Salvador Allende
Salvador Allende was born on the 26th of June, 1908 in Valparaiso. He was the son of upper-class, politically active parents named Laura Gossens Uribe and Salvador Allende Castro (that’s not an ill omen at all). Early on in his life he helped found the Chilean socialist party, and headed up the elctoral campaign for the Popular Front. He denounced the persecution of Jews in Germany after the Kristallnacht. He opposed the Soviet Union’s various belligerent actions, and recognized the People’s Republic of China as a sovereign state, making Chile the first nation in continental America to do so. He shunted from one position of political power to another, doing nothing particularly important besides condemn actions in other countries, make friends with one of the most heartlessly charming dictators in the world, and acknowledge the existence of gigantic nations.
Finally, in 1970, he was elected president of Chile. Supposedly, he received something like $350,000 from Cuba, but basic logic and examination of data has shown that in the US at least, money doesn’t win elections, rather, succesful elections get money. Regardless, Allende implemented a massive, nationwide socialist program called la vía chilena al socialismo ("the Chilean Path to Socialism"), which, predictably, greatly improved the economy in the first year before causing an economic collapse.
Allende’s policies became more and more radical, possibly because he was under pressure from the more radical members of his political coalition and possibly because he was desperate to save the economy. Repeated strikes and mutinies in the military, as well as the increasing power of the Chilean black market, made saving the economy an excercise in futility. It would’ve been a credit to Allende’s government if he could’ve prevented anarchy from taking over altogether, and he can’t be much blamed for failing to do so when a world superpower has decided they don’t want him in power anymore.
Allende intended to give a speech concerning the national crisis on September 12th of 1973, however the Chilean military staged a coup a day in advance. He gave a famous farewell address in which the sounds of battle were clearly audible in the background, and in which he rather clearly stated his desire to fight ot the death. He supposedly comitted suicide with an AK-47 given to him by Fidel Castro, so I guess it’s so much for fighting, but he got the death part right. In a documentary by Patricio Guzman, he commits suicide with a gun instead of a rifle, at least according to wikipedia, which I find somewhat confusing because I was under the impression that rifles are rifles.
There’s still something of a debate as to whether or not it was quite constitutional for Allende to nationalize the largest industries in Chile and get the small businesses of his nation so agitated that they went on a collective strike and beat the living tar out of people who broke said strike. That seems pretty clear-cut to me, this isn’t big oil we’re talking about, this is ma and pa shops, but I guess in the desperate search for a socialist leader who wasn’t a heartless dictator, people are willing to ignore a few flaws. Like the fact that he ignored the democratic institutions of his nation and did whatever he wanted with the government, something which apparently you only receive flak for if you’re a crazy, war-mongering Republican as opposed to a crazy, dictatorial Socialist.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Timeline Chile
September 4, 1970- Salvador Allende wins the election with 36.3% of the vote.
November 2, 1970- Salvador Allende takes office.
January 1971- The statue of Guarantees is added to the Chilean constitution.
May 1971- Policy of “constructive opposition” is announced.
Salvador Allende's Speech, “Chilean Way” changes views and provides nationalization of large and small businesses and a respect for the letter of the law.
June 8, 1971- The former Vice President Edmundo Pérez Zújovic is shot and murdered during a shoot-out, by extremists.
November 1971- Chile delays payment of debts to other governments.
December 1971- Interior Minister Tohá is impeached for not scrutinizing the MIR (Movement of the Revolutionary Left)
December 1, 1971- The March of Empty Pots, women protest in the street, Leftist and right-winged youth fight, and the street is sprayed with tear gas.
December 2, 1971- Salvador Allende announces a “state of emergency” in the Santiago province.
(Situation in Chile worsens)
January 1972- Salvador Allende's advancement toward the center is foiled by leftists in his coalition. State companies buy shares of private companies.
Tohá is reappointed to Defense. The MIR was tied to the Presidential Guard.
US President Nixon affiliates the debt repayment and expropriation. The US objects to the multilateral development loans.
February 1972- The Communists endorse the termination of the MIR and the interchange with Christian Democrats.
