1.
GV Security police conducting traffic check in Buenos Aires street.
0.05

2.
SV PAN FROM Policemen on roadside to others carrying out individual checks in road.
0.18

3.
SV Policemen frisking motorist at side of car.
0.30

4.
SV ZOOM IN Policewomen frisking woman driver.
0.43

5.
SV Troops look on as ambulance is searched.
0.51

6.
CU Cops Diplomatic number plate ZOOM OUT TO GV OF Finnish diplomat refusing to be searched with soldiers having taken over from police. (2 shots)
1.10

7.
CU Pistol held by policemen ZOOM OUT TO soldiers carrying out security check.
1.18



Initials VS 17.45 VS 18.00



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: On-the-spot identity checks are still being carried out by soldiers and Federal police on motorists in the Argentina capital, Buenos Aires, and its suburbs. The checks have been taking place ever since November when the Armed Forces were given complete control of the Government's anti-terrorist campaign. It was one of the moves that were introduced when President Maria Estela Peron's Government set up the National Security Council.

Each day the area in which the surprise checks are made is changed, with the troops and police stopping vehicles and checking the identities of drives and passengers. Anyone who is not carrying the identity documents required by law, is taken into custody until their identity is established.

In other parts of Argentina the Armed Forces are known to be carrying out house-to-house searches for guerrillas. Some 500 people are believed to have ben arrested in connection with the campaign. This number does not include those who are detained and then released when they have produced proof of who they are.

The patrols of soldiers and police not only check identities, but also search both dives and passengers for arms. Policewomen are always on hand to carry ut the searches of female drivers and passengers.

On Thursday (22 January) a policewomen was killed by a burst of machinegun fire from a passing car as she waited for a bus in Buenos Aires. The Police later blamed the attack on left-wing guerrillas. It was the third attack of its kind this week.

On Tuesday (20 January) a policemen was killed as he stood guard outside a building where a high-ranking police officer lives. Two other policemen escaped a similar attack on Wednesday (21 January).