On the trail of the former fascist dictator Augusto Pinochet

On the trail of the former fascist dictator Augusto Pinochet

Or, how to stage a coup to unlawfully take over a country from the elected leader Salvador Allende

By Lynda Carson — May 2, 2025

Becoming a Latin American-Style Dictatorship: Trump on the Brink
JUNE 8, 2020 by RONN PINEO

https://www.dsausa.org/democratic-left/becoming-a-latin-american-style-dictatorship-trump-on-the-brink/

The convicted felon President Donald J. Trump has been following in the foot steps of the former Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet, and other dictators in regards to how he has been treating people in America since he got back into office around 100 days ago. With Trump’s right-wing attacks on PBS and NPR lately, I have noticed that the PBS News Hour have been interviewing more right-wing fascists than they usually do, in an apparent capitulation to Trump’s complaints that they only interview leftists on their show.

The Death of Salvador Allende:

Reportedly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Allende , “Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens[A] (26 June 1908 – 11 September 1973) was a Chilean socialist politician[4][5] who served as the 28th president of Chile from 1970 until his death in 1973.[6] As a socialist committed to democracy,[7][8] he has been described as the first Marxist to be elected president in a liberal democracy in Latin America.[9][10][11]

Allende's involvement in Chilean politics spanned a period of nearly forty years, during which he held various positions including senator, deputy, and cabinet minister. As a life-long committed member of the Socialist Party of Chile, whose foundation he had actively contributed to, he unsuccessfully ran for the national presidency in the 1952, 1958, and 1964 elections. In 1970, he won the presidency as the candidate of the Popular Unity coalition in a close three-way race. He was elected in a run-off by Congress, as no candidate had gained a majority. In office, Allende pursued a policy he called "The Chilean Path to Socialism". The coalition government was far from unanimous. Allende said that he was committed to democracy and represented the more moderate faction of the Socialist Party, while the radical wing sought a more radical course. Instead, the Communist Party of Chile favored a gradual and cautious approach that sought cooperation with Christian democrats,[7] which proved influential for the Italian Communist Party and the Historic Compromise.[12]

As president, Allende sought to nationalize major industries, expand education, and improve the living standards of the working class. He clashed with the right-wing parties that controlled Congress and with the judiciary. On 11 September 1973, the military moved to oust Allende in a coup d'état supported by the CIA, which initially denied the allegations.[13][14] In 2000, the CIA admitted its role in the 1970 kidnapping of General René Schneider who had refused to use the army to stop Allende's inauguration.[15][16] Declassified documents released in 2023 showed that US president Richard Nixon, his national security advisor Henry Kissinger, and the United States government, which had branded Allende as a "dangerous" communist,[8] were aware of the military's plans to overthrow Allende's democratically elected government in the days before the coup d'état.[17] As troops surrounded La Moneda Palace, Allende gave his last speech vowing not to resign.[18] Later that day, Allende died by suicide in his office;[19][20][21] the exact circumstances of his death are still disputed.”

The Coup of Augusto Pinochet:

Reportedly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Pinochet , “Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte[A] (25 November 1915 – 10 December 2006) was a Chilean military officer and politician who was the dictator of Chile from 1973 to 1990. From 1973 to 1981, he was the leader of the military junta, which in 1974 declared him President of the Republic and thus the dictator of Chile;[4][5][6] in 1980, a referendum approved a new constitution confirming him in the office, after which he served as de jure president from 1981 to 1990.[7] His time in office remains the longest of any Chilean ruler.[8][B]

Augusto Pinochet rose through the ranks of the Chilean Army to become General Chief of Staff in early 1972 before being appointed its Commander-in-Chief on 23 August 1973 by President Salvador Allende.[7] On 11 September 1973, Pinochet seized power in Chile in a military coup, with the support of the United States,[9][10][11][C] that toppled Allende's democratically elected left-wing Unidad Popular government and ended civilian rule. In December 1974, the ruling military junta appointed Pinochet Supreme Head of the nation by joint decree, although without the support of one of the coup's instigators, Air Force General Gustavo Leigh.

After his rise to power, Pinochet persecuted leftists, socialists, and political critics, resulting in the executions of 1,200 to 3,200 people,[13] the internment of as many as 80,000 people, and the torture of tens of thousands.[14][15][16] According to the Chilean government, the number of executions and forced disappearances was at least 3,095.[17] Operation Condor, a U.S.-supported terror operation focusing on South America, was founded at the behest of the Pinochet regime in late November 1975.[18]

Under the influence of the free market-oriented "Chicago Boys", Pinochet's military government implemented economic liberalization following neoliberalism. This policy included currency stabilization, removal of tariff protections for local industry, the banning of trade unions, and privatization of social security and hundreds of state-owned enterprises. Some of the government properties were sold below market price to politically connected buyers, including Pinochet's son-in-law Julio Ponce Lerou.[19] The regime used censorship of entertainment as a way to reward supporters of the regime and punish opponents.[20] These policies produced high economic growth and dramatically increased economic inequality. Departing from these policies, Pinochet's government also caused the 1982 monetary crisis, and thus produced its devastating effects on the Chilean economy.[21][22] Pinochet's wealth grew considerably during his years in power through dozens of bank accounts secretly held abroad and holdings in real estate. He was later prosecuted for embezzlement, tax fraud, and kickbacks on arms deals.[23][24]

Pinochet's 17-year rule was given a legal framework through a controversial 1980 plebiscite, which approved a new constitution drafted by a government-appointed commission. In a 1988 plebiscite, 56% voted against Pinochet's continuing as president, which led to democratic elections for the presidency and Congress. After stepping down in 1990, Pinochet continued to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army until 10 March 1998, when he retired and became a senator-for-life in accordance with his 1980 Constitution. However, while in London in 1998 Pinochet was arrested under an international arrest warrant in connection with numerous human rights violations. Following a legal battle, he was released on grounds of ill-health and returned to Chile on 3 March 2000. In 2004, Chilean Judge Juan Guzmán Tapia ruled that Pinochet was medically fit to stand trial and placed him under house arrest.[7] By the time of his death on 10 December 2006, about 300 criminal charges were still pending against him in Chile for numerous human rights violations during his 17-year rule, as well as tax evasion and embezzlement during and after his rule.[25] He was also accused of having corruptly amassed at least US$28 million.”

Leaked Memos About The Chilean Coup Involving Pinochet, Supported By The United States:

According to some leaked memos about the staged coup by Augusto Pinochet that was supported by the United States, including some memos about torture, see a few leaked memos below, and some dates and names of some other memos further below…

By Lynda Carson at Newzland2 [at] gmail.com

>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
REACTION TO NEW CABINET
Date:
1973 August 10, 21:46 (Friday)

1. SUMMARY. INITIAL REACTION TO MILITARY PARTICIPATION IN
NEW CABINET (REFTEL) WAS ALONG EXPECTED LINES, BUT MOST GROUPS
ARE STILL AWAITING CLEARER DEFINITION OF REAL ROLE OF ARMED
FORCES. CUT RALLY AUG 9 UNEVENTUL. EXCEPT FOR CONTINUING
BUS AND TRUCK STRIKES, MOST OTHER GUILDS BACK TO WORK TODAY
AND STORES ARE OPEN. END SUMMARY.

