"THE BATTLE OF CHILE the fight of a people without weapons" "In memory of Jorge Müller Silva" "PART 1 THE INSURRECTION OF THE BOURGEOUISIE" "Six months before the bombing of the La Moneda palace" "The Chilean people face elections to renew Parliament." "The political forces are divided into two blocs:" "On one side, the opposition formed from the Christian Democrat and National parties." "On the other, the left-wing parties in the Popular Unity coalition who support Salvador Allende in parliament." "The left united will never be defeated!" "Together." "Cut!" "Clapperboard" "Señor, good afternoon." "What do you think of the Sunday elections?" "Well, I'm not political so I don't have an opinion." "Señora, good afternoon." "Who do you believe will win on Sunday?" " The opposition will win" " The oppposition." "Of course, then." "Frei, Jarpa, Labbé!" "Three hatched from the same egg!" "Señora, who are you going to vote for in the next elections?" "for Volodia Teitelboim and Eliana Aranibar." "What do you think will happen in the future?" "That we are going to keep progressing and we have to keep fighting much more, because comrade, of who we've been fighting." "What can I say about Frei?" "In his government I had a farmhouse that fell down on me." "The water ran inside to my four sons with bronchial pneumonia." "I asked for help here, I asked for help there and nowhere was I listened to." "Now, wherever I go I am listened to and thanks to my President, I have a nice house." "Not with great comforts, but I've not gone without bread" "Retired" "I am retired." "No government is like this..." "No government had done what this government did." "Who is going to win on Sunday?" "I believe it'll be the Popular Unity because the workers must decide the destiny of Chile" "What do you think of the Christian Democrats?" "I believe that the Christian Democrats are a party that have always defended the interests of their own class and not those of the working class" " Thank you very much." " Before I was skinny, now I've corn with huesillos." "Excuse me, pardon me, comrade." "Comrade, who is going to win on Sunday?" "I couldn't say who." " I couldn't say." " No, sir." " You've no idea." " I've no idea." " Do you read the daily papers?" "I don't read much." "Who is going to win on Sunday?" "I don't know ... the UP" "Us, the 45." "The 45." "The Popular Unity is going to win by an overwhelming amount of votes." "because it is the government of the workers, the government of the people." "and the people have realised the benefits that come from socialism for all citizens." "Thank you, comrade." "Señor, good afternoon." "What percentage do you think is going to go to the Popular Unity?" "The truth of the matter is that the Popular Unity is going to win" "Because now it has ... in 1970 our share was 36%" "Now, with what we have, and the folk who are with us, the people are with comrade Salvador Allende," "we're assured of 43% or more." "43% or more." "Señora, good afternoon." "I'm going to vote for Volodia Teitelboim and Eliana Aranibar" "What percentage of the vote do you reckon the Popular Unity will get?" "more than 40%." "What do you think of the shortages?" "I don't think there is a shortage, because I'm still not lost half a kilo." "Sir, what is your position about the elections?" "That the Popular Unity gets less than 20%." "What do you think about the future?" "All of the ways forward will be painful, Of that, I've no doubt" "Sir, What's your position regarding the elections?" " Leave me in peace." " Thank you." "Señor, What's your position regarding the elections, this Sunday?" "Everywhere victory for the opposition, the National Party above all." "What are your thoughts on the future?" "That Chile must achieve, peacefully, freedom and democracy" "Señor, good afternoon." "What do you think about the elections on Sunday?" "I believe that it's a referendum" "And that on Sunday, Chile goes to decide if it wants Marxism or if it wants freedom" "What about the future?" "Going forward, after the elections" "I think that the only solution is to change the government" "You believe through elections, or some another way?" "Through elections" "Sir, what is your position on the elections on Sunday?" "That... well, I believe that we'll give a beating to the Popular Front" "That it's going to be made into ashes." "Do you believe in the electoral route, or in another way?" "In the electoral way always." "What percentage do you give to the Popular Unity and to the National Party?" "30 to 70." "What do you think the future holds?" "For the future. that Chile always has a promising future." " Thank you very much" " Don't mention it" "Señora, good afternoon." "What is your position regarding the elections?" "Jarpa and Alessandri." "Who do you prefer?" "The National Party, always." "Do you believe in the electoral route, or in another way?" "I think that there should be a firm line" "That we aren't playing any more tricks on the people or anything." "What possibilities do you see ahead, beyond the elections?" "Do everything possible to rebuild Chile" "Thank you very much" "Señor, who will you vote for on Sunday?" "for Jarpa, señor." "Who's going to win the election?" "In the elections?" "The opposition by far." "What percentage do you reckon?" "at least 65%" "What do you think about after the elections?" "What'll happen in Chile?" "After the elections, the government must respect the majority." "Are you in favour of the electoral way, or for other ways?" " For the electoral way, señor." " Thank you very much" " ... constitutionally, the President next." " How?" "They impeach the President and we remove them on 21st of May because they've destroyed, worn out... and this is a corrupt and degenerate government, señor" "Degenerate and corrupt." "Impure." "Revolting communists must all leave Chile" "On the 21st of May, we'll have, by the grace of God, the cleanest and nicest government that we've ever had winning with democracy and removing those rotten Marxist communists." "Damn them." "What are your preferences among the opposition?" "Of the candidates?" "Jarpa and Gustavo Alessandri, señor." "What percentage would you give them?" "Ideally, it would be 100%, but in reality it would be 60 and something percent." "Power to the workers!" "Comrade, what do you think of..." "What's your position on the elections on Sunday?" "For me, that the Popular Unity wins, and that they'll bury the right." "Because we will win with the Popular Unity" "Here and anywhere else, we will win." "And the rightists, they'll die." "Comrade, what is your position before the elections on Sunday?" "To fight hard to remove a great majority." "So that we have a clear program and that we realise this