Resounding yes to Pinochet stand
NZPA-Reuter Santiago! Chileans have given President Augusto Pinochet a resounding victory in the referendum he called to strengthen his position against domestic and foreign critics of his military regime. The Interior Ministry said that with nearly half the expected votes counted, 77.47 per cent of ballots were marked “Yes” and 19.4 per cent “No.” Three per cent were blank. General Pinochet appeared before thousands of cheering supporters after the outcome obvious. “You eave a yes to Chile .and backing to the Government to give, with all its heart, a repudiation to the '.United Nations.” the 62-year-old army general told the crowd in a 20-minute speech. He was frequently interrupted by such chants as
I“U.N., ha, ha, ha,” and “Firm hand. Pinochet.” He called the plebiscite after a recent United Nations resolution condemning alleged continuing human-rights abuses in Chile. Voters responded “Yes” or “No” to the following statement on a written ballot: “Before the international aggression unleashed against the Government of our country I back President Pinochet in his defence of the dignity of Chile and I reaffirm the legitimacy of the Government of the republic to sovereignly lead the process of institutionalisation of the country.” General Pinochet and his wife were joined on the speakers’ platform at the victory rally in Santiago by two other members of the four-man ruling junta — Admiral Jose Merino, of the navy, and General Cesar
Mendoza, chief of the Carabineros, the para-military police. General Gustavo Leigh, the air force commander who, like Admiral Merino, opposed calling the plebiscite, was not present. Voting earler in the day, General Leigh jokingly protested against a request for his right thumb print as he deposited his paper ballot, saying it was “not in any decree.” But he went along with the request, and other voters had to do the same.
At the rally, the junta’s supporters waved torches, flags and placards as they milled about in the eightlane boulevard in front of the skyscraper Government building. As the commanders saluted, the crowd sang the national anthem. General Pinochet said the Junta would remain in power, and: "We will go forward together, without problems. There are no more <
elections or voting or consultations.” The general had called the referendum a national consultation.
General Pinochet said he would tell the United Nations Secretary-General (Dr Kurt Waldheim) that Chile would not allow any future United Nations investigating groups to examine human rights inside Chile. General Pinochet had voted earlier in the day wearing a business suit instead of a uniform, as he has done increasingly in recent months. The voters’ expected reponse was made quite clear. Above the “Yes” line on the ballot was a drawing of the national flag, and above the “No” line a small square filled in with grey. The Government newspaper, “El Cronista,” came out Wednesday morning with a colour photograph of the red, white and blue Chi-
lean flag covering the front page and a headline advocating a “Yes” vote in order, among other things, to prevent “being governed from aboard.”
The controversial plebiscite broke for the first time the enforced calm prevailing in Chile since the military smashed the guerrilla opposition that followed the overthrow of the late Salvador Allende in 1973.
Demonstrations, street clashes, and detentions marked the last week, and numerous political figures spoke out despite the ban on political activity. Among them was a former President, Mr Eduardo Frei, a Christian Democrat, who said voting “Yes” would be to approve the existing emergency rule and restrictions on individual liberties.
The 25 bishops of the Roman Catholic Church had called for the suspension or postponement of the plebiscite for “the common good,’ 2
though a few bishops said they differed with that position.
General Leigh and Admiral Merino tried to prevent General Pinochet from convoking the plebiscite, according to letters attributed to them that circulated last week. ’Among other things, General Leigh said it would damage the prestige of the military and Admiral Merino said it could re-open the country to political activity. Both accused General Pinochet of exceeding his powers by calling the vote without full junta support.
Some opponents thought Pinochet would try to use a large favourable vote as an excuse to assume greater power and reduce the influence of other junta members. He insisted, however, that he sought no personal gain in the vote and merely wanted it for the national wellbeing,
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