2. INITIAL REACTION TO NEW CABINET ALONG GENERALLY EXPECTED LINES.
SOCIALIST SPOKESMAN SEN ERICH SCHNAKE GAVE LUKEWARM ENDORSEMENT
TO MILITARY PARTICIPATION, NOTING RESHUFFLE DOES NOT MEAN
RETROGRESSION BUT RATHER CONSOLIDATION. DEFENDING CABINET
IN SPEECH AT CUT RALLY (BELOW), ROLANDO CALDERON ARGUED
CABINET WILL RECEIVE WORKING CLASS SUPPORT TO EXTENT IT RESPECTS

PAGE 02

UP PROGRAM AND ACTS AGAINST "FASCISTS." COMMUNIST SECGEN
SEN LUIS CORVALAN STRESSED NEED FOR STRONG CABINET TO STOP
TERRORIST ATTEMPTS. GARRETON ACTION OF MAPU ISSUED SHARP
STATEMENT ADAMANTLY OPPOSING MILITARY IN CABINET AS "UNACCEPTABLE
CONCILIATION." NATIONAL PARTY, SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (EX-PIR),
AND DEMOCRATIC RADICALS ALL ISSUED STATEMENTS EXPRESSING SHOCK
AND OUTRAGE THAT ARMED FORCES WERE LETTING THEMSELVES BE
USED AGAIN BY MARXIST GOVT. CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT SPOKESMAN
DEP EDUARDO CERDA TERMED CABINET "A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD"
BUT ADDED THAT MANY ADDITIONAL STEPS REMAIN TO BE TAKEN. PDC
SEN RENAN FUENTEALBA DESCRIBED NEW CABINET AS "POSITIVE" AND
HOPEFUL." PDC SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED OFFICIAL STATEMENT NOTING NEW
CABINET, AS SUCH, DID NOT PROVIDE NECESSARY GUARANTEES TO
REESTABLISH ORDER AND THAT SUBSEQUENT POLICY DECISIONS WILL
BE DECIDING FACTOR. FORM THE UNDERGROUND, PATRIA Y LIBERTAD
ANNOUNCED IT IS SUSPENDING TERRORIST ACTIONS AND DEMANDED CLEAR
STATEMENT OF MILITARY INTENTIONS.

3. NEXT RANKING OFFICERS IN ARMY, NAVY, AND AIR FORCE
BECAME ACTING CINCS. THEY ARE, RESPECTIVELY, GEN AUGUSTO
PINOCHET UGARTE, ADM JOSE TORIBIO MERINO CASTRO, AND
GEN GUSTAVO LEIGH GUZMAN. NO NEW APPOINTMENTS TO SECONDARY
GOVT POSTS YET ANNOUNCED.

4. CUT RALLY LATE AFTERNOON AUG 9 WAS TRANQUIL. CROWD OF
SOME 40-50,000 HEARD CUT PRES LUIS FIGUEROA DENOUNCE
GUILD STRKES AS PART OF "FASCIST GOLPE PLAN" WHICH MUST BE
STOPPED, AND CUT SECGEN ROLANDO CALDERON CALL FOR GREATER
INTEGRATION OF INDUSTRIAL BELTS (CORDONES) WITH CUT. ALLENDE
DID NOT APPEAR. AT LEAST TWO EXTREME LEFT GROUPS, GARRETONS'S
MAPU AND REVOLUTIONARY COMMUNIST PARTY (PCR), PASSED
OUT PAMPHLETS DENOUNCING MILITARY ARMS RAIDS AND DEMANDING
MORE AUTHORITY FOR "PEOPLES' POWER" GROUPS. SMALLER CUT
RALLIES WERE HELD IN MANY PROVINCIAL CAPITALS.

5. AS EXPECTED, OPPOSITION-ORIENTED MERCHANTS CLOSED AT MID-
DAY AND SEVERAL PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, NOTABLY DOCTORS AND DENTISTS,
STAGED ALL-DAY WORK STOPPAGE. STORES AND PROFESSIONALS ARE
BACK TO WORK TODAY. BUS STRIKE SOMEWHAT MORE INTENSE, HOWEVER,
AS DRIVERS CONTINUED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT LACK OF SECURITY AND
INTENSIFIED GASOLINE SHORTAGES. GOVT BUS CZAR GEN HERNAN

PAGE 03

BRADY ANNOUNCED ADDITIONAL POLICE PROTECTION FOR OPERATING BUSES
WILL BE PROVIDED. TRUCKERS' STRIKE CONTINUES UNABATED, AND NEW
MININTERIOR LETELIER ANNOUNCED GOVT WILL REFUSE ANY TALKS WITH
TRUCKERS UNTIL THEY RESUME WORK.

6 ON SUBVERSION/TERRORISM FRONT,NAVY NNOUNCED IT HAD DETECTED
ADDITIONAL EXTREME LEFT SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES CENTERED AT
ASMAR NAVAL SHIPYARD IN TALCAHUANO, AND OPPOSITION PRESS
REPORTS THE DISCOVERY OF ANOTHER SUBVERSIVE GROUP AT THE
NAVY ENGINEERING SCHOOL IN VINA DEL MAR (USDAO SANTIAGO 520
DTG 102100Z AUG 73) POLICE ARRESTED EIGHT MEMBERS OF
ALLEGEDLY RIGHTIST TERROR GROUP IN VINA DEL MAR; GROUP WAS
ARMED AND HAS REPORTEDLY ADMITTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR VARIOUS
EXPLOSIONS IN VALPARAISO AREA. SCATTERED DYNAMITE EXPLOSIONS
AND OTHER INCIDENTS CONTINUED. IN PRESS CONFERENCE PRIOR TO
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW CABINET, RADICAL PARTY PRES SEN ANSELMA
SULE CALLED FOR IMPOSITION OF STATE OF SEIGE, A MOVE WHICH WOULD
HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY CONGRESS, IN VIEW OF TERRORIST SITUATION.
SULE ALSO ENDORSED AMENDMENT OF ARMS CONTROL LAW.

7. COMMENT: IMPORT OF MILITARY PARTICIPATION IN CABINET
HAS NOT YET BEEN DIGESTED BY KEY GROUPS ON POLITICAL SCENE,
MOST OF WHOM ARE AWAITING CLEAR INDICATION OF WHAT ROLE
ARMED FORCES WILL HAVE IN GOVT AND HOW MUCH REAL POWER
THEY WILL EXPERCISE. EMBASSY SOURCE TOLD US ALLENDE,
WITH HELP OF PS SEN ANICETO RODRIGUEZ, WAS WORKING UP TO
LAST MINUTE TO RETAIN FORMER MININTERIOR CARLOS BRIONES IN
CABINET, BUT THAT ADAMANT OPPOSITION FROM ALTAMIRANO FACTION
FINALLY PREVAILED. OTHER SOURCE, CLOSE TO PS, TOLD US
POSSIBILITY OF PS SPLIT IS CLOSER TO REALITY NOW THAN BEFORE,
BUT EVEN SO HE DECLINED TO PREDICT SUCH A SPLIT WOULD ACTUALLY
OCCUR.

DAVIS


>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
CHILEAN MILITARY UPRISING
Date:
1973 September 11, 14:05 (Tuesday)

DEPT PLS PASS INFO ALL ARA EMBASSIES

THE FOLLOWING IS UNOFFICIAL EMBASSY TRANSLATION OF PROCLAMATION
ISSUED BY "MILITARY JUNTA OF GOVT": QUOTE DUE TO THE EXTREMELY
GRAVE ECONOMIC CRISIS, TO THE INABILITY OF THE GOVT TO TAKE
MEASURES TO CORRECT THE CHAOS THROUGH WHICH THE COUNTRY
IS PRESENTLY PASSING, AND TO THE CONTINUAL FORMATION OF PARAMILITARY
GROUPS ORGANIZED BY PARTIES SUPPORTING THE PRESENT GOVT, THE
ARMED FORCES DECLARE:

(1) THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC SHOULD IMMEDIATELY PROCEED
TO HAND OVER HIS POSITION TO THE ARMED FORCES AND TO THE CARABINEROS
OF CHILE.