is the only way to get power." "We already have the government." "Now it's in our interest to get the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate" "Basically, it means getting a little more power for the class but in any case it's not the ultimate solution" "We believe that ultimately, one more election is not going to solve the problem of avoiding the confrontation." "the confrontation is inevitable and fundamental." "One side is going to give because at the moment the classes are becoming more and more polarised" "One side the bourgeoisie, the other side the proletariat" "And that confrontation is going to have to give way" "Forward without compromise!" "As is normal, the armed forces guarantee order during the elections" "The dependable, dull, opposition." "With two thirds in the Parliament they would be able to dismiss Salvador Allende constitutionally" "That needs more than 60% of the votes." "For the left this is the first ballot against all the opposing forces since the triumph of 1970." "It is also an opportunity to measure its forces" "After two and a half years of an economic boycott pushed by Washington and the internal opposition." "Sunday 4th March, at 8am, Voting has started." " Señora, good afternoon." " good afternoon." "We're from channel 13 and we'll be conducting interviews in the building." "We want to know who you're voting for and who you believe is going to win" " Sorry if we're bothering you - no, it's no bother" "Me, I like Baltra." "I voted for him." " You voted for him?" " yes." " And what percentage do you think he's going to win in the CODE?" " What's going to happen?" " Enough, there's some light here." " Excuse me." " Go on." "Sir, good afternoon." "We are from channel 13 and we're making an interview" "We want to know who, for what percentage, will win the CODE?" "I have no idea." "I didn't vote." " You didn't vote?" " No." " I didn't have a preference." " No, nothing." " Thank you very much" "You voted for Baltra." "At what time did you vote?" "Voted for Jarpa?" "for Jarpa." " What time did you vote?" " 11 in the morning." " In what community?" " Ñuñoa, the National Stadium" "And what seems to be happening now?" "What impression did you have?" "Splendid." "It was a fantastic meeting and I think that democracy will triumph" "What do you believe is going to happen in the future?" "That he's going to go away to fix everything and we're going to rebuild Chile" "What do you think?" "What is needed to dismiss the President, or to follow on, legally?" "I can't say." "We must fix everything that we find because we can't go on like this" "What do you think of the rally for Jarpa, that was here two days ago?" "Fantastic." "I was watching it here." "And what especially appealed to you about the rally?" "Of course." "Lots of people, lots of enthusiasm and very orderly." "Well... and I think that it was wonderful and that we're going to win" "Tell me, what do you think of the alliance with the Christian Democrats?" "Well, I think it's splendid, very good." "It seems very good." "I'm comfortable with that alliance." "I feel very comfortable." "I think that everything's ready." " You understand?" " Thank you very much." "At 5 in the afternoon the first results are known." "The Minister of the interior, General Carlos Prats, assures the maximum guarantees of honesty in all sectors." "Nevertheless, before the end of the count there were claims of victory by the opposition parties" "Without mentioning that more than 40% of the votes are for the left" "And the opposition, which never doubted that it would win, goes out to the streets to celebrate the supposed end of the Popular Unity" " What do you think of the election, señor?" " We've won." "We've won now." "We got over 60%" "Señora, what do you think of today's election?" "Phenomenal." "We have won in every way." " Señor, what do you think of ... ?" " Nice, Frei." "I'm Argentinian and I am happy that Frei won." "But it's very good." "Immense joy." "There are several Frei who are in Chile." " ... of what happened today?" " A triumph, excellent." "It's totally successful." "We are happy, pleased." "What do you think will happen in future?" "A referendum and we're going on to win the elections." "Mr Allende is going to have to leave the country immediately." " you are in favour of impeachment?" " Naturally" "Anyway,see you later." "What do you think of today's election?" "That it has been a triumph of democracy and that Chile will always be free." " What will happen in the future?" " God doesn't love those who do nothing" "You support the constitutional allegation against Allende?" " Yes señor, yes." "Do you believe that this will cause a civil war?" " It doesn't matter." " No, in no way It's the majority." "We have the majority." "What do you think of today's election?" "Finally, we took out the leader of these dicks" "Sir, what did you think of today's election?" "Very good, very magnificent." "Forgive me for saying so." "It's a great thing, a splendid thing" "The UP went to the trash, can't say that other word" "Forgive me for saying so" " Which candidate did you prefer?" " Frei." "I am Alfonso Carrasco Cerda, president of the pensioners of the Bank of Chile" "I consider that we have defended democracy and the freedom of Chile." " Thank you very much." "I would like to add something else?" " yes..." "Greetings to all the people that have contributed to freeing our country..." "Past midnight the results start to disconcert the opposition" "The number of votes they dreamed about is marred by failure and the Popular Unity not only doesn't lose its electoral support, but increases it" "Without accepting the calculations, part of the opposition speaks of electoral fraud and takes it's assault force out to the street" "A day later, the Examining Tribunal of Elections controlled by the opposition confirmed the official results." "The opposing parties are far from the two thirds that they needed to dismiss Salvador Allende." "The Popular Unity raises it's vote to 43.4% and so increases it's number of parliamentarians." "obtaining an unprecedented support after a two and a half year mandate" "For the opposition, the oath of the deputies marks the end of the electoral phase." "Señores deputies, do you swear or promise to uphold the constitution of the state consult in the exercise of your functions its true interests." "I declare you members of the Chamber" "Having fulfilled the aims of the present session, it's adjourned." "From now on, the White House and the opposition understand that the mechanisms of democracy don't serve them" "The votes that the government coalition obtain demonstrate that in Chile the yearning for change hasn't subsided in spite of the