May-June 1972- Leftists rig the election for leadership in the CUT (workers' confederation)
June 1972- Economy continues to decline
July 1972- The Communists win the CUT elections.
Interior Minister del Canto is impeached for supervising the illegal delivery of arms from Cuba.
August 1972- Small businessmen preform a strike against the government. This strike is nation-wide. people who attempted to open their shops got beet up.
A state of emergency was declared in Concepción.
October 1972- Other organizations join the truckers' strike.
Government sends tanks to Santiago to keep order.
Strict arms control laws are set in effect by Salvador Allende
October 9, 1972- a partial truckers' strik begins.
October 10, 1972- Vilarín is arrested.
November 1972- Military officers are brought into Salvador Allende's cabinet.
The Truckers' strike ends.
The Martial law was ended in 21 provinces.
December 1972- Salvador Allende is “booed” at Naval cadet graduation ceremony
MAPU starts to train with weapons.
January 1973- Food is rationed.
Officers openly disagree, for the first time.
February 1973- They try to impeach the President and find it basically impossible.
March 1973- Eduardo Frei takes the position of Presidency of senate.
The military pulls out of the cabinet.
April 1973- Four cabinet officers are impeached by congress.
The communists arm their military.
May 1973- The copper workers go on strike.
June1973- In Santiago there are bombings, street fighting, labor violence, and other awful things.
The communists get ready for a war.
The workers are not armed or trained enough to win.
Leftist and military have their first open armed encounter.
July 1973- The copper strike ends.
The truckers start a new strike, which the government tries to stop.
August 1973- Inside the Navy there is a rebellion which reveals institutional disruption.
Prats decides to resign as the Defense Minister, and Letelier takes over his position.
Pinochet is now the head of the armed forces devision.
September 1973- The Navy argues over who will be in command, they openly rebel.
There is lots of background plotting.
Salvador Allende is scheduled to give a speech on the 10th, he pushes the date back.
Salvador Allende will not stand down.
The situation gets worse.
Thousands of people die.
There is resistance and rebellion in5,00
0 the military.
September 11, 1973- Slavador Allende dies.
September 15, 1973- Members of La Nueva Cancion Chilena are rounded up and put in prison.
-Annette Fredrickson, December 11, 2008
November 2, 1970- Salvador Allende takes office.
January 1971- The statue of Guarantees is added to the Chilean constitution.
May 1971- Policy of “constructive opposition” is announced.
Salvador Allende's Speech, “Chilean Way” changes views and provides nationalization of large and small businesses and a respect for the letter of the law.
June 8, 1971- The former Vice President Edmundo Pérez Zújovic is shot and murdered during a shoot-out, by extremists.
November 1971- Chile delays payment of debts to other governments.
December 1971- Interior Minister Tohá is impeached for not scrutinizing the MIR (Movement of the Revolutionary Left)
December 1, 1971- The March of Empty Pots, women protest in the street, Leftist and right-winged youth fight, and the street is sprayed with tear gas.
December 2, 1971- Salvador Allende announces a “state of emergency” in the Santiago province.
(Situation in Chile worsens)
January 1972- Salvador Allende's advancement toward the center is foiled by leftists in his coalition. State companies buy shares of private companies.
Tohá is reappointed to Defense. The MIR was tied to the Presidential Guard.
US President Nixon affiliates the debt repayment and expropriation. The US objects to the multilateral development loans.
February 1972- The Communists endorse the termination of the MIR and the interchange with Christian Democrats.
May-June 1972- Leftists rig the election for leadership in the CUT (workers' confederation)
June 1972- Economy continues to decline
July 1972- The Communists win the CUT elections.
Interior Minister del Canto is impeached for supervising the illegal delivery of arms from Cuba.
August 1972- Small businessmen preform a strike against the government. This strike is nation-wide. people who attempted to open their shops got beet up.
A state of emergency was declared in Concepción.
October 1972- Other organizations join the truckers' strike.
Government sends tanks to Santiago to keep order.
Strict arms control laws are set in effect by Salvador Allende
October 9, 1972- a partial truckers' strik begins.
October 10, 1972- Vilarín is arrested.
November 1972- Military officers are brought into Salvador Allende's cabinet.
The Truckers' strike ends.
