CHILE: Independence Day

Carlos López sends this distressing reply to Rosa de Pena:

"I am really sorry to hear that my defense of Chile's position in a sad list can be interpreted as me condoning the abhorrent behavior of some deranged or perverted person who killed a 13 year old child. Unfortunately, even in this case, Chile is not unique. My own present state of California can contribute to a long list of children murdered, raped or plain disappeared. Perverts and criminal are everywhere. But, going back to Chile, what other country in the world has the Chief of Military Intelligence and his second in command in jail? Where else is a former president indicted on criminal charges? We must not forget the 800 or so soldiers and policemen killed after 1970. Nobody mourns for them. I guess they were just the victims of "Revolutionary Justice"! I deeply regret a situation where even one Chilean had been killed or tortured by the events in the last 30 years. Unfortunately, we are " A Nation of Enemies" and all we can do is pray for reconciliation. I know these thoughts are no more consolation for the relatives of the victims of both sides than were my words to my mother when my 21 year old brother was killed by a police bullet in Santiago."

Ronald Hilton - 9/29/00