1. the fight of a people without weapons
Copy !req
2. In memory of Jorge Müller Silva
Copy !req
3. PART 1
Copy !req
4. Six months before the bombing
of the La Moneda palace
Copy !req
5. The Chilean people face elections
to renew Parliament.
Copy !req
6. The political forces are
divided into two blocs:
Copy !req
7. On one side, the opposition formed from
the Christian Democrat and National parties.
Copy !req
8. On the other, the left-wing parties
in the Popular Unity coalition
Copy !req
9. who support Salvador Allende
in parliament.
Copy !req
10. The left united
will never be defeated!
Copy !req
11. Together.
Copy !req
12. Cut!
Copy !req
13. Clapperboard
Copy !req
14. Señor, good afternoon. What
do you think of the Sunday elections?
Copy !req
15. Well, I'm not political
so I don't have an opinion.
Copy !req
16. Señora, good afternoon. Who
do you believe will win on Sunday?
Copy !req
17. - The opposition will win
- The oppposition. Of course, then.
Copy !req
18. Frei, Jarpa, Labbé!
Three hatched from the same egg!
Copy !req
19. Señora, who are you going to vote for
in the next elections?
Copy !req
20. for Volodia Teitelboim and
Eliana Aranibar.
Copy !req
21. What do you think will
happen in the future?
Copy !req
22. That we are going to keep progressing
and we have to keep fighting
Copy !req
23. much more, because comrade,
of who we've been fighting.
Copy !req
24. What can I say about Frei?
Copy !req
25. In his government I had a farmhouse
that fell down on me.
Copy !req
26. The water ran inside
Copy !req
27. to my four sons with bronchial
pneumonia.
Copy !req
28. I asked for help here, I asked for help there
and nowhere was I listened to.
Copy !req
29. Now, wherever I go I am listened to
Copy !req
30. and thanks to my President, I have a
nice house. Not with great comforts,
Copy !req
31. but I've not gone without bread
Copy !req
32. Retired
Copy !req
33. I am retired.
Copy !req
34. No government is like this...
Copy !req
35. No government had done what
this government did.
Copy !req
36. Who is going to win on Sunday?
Copy !req
37. I believe it'll be the Popular Unity
Copy !req
38. because the workers must decide the
destiny of Chile
Copy !req
39. What do you think of the Christian
Democrats?
Copy !req
40. I believe that the Christian Democrats
are a party that have always
Copy !req
41. defended the interests of their own class
Copy !req
42. and not those of the working class
Copy !req
43. - Thank you very much.
- Before I was skinny, now I've corn with huesillos.
Copy !req
44. Excuse me, pardon me, comrade.
Copy !req
45. Comrade, who is going to win
on Sunday?
Copy !req
46. I couldn't say who.
Copy !req
47. - I couldn't say.
- No, sir.
Copy !req
48. - You've no idea. - I've no idea.
- Do you read the daily papers?
Copy !req
49. I don't read much.
Copy !req
50. Who is going to win on Sunday?
Copy !req
51. I don't know ... the UP
Copy !req
52. Us, the 45. The 45.
Copy !req
53. The Popular Unity is going to win
by an overwhelming amount of votes.
Copy !req
54. because it is the government of the
workers, the government of the people.
Copy !req
55. and the people have realised the benefits
that come from socialism
Copy !req
56. for all citizens.
Copy !req
57. Thank you, comrade.
Copy !req
58. Señor, good afternoon.
Copy !req
59. What percentage do you think is
going to go to the Popular Unity?
Copy !req
60. The truth of the matter is that
the Popular Unity is going to win
Copy !req
61. Because now it has ... in 1970
our share was 36%
Copy !req
62. Now, with what we have,
Copy !req
63. and the folk who are with us, the people are
with comrade Salvador Allende,
Copy !req
64. we're assured of 43% or more.
Copy !req
65. 43% or more.
Copy !req
66. Señora, good afternoon.
Copy !req
67. I'm going to vote for Volodia Teitelboim
and Eliana Aranibar
Copy !req
68. What percentage of the vote do you reckon
the Popular Unity will get?
Copy !req
69. more than 40%.
