Bolivia: Unwitting Betrayal

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An Integral Part. Faced with the overwhelming evidence against him and depressed over the death of Che, Debray finally changed his story and, in effect, pleaded guilty. "I want to make clear," he told the court, "that this mission of mine to tell people abroad of the aims of the guerrillas is an integral part of revolutionary work. In this sense, I not only affirm but demand that the tribunal consider me morally and politically co-responsible for the acts of my guerrilla comrades." And so it did; Bustos, his Argentine comrade, was sentenced at the same time to 30 years. After the sentencing, the Bolivian army seemed determined to close the whole Debray matter, which has become a cause celebre in France. The court's legal adviser denied permission for any appeals and, as defense attorneys rose to protest, Court President Efraín Gauchalla banged his gavel so angrily that it snapped in two, and then adjourned the court.

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