(2) THE ARMED FORCES AND CARABINEROS ARE UNITED IN THIS
STRUGGLE TO LIBERATE THE FATHERLAND FROM THE MARXIST REGIME.

PAGE 02


(3) THE WORKERS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WILL SUFFER
NO HARM IN REGARD TO THEIR ECONOMIC CONQUESTS AND REMUNERATIONS.

(4) THE PRESS, RADIO AND TV IN FAVOR OF THE UP MUST
SUSPEND THEIR TRANSMISSIONS IMMEDIATELY, OR THEY WILL SUFFER
PUNISHMENT FROM THE AIR AND LAND.

(5) THE PEOPLE OF SANTIAGO SHOULD REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES
TO AVOID BECOMING INNOCENT VICTIMS.

(SIGNED)
MILITARY JUNTA OF GOVT
AUGUSTO PINOCHET (ARMY)
JOSE TORIBIO MERINO (NAVY)
GUSTAVO LEIGH (AIR FORCE)
CESAR MENDOZE (DIRECTOR GENERUL CARABINEROS)

SANTIAGO, SEPT 11, 1973. UNQUOTE.

DAVIS

>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
CHILEAN MILITARY OUSTS ALLENDE: SITUATION REPORT 2000 EDT
Date:
1973 September 13, 01:10 (Thursday)

BEGIN FYI

SUMMARY: CONCERTED ACTION BY CHILEAN MILITARY LEADERS,
TRIGGERED BY NAVAL TAKEOVER OF VALPARAISO AT DAWN
SEPT 11, APPEARS TO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME LIMITED
RESISTANCE BY ELEMENTS LOYAL TO PRESIDENT ALLENDE'S LEFTIST
COALITION. ALLENDE PUBLICLY DEFIED MILITARY ULTIMATUM
FROM WITHIN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, WHICH THEREUPON CAME UNDER
PROTRACTED BOMBARDMENT FROM TANKS AND PLANES. PALACE
REPORTEDLY SURRENDERED AT MID-AFTERNOON AND WITH IT, NEW
JUNTA CLAIMS, ALL ORGANIZED RESISTANCE COLLAPSED. COUCHING
STATEMENTS IN ANTI-MARXIST VEIN, JUNTA HAD DECLARED ITS

PAGE 02

ACTION WAS COMPELLED BY ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHAOS.
ALLENDE'S PERSONAL SITUATION IS STILL UNCLEAR WITH SOME
UNOFFICIAL REPORTS OF HIS DEATH. END SUMMARY

1. EARLY MORNING SEPTEMBER 11, NAVAL UNITS IN PRINCIPAL
PORT OF VALPARAISO REBELLED AND TOOK OVER CITY. SOONAFTER
A MILITARY JUNTA, COMPRISING NAVY CHIEF JOSE MERINO, ARMY
CHIEF AUGUSTO PINOCHET, AIR FORCE CHIEF GUSTAVO LEIGH, AND
ACTING NATIONAL POLICE DIRECTOR CESAR MENDOZA, DEMANDED
ALLENDE'S RESIGNATION. MILITARY UNITS PROMPTLY SEIZED MOST
PRO-ALLENDE RADIO STATIONS AND SET UP A MILITARY NETWORK.

HEAVY FIRING AND EXPLOSIONS ENSUED IN THE HEART OF SANTIAGO
AS WELL AS BUZZING BY AIR FORCE PLANES. PRO ALLENDE
CHILEAN LABOR CONFEDERATION (CUT) CALLED ON WORKERS TO
SEIZE FACTORIES BUT REFRAINED FROM APPEAL TO TAKE TO
STREETS. ROOFTOP SNIPING, PRESUMABLY BY ALLENDE SUPPORT-
ERS, CONTINUED SPORADICALLY FOR MUCH OF THE DAY. SINCE
EARLY AFTERNOON, MILITARY RADIO NETWORK HAS CLAIMED THAT
ENTIRE COUNTRY IS UNDER MILITARY CONTROL.

2. PRESIDENT ALLENDE DEFIED A MILITARY ULTIMATUM TO
SURRENDER AND VOWED HE WOULD REMAIN IN PRESIDENTIAL
PALACE. HE INSTRUCTED HIS SUPPORTERS TO "DEFEND" THEM-
SELVES BUT NOT TO TAKE UNNECESSARY RISKS. IN SAME
PUBLIC STATEMENT, ALLENDE CHARGED THAT COUP MOVEMENT
WAS INSPIRED BY "FOREIGN CAPITAL AND IMPERIALISM".

3. MILITARY JUNTA HAS CALLED ITS INTERVENTION NECESSARY
TO LIBERATE COUNTRY FROM MARXISM. IT HAS POINTED TO
COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC CRISIS, ALLENDE'S INABILITY TO KEEP
ORDER AND GROWTH OF PARA-MILITARY GROUPS. MILITARY IS
CONTINUING TO OFFER PUBLIC REASSURANCE TO WORKING CLASS
THAT IT WILL NOT SUFFER ECONOMICALLY.

4. SHORTLY AFTER MID-DAY, CHILEAN MILITARY ANNOUNCED THAT
TROOPS HAD SUCCEEDED IN FORCING THEIR WAY INTO
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WHICH HAD BEEN SOFTENEDUP BY A TANK
BOMBARDMENT AND STRAFING BY AIRCRAFT. PRESIDENTIAL
PALACE REPORTEDLY SURRENDERED AT MID-AFTERNOON, PUTTING
END TO WHAT LITTLE ORGANIZED RESISTANCE THERE HAD BEEN.
JUNTA HAS WARNED THAT ANY FURTHER RESISTANCE WILL BE

PAGE 03

CRUSHED. ABSOLUTE CURFEW HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED BEGINNING
1800 HOURS.

5. ARMED FORCES RADIO NETWORK HAS BROADCAST STATEMENT OF
INTENTION TO RESTORE INSTITUTIONAL NORMALITY, TO HELP
CHILE RECOVER FROM ECONOMIC CRISIS, VIOLENCE AND
POSSIBILITY OF CIVIL WAR AND TO PROTECT WORKING CLASS'
SOCIAL GAINS. ONE OF JUNTA'S EDICTS DEMANDS THAT LONG
LIST OF MIR AND POPULAR UNITY LEADERS, INCLUDING FORMER
CABINET MEMBERS AND PARTY OFFICIALS, TURN THEMSELVES IN
OR FACE UNSPECIFIED CONSEQUENCES.

6. JUNTA STATEMENT ANNOUNCING END OF RESISTANCE AT
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE DOES NOT MENTION PRESIDENT ALLENDE.
SOME WIRE SERVICES REPORT RUMOR HE IS IN ONE OR ANOTHER
LATIN AMERICAN EMBASSY, BUT THERE ARE ALSO UNCONFIRMED
STORIES CIRCULATING THAT PRESIDENT MAY BE DEAD.

7. THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF INJURY TO AMERICA CITIZENS.
END FYI. RUSH

UNQUOTE. RUSH

>>>>>>>
JUNTA AND CABINET SWORN IN
Date:
1973 September 13, 03:22 (Thursday)

IN CEREMONEY AT MILITARY ACADEMY, BROACAST OVER ARMED FORCES
RADIO NETWORK AT 2150, THE FOUR SERVICE CHIEFS FORMALLY TOOK OATH
OF OFFICE AS GOVERNING JUNTA, WITH GENERAL PINOCHET AS ITS PRESIDENT.
CABINET WAS FORMED AND SWORN IN AS FOLLOWS:

INTERIOR - M/GEN OSCAR BONILLA BRADNOVIC - ARMY
FOREIGN RELATIONS - R/ADM ISMAEL HUERTA DIAZ - NAVY
ECONOMY - M/GDN ROLANDO GONZALEZ ACEVADO - ARMY
FINANCE - R/ADM LORENZO ORTUZAR
EDUCATION - JOSE NAVARRO TOVAR - CIVILIAN
JUSTICE - GONZALO PRIOETO GANDARA - CIVILIAN
NATIONAL DEFENSE - V/ADM PATRICIO CARVAJAL PRADO - NAVY
PUBLIC WORKS - B/GEN SERGIO FIGUEROA GUTIERREZ - AIR FORCE
AGRICULTURA - COL (R) SERGIO CRESPO MONTERO - AIR FORCE
LANDS - GEN (R) DIEGO PARRA VALDES - CARABINERO
LABOR - GEN MARIO MACKAY JARAQUEMADA - CARABINERO
PUBLIC HEALTH - COL ALBERTO SPOERER COVARRUBIAS - AIR FORCE
MINING - GEN ARTURO YOVANE ZUNIGA - CARABINERO

PAGE 02

HOUSING - B/GEN ARTURO VIVERO AVILA - ARMY
SECGENERAL GOVT - COL PEDRO EWING HODAR - ARMY
ALSO TAKING PART IN CEREMONY AS UNDER SEC INTERIOR: LT COL
ENRIQUE MONTERO MARX - AIR FORCE.

DAVIS


>>>>>>>
RELATIONS WITH NEW CHILEAN GOVERNMENT
Date:
1973 September 13, 04:13 (Thursday)

AT 11:30 PM SEPT 12 NOTE DATED SEPT 12 DELIVERED AT GATE EMBASSY
RESIDENCE OF WHICH FOLLOWING IS INFORMAL TRANSLATION:
"THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS PRESENTS ITS COMPLIMENTS
TO THE EMBASSY OF THE USA AND HAS THE HONOR TO ADVISE IT THAT,
AS OF YESTERDAY, A MILITARY COUNCIL HAS TAKEN CHARGE OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC FORMED BY THE CINC OF THE ARMY
GEN AUGUSTO PINOCHET, THE CINC OF THE NAVY ADM JOSE TORIBIO
MORENO, THE CINC OF THE AIRFORCE GEN GUSTAVO LEIGH AND THE
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CARABINEROS GEN CESAR MENDOZA.

"THIS COUNCIL, WHICH EXERCISES ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER THE NATIONAL
TERRITORY IN WHICH PUBLIC ORDER IS BEING MAINTAINED UNCHANGED,
WILL CONTINUE THE TRADITIONAL FOREIGN POLICY OF CHILE AND, VERY
ESPECIALLY, WILL RESPECT ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS.

"THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS ASKS THE EMBASSY OF THE USA
TO TRANSMIT THE FOREGOING TO ITS GOVERNMENT, WITH WHICH
THE GOVERNMENT OF CHILE DESIRES TO MAINTAIN THE BEST POSSIBLE
RELATIONS OF FREINDSHIP, AND TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REITERATE

PAGE 02

ASSURANCES OF ITS HIGHEST AND MOST DISTINGUISHED CONSIDERATION."

DAVIS


>>>>>>>
CHILEAN DEVELOPMENTS AS OF SEPT. 14
Date:
1973 September 15, 17:23 (Saturday)

FYI FOR AMBASSADOR

1. SUMMARY. MILITARY CONTINUES MEET SOME RESISTANCE, BUT
ATMOSPHERE APPEARS TO BE NORMALIZING AT FASTER PACE.
ARMY'S GENERAL PINOCHET BECAME NEW PRESIDENT AND LARGELY
MILITARY CABINET NOW SWORN IN. DESPITE MILITARY RETI-
CENCE ON FUTURE ELECTIONS, MAJOR NON-MARXIST PARTIES HAVE
EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT TO JUNTA. JUNTA'S ALTERCATION
WITH CUBA WILL GO TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL. INTERNATIONAL-

PAGE 02

LY, COUP HAS BEEN WIDELY CONDEMNED, BUT THREE LATIN
GOVERNMENTS HAVE ANNOUNCED CONTINUANCE OF RELATIONS. END
SUMMARY.

2. FOURTH DAY OF MILITARY CONTROL WITNESSED VISIBLY
MORE RELAXED ATMOSPHERE IN SANTIAGO. MANY VENTURED INTO
STREETS DURING DAYLIGHT BREAK IN CURFEW, INCLUDING SOME
"SIGHTSEERS" AMONG PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND FACTORIES WHICH
BORE BRUNT OF PREVIOUS DAYS' FIGHTING. PASSENGER TRAINS
REPORTED NOW REACHING SANTIAGO, HIGHWAY TO VALPARAISO
OPEN AND BANKS SET TO REOPEN AFTER WEEKEND. INTERNATION-
AL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES ARE BECOMING AVAILABLE


TO DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND ACCREDITED NEWSMEN, ALTHOUGH
NEWS DESPATCHES ARE BEING MONITORED. INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS NOT EXPECTED TO RESUME UNTIL NEXT WEEK, AND
BORDERS REMAIN CLOSED.

3. NOTWITHSTANDING PROGRESSIVE SIGNS OF NORMALIZATION,
EMBASSY SANTIAGO CONTINUES TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF MILITARY
ACTIONS (INCLUDING AIR ASSAULTS) AGAINST INTRANSIGENTS
IN LOW-INCOME HOUSING AREAS. SPORADIC FIRING WAS STILL
AUDIBLE IN DOWNTOWN AREA.

4. EL MERCURIO, ONE OF TWO ANTI-MARXIST PAPERS PERMITTED
TO PUBLISH, CARRIED FIRST OFFICIAL CASUALTY LIST--16.
ESTIMATES VARY WIDELY, BUT ALL CONCEDE THEY HAVE BEEN
HEAVY, AS "PACIFICATION" PROCEEDS.

5. GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET, ARMY REPRESENTATIVE ON
FOUR-SERVICE JUNTA, WAS SWORN IN AS JUNTA PRESIDENT
SEPT. 12 ALONG WITH NEW, OVERWHELMINGLY MILITARY, CABINET.

6. MAJOR NON-MARXIST PARTIES HAVE ISSUED STATEMENTS
SUPPORTING JUNTA. PREDICTABLY, CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS'
ENDORSEMENT PROVED MORE CAUTIOUS THAN THAT OF CONSERVATIVE
NATIONAL PARTY.

7. CARDINAL SILVA HAS ISSUED CALL TO RESPECT FALLEN,

PAGE 03

ESPECIALLY ALLENDE, AND FOR MODERATION BY VICTORS. HE
HOPED FOR COOPERATION OF ALL TO RESTORE ECONOMIC LIFE
AND CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER. JUNTA HAS OFFERED NO TIMETABLE
FOR ITS MANDATE. NEW FONMIN, ADM. ISMAEL HUERTA, HAS
SIMPLY OBSERVED THAT MILITARY INTERVENTION WOULD LAST AS
LONG AS NECESSARY.

8. JUNTA HAS GIVEN PRIORITY TO REGULARIZING DISTRIBUTION
OF PROGRESSIVELY MORE SCANTY FOOD SUPPLIES. AS CONTEM-
PLATED, NEW SYSTEM WOULD EMPHASIZE RETAIL RATHER THAN
THE QUASI-POLITICAL OUTLETS ESTABLISHED UNDER ALLENDE.
THIS WAS A MAJOR MIDDLE CLASS AND PRIVATE SECTOR GRIEVANCE
AGAINST ALLENDE GOVERNMENT.

