The challenge of the past
Article Abstract:
Most Latin American governments that moved to democracy from dictatorships in the 1980s decided to have amnesties for those responsible for tortures, deaths and disappearances. The arrest of General Augosto Pinochet in the United Kingdom has led to questions in Latin American countries other than Chile. There were up to 30,000 people killed in Argentina, and the government ended prosecutions after army unrest, later issuing an amnesty. New prosecutions could arise in Argentina after Congress vote. Democracy is helped by castigating abuse of power, and allowing official crimes to be unpunished could encourage further abuse, critics argue, but the governments see compromise as necessary for democracy.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1998
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The politics of Pinochet
Article Abstract:
Chilean voters are concerned about issues such as copper prices, a drought, and the danger of power rationing, while politicians are concerned about the arrest of former dictator, Augusto Pinochet, in Britain. The government feels it has to defend Pinochet though it is not especially sympathetic to him. The army appears to be under control, and a coup seems unlikely, though the political right has criticised the government. The right aims to divide the government, though it has never gained many more votes than 35% of the total. There is uncertainty over Ricardo Lagos who was seen as likely to head the government prior to the Pinochet affair.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1998
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Chile buries its political ghosts - some of them, anyway
Article Abstract:
The election of Ricardo Lagos as the new president of Chile marks a shift in Chilean politics, although the Concertacion coalition continues in government, since Lagos is the first socialist to be president since the coup in 1973. Chilean socialism has come to accept free market policies to a greater degree since the 1970s, when Salvador Allende was president. Meanwhile, Augusto Pinochet, dictator after 1973, may return to Chile, where a majority of public opinion favors his being tried on nearly 60 counts. Lagos has answered calls to have Pinochet tried by stating that the courts should decide.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 2000
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