Jorge Rafael Videla

Jorge Rafael Videla (2 August 1925 – 17 May 2013) was the military leader of Argentina from 1976 to 1981.

Quotes

 * As many people as necessary must die in Argentina so that the country will again be secure.
 * Videla in 1975, as quoted in Adam Bernstein (May 17 2013). "Jorge Rafael Videla, ruthless Argentine junta leader, dies at 87". The Washington Post.


 * I want to clarify that Argentine citizens are not victims of the repression. The repression is against a minority that we do not consider Argentine.
 * As quoted in Patricia Marchak (2004), Reigns of Terror, (Mcgill Queens Univ Press).


 * We consider it a great crime to work against the Western and Christian style of life: it is not just the bomber but the ideologist who is the danger.
 * As quoted in Christopher Hitchens (2010), Hitch-22: A Memoir, (Atlantic Books).


 * … yesterday’s enemies are in power and from there, they are trying to establish a Marxist regime.
 * As quoted in Alexei Barrionuevo (23 December 2010). "Argentina: Ex-Dictator Sentenced in Murders". The New York Times.


 * There was no other alternative [to the disappearances]... [Military leaders] were in agreement that it was the price that must be paid to win the war against subversion and we needed that it not be obvious so society would not realize it. It was necessary to eliminate a large group of people who could not be brought to justice nor [openly] shot either.
 * Videla in 2012, as quoted in Adam Bernstein (May 17 2013). "Jorge Rafael Videla, ruthless Argentine junta leader, dies at 87". The Washington Post.


 * The women giving birth, who I respect as mothers, were militants who were active in the machine of terror... Many used their unborn children as human shields.
 * As quoted in anon (May 17, 2013) "Former Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla dies in prison age 87". The Independent.


 * [I take] full military responsibility for the actions of the army in the war against terrorism.
 * As quoted in anon (May 18, 2013) "Argentine 'Dirty War' leader Jorge Rafael Videla dies". ABC News.


 * Let's say there were 7,000 or 8,000 people who had to die to win the war against subversion... We couldn't execute them by firing squad. Neither could we take them to court... For that reason, so as not to provoke protests inside and outside the country, the decision was reached that these people should be disappeared.
 * As quoted in anon (May 18, 2013) "Argentine 'Dirty War' leader Jorge Rafael Videla dies". ABC News.

Quotes about Videla

 * I possess a picture of [my] encounter [with Videla] that still makes me want to spew: there stands the killer and torturer and rape-profiteer, as if to illustrate some seminar on the banality of evil. Bony-thin and mediocre in appearance, with a scrubby moustache, he looks for all the world like a cretin impersonating a toothbrush.
 * Christopher Hitchens (2010), Hitch-22: A Memoir, (Atlantic Books).


 * Videla … is a manifestation of state terrorism.
 * Judge Maria Elba Martinez, as quoted in Robin Yapp (22 December 2010). "Former Argentine dictator Jorge Videla sentenced to life in prison". The Telegraph (London).


 * Videla will be remembered as the man who headed the cruelest dictatorship in Argentine history. Fortunately, the Argentine judicial system did its job and held him accountable, allowing victims of his atrocities to have access to justice.
 * José Miguel Vivanco, director of Latin America for U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, as quoted in anon (May 17, 2013). "Argentina: On the Death of Jorge Rafael Videla". Human Rights Watch.


 * Videla presided over a government that engaged in one of the most cruel repressions that we have seen in Latin America in modern times... He was arrogant to the end and unwilling to acknowledge his responsibility for the massive atrocities committed in Argentina... Many of the secrets of the repression will die with him.
 * José Miguel Vivanco, director of Latin America for U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, as quoted in anon (May 17, 2013) "Former Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla dies in prison age 87". The Independent.