millions of dollars that the North American government has invested." "After March, the strategy of the "democratic" opposition will be, paradoxically, the strategy of the coup d'etat." "Thanks to the denunciation of a neighbour, here in the local unit no 8 of the seventh commune, in Copiapó 319, they discovered a hoard:" "20 tons of sugar 400 boxes of toilet paper, 500 boxes of washing powder, 100 boxes of Nescafé, 100 cartons of condensed milk" "50 boxes of salmon, rice in great quantities." "Of course." "This was to be sold here, to the neighbours in this sector who had already accumulated a great amount." "This sale is surely going to last about three days." "The government strengthens the JAP, or Board of Supply and Prices." "In theory, the JAP are local organizations to control food distribution and denounce speculators" "When the JAP discover a hoarder the government intervenes and puts the products on sale." "in Lirquén, in Mrs Rufina Moreno Díaz' warehouse" "was the following merchandise:" "310 packets of tea two boxes of 50 detergents" "53 boxes of food for children everything eaten by mice" "I bought sugar and OMO and two packets of tea because I didn't have more than 100 escudos" "That I had for goods." "I didn't have any more, couldn't take more" "Well, I have at least ten children, señor, and spend whole mornings walking, looking for..." "It's necessary to defeat the black market, what's needed is remove the leaders of these guysf." "Here it's necessary to come here and close their businesses, jail them." "That's really what is necessary so that these people are scared and they can't continue speculating" "And I think that there is a surplus of supplies, see how many times it's not been released in our newspapers for example, of so many tons of sugar, so many things that have been found hoarded." "In the month of March there are 3000 JAP in all Chile." "In somes cases the JAP adopt ration cards to make the distribution more efficient." "Which is the card?" "Show us a sample." "This is a ration card." "Look." "I have 14 rations" "Here they give two cubes of stock, four cubes when it arrives, see?" "Or in case more arrives, it gives more." "These are all equal:" "Nescafé, milk, all those things (they) are rationed." "And you get them with that?" "Yes, we get them." "And if they don't arrive, we use them for buying other things, other articles." "Look at the vegetable that I bought." "The main aims of the opposition are:" "to break up the food deliveries, exhaust the reserve stocks, and sabotage the sowing of crops to increase the shortages." "Sigamos this way?" "Is there oil, señora?" "Look, they've stopped giving me oil." "I don't know if they have any today but I bought oil 3 days ago." "Would you like to say something more to comrades from other provinces?" "We are making a film" "I, at least, I support whatever happens that is   for a better future, at least for my sons if I can't achieve it for myself." "I agree with this government." "Would you like to say something more?" "No, nothing more." "Thanks, no more for this interview." "For the opposition the example of the JAP becomes dangerous." "The Congress begins accusing Minister Orlando Millas," "Administrator of the JAP." "The opposition begins using their simple majority in Congress to undermine the government." "Here are gathered the documents that register the accusations." "In this case, the opposition designates one of it's deputies to interrogate a neighbour, member of the JAP." "What functions does it perform in practice?" "How would you say the JAP organises itself?" "The JAP organisation seems to me to be an organization made up of people, of citizens, of workers, homeowners that come together, through a meeting" "They aim to be able to control, somehow, more to see whether or not enough supplies exist in a village." "That's what I want you to explain to me." "I have to say this so that you adapt yourself to what I want." " Naturally." " You understand?" "It's not by..." "Not, if for that reason, I am orientating this, without the implication, that I'm saying this to induce you to say something." "You understand?" "Very well." "I like be very honest in this." "It looks to me as though... the function of this organization, JAP," "is to document that the people receive enough supplies for all the families that there are in the village." "In spite of the fact that the opposition is unable to prove anything the proceedings will run their course" "The mechanisms will be repeated with other high government functionaries." "or the ministers resign or are expelled." "By means of the accusation, the opposition starts a power struggle between the Parliament and the President of the Republic" "In each case, a representative of the left goes to demonstrate the legal deficiency of these allegations" "Consequently" "The minister of state only answers for his acts and conduct to the President of the Republic who appointed him and can remove him and he is neither subjected to intervention from, nor is at the convenience of, the opinions of the majority of congress." "Political judgement over him is only granted, in the Chilean system, to the President of the Republic." "And in the particular case of the minister, Mr Orlando Millas, head of the economics portfolio that we've looked at in this impeachment proceeding the accusation cannot be used to decide whether the supply policy is good or bad," "whether the minister controls, the management of the price control policy, or the ways in which they think production tasks should be orientated, supply and general distribution of the Chilean economy." "Therefore," "Not only is this impeachment invalid, ineffective and illegitimate but it is an accusation that stifles, that overrruns, that violates the ground that the Constitution cedes to the President of the Republic so far as it's prerogatives and it's essential powers." "Days later, in the Chamber of Deputies the vote to expel minister Orlando Millas takes place" "in a period of three months the opposition dismisses two aides and seven ministers of Allende." "That is to say, a top official of the Popular Unity every ten days" "Certainly, they reject the fact we use the laws that they had in their hands and that they used against the people." "When we do it to defend the legitimate government and the advancement of the workers, then that creates this attitude of resistance in these sectors, that has all the guarantees, I repeat," "from the reality that our nation lives." "And this is a government that is not socialist." "It is a popular, democratic, national, revolutionary government" "That must fulfil a program to widen and hasten the road to socialism the transformation