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

university violence was a hemisphere evolving phenomenon, that had its originin foreign inspiration. To associate the planning of such lurmoil with a specific country and ideology, sequences were inserted showing Fidel Castro and Ernesto Guevara, as well as the recent LASO Conference in Havana. The purpose being lo distribute the film both to Mexican as well as other national television channels where the urban guerrilla tactics approved at the LASO conference were starting lO be applied. The producer of the film was Mr. Valentín Pimpslein, who contacled Ihe Chilean "Protab" televisipn studios. Newsman Rafael Otero was responsible for the script and Helvio Soto directed the film. The activities of graduates of Ihe school set up by LASO in Paris were reported by the press in Chile and in other countries, and were given a special chapter in professor James Theberge's book "Guerrillas in Latín America." Establishment of the LASO Branch in Chile. The return to Chile of the first Paris LASO graduates, particularly that of Eduardo Paredes, intensified preparations lo establish there the first LASO branch. Al a press conference held on January 2, 1968, referring to LASO, the then Senator Allende had proudly staled: "1 am the father of the chíld; a very robust child that must have weighed about one hundred kilos at birth ... " Shortly after, Salvador Allende was required to face the first results of actions unleas– hed by thE; subversive organization over which he presided. When Ernesto Guevara was killed in Ñancahuazu, some of his followers managed to escape from Bolivia and descen– ded from the Altiplano into the Chilean desert seeking asyl um. LASO mobilizes and, with it, communist and socialist members of congress. As President of LASO, Allende moves rapidly in stopping the arm of Solivian justice 1rom reaching the surviving responsible parties of the Cuban 1inanced and directed Bol ivian guerrilla. On behalf 01 "Latin American Solidarity", Dr. Salvador Allende escorts the guerrilla-fighters lO Tahiti, taking advantage 01 an inaugural flight to a place where extradition did not operate. From Tahili, the guerrilla- 1ighters return lo Iheir main base in Cuba. Bolivia, naturally, dennounced this evident sign of complicity with continental subversion, before the OAS. LASO activities in Santiago deeply concerned the Latin American governmel'lts. Cuba is not in the system, but Chile belongs to it and it has always faith1ully and respectfully observed its provisions and agreements. One 01 the governments showing particular concern ls that of Venezuela. The negotia– tlons carried out at the time by the Government of Venezuela were entrusted!o its Ambas– sador in Santiago, our distinguished colleague and friend Mr. José María Machín. The impression made by and the consequences derived from the establishment of the LASO branch in Santiago, presided over by Dr. Salvador Allende, intimate 1riend and political associate of Fidel Castro, compelled our distinguished friend to much effort and travel between Santiago and Caracas. In passing, J wish to quote some reactions made public in July 1968. An AP dispatch, dated July 23 in Caracas, states textually: "Thedecision 01the Government ofChile in allowing the establishment in Santiago 01 a committee 01 a Cuban subversive organization, LASO, continues to be a target 01 criticism by the ruling party Acción Democrática." The same news cable added: "The daily La República, organ 01 President Leoni's party, Acción Democrática, criticized the Chilean attitude: 'We in Venezuela do not believe that the democratic system should officially allow within its midst organizations that have publicly, clearly, and preci– sely stated that their objectives are, precisely, lO destroy the system that grants them shelter and protection. And LASO, in spite of whatthe gentlemen 01 the Chilean Committee may say 92