Chile

     There is healthy disagreement among WAISers on many things, but Chile is an extreme case. Most academic WAISers view him simply as the victim of military brutality of men like Pinochet. Nonacademic WAISers who have had done business in Chile take the opposite position, saying that working in Chile under Allende was impossible. This difference is reflected in their attitude toward the Pinochet extradition trial.
     Both sides are right. The military were unnecessarily brutal, but at least they gave up most of their power when Pinochet was defeated in a referendum. Allende was a humanitarian, but at the same time he was a rather crazy demagog; I knew him personally. He had much in common with the early Fidel Castro, and, when the two spent time together in Santiago during the Cold War, they were not planning a vaccination campaign. Rightly or wrongly, the U.S. practised realpolitik in conniving with the army.
     WAIS aims at bringing together people of different persuasions, and the non-academics with practical experience serve as a counterweight to those with only a bookish, theoretical knowledge. I urge WAISers who are Stanford alumni to enlist others with practical international experience. Get them to read the home page. Membership is by invitation, but current members may recommend others. About this, more later.
     We should mention the role of the Catholic Church in Chile, which, unlike its role in Central America, is seldom mentioned. The death (3/9/99) of Cardinal Raúl Silva Henríquez brought a surprising demonstration of popular affection. In Chile the upper and middle classes have been faithful Catholics, although the Radicals and the Free Masons were anti-Catholic. Although the two had differences, Pope John Paul II had a high esteem for the cardinal, who was also friendly with Allende. Under the dictatorship he fearlessly offered consolation to the families of "the disappeared", and thus won the affection of the masses. Authentic Christian Socialism has a much wider appeal in Latin America then does the anti-clerical variety of men like Mexico´s Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas.

Ronald Hilton - 04/11/99

More on Chile

     The previous memo stressed the contrast toward Pinochet between academic WAISers and those who had to deal with Allende in practical matters. A Chilean, Carlos López, curiously belongs to both groups. He writes:
     "Your comments are probably the most sensible thing I have heard about the Pinocht and the Chilean situation. I do believe that there has been a enormous propaganda campaign, similar to that deployed during the Spanish Civil War, to undermine the military regime in Chile. Remember, they supported Allende until law and Order and Legality could not be maintained. Never is the name of Pincohet mentioned in the press witoout adjectives such as brutal dictator, murderer, etc. Never is the fact that 40% of the Chileans voted FOR Pinochet mentioned."
     My comment: Re the Spanish Civil War. I was in Spain from 1931-36, as described in the book I am just finishing entitled Spain, 1931-36. From Monarchy to Civil War. In it I tell how the republic which I welcomed fell apart when its serious founders were replaced by well-intentioned but incompetent individuals, some of them demagogues. I realized before the civil war broke out that the republic would collapse in chaos. Franco was a temporary solution. There is a parallel with Chile.

Ronald Hilton - 04/13/99