of our society." "Shortly afterwards, Congress begins a prosecution against all the ministers of the government." "This would mean the dismissal of fifteen ministers at one time." "Nevertheless, popular pressure makes part of the opposition back down and the maneouvre fails." "And the right has always been screwing the state backwards." "It's always us that has been urging the overthrow of the government." "But that will never happen because we, the workers, choose this government." "And this government will follow us, because it is ours." "And we will defend it with our lives, be that as it may." "If they want to fight us on the street we will go out onto the streets" "And if that fight happens, we will know to fight like the conscientious workers that we are in defence of our worker's democracy." "On April 17, the government resolves to nationalise 49 more industries that are boycotting production." "In reply, Congress presents a constitutional reform that invalidates almost all the nationalisations that the government had made until now." "The Christian Democrats and the National Party affirm that in this case, the head of state has no right to veto." "That is to say, it should enact the reforms and return the factories without discussion." "This means that for a simple majority" "Congress wishes to cut out, from Salvador Allende, powers that other premiers had." "And of these gentlemen of the right, it's good that they already realise that they are receiving fabulous wages and they do nothing, only making trouble for the country." "And that that is what they're thinking, to agitate." "But they pay themselves fabulous sums and we find with great surprise to see that our factory, our source of work was totally dismantled, in warehouses because these gentlemen practically stole the machinery." "We want nothing to do with the boss." "Absolutely nothing." "Because for a long time they have pulled, little by little, until we have finally arrived at the end of our tether." "It's been shown that the owners of these industries have begun boycott of production." "And we, the workers, are against that" "Well, I can only hope that it will be resolved soon and hopefully that government intervenes in industry, because we can't continue working with the bosses" " And what's this factory called?" " This is called 'the Prison'" "Because of the feudal mentality of our bosses and the comrades from other branches of industry, because of this pressure they called us "the Prison" of saint Elena." "23rd May, Eduardo Frei," "Christian Democrat and ex-President of Chile, is chosen as head of the Senate one of its tasks will be to exacerbate the power struggle." "If Allende refuses to enact the reforms and not return the industries, the opposition parties will say that it's unconstitutional and if he accepts, Parliament will have, de facto control of the State." "Allende considers this illegitimate and puts the problem to the Constitutional Court" "If we understand that at this time" "The fundamental thing, the basic thing is to strengthen the government in politics and take over the instruments granting access to the institutions so that the opposition understand that they can't deny the government what it needs" "to exist and defend Chile from economic realities, which didn't arise from our own mistakes, that's not to deny that we've committed them, but there are international and national factors" "that outweigh them when a government like ours is confronted with imperialism and with the landowning oligarchs and feudal bankers." "The deputies who reject the proposal are asked to raise their hands." "From now on, Parliament will look for the final blockade of government." "In the months of April, May and June" "Congress declares a boycott against all Popular Unity initiatives" "Result of the vote:" "In favour, 52 votes;" "Against, 81." "The proposal formed by the Executive stays rejected." "The law to punish economic crimes is rejected." "The law to create the ministry of the family is rejected." "The law for wage and salary rises for the workers, is postponed and later approved without funding." "The law to regulate the participation of workers in factories is rejected." "The law to create the Ministry of the Sea is rejected." "The law to form autonomous businesses is rejected." "In a few months, 20 more bills are approved without funding." "Nationalism!" "Here!" "Nationalism!" "Forward!" "Fatherland and Liberty!" "We are going to a shock squadron of the group "Fatherland and Liberty"" "The institutional conflict, on it's own" "Isn't enough to justify a coup d'etat" "It is also necessary to provoke violence and civil disorder" "This is the principal aim of this organization" "Fatherland and Liberty makes up a small part of the mass movement of the right but it's fascist ideology hangs over some opposition parties and the armed forces." "between its leaders and ideologues there are former employees of the intelligence services of the USA in Chile." "Their main income comes from the National Society of Agriculture and the Society of Manufacturers." "But much aid comes from the US State Department." "In 1974 some ex-officials of that department revealed that in this period, the CIA maintained in Chile, forty first-class agents, many of them advising Fatherland and Liberty." "In April, the opposition finds an excuse to continue agitation." "The government has presented a project of educational reform." "to democratise the education system." "Feeling threatened, the opposition mobilises it's strike force." "For the first time in Chile, an appreciable quantity of students are able to take with themf the more privileged sectors." "the opposition parties, the professionals, the union of retailers support the street disorder" "It's good to be on the defensive." "It is good that we're just reacting, as though we are puppets because the questions, from now on, comrades, we will have to make them reality and the conflicting problems, we must face them hard." "and we must attack whoever puts themselves in front of us and we're not going to leave the streets, comrades, to fight with the children of the right." "That is, those in charge of the carabineros." "and in charge of the military - there's too few in charge." "We are then going to see how we can face the state" "It is a bourgeois state that we will someday have to defeat." "Yesterday, we have seen some sectors protesting for different things and using class comrades, the Chilean reaction in such situations, and rightly so," "That is, what the comrades suggest, over the situation of distribution, over the law of agricultural reform." "over the nationalisation of hoarders." "I believe that they are fundamental