Copy !req
70. What do you think of the shortages?
Copy !req
71. I don't think there is a shortage,
because I'm still not lost half a kilo.
Copy !req
72. Sir, what is your position
about the elections?
Copy !req
73. That the Popular Unity gets
less than 20%.
Copy !req
74. What do you think about the future?
Copy !req
75. All of the ways forward will be painful,
Of that, I've no doubt
Copy !req
76. Sir, What's your position regarding
the elections?
Copy !req
77. - Leave me in peace.
- Thank you.
Copy !req
78. Señor, What's your position regarding
the elections, this Sunday?
Copy !req
79. Everywhere victory for the opposition,
the National Party above all.
Copy !req
80. What are your thoughts on the future?
Copy !req
81. That Chile must achieve, peacefully,
freedom and democracy
Copy !req
82. Señor, good afternoon.
Copy !req
83. What do you think about the
elections on Sunday?
Copy !req
84. I believe that it's a referendum
Copy !req
85. And that on Sunday, Chile goes to decide
if it wants Marxism or if it wants freedom
Copy !req
86. What about the future?
Copy !req
87. Going forward, after the elections
Copy !req
88. I think that the only solution
is to change the government
Copy !req
89. You believe through elections,
or some another way?
Copy !req
90. Through elections
Copy !req
91. Sir, what is your position on
the elections on Sunday?
Copy !req
92. That...
Copy !req
93. well, I believe that we'll give
a beating to the Popular Front
Copy !req
94. That it's going to be made into ashes.
Copy !req
95. Do you believe in the electoral route,
or in another way?
Copy !req
96. In the electoral way always.
Copy !req
97. What percentage do you give to the Popular
Unity and to the National Party?
Copy !req
98. 30 to 70.
Copy !req
99. What do you think the future holds?
Copy !req
100. For the future. That Chile always
has a promising future.
Copy !req
101. - Thank you very much
- Don't mention it
Copy !req
102. Señora, good afternoon. What is your position
regarding the elections?
Copy !req
103. Jarpa and Alessandri.
Copy !req
104. Who do you prefer?
Copy !req
105. The National Party, always.
Copy !req
106. Do you believe in the electoral route,
or in another way?
Copy !req
107. I think that there should be a firm line
Copy !req
108. That we aren't playing any more tricks
on the people or anything.
Copy !req
109. What possibilities do you see ahead,
beyond the elections?
Copy !req
110. Do everything possible to rebuild Chile
Copy !req
111. Thank you very much
Copy !req
112. Señor, who will you vote for
on Sunday?
Copy !req
113. for Jarpa, señor.
Copy !req
114. Who's going to win the election?
Copy !req
115. In the elections? The opposition
by far.
Copy !req
116. What percentage do you reckon?
Copy !req
117. at least 65%
Copy !req
118. What do you think about after the
elections? What'll happen in Chile?
Copy !req
119. After the elections, the government
must respect the majority.
Copy !req
120. Are you in favour of the electoral
way, or for other ways?
Copy !req
121. - For the electoral way, señor.
- Thank you very much
Copy !req
122. - ... constitutionally, the President
next. - How?
Copy !req
123. They impeach the President and
we remove them on 21st of May
Copy !req
124. because they've destroyed, worn out...
Copy !req
125. and this is a corrupt and
degenerate government, señor
Copy !req
126. Degenerate and corrupt. Impure.
Copy !req
127. Revolting communists must
all leave Chile
Copy !req
128. On the 21st of May, we'll have,
by the grace of God,
Copy !req
129. the cleanest and nicest government
that we've ever had
Copy !req
130. winning with democracy and removing
those rotten Marxist communists.
Copy !req
131. Damn them.
Copy !req
132. What are your preferences among the
opposition?
Copy !req
133. Of the candidates? Jarpa and
Gustavo Alessandri, señor.
Copy !req
134. What percentage would you give them?
Copy !req
135. Ideally, it would be 100%, but in reality
it would be 60 and something percent.
Copy !req
136. Power to the workers!
Copy !req
137. Comrade, what do you think of...
Copy !req
138. What's your position on the
elections on Sunday?
Copy !req
139. For me, that the Popular Unity wins,
and that they'll bury the right.
