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TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2002

The scandal-ridden former spy chief of Peru was considered a "valued ally" by the United States in its war on drugs, according to documents the State Department has provided to Peruvian investigators.

A Congressional committee in Peru requested the documents under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act. According to the Associated Press, one of the 38 documents describe Vladimiro Montesinos as a "valued ally" but makes note of his numerous liabilities.

Those problems surfaced when Montesinos was forced to flee Peru amid a bribery, corruption and political scandal. Videotapes he secretly made contributed to the ousting of former President Alberto Fujimori, who fled to Japan.

Montesinos was eventually recaptured and is in jail. Fujimori is wanted on various charges but Japan won't extradite him.

Voters elected Alejandro Toledo last year, the first Indian president of Peru in modern times.

Get the Story:
U.S. Viewed Montesinos Warily as 'Valued Ally' (AP 1/8)

Relevant Links:
Alberto Fujimori - http://www.fujimorialberto.com

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