|
|
Change Your Life! |
Peru's first daughter: the unofficial "primera dama" |
|||
|
News
|
||||
August 6, 2000
LIMA (AP) - The oldest daughter of President Alberto Fujimori long avoided Peru's often vicious political scene, devoting herself to children's causes and ceremonial occasions. But Keiko Sofia Fujimori, who became the unofficial "primera dama" during her parents' messy divorce, is emerging as a soothing voice for tolerance and negotiation amid the social turmoil accompanying the start of her authoritarian father's third term. It's a contrast to the president, who has lashed out at the opposition, contending it is only "capable of guaranteeing chaos." His daughter, a 25-year-old graduate of Boston University, has gotten a close-up taste of the contentiousness. She had to wipe tear gas from her eyes while walking beside her father in a downtown procession before his July 28 inauguration as riot police clashed a few blocks away with demonstrators irate over his victory in an election marred by irregularities and allegations of fraud. Later, she watched opposition lawmakers march out of Congress in protest during the president's swearing-in. Among them was her mother, Congresswoman Susana Higuchi, whom Fujimori publicly stripped of her "first lady" title six years ago during their divorce fight. "I was thinking how wonderful if instead of confrontation there could have been dialogue," Keiko Sofia said of the inauguration day violence, which left six people dead, more than 100 injured and a nation dangerously divided. She has been spreading that message in a series of interviews with radio, television, newspapers and magazines. "We Peruvians are tired of so much violence, and I think the time has come to debate and discuss the construction of a nation with democracy," she said in a radio interview. But she doesn't stray too far from the official government line that blames the opposition for the inauguration day riots. Opposition leaders contend their protest rally was infiltrated by National Intelligence Service agents who provoked the violence. Keiko Sofia rejects the "dictator" label pinned on her father by probably half of Peru's people. "My father always taught us to listen to constructive criticism, and when foolish words are used it is preferable not to take them into account," she told The Associated Press in an interview at the Government Palace. "He is a very tolerant man, very funny," she added. "He likes to tell jokes, especially about himself. He's loving, very strict, hardworking, stubborn, and he is an excellent father." She also expressed her belief that Fujimori's feared national security adviser, Vladimiro Montesinos, should end his 10-year reign as Peru's de facto head of the government intelligence network. "My father made an announcement that (Montesinos) could probably occupy a public post, which seems an excellent idea to me," she said. "That would mean he could be investigated to dispel many of the things that are said about him, many things which aren't true." Montesinos has been accused by Fujimori's foes of leading death squads and using dirty tricks, bribery and threats to maintain the president's control over all branches of government. "He isn't as powerful as one would imagine. The opposition has set out to demonize him," Keiko Sofia said. "One would think he is a monster, when he is a normal person, even charismatic." As the eldest of four children, Keiko Sofia took on the role of first lady in 1994 after her mother, already separated from Fujimori, accused him of tolerating widespread corruption and ignoring the needs of Peru's poor. Fujimori "fired" his wife of 22 years, saying in a televised address that Higuchi was "disloyal" as well as "unstable and easily influenced" by his political rivals. "A divorce is very painful for any family, especially if it's played out publicly, the whole world knowing, journalists commenting," Keiko Sofia said. The breakup climaxed in a full-scale political fight when Fujimori thwarted Higuchi's bid to run against him in the 1995 presidential election, pushing a law through Congress that barred his immediate relatives from seeking higher office. Their divorce became final in 1996. Keiko Sofia said she remains close to her mother, who was elected to Congress last April 9 representing the opposition Independent Moralizing Front. She said they talk on the phone daily. "I am very proud that she was elected to Congress. The political party is of no importance," the daughter said. All the Fujimori children have "learned to be tolerant and stand by both" parents, "even though they have different political ideas," she added. |