Copy !req
140. Because we will win with
the Popular Unity
Copy !req
141. Here and anywhere else, we will win.
Copy !req
142. And the rightists, they'll die.
Copy !req
143. Comrade, what is your position
before the elections on Sunday?
Copy !req
144. To fight hard to remove
a great majority.
Copy !req
145. So that we have a clear program
Copy !req
146. and that we realise this is
the only way to get
Copy !req
147. power. We already have the
government.
Copy !req
148. Now it's in our interest to get the
Chamber of Deputies and the Senate
Copy !req
149. Basically, it means getting a little
more power for the class
Copy !req
150. but in any case...
Copy !req
151. it's not the ultimate solution
Copy !req
152. We believe that ultimately,
one more election
Copy !req
153. is not going to solve the problem
of avoiding the confrontation.
Copy !req
154. the confrontation is inevitable and
fundamental. One side is going to give
Copy !req
155. because at the moment the classes
are becoming more and more polarised
Copy !req
156. One side the bourgeoisie, the
other side the proletariat
Copy !req
157. And that confrontation is going
to have to give way
Copy !req
158. Forward without compromise!
Copy !req
159. As is normal, the armed forces
Copy !req
160. guarantee order during the
elections
Copy !req
161. The dependable, dull, opposition.
Copy !req
162. With two thirds in the
Parliament
Copy !req
163. they would be able to dismiss Salvador
Allende constitutionally
Copy !req
164. That needs more than
60% of the votes.
Copy !req
165. For the left this is the first
ballot against all the opposing forces
Copy !req
166. since the triumph of 1970.
Copy !req
167. It is also an opportunity to
measure its forces
Copy !req
168. After two and a half years of an
economic boycott pushed by Washington
Copy !req
169. and the internal opposition.
Copy !req
170. Sunday 4th March, at 8am,
Voting has started.
Copy !req
171. - Señora, good afternoon.
- good afternoon.
Copy !req
172. We're from channel 13 and we'll be conducting
interviews in the building.
Copy !req
173. We want to know who you're voting for
and who you believe is going to win
Copy !req
174. - Sorry if we're bothering you
- no, it's no bother
Copy !req
175. Me, I like Baltra. I voted for him.
Copy !req
176. - You voted for him?
- yes.
Copy !req
177. And what percentage do you think he's going to
win in the CODE?
Copy !req
178. - What's going to happen?
- Enough, there's some light here.
Copy !req
179. - Excuse me.
- Go on.
Copy !req
180. Sir, good afternoon. We are from channel 13
and we're making an interview
Copy !req
181. We want to know who, for what
percentage, will win the CODE?
Copy !req
182. I have no idea. I didn't vote.
Copy !req
183. - You didn't vote? - No.
- I didn't have a preference.
Copy !req
184. - No, nothing.
- Thank you very much
Copy !req
185. You voted for Baltra. At what time
did you vote?
Copy !req
186. - Voted for Jarpa?
- for Jarpa.
Copy !req
187. - What time did you vote?
- 11 in the morning.
Copy !req
188. - In what community?
- Ñuñoa, the National Stadium
Copy !req
189. And what seems to be happening now?
What impression did you have?
Copy !req
190. Splendid. It was a fantastic meeting
and I think that democracy will triumph
Copy !req
191. What do you believe is going to happen
in the future?
Copy !req
192. That he's going to go away to fix
everything and we're going to rebuild Chile
Copy !req
193. What do you think? What is needed to dismiss
the President, or to follow on, legally?
Copy !req
194. I can't say. We must fix
everything that we find
Copy !req
195. because we can't go on like this
Copy !req
196. What do you think of the rally for Jarpa,
that was here two days ago?
Copy !req
197. Fantastic. I was watching it here.
Copy !req
198. And what especially appealed to
you about the rally?
Copy !req
199. Of course. Lots of people, lots of
enthusiasm
Copy !req
200. and very orderly.
Copy !req
201. Well... and I think that it was
wonderful and that we're going to win
Copy !req
202. Tell me, what do you think of
the alliance with the Christian Democrats?
Copy !req
203. Well, I think it's splendid, very good.
Copy !req
204. It seems very good. I'm comfortable
with that alliance.