The Martial law was ended in 21 provinces.
December 1972- Salvador Allende is “booed” at Naval cadet graduation ceremony
MAPU starts to train with weapons.
January 1973- Food is rationed.
Officers openly disagree, for the first time.
February 1973- They try to impeach the President and find it basically impossible.
March 1973- Eduardo Frei takes the position of Presidency of senate.
The military pulls out of the cabinet.
April 1973- Four cabinet officers are impeached by congress.
The communists arm their military.
May 1973- The copper workers go on strike.
June1973- In Santiago there are bombings, street fighting, labor violence, and other awful things.
The communists get ready for a war.
The workers are not armed or trained enough to win.
Leftist and military have their first open armed encounter.
July 1973- The copper strike ends.
The truckers start a new strike, which the government tries to stop.
August 1973- Inside the Navy there is a rebellion which reveals institutional disruption.
Prats decides to resign as the Defense Minister, and Letelier takes over his position.
Pinochet is now the head of the armed forces devision.
September 1973- The Navy argues over who will be in command, they openly rebel.
There is lots of background plotting.
Salvador Allende is scheduled to give a speech on the 10th, he pushes the date back.
Salvador Allende will not stand down.
The situation gets worse.
Thousands of people die.
There is resistance and rebellion in5,00
0 the military. September 11, 1973- Slavador Allende dies.
September 15, 1973- Members of La Nueva Cancion Chilena are rounded up and put in prison.
-Annette Fredrickson, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Coup
During the 1960s and ‘70s few nations in South America were truly democratic—many simply governed under the banner of democracy, while in reality their regimes were more totalitarian and militaristic. Chile, though, had strong convictions about democracy and vigorously adhered to them. This was a problem for the CIA and the United States.
In 1964 the CIA successfully subverted the election of Salvador Allende, the frontrunner during the election of that year, who unfortunately gave the United States Government “Red Scare” nightmares. Edwardo Frei instead assumed the presidency of Chile. But in 1970, Allende decided to run again: he was still a popular choice among the Chilean people, but the US still considered him a threat to the Chile’s freedom. The CIA would have to stop him again.
The agency contacted Henry Hecksher, the station chief in Santiago, and asked him for input on which of the candidates running against Allende (Frei could not run again) the US should support. Hecksher had an extensive CIA history, which included spying on the Soviets from Berlin, and his advice was trusted. So when he cast his vote in for a right-winger named Jorge Alessandri, Kissenger, back in Washington, gave the go ahead for the US to fund a political warfare campaign against the election of Allende.
The CIA began cycling vicious anti-Allende propaganda throughout Chile and the United States. The campaign was met with support from many, including the Vatican, and Time Magazine devoted their front cover to a scathing story about Allende. One of the few men who spoke out against the CIA’s involvement in Chile’s elections was Ambassador Korry, who called the agency’s tactics dreadful and hearkening back to Italy in 1948.
But on September 4, 1970, Allende was declared the winner of the three-way election with less than 37% of the vote, despite the storm of propaganda surrounding him. There was a small amount of time before Allende would officially assume office, and the CIA believed that they could still overturn the election results during that window.
The DCI Helm’s first idea was to stage a military coup, and he sent Hecksher to develop contacts with Chile’s military leaders. Although Hecksher had difficulty with this, he was close to Agostin Edwards, the owner of the largest copper mine in Chile, and a man of influence. Edwards would surely be able to help turn support against Allende. With Kissenger’s approval, the CIA endowed Edwards with large amounts of money to be used for more political warfare.
With that underway, Helms, still eager for a military coup, contacted Tom Polgar, the station chief in Buenos Aires, and instructed him to bring Alejandro Lanusse, a military Junta, to Washington. Once Lanusse arrived, Helms tried to persuade him to start a military coup against Allende, but the junta refused.
Now plans were diverging and two options were on the table, called Track 1 and Track 2. Track 1 was simply a flood of propaganda and political warfare. But Track 2, which Helms attempted to keep secret from Korry, revolved around military coup.
Trying to push Track 1 through, Helms contacted David Phillips, the station chief in Brazil, to ask for advice. Phillips did not believe Track 1 had much chance of success.
