President Alberto Fujimori's military-backed government has loosened its muzzle on the news media but made it clear the dissolved Congress won't be operating for at least a year.
Two days after seizing control of the government, Fujimori on Tuesday withdrew troops from some media outlets and released a journalist held since the crackdown began. But he did not ease up on his political opponents.Tanks and armored personnel carriers still surrounded Congress and the Palace of Justice Wednesday. Fujimori plans to reorganize the legislature and judiciary, which he accuses of corruption and ineffectiveness.
Other nations have pressed Fujimori to end the crackdown, and Washington has withheld tens of millions of dollars in aid.
President Bush was asked Wednesday whether he had talked with Fujimori, elected to a five-year term in 1990.
"I have no plans to call him," Bush said from Washington. "We sent him a strong message."
On Tuesday, about 1,000 construction workers held an anti-military march on the outskirts of Lima and Attorney General Pedro Mendez Jurado quit, sending a letter critical of the president to the news media.