A ernup of British women marchc,d through London to the Argentine Naval Commission on the first day of the World Cup last week. They were marching in support of 300 Argentine women who gathered on the same day outside Government House in BUeli0.5 Aires to protest against the disappearance of their relatives.
Sister Mary Magdalen read a list of demands made by the women in Argentina, which include an end to the use of torture, the publication of a full list of all those who have disappeared. stating where they are held, and for international organisations such as the Red Cross to be allowed to inspect prison conditions in Argentina. :The Argentinian se/omen, many of whose husbands have been abducted by the military junta, protest constantly, often choosing Masses attended by government officials. They interrupt during the prayers and insiet: "There will be no peace until therc e just iee."
The I a :Ion protest began with Mass and svas o, eau ha Women for Argentina Ine organisers said this week that they were delighted with the number of people who had turned out for the march.
It was also notable, they said, that women on the march ranged from the most aident feminists to ordinary members of local parishes, from members of the Communist Party to rc I igioua aietei s.
The British Section of. .Amnesty International has written to clients of the London office of Burson Marstellei Ltd, the international nubile relations firm hired by the Argentine Goveenment Lu generate favourable media coverage of the' country at the time of the World Cup.
In the letter, Amnesty International informs clients of Burson Marsteller's involvement with the Argentine Government and of the severe human rights violations in that country. It goes on to urge the clients Li) use their influence with Burson Marstellei to draw attention to these problems, to the end that the public relations firires own association with the Argentine Government might he used to improve the Si I uation. • The body of Santiago MeQuire, a former priest who worked with the poor ut Argen. tina, has been found in the wreckage of a buint-out car. Mr MeQuire was abducted on April 18 and has been missing ever since. I-k is one of the thousands of Argentinians who disappear ctir. h year
Studying effects of multinationals
1he British alovertiment is to give L200,000 to a United Nations body concerned with the efleets or multinational corporations on developing countries. It will come out of aid, funds under the management of the Ministry of Overseas Development.
It will help to finance the work of the UN Centre on Transnational Corporations which is at present being paid for by the UN Development Programme and voluntary
contributions from the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.