On September 27, the CIA approached General Paul Wimert and asked him to find Chilean officers who would support a military coup to overthrow Allende. Wimert gave them Roberto Viaux, a man who many considered insane.
Soon, though, Ambassador Korry found out about Helm’s deception and ordered he and Kissenger to back off. Naturally they disobeyed, and sent a cable to Santiago the next day ordering that a coup take place or at least an atmosphere conducive to one be created.
Hecksher began to have misgivings and attempted to dissuade an unresponsive Washington from overthrowing Allende. However, he conceded that, if the US wanted chaos in Chile, Viaux was the best option. And the plan for coup was on.
The CIA devised a plan in which General Schneider would be willfully kidnapped in Chile and taken to Argentina. The idea was that this would make Allende look weak, and congress would dissolve trying to clean up the mess, allowing Valenzuela, backed by the CIA, to take power with military force.
Despite all the trouble the CIA was having ousting Allende, it was projected that the odds of some kind of coup were growing, simply due to the fact that it had now become obvious that the CIA and the US wanted Allende out. It looked like the CIA’s kidnapping plan had a chance of success.
However, on October 22, just days before Allende was to assume office, Schneider was killed on his way to work by assassins working for Viaux. The CIA had no way to deal with this unexpected turn of events. They were at a loss. Two days later Allende’s victory was approved by the Chilean congress: 153 votes to 35.
The CIA’s intelligence failure was incredible. So much so, that President Nixon, beside himself with rage, spent much of the following few months attempting to cut the CIA’s budget. There was even talk of retooling the agency all together.
During the turmoil leading up to Allende’s election, he became more and more paranoid, going so far as to create a secret army for himself, “The Friends of the President.” And on September 11, 1973, a military coup took place, during which Allende killed himself with a pistol. Later that same day, dictator Augusto Pinochet took power. His regime ruled for 37 years and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Chileans. When he took over, the CIA greeted him warmly.
-Tim Slover, December 10, 2008
In 1964 the CIA successfully subverted the election of Salvador Allende, the frontrunner during the election of that year, who unfortunately gave the United States Government “Red Scare” nightmares. Edwardo Frei instead assumed the presidency of Chile. But in 1970, Allende decided to run again: he was still a popular choice among the Chilean people, but the US still considered him a threat to the Chile’s freedom. The CIA would have to stop him again.
The agency contacted Henry Hecksher, the station chief in Santiago, and asked him for input on which of the candidates running against Allende (Frei could not run again) the US should support. Hecksher had an extensive CIA history, which included spying on the Soviets from Berlin, and his advice was trusted. So when he cast his vote in for a right-winger named Jorge Alessandri, Kissenger, back in Washington, gave the go ahead for the US to fund a political warfare campaign against the election of Allende.
The CIA began cycling vicious anti-Allende propaganda throughout Chile and the United States. The campaign was met with support from many, including the Vatican, and Time Magazine devoted their front cover to a scathing story about Allende. One of the few men who spoke out against the CIA’s involvement in Chile’s elections was Ambassador Korry, who called the agency’s tactics dreadful and hearkening back to Italy in 1948.
But on September 4, 1970, Allende was declared the winner of the three-way election with less than 37% of the vote, despite the storm of propaganda surrounding him. There was a small amount of time before Allende would officially assume office, and the CIA believed that they could still overturn the election results during that window.
The DCI Helm’s first idea was to stage a military coup, and he sent Hecksher to develop contacts with Chile’s military leaders. Although Hecksher had difficulty with this, he was close to Agostin Edwards, the owner of the largest copper mine in Chile, and a man of influence. Edwards would surely be able to help turn support against Allende. With Kissenger’s approval, the CIA endowed Edwards with large amounts of money to be used for more political warfare.
With that underway, Helms, still eager for a military coup, contacted Tom Polgar, the station chief in Buenos Aires, and instructed him to bring Alejandro Lanusse, a military Junta, to Washington. Once Lanusse arrived, Helms tried to persuade him to start a military coup against Allende, but the junta refused.
Now plans were diverging and two options were on the table, called Track 1 and Track 2. Track 1 was simply a flood of propaganda and political warfare. But Track 2, which Helms attempted to keep secret from Korry, revolved around military coup.
