PERU LEADER SEEKS CONSTITUTION CHANGE ON EXECUTION

Peruvian President Alan Garcia issued a statement that he wants to change the constitution to allow a referendum on making the death penalty legal. Justice Minister Maria Zavala said the idea clashed with the country's constitution, but Peruvians broadly support the idea. Congress has to approve a referendum, a move that analysts say is unlikely. There are juridical hitches as well. Approving capital punishment would likely breach the American Convention on Human Rights, which Peru has signed. Javier Perez de Cuellar, a Peruvian former secretary-general of the United Nations, said referring to the convention that "Peru has contractual obligations that impede the death penalty."