The Big Breach - Index of

The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comwere a microcosm of the powers in Argentine society. Democracy, underRaul Alfons¡n's Radical party, was still in fragile infancy after yearsof tyrannical rule by the discredited military junta. Asrepresentatives of the imperialist `Yanquis' and `Britannicos', theother students spared us no quarter in the spirited and occasionallyfierce classroom debates. Schuyler was soon embroiled in politicalactivity, attending rallies, demonstrations and student meetings. WhenAlfons¡n's government nearly fell to a military coup on Easter Sunday,1987, we went together to the Casa Rosada to see the passionateArgentine crowds rallying to support democracy.But most days, I left Schuyler to his own activities. I wanted to startflying again and one of the Air Force officers in my class put me intouch with an instructor, Rodolfo Sieger, who operated out of SanFernando airfield, a couple of hours by `Colectivo' bus from centralBuenos Aires. A German immigrant, Sieger fought in the Luftwaffe duringthe Second World War, flying Messerschmitt Me109s in the Battle ofBritain. After the war, his own family wiped out in the Dresdenfireball, he emigrated to Argentina, becoming a civilian pilot, andretired as a senior pilot in Aerolineas Argentinas. Needing tosupplement his pension, he bought a 1930s vintage Luscombe Silvaire, asort of aerial Citroen 2CV, and set up as a flying instructor. It wasnot the safest machine in which to take the Argentine pilot's licenceexam, but it was cheap to hire and it was appealing to learn from a manwho may have been one of Flight Lieutenant Witchall's aerialadversaries.Over the next few weeks, preparing for my practical tests and theoryexams, I learned of another aspect of Rodolfo's business. At the timethere were very heavy duties on consumer electronics in Argentina,whereas in Paraguay, only a few hundred kilometres away, there werenone. There were therefore incentives to smuggle in such goods, thoughthe Argentine customs service naturally did their best to combat thistrade. Once a week, Rodolfo flew over the River Plate to a grassairstrip in Paraguay and loaded up the Luscombe with video recordersand televisions. The underpowered aircraft barely staggered into theair and Rodolfo flew back in the dark of night, skimming the waves toavoid detection by Argentine naval radar.One day we flew out to Mendoza, in the foothills of the Andes. Rodolfohad tracked down a much-needed and rare spare part for the oldaeroplane just over the border in Chile and asked me to collect it. Thetiny Luscombe was not powerful enough to fly over the Andes, so thisstage of the journey would have to be done by bus.On arrival at the isolated border crossing, nestling in the shadow ofAconcagua, it dawned on me that I had a problem. My New Zealandpassport was best for travelling in and out of Argentina as, unlike theBritish passport, it required no visa. In Chile, however, the Britishpassport was more convenient because, unlike New Zealanders, Britsneeded no visa. Rushing to pack for the trip, I had grabbed just myBritish passport.The two surly Argentine border police who boarded the bus at thecheckpoint might not overlook it, however. Realising that my NewZealand passport with its Argentine entry stamps was in my bedsidelocker in Buenos Aires, there was no option but to bluff my way overpage- 11 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com