE
1.25

22.
SV AUDIENCE
1.28

23.
SV MINISTER SIGNS BOOK
1.32

24.
SV AIRSPACE OFFICER SIGNS BOOK
1.35

25.
SV AUDIENCE
1.38

26.
SV FRONDIZI LEAVES
1.42



Initials PC/N/CJB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ACCORDING TO REPORTS RECEIVED EARLY MARCH 28, A MILITARY COUP WAS UNDER WAY IN ARGENTINA. ARMY CHIEF WERE SAID TO HAVE ASKED PRESIDENT FRONDIZI TO RESIGN BY 1900 GMT THAT DAY, AND TO HAVE ORDERED TROOPS INTO THE BUENOS AIRES TOWN HALL.

IN THE MIDST OF AN UNEASY POLITICAL SITUATION MARCH 26, CROWDS HAD FLOCKED INTO BUENOS AIRES BANKS WHEN THEY OPENED THEIR DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE ARGENTINEAN PRESIDENT ORDERED THEIR CLOSING FOLLOWING PERONISTA ELECTION SUCCESSES MARCH 18.

IT WAS ON THE SAME DAY THAT PRESIDENT FRONDIZI, HOLDING ON TO HIS OFFICE BY A SUPREME EFFORT OF POLITICAL MANOEUVRING, SWORE IN EIGHT NEW MINISTERS, THUS COMPLETING HIS CABINET, BUT FAILING TO MEET THE MINIMUM DEMAND OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR A NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT.

THE ARMY AND THE NAVY HAD BOTH PUBLICLY DEMANDED THE PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATION. A COMMUNIQUE FROM THE NAVY MINISTRY MARCH 25 SAID DR. FRONDIZI'S DEPARTURE WOULD BE THE BEST SOLUTION TO THE WORST CRISIS TO HIT ARGENTINA SINCE THE REVOLUTION AGAINST PERON IN 1955.

ON MARCH 27, PRESIDENT FRONDIZI DEFIED A NEW MILITARY DEMAND FOR HIS RESIGNATION - HE REINFORCED THE GUARD OUTSIDE HIS BUENOS AIRES PALACE AFTER REFUSING A REQUEST TO RESIGN "TO SAVE THE COUNTRY FROM CHAOS."