9. INTERNATIONALLY, JUNTA FORMALLY BROKE RELATIONS WITH
CUBA. UN SECURITY COUNCIL IS SET SEPT. 17 TO HEAR CUBAN
COMPLAINTS OF CHILEAN ATTACKS AGAINST ITS EMBASSY AND ONE
OF ITS FREIGHTERS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE INDICATIONS
THAT JUNTA IS FOR TIME BEING CONFINING AT LEAST SOME
COMMUNIST MISSIONS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CHANCERIES. BE


THAT AS IT MAY, NEW REGIME IS REPORTEDLY CONCERNED OVER
ADVERSE REACTION TO COUP IN MANY COUNTRIES. SO FAR
THREE NATIONS--BRAZIL, GUATEMALA AND URUGUAY--HAVE
RECOGNIZED. BRAZIL IS ALSO SENDING MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

RUSH

>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
HUMAN RIGHTS: COMMENT ON CONVERSATION BETWEEN SECRETARY SHULTZ AND PRESIDENT PINOCHET
Date:
1974 April 4, 18:32 (Thursday)

1. SECRETARY SHULTZ GAVE US MOST HELPFUL ASSIST IN OUR
EFFORTS TO CARRY OUT DEPARTMENT'S INSTRUCTIONS IN STATE
64524 AND STATE 62450. FROM MENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE
IN GENERAL PINOCHET'S SPEECH TO INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT
BANK DELEGATES APRIL 1 (SEPTEL), AND FROM INTRODUCTION OF
SUBJECT INTO SHULTZ-PINOCHET CONVERSATION BY THE GENERAL
AT THE OUTSET, WE DEDUCE THAT JUNTA MAY HAVE BECOME AWARE
OF HARMFUL POTENTIAL OF WIDESPREAD US AND OTHER FOREIGN
CRITICISM RE TRIALS, ETC. SECRETARY SHULTZ'S REMARKS,
KEYED TO REACTIONS OF VISITING US CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION,
SEEMED PERFECTLY IN POINT AND WERE ACCEPTED BY GENERAL
PINOCHET WITH VERY GOOD GRACE.

2. PINOCHET'S STATEMENT THAT TRIALS WILL BEGIN IN APRIL
IS SIGNIFICANT. IT MAY MEAN THAT TRIALS WILL BE GOING ON AT
MOMENT WHEN FOREIGN AID HEARINGS, WHICH WE UNDERSTAND ARE NOW
SCHEDULED TO BEGIN APRIL 22, ARE UNDER WAY. THIS COULD HAVE
UNFORTUNATE SHORT-TERM RESULTS, BUT I QUESTION WHETHER WE
CAN BE PUT IN POSITION OF ADVISING CHILEANS RE TIMING OF
THEIR JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. WE CAN LEGITIMATELY CONTINUE
TO URGE UPON THEM THE UTILITY OF AFFORDING AS FAR AS POSSIBLE

PAGE 02

GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS TO THE ACCUSED,
SUCH AS ADEQUATE TIME FOR DEFENSE COUNSEL TO PREPARE CASES,
PUBLIC TRIALS WHERE POSSIBLE, AND RIGHT OF APPEAL.

3. IN THIS REGARD, CHILEANS MAKE MUCH OF ASSERTION THAT
TRIALS WILL BE CONDUCTED STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHILEAN
LAW. THIS IS TRUE, BUT PROBLEM IS THAT AS JUNTA PROLONGS,
MONTH AFTER MONTH, LEGAL STATE OF WAR FOR WHICH CHILE'S
CONSTITUTION PROVIDES, IT BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO
JUSTIFY UNDER THIS PROVISION LENGTHY DETENTION OF PRISONERS
IN DISTANT CAMPS WITHOUT CHARGES, AND SUBJECT TO DISABILITIES
INDICATED ABOVE. PUBLIC RELATIONS PROBLEM IS THUS NOT ONE
OF LEGALITY OF TRIALS FROM CHILEAN DOMESTIC STANDPOINT, BUT
OF LEGITIMACY OF CHILEAN CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS AS
INTERPRETED BY JUNTA, IN LIGHT OF BROADLY ACCEPTED HUMAN
RIGHTS TANDARDS.

4. IN MAKING THEIR JUGMENTS ON THIS MATTER, OUTSIDERS ARE
PRONE TO DISREGARD SENSE OF DANGER FROM INTERNATIONALLY
SUPPORTED LEFIIST CONSPIRATORS IN THIS COUNTRY, WHICH JUNTA
DEEPLY FEELS. IN ONE RESPECT, NUB OF PROBLEM IS THAT JUNTA'S
MEASURES APPEAR TO GO BEYOND WHAT IS REASONABLY NECESSARY
FOR INTERNAL SECURITY PURPOSES. HOWEVER, IT MUST BE RECOGNIZED
THAT EVEN IF JUNTA MODERATES ITS IRON-HANDED TREATMENT OF
OFFENDERS, THERE WILL STILL REMAIN A TENDENCY, SPARKED FROM
THE LEFT, TO CRITICIZE ANY SPECIAL SECURITY MEASURES AT
ALL AS UNJUSTIFIED.

5. PINOCHET'S REFERENCE TO LETTER FROM EX-AMBASSADOR TO US
ORLANDO LETELIER IS WEAK BASIS FOR CHILEAN POSITION. AS
INDICATED SEPTEL, LETTER DISCUSSES WHAT RESEMBLES "GUN NUT"
TRANSACTION RATHER THAN SUBVERSIVE ARMS SHIPMENT.

6. I WILL BE SEEING FOREIGN MINISTER HUERTA APRIL 4 AND
PLAN TO RAISE SUBJECT OF TRIALS WITH HIM. DEPENDING ON
RESULTS, MAY ALSO REFER TO IT IN MEETING WITH JUNTA MEMBER
ADMIRAL MERINO I AM ARRANGING EARLY NEXT WEEK.

POPPER


>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
HUMAN RIGHTS: PINOCHET REPLIES TO KENNEDY
Date:
1974 June 26, 21:55 (Wednesday)


1. A FON MINISTRY BUREAU CHIEF TOLD EMBOFF JUNE 25 THAT MINISTRY
HAS RECEIVED COPY OF LETTER SENT IN LAST FEW DAYS BY GENERAL
PINOCHET IN RESPONSE TO LETTER HE HAD RECEIVED FROM SENATOR
KENNEDY ON HUMAN RIGHTS MATTERS. HE DESCRIBED REPLY AS TOUGH
ONE AND KENNEDY'S AS EQUALLY TOUGH, SAYING HE HAD NO INFORMATION
HOW EITHER LETTER TRANSMITTED. NEITHER DID HE HAVE ANY IDEA
WHO DRAFTED REPLY EXCEPT THAT IT NOT DRAFTED IN OR CLEARED BY
MINISTRY AND THAT HE PRESUMED AUTHOR WAS "SOMEONE IN DIEGO
PORTALES BUILDING." SOURCE SAID PINOCHET REPLY CONCLUDES TO
EFFECT THAT SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY KENNEDY AMOUNT TO WHAT IS
UNDERSTOOD ABROAD AS "AMERICAN IMPERIALISM."

2. DEPT WILL RECALL THAT PINOCHET TOLD ME HE HAD LETTER
FROM SENATOR AND WOULD REPLY IN KIND (PARA 9 REFTEL).

POPPER


>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
JACK ANDERSON ARTICLE ALLEGING TORTURE OF AMCIT
Date:
1974 November 27, 17:09 (Wednesday)


1. JACK ANDERSON COLUMN APPEARING IN NOVEMBER 27
WASHINGTON POST ALLEGES THAT MS. AMY CONGER WAS TORTURED
BY CHILEAN AIR FORCE OFFICERS DURING HER DETENTION IN
OCTOBER. DEPARTMENT REQUESTS EMBASSY RELAY CONTENTS OF
ANDERSON COLUMN TO APPROPRIATE CHILEAN AUTHORITIES AND
REQUEST INVESTIGATION OF MS. CONGER'S
CHARGES.

