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Menem summoned to Court.

Former Argentine president Carlos Menem has been summoned to Court next July 13th., by Federal Judge Jorge Urso, who is investigating the alleged illegal sale of Argentine arms to Ecuador and Croatia between 1991 and 1995 during Mr. Menem's administration, and for which several of his former ministers have been indicted and his brother in law jailed. Mr. Menem and his attorneys have confirmed their presence in Court. This is the first time ever a former Argentine elected president has been summoned. Former Ministers summoned or in the process of being indicted for having signed the secret decrees authorizing the arms sales, (apparently to Panama and Venezuela but later deviated to Ecuador and Croatia) include Mr. Erman González, Mr. Guido Di Tella, Mr. Oscar Camillón and former Army Chief General Martin Balza. However Domingo Cavallo, the current administration's strong man, who allegedly was also involved since he held two posts under Mr. Menem, Foreign Affairs and Economy between 1991 and 1995, so far has not been questioned. Judge Urso is acting on request of Federal Prosecutor Carlos Stornelli who said Mr. Menem could be considered the "organizer" or "head" of an "illicit organization", that under Argentine law is a very serious crime punished with several years in prison. Mr. Menem's summons has rocked the political establishment and most Peronist leaders have rallied behind the former president claiming it's politically motivated. "We're facing a political operation?the objective has nothing to do with Justice administration", said Senator Eduardo Menem, the former president's brother. "This government respects judicial decisions, so we have nothing to comment", indicated Juan Pablo Cafiero a minister from the ruling coalition. Judge Urso summons include Mr. González, May 4th., Mr. Di Tella, May 24th., and the former Army Chief General Balza, June 13th,. This week Judge Urso will also be going to Court to denounce anonymous phone death threats to his family "if the continues to insist with the arms investigation". In Congress some Peronist legislators and local leaders are proposing an inquiry into Jusge Urso's assets and belongings