THE OTHER SEPTEMBER 11

Chile's Darkest Hour: New Twists And Turns

S K Pande

THE wheel has indeed turned full circle. It could soon be celebration time in Chile as the stage seems set for the arrest of the CIA-backed former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet who led the coup against the then elected president Salvador Allende.  That was way back on September 11, 1973.  Today, 31 years later the noose is tightening around not only Pinochet but also the mastermind of the CIA backed Operation Condor – none other than Henry Kissinger. This could have a demonstrative effect on the future of other CIA backed puppets in Argentina, El Salvador, Gautemala and other parts of Latin America too.

The dramatic turn of events has come about, after more than 5,000 survivors of Pinochet’s brutalities brought a lawsuit against the former dictator’s executor-in-chief, Oscar Aitken, in the Spanish capital Madrid.  Furthermore, clear evidence is emerging now of huge stashes of sleaze money tucked away in the US in various banks in the name of Pinochet and his family. It had been kept a closely guarded secret by the US government. It may be recalled that cases were on against Pinochet in Chile and elsewhere seeking his arrest though he managed to get a reprieve on ground of clemency because of ill health.

After the attacks on the twin towers in New York three years ago, US media hype ensured that September 11 became synonymous with the global war against terrorism. Last year too much attention was exclusively concentrated on the ceremonies marking the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. This year too one may see much of a repetition in US. With Bush playing a hawk to save his presidency in the election year, continued war against terrorism is bound to be the theme of this year’s observance. But, for the Chileans and the progressive people the world over, what took place in  Chile on the same date 31 years ago cannot  be forgotten. It was then their elected Marxist President Salvadore Allende, the first democratically elected socialist leader in Latin America, was overthrown in a bloody coup by sections of the Chilean armed forces on September 11,1973. It was a coup that shook the world. It was planned, financed and organised by US intelligence agencies in tandem with the Right-wing sections of Chilean society.  One of the most important symbols of Chilean sovereignty, the La Moneda Presidential Palace, was attacked by Chilean Air Force planes.  Allende chose to die defending the presidential palace, on the night of September 11, rather than surrender.  The AK-47 with which he fought valiantly to defend democracy, had been presented to him by Fidel Castro, Cuban president.

For many Chileans, the bombing of La Moneda Palace was equivalent to bombing the White House, the Kremlin or the Buckingham Palace. Documents released in the US have now revealed that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had funnelled in millions of dollars to the counter-revolutionaries to carry out their terrorist acts against the government.  The then US secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, had said that Chile should not be allowed to "go Marxist" just because its people were "irresponsible".

LAW CATCHING UP

On September 6, 2004 the case took yet another turn when the court of Spanish judge, Baltasar Garzon, admitted a lawsuit by survivors of military regime and relatives of victims.  The lawsuit further urged the judge to investigate the former dictator's lawyer on charges of money laundering and fraudulent bankruptcy.  It may be recalled that the lawsuit was filed in February 1996 in Spain.

In October 1998, Pinochet was arrested in London, where he had undergone surgery for a slipped disc, on a warrant issued by Garzon. The judge sought his extradition to try him for crimes against humanity, like the forced disappearance of thousands of people, among whom included a number of Spanish citizens, under his regime.  Although Pinochet spent 16 months under house arrest in London, the British government eventually released him on humanitarian grounds.

Will there be justice for the victims of the other September 11?  A key person who served as a personal advisor to the Chilean president Salvador Allende has told the media that he was confident that the case would progress and that it would help compensate, "at least in part, in monetary terms, the torture survivors and families of victims have undergone.” It may be recalled that in October 1998, Garzon issued an order to freeze Pinochet’s assets, anywhere in the world, as a guarantee that victims would receive compensation if the retired army chief were ever convicted in court.

SENATE REPORT

Today, there is the key demand of a freeze on the assets of Pinochet’s pointsman, Aitken. The lawyers for the plaintiffs point to Aitkin’s "acknowledged participation in the creation of Abanda Limited in 1999 on Tortola Island in the British Virgin Islands, to evade the (1998) freeze on Pinochet's assets. “The expansion of the lawsuit presented in Madrid is based on the report "Money Laundering and Foreign Corruption: Enforcement and Effectiveness of the Patriot Act, A  case study involving Riggs Bank".

The report, prepared by the minority staff of the US Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs' Permanent Sub Committee on Investigations, was released on July 15.  The investigation "revealed transactions aimed at evading the freeze on Augusto Pinochet’s assets ordered by the Spanish court in any country where they are located whether under his name or the names of third parties," said Garces.

The report states that “Riggs Bank assisted Augusto Pinochet…to evade legal proceedings related to his Riggs Bank accounts and resisted OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) oversight of these accounts, despite red flags involving the source of Pinochet’s wealth, pending legal proceedings to freeze his assets and public allegations of serious wrongdoing by this client.”

The US Senate investigation also mentions a visit to Chile by the private banker who handled relations with Pinochet, which was paid for by Riggs Bank.  He personally travelled to Chile to hand over cashier checks worth $50,000 each – for a total of $400,000 – to the retired general. These cheques, and others that were sent by overnight delivery to Chile were made payable to Maria Hiriart (the former dictator's wife) and or Augusto P Ugarte (Ugarte is Pinochet’s second last name.)

Recall the lines of the famous Chilean composer-and singer Victor Jara awaiting execution. This is what he had this to say and it is a poignant reminder.

What horror the face of fascism creates!

They carry out their plans with knife-like precision.

Nothing matters to them.

To them, blood equals medals,

Slaughter is an act of heroism…

How hard it is to sing when I must sing of horror.

Horror which I am living,

Horror which I am dying.