2. TEXT OF ARTICLE FOLLOWS:
QUOTE: U.S. WOMAN DETAILS CHILE TORTURE. BY JACK ANDERSON.

PAGE 02

QUOTE: WITHOUT A MURMUR OF FORMAL PROTEST FROM THE UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT, AN ATTRACTIVE, 31-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN ART
TEACHER WAS BRUTALLY TORTURED LAST MONTH BY CHILEAN AIR
FORCE OFFICERS IN AN INSECT-INFESTED PRISON.

QUOTE: THE YOUNG UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTOR WAS THREATENED WITH
DEATH, FORCED TO RIDE WITH BREASTS BARED THROUGH THE STREETS
AND THROWN ON A BED WHERE SHE WAS MENACED WITH RAPE. SHE
WAS SUBJECTED TO OBSCENE QUESTIONING CATAPULTED DOWN STAIRS
WHILE BLINDFOLDED, DEPRIVED OF WATER, DENIED SLEEP AND
FORCED TO STAND UNTIL SHE ALMOST COLLAPSED.

QUOTE: WHEN 13 DAYS OF THIS TREATMENT FAILED TO DRAW
A FALSE CONFESSION FROM HER, THE "OFFICERS AND GENTLEMEN"
OF CHILE'S AIR FORCE TOLD HER SHE WAS BEING TAKEN TO AN
INFAMOUS TORTURE CENTER WHERE PRISONERS WERE KNOWN TO
HAVE BEEN GIVEN ELECTRODE SHOCKS ON THE MOST SENSITIVE
PARTS OF THEIR BODIES, STRETCHED ON RACKS AND IMMERSED IN
HUMAN EXCREMENT.

QUOTE: FACED WITH A JOURNEY FROM WHICH SHE MIGHT NOT
RETURN, SHE FINALLY BROKE AND SIGNED A PREPARED PACK OF
LIES ON OCT. 24.

QUOTE: THE CHILEAN JUNTA LEADER, GEN. AUGUSTO PINOCHET,
HAS ASSURED THE WORLD THAT TORTURE NO LONGER EXISTS IN
CHILE. YET THIS INCREDIBLE STORY OF TORTUREBY A REGIME
NOW SEEKING $85 MILLION A YEAR IN U.S. AID, HAS BEEN
SWORN TO BY AMY CONGER, NOW IN CHICAGO.

QUOTE: EXCEPT FOR A PARTIALLY PARALYZED THUMB, THE ART
HISTORY TEACHER, WHOSE SPECIALTY IS THE GENTLE 15TH
CENTURY PAINTING SCHOOL OF FRA ANGELICO,APPEARS TO BE
RECOVERING.

QUOTE: IN LONG TALKS WITH MY ASSOCIATE, LES WHITTEN, AND
IN EXTENSIVE AFFIDAVITS, SHE HAS SPOKEN ELOQUENTLY OF HER
AGONY.

QUOTE: "I WAS BRUTALLY ARRESTED OCT. 11 ABOUT 7 P.M. BY
FOUR MEN IN STREET CLOTHES WITH SUBMACHINE GUNS," ONE

PAGE 03 STATE 261700

AFFIDAVIT STATES. SHE WAS TOLD SHE MIGHT BE KILLED, THEN
WAS "TIGHTLY HANDCUFFED AND LITERALLY THROWN IN A CAR."

QUOTE: DURING THE RIDE, ONE OF THE OFFICERS PULLED HER
SWEATER OVER HER HEAD. "NEEDLESS TO SAY I
FELT CONSPICUOUS PASSING THROUGH THE CITY BARE-BREASTED,"
SHE SAID.

QUOTE: ALTHOUGH SHE WAS BLINDFOLDED THROUGHOUT MUCH OF
HER 13-DAY INTERROGATION, SHE WAS ABLE TO LEARN THAT
"SEVERAL OF THESE AIR FORCE OFFICERS HAD STUDIED IN THE
UNITED STATES." SHE IDENTIFIED TWO OF THEM AS A "LT. COL
CEBALOS" AND A "COL. HORACIO IBAIZA." CEBALLOS SPOKE
EXCELLENT COLLOQUIAL ENGLISH, SHE SAID.

QUOTE: HER RELENTLESS QUESTIONERS SOUGHT TO WRENCH FROM
HER A CONFESSION THAT SHE KNEW "UNDESIRABLE" CHILEANS.

THIS, SHE SAID, COULD REFER TO ALMOST ANY OF THE 44 PER
CENT OF CHILEANS WHO HAD SUPPORTED THE LATE CHILEAN
MARXIST PRESIDENT, SALVADOR ALLENDE.

QUOTE: "THEY THREATENED ME WITH RAPE AND TO SEND ME TO
THE DIRECCION DE INTELIGENCIA NACIONAL, A MILITARY GROUP
SPECIALIZING IN BRUTE PHYSICAL TORTURE, PARTICULARLY
ELECTRIC SHOCK, THE RACK, CHOKING OR DROWNING IN EX-
CREMENT."

QUOTE: AT ONE POINT, SHE WAS LED BLINDFOLDED TO THE HEAD
OF A STAIRS. SHE PLUNGED DOWN 10 STEPS AND THEREAFTER WAS
IN FEAR WHENEVER SHE WAS BEING LED BLINDFOLDED THROUGH
THE CORRIDORS OF THE ACADEMIA DE GUERRA PRISON.

QUOTE: "I STOOD FOR HOURS AND HOURS AGAINST A WALL,"
SHE ATTESTED. "THEY GAVE ME TWO CUPS OF WATER EACH DAY
TO DRINK, 900 CALORIES OF FOOD, A PERFECT STARVATION
DIET.

QUOTE: "THE BATHROOM HAD RUNNING WATER FOR ONLY ABOUT
15 MINUTES A DAY TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF ABOUT 60 PRISONERS.
THE UNFLUSHABLE TOILETS WERE TEEMING WITH FLIES AND

PAGE 04

BRIMMING WITH GREAT QUANITIES OF BLOOD AND EXCREMENT.

QUOTE: "THE THREE STALLS WERE CALF HIGH WITH NEWSPAPER
WHICH HAD SERVED AS TOILET PAPERS," SHE SWORE. ALL
AROUND HER, GUARDS WERE "NERVOUSLY PLAYING AND EX-
PERIMENTING WITH SUBMACHINE GUNS, COCKING THEM, CHANGING
TO AUTOMATIC," AND, IRONICALLY, "A CASSETTE PLAYER
(CONSTANTLY)REPEATED JOAN BAEZ'S "HAPPY BIRTHDAY."

QUOTE: OTHER PRISONERS WERE TORTURED WHILE SHE WAS
BLINDFOLDED, SHE SAID. "I HEARD HORRIBLE, PROLONGED
SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT...I LEARNED TO PEEK AROUND MY
BLINDFOLD...

QUOTE:"I SAW TWO OFFICERS SLUGGING AND KICKING AN 18-
YEAR-OLD...I HEARD HIS SHARP, QUICK SCREAMS OF 'NO' AND
AFTERWARDS, LONG CRIES OF 'NO', LIKE A DYING ANIMAL.
FINALLY, HE CONFESSED TO ANYTHING THEY SUGGESTED. AFTER-
WARDS, HE WAS DRAGGED OFF TO THE DREADED DIRECCION
INTELIGENCIA NACIONAL FOR STILL MORE TORTURE.

QUOTE: SHE SAW THE YOUTH WHEN HE RETURNED, "HIS CHEST
COVERED WITH BLACK AND BLUE MARKS AND WITH INFLAMED RED
POINTS. HIS FACE WAS TOTALLY WITHOUT COLOR, WHITE AS

PLASTER--IT SEEMS, ANEMIC BECAUSE OF BLOOD LOSS. HE HAD
A DEEP CUT ABOUT FIVE INCHES LONG, OPEN AND UNBANDAGED ON
THE INSIDE OF HIS LEFT ARM," SHE SAID IN HER AFFIDAVIT.