Trying to push Track 1 through, Helms contacted David Phillips, the station chief in Brazil, to ask for advice. Phillips did not believe Track 1 had much chance of success.
On September 27, the CIA approached General Paul Wimert and asked him to find Chilean officers who would support a military coup to overthrow Allende. Wimert gave them Roberto Viaux, a man who many considered insane.
Soon, though, Ambassador Korry found out about Helm’s deception and ordered he and Kissenger to back off. Naturally they disobeyed, and sent a cable to Santiago the next day ordering that a coup take place or at least an atmosphere conducive to one be created.
Hecksher began to have misgivings and attempted to dissuade an unresponsive Washington from overthrowing Allende. However, he conceded that, if the US wanted chaos in Chile, Viaux was the best option. And the plan for coup was on.
The CIA devised a plan in which General Schneider would be willfully kidnapped in Chile and taken to Argentina. The idea was that this would make Allende look weak, and congress would dissolve trying to clean up the mess, allowing Valenzuela, backed by the CIA, to take power with military force.
Despite all the trouble the CIA was having ousting Allende, it was projected that the odds of some kind of coup were growing, simply due to the fact that it had now become obvious that the CIA and the US wanted Allende out. It looked like the CIA’s kidnapping plan had a chance of success.
However, on October 22, just days before Allende was to assume office, Schneider was killed on his way to work by assassins working for Viaux. The CIA had no way to deal with this unexpected turn of events. They were at a loss. Two days later Allende’s victory was approved by the Chilean congress: 153 votes to 35.
The CIA’s intelligence failure was incredible. So much so, that President Nixon, beside himself with rage, spent much of the following few months attempting to cut the CIA’s budget. There was even talk of retooling the agency all together.
During the turmoil leading up to Allende’s election, he became more and more paranoid, going so far as to create a secret army for himself, “The Friends of the President.” And on September 11, 1973, a military coup took place, during which Allende killed himself with a pistol. Later that same day, dictator Augusto Pinochet took power. His regime ruled for 37 years and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Chileans. When he took over, the CIA greeted him warmly.
-Tim Slover, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Letelier assassinated in D.C.-- Kissinger guilty?
Orlando Letelier, a Chilean politician in Allende's government, was murdered by a bomb on September 21, 1976 in Washington D.C.
In a June 18, 1976 conversation, Pinochet tells Kissinger that Letelier is creating problems for Chile by talking with the U.S. Congress.
Kissinger informs Pinochet that he understands that he has to do what he has to do to remove obstacles from their path.
Does he basically give Pinochet permission to murder Letelier in the capital of the United States? Read the full unclassified document here at the National Security Archive Project and decide for yourself.
Below are sections from a memo of the meeting where Kissinger and Pinochet talk about
Letelier.
In a June 18, 1976 conversation, Pinochet tells Kissinger that Letelier is creating problems for Chile by talking with the U.S. Congress.
Kissinger informs Pinochet that he understands that he has to do what he has to do to remove obstacles from their path.
Does he basically give Pinochet permission to murder Letelier in the capital of the United States? Read the full unclassified document here at the National Security Archive Project and decide for yourself.
Below are sections from a memo of the meeting where Kissinger and Pinochet talk about
Letelier.-Sofia Adams, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Chilean political protest music- La nueva cancion chilena
Victor Jara was a theater teacher, songwriter, singer and poet. He helped found La Nueva Cancion Chilena (The New Chilean Song) which was the voice of the socialist party that wanted Allende for president. Victor Jara was imprisoned on September 15, 1973, four days after the coup. He and many other prisoners were incarcerated in a stadium that was later renamed Estadio Victor Jara, or Stadium Victor Jara. When he was in jail he was tortured and beaten resulting in the breaking of bones in his hands and torso. After he was beaten the military men mockingly told him to sing. Victor started to sing a hymn supporting the Unidad Popular (the political group supporting Allende.) He was killed by 34 machine gun bullets.
To listen to a segment from one of his political songs, "Ni Chicha Ni Limona."
To listen to a segment from one of his political songs, "Ni Chicha Ni Limona."
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