Chile: the balanced view : a recopilation of articles about the Allende years and after

of the inadequacy of that Code, some are inclinad to call for the application of the "Broad Construction Theofy", or the theory of the Nuremberg Trials. But, to avoid a lengthy discourse on legal systems and philosophies, I can sum up by saving that our political institutions in the future must include absolute protection tor internal law. "fUE ARMED FORCES For the past forty years or so, the military forces of Chile have gained a reputation for having high professional morale and for their non-interventíon in civil and political life. Nevertheless, the action they took on September 11, 1973, did not surpríse the Chil~an people, because it was absolutely necessary. What surprised them was the notable efficiency the Armed Force.s demonstrated, the discipline in their units, and the modesty and sobriety oftheir commanding officers. Their bulletins were issued in brief, precise and clear language, instead of the verbiose and ambiguous pronouncements by which dema– gog politicians endeavored to deceive the people. There was no sign of "caudillismo". It was the regular command of the Armed Forces Ihal deposed Allende and assumed the task of government But it was the pressure of the immense majority of the Chileans themselves, almost the entire populace,that demanded ofthe milítary thatthey assume political responsibility. The military arm carried out the popular will. THE FUTURE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS I will not go into detail on the immensity ofthe economic and other problems that faced the new government on its assumption to power. The 600 (/.> 1973 inflation left by the Marxists was red uced during the first four months of 1974 to 15% per month, which is still too high. But production is increasing in every field, the outstanding figures being 40 % tonnage increase in copper production, as compared wíth the first four months of 1973; and a balance-of-payments surplus of US$350 mili ion, wíth no pending accounts after the renegotiation of our foreign debt. Nor willl deal with the many steps that have been taken, and are being taken, to solve these problems while, at the same time, the government tries to preserve and enhance social justice for the people as a whole. Economic problems represent, indeed, difficult challenges, and time will be needed to tackle them eftectively. But there are good grounds for the expectation of a favorable outcome. POLITICAL PROBLEMS The long~term problem, a real difficult one, is of a different type. 1I is one of a polítical and ínstítutional nature. The problem Chile faces iS.not a choice between Marxism and Democracy. The real choice is between Marxism and non-Marxismo Chile has been a sick country as, maintaining a sense of proportion, have been France and Italy. The root of its sickness lies in the exhaustion of itspoliticalsystem. Parliamentary democracy, conceived in the 18th century, is undergoing a grave crisis. . Therefore Chile's polítical problem is hot that we have a military government today, but rather that we do not know ás yel what type of institutional syslem il is necessary to construct for the future. 71