QUOTE: FINALLY, SHE SAID, SHE "CONFESSED" FALSELY TO
KNOWING "SUBVERSIVES." AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, SHE SAID
WORD OF HER ARREST REACHED THE AMERICAN CONSUL IN SANTIAGO,
FRED PURDY. HE BEGAN WORKING FOR HER FREEDOM RIGHT
AWAY, BUT IT TOOK HIM 30 HOURS BEFORE THE CHILEANS WERE
WILLING TO RELEASE HER.

QUOTE: BY THAT TIME, "THE NERVE IN MY LEFT THUMB (WAS)
DISABLED DUE TO THE TIGHTNESS OF HANDCUFFS...I HAD
ACQUIRED AN IMPRESSIVE VAGINAL DISCHARGE, I WAS SOME-
WHAT BLACK AND BLUE, INCREDIBLY FILTHY...BADLY DEHYDRATED,
NINE POUNDS LIGHTER AND WITH PROTEIN AND CHLORESTEROL

PAGE 05

LEVELS ABNORMALLY LOW."

QUOTE: SHORTLY THEREAFTER, SHE LEFT CHILE. THE UNITED
STATES HAS YET TO MAKE A FORMAL PROTEST, AS WAS MADE IN
THE CASE OF AMERICAN CITIZEN FRED MORRIS, WHO WAS IN
BRAZIL. UNQUOTE INGERSOLL


>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
CHILE - HUMAN RIGHTS AND PROCEDUREAL SAFEGUARDS
Date:
1975 January 30, 16:40 (Thursday)


1. IN SMALL MEETING JANUARY 29 BETWEEN PRES PINOCHET AND
MAJ GEN GEORGE WALLACE (OSD/ISA), WHICH I ATTENDED,
PRIOR TO FORMAL LUNCHEON, PRESIDENT NOTED IN PASSING
THAT ADOPTION OF NEW LEGISLATION ON NATIONAL SECURITY (SEPTEL)
WOULD PERMIT USE OF CIVILIAN TRIBUNALS IN DEALING WITH
SOME OF THE OFFENSES TO BE COVERED BY CODE.

2. AT LUNCHEON, I HAD RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION WITH
MINISTER OF INTERIOR GEN BENAVIDES, WHO IS KEY FIGURE IN HUMAN
RIGHTS PICTURE AND AN ELUSIVE TYPE NOT NORMALLY AVAILABLE TO
DIPLOMATS. I REFERRED TO ABOVE REMAARK BY GEN PINOCHET, AND
BENAVIDES INDICATED THAT THIS WAS GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION.
SPEAKING PERSONALLY, IS SUGGESTED THAT IF IT WERE FIRM GOVERN-
MENT POLICY, IT MIGHT BE USEFUL IF REFERENCE TO GREATER USE OF
CIVILIAN TRIBUNALS COULD BE MADE IN CONNECTION
WITH FORTHCOMING UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MEETING OPENING IN GENEVA FEB 3. CONVERSATION WAS BROKEN
AT THAT POINT.

3. LATE IN AFTERNOON, GEN BENAVIDES TELEPHONED ME
TO SUGGEST THAT IT MIGHT BE USEFUL FOR US TO HAVE
A LONGER DISCUSSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS MATTERS. HE SAID

PAGE 02

SITUATION WAS "MOBILE." UNFORTUNATELY, SINCE HE WILL BE AWAY,
FIRST DATE WE COULD ARRANGE WAS MORNING FEB 3, BUT AT HIS
INITIATIVE WE AGREED THAT IF ANY NEW GOVERNMENT ACTION
WERE IMMINENT, HE WOULD FEEL FREE TO TELEPHONE ME AT
ANY TIME FOR AN EARLIER MEETING.

4. COMMENT: THIS UNUSUAL PERFORMANCE BY BENAVIDES APPEARS
TO INDICATE THAT GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING WAYS TO IMPROVE
IT POSITION STILL FURTHER, FOLLOWING UPON RELEASE OF CLODOMIRO
ALMEYDA AND OTHER DETAINEES. WHEN I SEE BENAVIDES, I WILL
EXPLAIN TO HIM, AS I HAVE IN PAST TO FOREIGN MINISTER, SIGNI-
FICIANCE TO FOREIGN JURISTS AND OTHERS OF PROCEDURAL SAFEGUADS
FOR INDIVIDUALS SUSPECTED OF NATIONAL SECURITY AS WELL AS OTHER
OFFENSES, AND DESIRABILITY OF INCREASED USE OF NORMAL LEGAL
PROCESSES TO DEAL WITH POSSIBLE OFFENDERS. IT HAS BEEN
DIFFICULT FOR CHILEAN MILITARY LEADERS TO APPRECIATE EFFECT
WHICH ANY NOTABLE SHIFT IN THIS DIRECTION MIGHT HAVE IN US AND
OTHER DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES. I AM HOPEFUL THAT I CAN GET THIS
POINT ACROSS TACTFULLY IN MY UPCOMING CONVERSATION.

POPPER


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>>>>>>>
NEWSWEEK PIECE ON PURPORTED DETAINEES
Date:
1975 April 23, 22:41 (Wednesday)


1. FOLLOWING IS TEXT OF ARTICLE TITLED, "THE EXORCISTS"
WHICH APPEARS IN APRIL 28 ISSUE OF NEWSWEEK:

2. QUOTE: THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF GEN. AUGUSTO PINOCHET
UGARTE HAS MADE FEAR AND TORTURE ALMOST A WAY OF LIFE IN
CHILE (NEWSWEEK, MARCH 31). LAST WEEK, NEWSWEEK'S JAMES
PRINGLE VISITED SANTIAGO TO INVESTIGATE FRESH REPORTS OF
CHILEAN TERROR. PRINGLE'S REPORT:

QUOTE: "THE EXORCIST" FINALLY OPENED IN SANTIAGO CINEMAS
THIS WEEK, AND EVERYONE IN CHILE'S DRAB CAPITAL SEEMS TO BE
TALKING ABOUT IT. NO ONE, HOWEVER, PUBLICLY DISCUSSES AN
EQUALLY GRISLY, HOMEGROWN FORM OF EXORCISM--THE PURGING OF
THE "DEMONS" OF LEFTIST THOUGHT. THE EXORCIST IN THIS CASE
IS A RUTHLESS STATE-SECURITY AGENCY KNOWN AS DINA, THE ACRO-
NYM FOR DIRECCION DE INTELIGENCIA NACIONAL. TO CALL DINA
A CHILEAN GESTAPO IS JUST TO FLATTER IT, BECAUSE SOME OF ITS
MEMBERS ACTUALLY LIKE TO BE COMPARED WITH THE NAZI SECRET
POLICE.


PAGE 02


QUOTE: RECENTLY DINA WENT SO FAR AS TO ARREST A 3-YEAR OLD

GIRL. LITTLE MACARENA AGUILO MARCHI WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
EARLY THIS MONTH. THE PURPOSE, APPARENTLY, WAS TO INDUCE
THE SURRENDER OF HER FUGITIVE FATHER, HERNAN AGUILO
MARTINEZ, A LEADER OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
LEFT (MIR) WHO HAS BEEN HIDING OUT SOMEWHERE IN CHILE.
(MACARENA'S MOTHER, A FORMER MIRISTA, HAS BEEN GRANTED
ASYLUM IN VENEZUELA.)