matters to which the workers must already consider asking for a referendum over questions of this nature, and not in the situation that the reactionaries are creating, and with effective mobilization of the workers." "Because we cannot accept these escalations, day after day." "The situation we've seen coming, as we say, from October and they're once more preparing for." "They're copying it because they don't have the initiative to change the situation that they created in October and now the workers should go, to definitively stop these people and demand a referendum from the goverment over basic questions." "How are we going to address the question of transport?" "Because each time that they need to attack the government, they make the transport workers go on strike." "Really." "Because they are manipulating drivers because the majority of drivers are classless." "They don't recognise the union." "They are only worried about how much they are going to earn" "They don't go to union meetings they don't want to know anything" "So there are very few unions that are functioning in transportation" "Those that function, still run badly" "Before the threat of the shopkeepers to begin a general strike the next week, there was the immediate nationalisation of the hoarders" "Before the threat to boycott manufacturing and the economy" "There was ordered, once and for all, and in a single package, the commandeering of the rest of the companies that were among the 90 that still hadn't passed into worker control and which were immediately integrated with the working class into the planned economy" "It is doubtless that at this moment the resolutions must turn on the problem of the fundamental mobilization." "We of ANATE, like the public workers, believe that in this moment we have everybody ready to march before the Congress." "If there is anybody that objects to the proposal..." "To the Parliament, comrades!" "Comrades, we ask for the comrades in the public works, if they count on modes of transportation - trucks, light-trucks - so that they can transport groups of workers who are going to leave the industries" "There are trucks, comrades." "There are trucks and buses." "There are trucks at our disposal." "Forward, comrades, forward." "April 27th." "The Main worker's office summons a mass action in support of the government." "Through the presence of the workers, they try to prevent the streets of Santiago from continuing to be in the hands of the opposition" "Power to the workers!" "Build!" "Build!" "Worker's Power!" "When a column of demonstrators pass before the headquarters of the Christian Democrat party" "They are attacked." "From the windows there are shots which kill a worker and seriously wound six others." "Everything that happened is the responsibility of the people that came to provoke us." "And the dead and the six wounded?" "Where?" "Which ones?" "Do you believe that, señor?" "We've already had to leave as we were knocked down over there" " Is it Christian to kill people?" " Who was protecting us?" "You justify the death of...?" "You are speaking here in the offices of the Christian Democratic Party and here, in the office of the Christian Democrat party ..." "Don't attack me because...!" "No, but why ... why attack a journalist?" "How was, from where?" "How was it?" "When did they shoot?" "No... it's not clear." "That's been handed over to a court invesigation but in any case that is at the dispensation of the magistrate it's the magistrate who's in charge here." "In this case the police," "Everything related to public order is the concern of the magistrate the concern of the court" "That is the Code of Penal Procedures." "The influence of the violent groups is evident in the Christian Democrat Party." "Juan Hamilton, Senator of the conservative wing of the party refuses to make a statement." "Moment of silence, please comrades." "Calm the mood." "Workers against fascism!" "Comrade José Ricardo Ahumada!" "Present!" "Comrade José Ricardo Ahumada!" "Present!" "With your example!" "We will win!" "300,000 persons go, on the 30th of April, to see off their fallen comrade." "Realising that they've still not attained the right conditions, the opposition ends this phase of street agitation." "The proceedings to punish those responsible for the death of the worker Ahumada don't go well." "Justice moves slowly." "The Supreme Court, in practice, ensures the impunity of those responsible" "Again the union arrives at this meeting convened for the national leaders, to learn the records and figures that represent our prices." "Firstly, there are speeches" "The president of the Chilean National Confederation of Taxibuses and Minibuses," "Ernesto Cisterna Solís." "I believe that this assembly stands up and says to the minister that we are also tired of seeing so much inefficiency and so much incapacity for resolve..." "During the three years of the Popular Unity the American Institute of Free Labour Development financed indirectly by the CIA, orients it's work towards the Chilean unions." "In the month of April, 108 leaders principally from transport, received training in the USA." "We don't need to confuse conscience with patience." "We don't want a policy for prices or of unions." "but we need to eat." "We must defend our interests." "and for those, to fight like one man but with our national directive and to go out and be seen in a manner befitting the force of a road union with bravery, with passion, but above all," "like Chileans and with dignity, colleagues." "Because we no longer can continue mending, nor riveting, nor welding the aging machines and aging too, the curved backs of so many industrialists that have disgraced so many generations... but in trying to fill the pots," "to be able to eat, to be able to resist to be able to save this activity because with it, we'll be saving the jobs of millions of people that have faith and confidence in this, the working man" "this maltreated transport worker, that yes, has built Chile." "It's he, himself who is one..." "This shows us that the moment of the complete Chilean turnaround has arrived without distinguishing between one and another, in a single fighting platform, we begin this national stoppage" "In the month of May, one third of the transport collective is immobilised, because they lack parts of North American origin." "In 1973 imports from the US dropped to 15% of the total." "To protest against this state of things, but also to aggravate them, the owners of private buses declare an indefinite strike." "With only 600 vehicles, the state enterprise have to perform, in one example, the work done by the 5000 buses in Santiago" "To partly combat the effects of the strike, the workers