Evening star., 1959-06-18
Peru's Ex-President
Living Here Quietly
BY ARNALDO OTERO
star stan Writer

obIGCJS VI WdnIllllkLUIl JOldy
in almost complete anonym-
ity.
For the last two years, and
after five operations at
Walter Reed Hospital, Gen.
Manuel A. Odria has been
nursing a fractured hip.
With the help of a cane,
he now walks with little diff
flculty. He takes daily strolls
in front of his small two
story home near the hospital.
For longer trips. the for
mer President Of Peru uses
his car but prefers to have
someone else drive. Should
/ get involved in a minor ac-
cident," he said. laughing.
lit will be said. Dictator
Odria is driving recklessly
through the streets of Wash
ington.'
Led BlOOdless Revolt in 194S
Gen. Odria pronounced
with tthe accent on the "i'o
became provisional President
Of Peru in october. l948, aft
er he successfully led a group
of young military men in a
three-day bloodless revolu-
ton.
He was elected to the
presidency without any eff
fective opposition in the 1850
elections.
In 1856. after a free ma
tional election held under
Gen. Odria's regime. a gov
ernment favored candidate
lost to DR.. Manuel Prado.
Upon leaving Office. the
former president was given
credit for pulling Peru out of
difficult financial straits dur
ing his six-year term. AT the
same time, political oppo-
nentS chided his adminiStra-
ton for its dictatorial lean
ings.
But the man who headed
that government would much
rather leave it up to histori-
ans to decide the exact role
and character of his regime,
Known as Dictator Odria"
Gen. Odria is acutely aware
he is known as Dictator
Odria" in some quarters. One
reason for this. he feels. was
his move to jail rabid politi-
cal opponents.
What would you do" he
asks rhetorically, with a
handful of men who. with
complete disregard for the es-
tabliShed laws. threatens the
welfare and lives of thou
sands by creating unrest?'
Gen. Odria's formal edu-
cation came from Peru's mil
itary schools. He attained the
frank of brigadier general al
an early age and resigned his
post as Minister of Govern
ment and Police several
months before the revolution
The last two years ir
Washington have given the
retired general the one thing
the presidency denied him
time to think.
1.-The many minor tasks
thrust upon national leaders
cheat them of the necessary
time to concentrate on major
problems" he complains.
Knows Washington Well
He knows Washington well
and goes shopping often. And
he obviously enjoys the ides
Of passing as an average
shopper.
Just like any citizen. he
lists his name and address
in the telephone directory
He takes delight in saying
what good neighbors he ha:
here.
Although he claims NJ
command of the English
language, Gen. Odria en-
counters little or no difficult!
while shopping. Still, he pre-
fers to speak Spanish anc
still shows preference fol
Peruvian food.
A cook from Peru prepare
strictly Peruvian food" foI
the general, his wife, one sor
and a niece. The Dictator
Of the family are our twt
grandchildren" he said iok'
ingly.
Peruvian Officials Visit Hin
Their rented house is fur
nished simply. Adjoining tn
fireplace is a handsome sill
yer tray depicting one of hi
major public works projects
1t was presented to him b,
more than, 100 farmers from
Peru last year on the da,
of his saint.
Well-known Peruvian of
ficials said old friends of tn
general call on him as sool
as they arrive in Washington
His thoughts and conver
sations, more often than not
run to Latin American pol
itics, which he readily ad
mits. are often battling.
"Our politics are polite
plagued with blind partisan
ship and full Of rivalrie
that produce bitter division
ism and excite passions to
point where the nations
welfare is forgotten"
Not of less Importance an
a result of it, he feels, is tn
lack of continuity in tn
programs of succeeding gov
oN,,Vaanfc ua coac M rho N O