Chile takes major step towards democracy

[Judi Lynn]

Chile takes major step towards democracy

Santiago July 15 2005
Copyright © 2005 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited. All Rights Reserved

Chile's senate has voted to change parts of the constitution dating from the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet to restore full civilian authority over the military, marking a major move in the country's return to democracy.

The package restored the president's power to sack the top military commanders and also eliminated nine appointed senate seats — four of which were allotted to retired commanders of the three branches of the military and the national police. The reforms would also reduce the president's term from six to four years, while maintaining the one-term limit.

The reforms had earlier been approved by the lower house of congress. A joint session of both chambers of the legislature was set for August 16 for final approval of the constitutional reforms, which is considered assured after an agreement supported by the governing and opposition parties. President Ricardo Lagos must then sign the reforms for them to take effect.

In Australia, Lagos said in a speech that the constitutional changes marked Chile's return to democracy.
(snip/...)

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/43144.html

[Toots]

1. If Democracy prevails Bush* Cabal will lose another one.

Give people the power and they will rid themselves of scum such as the Bush* Cabal and Penochet. Too bad the American people no longer have that power. DIEBOLD

[imenja]

2. Chile is not part of Bush's cabal

remember the UN Security Council?

[Toots]

3. You are saying the Bush* Cabal holds no sway in Chile?

I find that highly doubtful. I think the Bush* Cabal is into everything and every place. Especially anyplace with Natural Resources that can be plundered.

[imenja]

4. under Bush, the US is rapidly losing influence in Latin America

Ricardo Lagos, president of Chile, is a quasi socialist. The leading
candidate in upcoming elections is also a socialist and, incidentally, a woman. To say the US has influence in Chile is not the same as being part of a Bush "cabal." Chile and Mexico both refused to vote with the US on the second Iraq resolution--quite startling considering the historical dominance of the US in the region. With the exception of Colombia and Venezuela, the Bush administration has paid comparatively little attention to Latin America. Aid has dropped considerably, and Bush refused to help Argentina with it's financial collapse, probably the worst economic meltdown in Latin American history. China is rapidly gaining influence in the region, as it provides investment income that the US has declined to offer. My sense is that we are at a historical juncture in LA history, similar to the early 20th century when Britain lost economic--and hence political--influence to the United States. The sun may be setting on the US Empire in the Americas. Only time will tell for sure.

article on Chile's Lagos:http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/columnists/sfl-gmcol14jul14,0,3589974.column

NACLA is a far better source on LA but it's site is subscription only. You can buy it at bookstores with a decent selection of alternative periodicals.

[Say_What]

5. Not all NACLA's articles for $$$$ and COHA is pretty good too

http://www.nacla.org/issue_disp.php

http://www.coha.org/

[Say_What]

6. I am so looking forward to the Chilean elections in December

The Bushistas will be ordering Maalox by the truckload if front runner Michelle Bachelet wins as the polls are now indicating.


http://www.falkland-malvinas.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=6043

[WhiteTara]

7. hmm, maybe I'll move to Chile

global warming should change things so that it will be cooler there and I can get away from this nightmare into which chimpy and heartless have immersed our country.