QUOTE: SO FAR,THE FATHER HAS NOT GIVEN HIMSELF UP. "ANY
MEMBER OF MIR CAUGHT BY THE AUTHORITIES KNOWS HE DOESN'T
STAND A CHANCE," SAYS A FOREIGN DIPLOMAT IN SANTIAGO.
"MIRISTAS ARE AUTOMATICALLY TORTURED TO REVEAL THE WHERE-
ABOUTS OF OTHER WANTED PERSONS AND POSSIBLE ARMS CACHES,
AND OFTEN THEY ARE KILLED." TWO WEEKS AGO, MACARENA'S
GRANDFATHER, DR. JORGE AGUILO GARCIA, FILED A WRIT OF
HABEAS CORPUS IN A SANTIAGO COURT AND WROTE TO PRESIDENT
PINOCHET ASKING THAT THE PLUMP, BROWN-HAIRED CHILD BE
RETURNED TO "THE BOSOM OF THE FAMILY." BUT DINA ROUTINELY
IGNORES WRITS OF HABEAS CORPUS AND USUALLY DOESN'T TELL
OTHER AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT WHAT IT IS DOING.

QUOTE: 'LA DISCOTECA': ONE MIRISTA WHO HAS ALREADY
FALLEN AFOUL OF DINA IS GLADYS DIAZ, 38, A RADIO BROAD-
CASTER WHO ONCE WON A PRIZE AS CHILE'S WOMAN JOURNALIST
OF THE YEAR. DIAZ WAS PICKED UP BY DINA RECENTLY ALONG
WITH A COMPANION, ENGINEER JUAN CARLOS PERELMAN, 31. SHE
WAS TAKEN TO THE VILLA GRIMALDI, A FORMER NIGHTCLUB
REQUISITIONED BY DINA AND WRYLY DESCRIBED BY FORMER
INMATES AS "LA DISCOTECA." THERE, ACCORDING TO A LOCAL
ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST, SHE WAS TORTURED SO SEVERELY THAT,
WHEN SHE FINALLY WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE TRES ALAMOS
DETENTION CENTER, THE CAMP'S MILITARY DOCTOR REFUSED TO
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER SURVIVAL.

QUOTE: TRES ALAMOS IS MORE CONFORTABLE THAN THE VILLA
GRIMALDI, BUT NOT MUCH. FEMALE PRISONERS ARE KEPT THREE
TO A CELL, SOMETIMES WITH THEIR BABIES. LAST MONTH, ONE
BABY WAS DELIVERED BY CAESAREAN SECTION AT THE CAMP AFTER
ITS MOTHER, A FORMER MIRISTA, WENT INTO LABOR WHILE BEING

PAGE 03

TORTURED.

QUOTE: THE JUNTA'S TERRORIST CAMPAIGN IS NOT AIMED SOLELY
AT REVOLUTIONARY GROUPS LIKE MIR, WHICH EMPLOYED VIOLENCE
ITSELF IN THE PAST. DINA AGENTS HAVE ARRESTED ORDINARY
CHILEANS AFTER OVERHEARING THEM COMPLAIN ABOUT THE NATION'S
RUNAWAY INFLATION--OR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. JUAN CARLOS
PERELMAN, WHO WAS SEIZED WITH GLADYS DIAZ, IS THE SON OF
AN INTELLECTUAL JEWISH FAMILY IN SANTIAGO AND HAS NEVER
BEEN A MEMBER OF A POLITICAL PARTY. APPARENTLY BECAUSE OF
HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH DIAZ, HE HAS BEEN HELD INCOMMUNICADO

FOR TWO MONTHS, AND SOME MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY FEAR THAT
HE HAS BEEN TORTURED. PERELMAN'S RELATIVES IN NEW YORK
CITY HAVE INVOKED THE AID OF SENATORS JAMES BUCKLEY AND
JACOB JAVITS AND REPRESENTATIVES BELLA ABZUG AND EDWARD
KOCH, AND THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE INQUIRIES.
THE CHILEAN INTERIOR MINISTRY DENIES THAT THE YOUNG MAN IS
BEING HELD, BUT LAST WEEK A JUNTA OFFICIAL APPEARED TO
REBUT THAT CLAIM WHEN HE TOLD ME THAT THE PERELMAN PROBLEM
"MIGHT BE RESOLVED SOON."

QUOTE: SO FAR, CHILE'S LEADERS DO NOT SEEM TO BE BOTHERED
BY CRITICISM OF THEIR METHODS. THEY TALK CALMLY OF THE
"DECAY" OF THE UNITED STATES, AS EVIDENCED BY ITS ABANDON-
MENT OF CAMBODIA AND SOUTH VIETNAM, AND REGARD CHILE AS A
SOLITARY CRUSADER IN A WORLD MENACED BY MARXISM. MANY
CHILEANS STILL SUPPORT THE GENERALS, PREFERRING PRESENT
NATIONAL "ORDER" TO THE ECONOMIC CHAOS AND CORRUPTION THAT
MARKED THE LATE SALVADOR ALLENDE'S PRESIDENTIAL RULE.
"THE HORRORS HERE," SAYS A CHILEAN ATTORNEY, "ARE TOO GREAT
FOR MOST PEOPLE TO COMPREHEND."

QUOTE: ONE OTHER ORWELLIAN TOUCH: LAST MARCH 14, A MAN
NAMED CARLOS ALBERTO CARRASCO MATUS WAS ARRESTED AT HOME
BY DINA AGENTS. CARRASCO MATUS WAS HIMSELF A DINA
AGENT. HIS FATHER HAS OBTAINED A WRIT OF HABEAS
CORPUS, BUT THE SON HAS DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A TRACE AND
WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION INTO THE MAW OF THE ORGANIZATION
HE USED TO SERVE. UNQUOTE. HENRY KISSINGER

Note: This is the same Henry Kissinger who was involved in a scheme to rip off 15 tons or more of gold from Vietnam during the fall of Saigon 50 years ago.

Click below for the full story…

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/04/30/18876030.php


>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>

Thu, 20 Sep 1973
PINOCHET DISCUSSES IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS WITH BOLIVIA

Sat, 22 Sep 1973
NEW CONSTITUTION OUTLINED

Mon, 24 Sep 1973
RELATIONS WITH CHILEAN GOVERNMENT

Tue, 09 Oct 1973
PINOCHET CRITICIZES U.S. SENATE AMENDMENT

Thu, 11 Oct 1973
PINOCHET ADDRESSES NATION

Wed, 24 Oct 1973
CHILEAN DEVELOPMENTS

Wed, 14 Nov 1973
PINOCHET SPEAKS HARSHLY OF POLITICS AND POLITICIANS

Wed, 21 Nov 1973
PINOCHET MONOLOGUES WITH LABOR

Fri, 23 Nov 1973
LENIZ ON ECONOMIC POLICY

Thu, 13 Dec 1973
MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR DAUGHTER OF CHILEAN ARMY MAJOR

Mon, 17 Dec 1973
DSP MISSION LEAVES FOR CHILE AND UNITED STATES

Wed, 19 Dec 1973
PINOCHET SAYS JULIO PHILIPPI WILL NEGOTIATE WITH U.S. COPPER COMPANIES

Tue, 15 Jan 1974
PRESS CONFERENCE OF CHILEAN AMBASSADOR

Fri, 08 Feb 1974
ARTICLE IN NEW YORK TIMES

>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
The fall of Saigon fifty years later, and some untold stories

by Lynda Carson (newzland2 [at] gmail.com)
Wed, Apr 30, 2025 2:02AM

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/04/30/18876030.php

>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
Celebrating with guitars and music on May Day’s International Workers Day

by Lynda Carson (newzland2 [at] gmail.com)
Thu, May 1, 2025 8:20PM

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/05/01/18876080.php

>>>>>>>
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