use, for passenger transport, factory trucks." "What do you think of this strike?" "That everything we fight to achieve... that the government has confidence in the workers" " It is necessary to fight no more strikes." " How must we fight them?" "by being united these days." "How far did you walk?" "70 blocks, more or less, with my two boys that are back there" "What do you think, señor?" "Well, I believe that these times are when the people must demonstrate the capacity to fight that has forged us, throughout this process." "and, as we're seeing here, sacrifice... it doesn't matter what type of sacrifice you make, just do your bit and keep producing." "Do you have any more opinions?" "The campaign of the right against us is capitalism and... and all the time we're going to be short of pay." "But we the workers, we should have confidence, and be conscientious" " What do you think of this?" " See, in reality I think that  in my estimation, it is paralyzing the country whichever way, for whichever side." "With the inevitable result of a stoppage of all transportation." "here is the MOPARE, the Patriotic Recovery Movement, which is a group of left-wing transport workers." "For their loyalty to President Allende, they suffer attacks and sabotage in the name of union solidarity." "... and loyalty to the people," "I will respond with the loyalty of a militant socialist." "and like the President of Chile" "I will implacably see through the program of the Popular Unity." "We need more and better control in the distribution of the products." "Listen:" "Because they make out that I sometimes waver" "that's sometimes necessary to strengthen the people's power the Mothers' Centres, the neighbourhood gatherings, the meetings of suppliers and prices, the community leaders, it's necessary to strengthen them." "It is necessary to strengthen industrial ties but not as parallel forces to the government, but as popular forces next to the force of your government, the people's government." "28th of May, retired Generals send a public letter to President Allende who affirm that the armed forces will consider themselves independent in the case of the government breaking the Constitution" "Shortly before, the High Command had made pronouncements against the educational reform projects" "On that occasion, Rear-Admiral Huerta declared:" ""We cannot accept that future soldiers will arrive in barracks converted to Marxism"" "From 1950, more than 4000 officers had received training in the USA and in the Panama Canal zone" "during the two and a half years of Allende's government" "They received 45 million dollars from the Pentagon" "That is, more than a third of all the aid granted in the last 20 years." "... of which, although it is certain that all Chileans have the right to eat it is no less certain... for the first time the opposition takes along a sector of the proletariat" "In the El Teniente mine, they have some of the workers declare a strike for economic reasons" "Traditionally well-paid, the copper miners are the working aristocracy of Chile." "For the opposition, the object of the conflict is to paralyze the mine." "20% of the wealth of Chile is produced here." "Comrade workers, as well as TV channel 13," "You'll find with us French television." "Comrades, take out your union cards" "We show that here we are all workers" "Teniente!" "United!" "Shall never be defeated!" "First, we'll solve the problems of El Teniente's workers." "Not with money, not even with money can we solve all the problems that exist across the country but our problems come first, and afterwards, those of the rest of the country" "We want solutions!" "For that reason we have asked for, and requested the permission of union leaders" "To have this tribunal." "like the workers of the Popular Unity we disagree with the methods that they are using." "We have said, in every tone of voice that for everything" "worker's unity comes first." "We defend it here and inside the parties of the Popular Unity alliance" "You will wonder why we are here" "We are in favour of returning to work but not by factions" "Comrades: we are in favour of returning to work..." "Comrades..." "Comrades." "Comrades" "No politics!" "No politics!" "Strength!" "Strength !" "That same day, and at the same time more than half of the 8000 miners continue in their jobs the majority of them turn in extra hours to maintain and operate the basic functions of the mine." "Caletones is a workplace that has almost two thousand workers between white collar workers and labourers and today we have 750 workers working." "that means that we will be almost normal in the industrial section and it means that in some future date or on Monday we'll be totally normal." "Here, what can be shown, is that that sector is gluing to a wall with respect to what they are proposing in a theory totally beyond any jurisdiction." "History indicates that the workers working here fought incessantly against the Yanks until we took the industry from them to nationalise it, we say, because now it is Chilean it's not mine, nor anybody's in particular" "if not all Chileans." "but we have first the responsibility to know how to run it so now workers already are becoming almost totally aware of that, only those that are in opposition are determined followers believing that here there are other bosses." "No, there is no such thing." "because if there were other bosses, they themselves the Christian Democrats, which at least has union representation here, have representatives in the Council of Administration." "For that reason, we asked the left press, especially channel 7, which has given very little importance to the workers who are now working, to come here and report what the numbers are, so these gentlemen can stop themselves lying." "To begin with, you've done well, for a very simple reason:" "because you are arriving at the workplace, which is quite important." "Not sure?" "But the press, Channel 13, Mercury and all these newspapers, they are based only in Rancagua" "They believe that Rancagua is the El Teniente Mining Society and that's bad." "This is what we need, the workers, those that are now working, what we want is that this situation is resolved not for the personal benefit of the workers but to benefit all Chileans" "Take a worker who is here and ask him whatever his opinions are." "What do you think?" "I believe that it is divisive..." "That you are dividing the workers of Teniente?" " How?" " the enemy is the one that's divisive, that is dividing us." "The enemy is dividing usf." "Why do you say that?" " because they... - they are asking for a confrontation between workers." "Because the other day we saw that the national president publicly