THE WORLD

Pinochet dictatorship

Protests against the 10-year rule of Chile’s General Pinochet and the mili- tary junta have risen dramatically in 1983 culminating in National Days of Protest, strikes and popular actions ac- ross the country. The junta has re- sponded with mass arrests and shoot- ings in a desperate effort to quell the most serious threat to its regime since the coup of Sept. 9, 1973 which brought the military to power. The Tribune spoke to sources close to the Chilean situation to provide this background to events:

faces massive popular actions _

* * *

The 1973 coup beheaded the trade unions, political organizations and groupings. All these huge movements representing millions of people were destroyed. The people were isolated from their leadership.

In those early days organizations were forced to work underground with all the difficulties that entails.

It took the popular movements time to regain their roots and influence. In 1976 during one of the heaviest crack- downs by the regime against the popu- lar movements the first small demonstrations of protest were seen. The first open demonstration against the regime was the simple act of playing the guitar because it was prohibited to play a guitar publicly.

The next major step in the construc- tion of the resistance was taken by the women’s movement around the issue of the thousands of ‘‘disappeared”’ rela- tives and friends. The women were the first to openly face the repression.

Mass opposition grew steadily — students, workers, professionals, intel- lectuals, religious sectors began to take actions against the fascist regime. Sec- tions of the middle class, which sup- ported Pinochet initially, are now disil- lusioned and have become another fac- tor in the construction of the resistance.

Renovated Democracy The popular movement’s goal is to

Georgians act for peace

PHOTO — PRENSA LATINA

As the 10th anniversary of the fascist military coup nears, the Pinochet regime finds itself isolated from and opposed by the

overwhelming majority of Chilean society. National Days of Protest and general strikes mirror the new level of the popular mass

opposition.

overthrow the Pinochet regime and to achieve a popular government. The term used now is a “‘renovated democ- racy’’, that is, to create the conditions

which will prevent a fascist regime from

reappearing in Chile. In practice that means to democratize the armed forces and the justice system.

Maximum popular unity today is the

key. The only way to overthrow the’

regime is by mass struggle, utilizing every form required. The movement is gaining experience. It is taking part in varied forms of actions — from the most simple to the most complicated and sophisticated. New elements of

PHOTO—TASS

TBILISI — The Soviet people heartily endorsed the recommendation of the leading bodies of the country that the Soviet government proposed to the governments of the U.S.. Britain, France and People’s China for a simultaneous freeze on nuclear weapons. The press reports favorable comments from Indira Gandhi and leaders of other countries, but there is as yet no reaction from the nuclear powers themselves.

Public actions for peace have been escalating here. During May, for example, some 30,000 meetings, rallies and marches were held with more than 50 million taking part, and 80 million persons have contributed to the Soviet peace fund, many more than once. :

The Soviet public noted with disappointment that the Trudeau government con- sented to the testing of the Cruise missile on Canadian soil. The demonstrations here are in full support of the Soviet Government's policies since they are in full accord with the people’s deepest desires. Photo: Peace action in the Georgian capital. — J.W.

PACIFIC TRIBUNE—JULY 1, 1983—Page 8

struggle are being incorporated with our past experience.

We must understand that the Pinochet regime has alienated virtually every sector of Chilean society. Today it represents only the extremely weal- thy and the trans-national corporations which profit from exploiting Chile’s wealth.

The slogans being used by the middle class against Pinochet are the same slo- gans used by the masses of the people. This demonstrates the capacity of the popular movement to unify the struggle.

Of course, we cannot say that every- one is for socialism in Chile. But what we must define now is: who is the main enemy. And that is Pinochet.

The fascist regime’s only response today is repression. This demonstrates the political isolation of the regime both internationally and inside Chile. Re- pression is their only option. Dialogue between Pinochet and the people is im- possible; a “‘social pact’’ is impossible.

Everyone Welcome

Pinochet is the symbol of Chilean fascism. The only way to solve the political, economic, moral and social problems of Chile is to get rid of Pinochet.

Saying this, it is possible that his sup- porters may find he is no longer a guarantee for their interests. They may replace him with someone more “‘acceptable’’.

But the people know that any government that follows Pinochet could legalize itself only if it took cer- tain actions — answers to the “‘disap- peared, to solve the question of Chile’s exiles (an estimated 1 million Chileans live in exile — Ed.), to democratize the armed forces and justice system, to ad- dress the burning economic problems,

to legalize political parties, to return to_

trade union democracy, to guarantee academic, press and cultural freedoms, etc.

We say now that everyone is wel- come in the struggle to topple Pinochet. Everyone has a place in this movement. This call has been answered by most of

the important sectors of Chilean

society. U.S. Role

We are aware that Pinochet is the creature of U.S. imperialism. He was put in power by U.S. imperialism as the Record of Congress clearly shows when the question was raised concern- ing U.S. involvement in the overthrow of the Allende government in 1973.

But today it is impossible for

"Washington to sell the image of

““democracy’’ in Chile under Pinochet. But he counts, nevertheless, on the full support of the U.S. in his policy of in- ternal crackdown against the popular will of our people.

Imperialism used Chile as an experi-

- ment. But they cannot win against the

flow of history. The people will eventually prevail.

In developing a national program for . Chile we not only must advance the concepts of solving the economic and social problems facing the country, but must also examine how we will defend our government. This can only be done — with the support of the mass move- ments, especially the working class. We are preparing ourselves for this.

September Historic

September has always been an im- portant month in Chilean history. It was in September that Chile rid itself of the Spanish conquerors. It was in Sep- tember that President Allende was elected. And it was in September that the fascist coup took place.

September, as well as May Day, has been when the Chilean movement brought together its momentum. Each September, for example, the regime re instates its emergency measures in the name of ‘‘national security’.

This year, not only because it’s bee! 10 years, but because of the work done to build the: resistance and the inte! national situation, the popular move ment is stronger than ever. We see the struggles in Central America as our struggles. We feel the strength of the international movements and are a of this movement.

The days of the fascist regime af numbered.