The thunderous welcome home accorded by the Chilean military to former dictator Augusto Pinochet last Friday was as inappropriate as it was worrisome–a deliberate slap at newly elected President Ricardo Lagos, who will be inaugurated on March 11.
It may signal renewed friction in Chile between civilian and military authority, if not indeed an outright warning by the armed forces against any attempt to put the former dictator on trial for killings and disappearances that took place under his rule.
Lagos–a Socialist forced into exile following Pinochet’s coup in 1973–has vowed to take decisive action to demonstrate to the world that Chile is a democratic country “ruled by authorities elected by the people and in which the armed forces are disciplined, loyal and not involved in policy making.” He would be well advised to follow up on his promise before last week’s skirmish develops into a more debilitating confrontation.
Under house arrest near London for almost 17 months, Pinochet was released by the British government last week on grounds of ill health. Yet upon his arrival in Chile, Pinochet miraculously rose from his wheelchair–almost Lazarus-like–waved his cane and walked over to greet an honor guard of top armed forces brass and elite special forces in full battle gear.
A red-carpet military welcome, fit for a head of state, had been planned but reportedly was toned down after an irate President Eduardo Frei objected. He was said to be concerned about the impact of such a spectacle being broadcast all over the world.
In a civilian-controlled government, any such display by the military would be considered improper. In Chile, which returned to civilian rule only 10 years ago–after 13 years of military rule–the armed forces’ move cannot be interpreted except as a provocation.
During his detention in London, Pinochet’s influence back home seemed to have waned. The judiciary had begun the prosecution of several military officers for human rights violations during the dictatorship and even entertained 66 separate lawsuits against the former dictator.
In fact, within days after Pinochet’s return, a judge petitioned the Santiago Court of Appeals to strip the former dictator of his congressional immunity. Pinochet had declared himself senator-for-life as a shield against any prosecution.
Chile’s foreign minister described military-civilian relations as “difficult.” They’ll only get more difficult–and democracy more endangered–unless the new president promptly asserts civilian supremacy.
