Chile clamp defied

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 6

Chile clamp defied

NZPA-Reuter Santiago Opponents of Chile’s strongman President have brushed aside his threat to crack down on any more anti-Government campaigns, saying that more protests were inevitable unless the military bowed to the people. The President, General Augusto Pinochet, declared after the collapse of a general strike that he would tolerate no further outbursts against the Government. But within hours, politicians insisted that they would defy him and keep pressing for change. Leaders of the main political parties, banned since General Pinochet seized

power in 1973, issued a statement yesterday saying that a third day of national protest was inevitable next month if the Government did not respond to public opinion. “With every day that passes, it becomes more evident that the present regime has exhausted itself,” said the statement. “In these circumstances, it can come as no surprise that the people have no other course but to carry on protesting.” Among the signatories was Gabriel Valdes, a former Foreign Minister and leader of the country’s main political party, the

Centrist Christian Democrats. General Pinochet told provincial and military governors that his Government had been tolerant in allowing two days of national protest on May 11 and June 14. But he added: “That is it, gentlemen.” The two protest days were the most open and widespread displays of opposition to military rule since the bloody coup which ousted the Marxist Government of Salvador Allende. General Pinochet said that organisers of future protests would face legal action, internal exile or expulsion.