said that if blood were to run, it had to run." "They are asking us." "So it's not... not at any moment have we wanted to divide those on the workers side." "Because the reality of things..." "well, I'm 43 years old and I have spent enough time with tools, 27 years." "so logically, I have come seeing previous governments." "They've given enough of a firm hand with us, the workers, the working class so, as the comrade from Puelma said," "I think that this government has been very soft;" "that it is soft because it is the government of the workers." "but if we'd had a government with some other tendencies then at this moment, several comrades, several of us would be dead." "And here in the company, we wouldn't have many left-wing comrades, but it would be purely right-wing." "We have received threats." "We took to the streets." "We weren't able to go down the other path but we also went to work." "and we went down to make a stand." "We were for Codgiua, others for whatever side but the point is that we continued working." "Well, and we had comrades that did it for three shifts and stayed there because there was work that couldn't be abandoned." "We've given up some benefits in the return to work and the converters cannot be left alone nor can we leave the thickeners and that is a job with lots of responsibility." "Because there are many of our comrades that do not know still, why they are on strike." "They don't know." "It's the way things are" "They're going to fight against public forces, because some gentleman reminds them of a rooster and he shouts to them, and sings and dances and they follow him, like he was Jesus Christ." "I believe that, that ... it's necessary to instill conscience in working comrades and that's the work that our leading comrades now have." "That is the real reason for everything" "And how is it possible to quickly prepare the comrades?" "Well, like we are now, because, that's to say, now, as we begin to act in this stoppage" "We..." "I consider that I am doing right." "I am responsible for what I do." "I am equal and independent, like Mr Solis here." "I don't have party politics but my only interest is work for the progress of Chile and not for by my pocket, nothing more." "I know that if I have good pay" "I hope that the people who pay themselves with money from copper have good pay also." "Now, we've already taken out more than 400, in the shift from 3 to 11, we've taken out more than 300, so already it's all returning to normal." "Attendance of workers increases by 61% on the 7th of May." "The mining trains work day and night." "Strike!" "Strike!" "The striking sector, encouraged by the opposition rejects two wage adjustment formulas and continues asking for a repeat of the wage rises." "We demand the 41% that the company owes us." "How many strike days have you taken already?" "We've taken 21 days." "What do you think will happen?" "I don't know." "We must have a solution today or tomorrow, I think." "Is this a union movement, or a political movement?" "No, in no way, at no time, has it been political." "Because there has been no policy or ..." "Or a minister or politician or senator involved in this." "Because the workers are those that are defending our rights." "I believe that we must win because our president, we removed him to defend the rights of workers." "and it's not that he came to be criticising us for asking for something unjust." " Are you for the president?" " I am for the president." "But this strike is harming the government." "Of course it's doing harm, but I believe that in all this time, all this time that we've been on strike, would have been already resolved." "For the strike leaders, it is important that there are victims to accuse the government of repression." "For that reason, the police force receives orders to act with caution." "In spite of stones, the carabineros back down." "This causes disagreement." "While some look to carry on fighting, others think that it is better to seize the offices of the mining company." "I went to the supply store to speak with the workers." "because we didn't want them to die at work." "Who represents the workers, you or our leaders?" "We do." "... and also I ask, comrades," "I also asked comrades who, with the same responsibilities as the workers of El Teniente, we asked the carabineros that they also keep the same attitude." "I asked them, please, that they keep" "the same... the same, comrades, attitude." "It's that way I want..." "I want, this morning, comrades, to say that in the meeting that we had with the president of the Republic on Day 19..." "And I said to them as an older brother would say to them  as a comrade" "And I made them see what a burden it was that copper production was stopped when we needed currency." "... when we didn't have the necessary financing  to be able to fulfil our essential financial commitments" "At this time, right now, when the price  of copper has reached satisfactory levels  and now "El Teniente" becomes paralyzed  those who have already achieved extraordinary salary levels." "I speak to them, like a comrade, with affection, with respect with warmth." "Nonetheless, from more economic criteria  there is the stoppage of "El Teniente" and that means   millions of dollars are lost from the country." "We could have reached a solution  which surely would cost less than a day of production." "But that would have set an unfortunate precedent:" "A wage rise on top of a wage rise, with full benefits." "Today, I ask my comrades from "El Teniente", who understand  that to be a copper worker in this country is a privilege from a patriotic and revolutionary point of view" "They are the ones who must preserve the essence of the nation." "Copper depends on us replenishing our purchasing power ... raw materials, supplies food and medicines." "I ask those here, like revolutionary comrades to revise their attitudes so we can propose solutions that mean more income based on greater productivity" "I maintain a revolutionary conscience, and I say to them  that I have faith in the Chilean worker  who cannot forget imperialist aggression and internal conspiracies." "The copper worker ... must be united with the peasant of this nation to defend the future of Chile from threats from outside, and harassment from within." "In Chuquicamata mine, 16th May the workers call off their solidarity strike with El Teniente" "In the El Salvador mine, the same happens" "The opposition fails in it's attempt to extend the strike to other copper mines." "June 6th, the striking sector sends a delegation to Santiago" "The Congress, that justified the repression of previous governments opens it's gardens so that the miners receieve food and money" "The