| Emergencia Nacional |
2 June 2003
|
Peru's President Uses Troops on Teachers, Nurses and Farmers
For the second time since he came to power, President Alejandro Toledo of Peru has declared a state of emergency. It reminds one of a Brecht poem -- "The people have lost the faith of the government. Perhaps the government should dissolve the people and elect a new one." When military force has to be used against the population twice in two years, the government must go.
To be fair, Peru is not a wealthy country, and economies are necessary. Mr. Toledo is a Stanford-trained economist who has produced one of the highest growth rates in the region. He also presides over a nation where half the population tries to live on $2 a day. That has been his mistake. While a rising tide lifts all yachts, those in the dinghies resent it. A 2% growth rate evenly spread is preferable to a 10% growth rate for the wealthy.
On May 28, Mr. Toledo admitted that despite progress, his government has failed to improve incomes, reduce poverty or create jobs for unemployed Peruvians. What could be a clearer admission of the need for a new start. Mr. Toledo's resignation would allow for that.
That is not to say Mr. Toledo would lose a snap election necessarily (although with his approval ratings at 14%, re-election verges on science-fiction). But a mandate from Peruvians is necessary. Without that, it is only a matter of time before the military steps in. Given what that has done for a potentially wealthy country like Nigeria, Mr. Toledo's resignation would be an act of patriotism.