Argentina plans Dirty War museum

The notorious building lies in a wealthy suburb of Buenos Aires

Argentina has announced that a former naval school which became a major torture centre during the country's military rule is to become a museum.

The Navy School of Mechanics in the capital Buenos Aires became a symbol of the 1976-1983 dictatorship.

The move is due to be formally announced on 24 March - the anniversary of Argentina's 1976 coup.

Up to 30,000 people are believed to have been tortured and killed in what became known as the "Dirty War".

The plan is to turn "Argentina's Auschwitz into something that preserves its memory", Human Rights Secretary Eduardo Luis Duhalde told reporters.

Former President Carlos Menem attempted to demolish the building in 1998 and to erect a memorial in its place.

But this decision was overturned after fierce opposition from victims' families.

"We are thrilled by the decision," Lila Pastoriza, a survivor from detention at the navy base, told Reuters news agency.

Amnesties

Argentina's President Nestor Kirchner was himself briefly detained under the dictatorship.

He has campaigned to lift amnesties protecting officials involved in human rights abuses since he came to office in May 2003.

Mr Kirchner has also annulled a decree that prevented the extradition of Argentines suspected of human rights crimes during the military government.

Former navy chief Emilio Eduardo Massera, who ran the navy school, has been arrested on human rights charges.

He has been accused of kidnapping the children of political opponents who were tortured to death.