Parliament publishes a declaration without legal force that the strikers are right" "and meanwhile continue sending the donations to the the best-off sectors to help the striking miners which becomes a commitment." "I am firmly convinced that this conflict will have international repercussions." "because here is" "the resolve of the workers to defend their conquests and for the other side, it's the position of the Supreme government that until now, it has made itself deaf to the solution of this problem" "and the only culprit for prolonging these 37 days of strike has a first name and a last name." "This is a product of the inability of the ministers of Mining, Work, and of the civil servants." "For the first time, a worker's leader is received in the Catholic university." "when in the mine already, 75% of the workers are working, as well as 10% of the salaried employees." "leader Guillermo Medina comes to receive the support of the children of the ruling class." "Workers and students!" "United ahead!" "Get back!" "Get back!" "Inept government!" "The students of the Catholic University become the main strike agitators." "while in El Teniente, the strike backs down." "The opposition politicises the conflict." "In Santiago, the organisation "Women's Power"" "raises funds for the miner's spouses." "A large section of the middle class adds itself knowingly or unknowingly, to the ranks of fascists." "to the same time, in the city of Rancagua," "Shopkeepers, professionals and transport workers declare themselves on strike in solidarity with the striking miners" "On 10th June the opposition forcibly occupies the city's radio station." "As Rancagua the result barely manages to inflate the already receding political conflict, about to be resolved in the capital." "On the morning of the 15th of June 3000 strikers arrive in front of the Christian Democrat party offices" "These are approximately 25% of the mine's personnel" "The opposition deploys it's assault groups." "The government responds with police presence and with the mobilization of its people." "Columns of workers collaborate with the police force to impose order." "The agitators provoke the police while the left-wing workers disarm the barricades." "Clear up here!" "Let's clear the streets, comrades!" "At noon, the sympathisers of the Popular Unity congregate in front of La Moneda palace" "The street battle will go on until nightfall" "Allende!" "Allende!" "The people defend you!" "I am here, comrade, because I have class consciousness because I am gathered here with my class comrades to defend the government of the workers." "and I will be here until death, if necessary." "Comrade, I've been here from 7 in the morning, comrade out of firm conviction." "I am the father of twelve sons," "I know clearly that this fight of this government is not for me." "The days are few that I have left to fight and sacrifice." "It is for my sons." "What we defend is constitutional power." "We are against fascism." "We are with the popular government because we believe that it is a just fight that is happening at the moment." "We've come to defend the position of all the workers across the whole movement." "We don't want a group of privileged people like the miners of El Teniente." "This government is going to have problems" "Against all of that, we're going to defend the position of the government until the ultimate consequences." "Comrade, why are you here?" "Well, because I am Chilean and I have to defend the government of Allende because it is my government, the government of the people." "I believe that fascism can no longer be tolerated." "We have to stop it once and for all, since it's good for nothing." "That is what the people want." "You, wherever you go, ask the same, comrade:" "Enough of these idlers that are earning free money here in Congress, comrade." "That is the opinion of all the workers of all the working population, comrade." "And take a firm hand against the speculators, which will remove economic crimes so that once and for all we can fight and jail the crooks and hoarders." " Do you want to say something more?" " I'm happy with what I've said, comrade." "Popular Unity!" "We will win!" "The next day, the last strikers camp in front of the headquarters of the Christian Democratic party" "many of them return that same night to Rancagua" "Meanwhile, a symbolic group is transferred to the Catholic University" "In El Teniente, 93% of the personnel have returned to work" "21st June. the main Worker's Headquarters summons a mass demonstration of force against fascism." "Build!" "Build!" "Worker's Power!" "UP!" "No Compromise!" "Popular Unity!" "Against criminal perks!" "Build!" "Build!" "People's Militia!" "Power to the workers!" "The radio network which makes up Voice of the Nation." "The first worker of the nation, the President of the Republic, comrade Salvador Allende Gossens." "While in the center of Santiago half a million demonstrators, nearby, watching over the public force, the last strikers follow the demonstration from the roof of the Catholic University." "Support that never in our history" "was there a demonstration of this magnitude, and which was made up like this." "It was necessary to invent all of our methods to be able to have, at least and approximately," "an extraordinary sized, energetic and enormous multitude" "which fills the streets of Moneda, Agustinas," "Amunátegui, Ahumada, Morandé," "Huérfanos, Teatinos, a great part of Alameda and still the column that left from Tajamar has not been able to arrive." "like the one from Vicuña Mackenna." "Never in the history of Chile were the people more spirited, and ready." "Here we're building history." "Here we strengthen our right to build ffa future of justice and freedom, to open a passage towards socialism." "A week later, the copper strike ended." "On the 28th of June the 500 miners that occupied the Catholic University withdrew in small groups." "In total the conflict lasted 76 days and cost the state millions of dollars." "At the end of the strike, we can say that the opponents of Allende had tried almost everything to overthrow the government." "They only lacked a means of support." "The next day, 29th of June, at 9 in the morning the 2nd armoured regiment attacked the Palace of La Moneda with 6 tanks." "the Parliament, the judiciary, and the opposition parties kept silent." "The rest of the armed forces didn't back the action." "a little later, Leonardo Henricksen, an Argentinian cameraman, filmed his last shot." "Not just recording his own death, also recording, two months before the final coup, the true face of part of the Chilean army" "Be careful!" "Be careful!" "Be careful!" "Be careful!" "I'm leaving!"