Posts tagged pinochet

September 11, 1973 An expression that speaks a thousand words and almost four decades later the emotions are still too raw for many Chileans.

September 11, 1973

An expression that speaks a thousand words and almost four decades later the emotions are still too raw for many Chileans.

The imminent arrival of Prince William in the Falkland Islands for a 6 week deployment is sure to stir up unpleasant sentiment in the neighborhood. As well as having the 117 uncleared minefields to contend with, Wills has attracted the icy glare of Argentina who have condemned his military posting as a “provocative act”. The bitter conflict back in mid 1982 saw significant casualties on both sides - with the agressors Argentina ultimately failed to hold their occupation of the islands. But what was the involvement of Argentina’s long bordered neighbor around this time?  Whilst outwardly claiming neutrality, it was long suspected, and recently confirmed, that Chile was providing access to bases and intelligence to the UK in return for cut price deals on military aircraft. In addition it is alleged that Chile considered starting a border offensive against Argentina in order to draw troops away from the Falklands. Pinochet had good reason to form a strategic alliance with the UK as Argentine dictator Leopoldo Galtieri had made bold threats to take over all southern disputed islands currently under Chile rule. It was thought by Chilean intelligence that a victory in the Falklands would lead directly to an attack on Chile - this was later confirmed by the former chief of the Argentine Air Force. So a sneaky move by Thatcher to covertly form an alliance with a man synonymous with human rights abuses. And a smart move from Pinochet, who managed to obtain sweet deals on a fleet of Hawker Hunter bombers and three reconnaissance planes - all at a time when there was a UN arms embargo on such sales.

The imminent arrival of Prince William in the Falkland Islands for a 6 week deployment is sure to stir up unpleasant sentiment in the neighborhood. As well as having the 117 uncleared minefields to contend with, Wills has attracted the icy glare of Argentina who have condemned his military posting as a “provocative act”.

The bitter conflict back in mid 1982 saw significant casualties on both sides - with the agressors Argentina ultimately failed to hold their occupation of the islands. But what was the involvement of Argentina’s long bordered neighbor around this time? 

Whilst outwardly claiming neutrality, it was long suspected, and recently confirmed, that Chile was providing access to bases and intelligence to the UK in return for cut price deals on military aircraft. In addition it is alleged that Chile considered starting a border offensive against Argentina in order to draw troops away from the Falklands.

Pinochet had good reason to form a strategic alliance with the UK as Argentine dictator Leopoldo Galtieri had made bold threats to take over all southern disputed islands currently under Chile rule. It was thought by Chilean intelligence that a victory in the Falklands would lead directly to an attack on Chile - this was later confirmed by the former chief of the Argentine Air Force.

So a sneaky move by Thatcher to covertly form an alliance with a man synonymous with human rights abuses. And a smart move from Pinochet, who managed to obtain sweet deals on a fleet of Hawker Hunter bombers and three reconnaissance planes - all at a time when there was a UN arms embargo on such sales.

I love this sculpture. Anyone from Chile will instantly recognise the significance of this object - amplified to 50x it’s original size as if to give due weight to its historic importance. The iconic glasses were formerly worn by Chile’s socialist leader Salvador Allende when he took a fatal bullet to the head during the military coup on September 11, 1973. 2011 saw a number of developments in this 38 year old case. Foremost was the exhumation of Allende’s remains for forensic analysis - to the surprise of no-one the results of the autopsy revealed the former leader had died as the result of a self inflicted gunshot. Also last year, the family of Allende filed a lawsuit for the return of the AK-47 used in the incident. The rifle was originally seized by the army, but now appears to have been lost in time. It should be easily recognisable due to the gold plate engraved with the words: “To my good friend Salvador from Fidel, who by different means tries to achieve the same goals”.  I love a good mystery, and the thought of this weapon stashed in a locked box in the back of someone’s closet fascinates me to the point of obsession. How much does this weigh on the mind of whomever knows of its location? The sculpture is located in the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry Office in Caracas. The original glasses are on display here in Santiago at the Museo Historico Nacional.

I love this sculpture. Anyone from Chile will instantly recognise the significance of this object - amplified to 50x it’s original size as if to give due weight to its historic importance.

The iconic glasses were formerly worn by Chile’s socialist leader Salvador Allende when he took a fatal bullet to the head during the military coup on September 11, 1973.

2011 saw a number of developments in this 38 year old case. Foremost was the exhumation of Allende’s remains for forensic analysis - to the surprise of no-one the results of the autopsy revealed the former leader had died as the result of a self inflicted gunshot.

Also last year, the family of Allende filed a lawsuit for the return of the AK-47 used in the incident. The rifle was originally seized by the army, but now appears to have been lost in time. It should be easily recognisable due to the gold plate engraved with the words: “To my good friend Salvador from Fidel, who by different means tries to achieve the same goals”. 

I love a good mystery, and the thought of this weapon stashed in a locked box in the back of someone’s closet fascinates me to the point of obsession. How much does this weigh on the mind of whomever knows of its location?

The sculpture is located in the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry Office in Caracas. The original glasses are on display here in Santiago at the Museo Historico Nacional.