Copy !req
205. I feel very comfortable.
I think that everything's ready.
Copy !req
206. - You understand?
- Thank you very much.
Copy !req
207. At 5 in the afternoon the first results
are known.
Copy !req
208. The Minister of the interior, General
Carlos Prats,
Copy !req
209. assures the maximum guarantees of
honesty in all sectors.
Copy !req
210. Nevertheless, before the end of
the count
Copy !req
211. there were claims of victory by
the opposition parties
Copy !req
212. Without mentioning that more than 40% of
the votes are for the left
Copy !req
213. And the opposition, which never
doubted that it would win,
Copy !req
214. goes out to the streets to celebrate the
supposed end of the Popular Unity
Copy !req
215. - What do you think of the election, señor?
- We've won. We've won now.
Copy !req
216. We got over 60%
Copy !req
217. Señora, what do you think of today's
election?
Copy !req
218. Phenomenal. We have won
in every way.
Copy !req
219. - Señor, what do you think of ... ?
- Nice, Frei.
Copy !req
220. I'm Argentinian and I am happy that
Frei won. But it's very good.
Copy !req
221. Immense joy.
Copy !req
222. There are several Frei who
are in Chile.
Copy !req
223. - ... of what happened today?
- A triumph, excellent.
Copy !req
224. It's totally successful. We are happy,
pleased.
Copy !req
225. What do you think will happen in future?
Copy !req
226. A referendum and we're going on to win
the elections.
Copy !req
227. Mr Allende is going to have to
leave the country immediately.
Copy !req
228. - you are in favour of impeachment?
- Naturally
Copy !req
229. Anyway, see you later.
Copy !req
230. What do you think of today's election?
Copy !req
231. That it has been a triumph of democracy
and that Chile will always be free.
Copy !req
232. - What will happen in the future?
- God doesn't love those who do nothing
Copy !req
233. You support the constitutional allegation
against Allende? - Yes señor, yes.
Copy !req
234. Do you believe that this will cause
a civil war?
Copy !req
235. - It doesn't matter. - No, in no way
It's the majority. We have the majority.
Copy !req
236. What do you think of today's election?
Copy !req
237. Finally, we took out the leader of these dicks
Copy !req
238. Sir, what did you think of today's election?
Copy !req
239. Very good, very magnificent.
Copy !req
240. Forgive me for saying so. It's a great
thing, a splendid thing
Copy !req
241. The UP went to the trash,
can't say that other word
Copy !req
242. Forgive me for saying so
Copy !req
243. - Which candidate did you prefer?
- Frei.
Copy !req
244. I am Alfonso Carrasco Cerda, president
of the pensioners of the Bank of Chile
Copy !req
245. I consider that we have defended
democracy and the freedom of Chile.
Copy !req
246. - Thank you very much. I would like to
add something else? - yes...
Copy !req
247. Greetings to all the people that have
contributed to freeing our country...
Copy !req
248. Past midnight the results start to
disconcert the opposition
Copy !req
249. The number of votes they dreamed about
is marred by failure
Copy !req
250. and the Popular Unity not only doesn't lose
its electoral support, but increases it
Copy !req
251. Without accepting the calculations, part
of the opposition speaks of electoral fraud
Copy !req
252. and takes it's assault force out to
the street
Copy !req
253. A day later, the Examining Tribunal of
Elections controlled by the opposition
Copy !req
254. confirmed the official results.
Copy !req
255. The opposing parties are far from the
two thirds that they needed
Copy !req
256. to dismiss Salvador Allende.
Copy !req
257. The Popular Unity raises it's vote to 43.4%
and so increases it's number of parliamentarians.
Copy !req
258. obtaining an unprecedented support
after a two and a half year mandate
Copy !req
259. For the opposition, the oath of
the deputies
Copy !req
260. marks the end of the electoral phase.
Copy !req
261. Señores deputies, do you swear
or promise
Copy !req
262. to uphold the constitution of the state
Copy !req
263. consult in the exercise of
your functions
Copy !req
264. its true interests.
Copy !req
265. I declare you members of the Chamber
Copy !req
266. Having fulfilled the aims of the present
session, it's adjourned.
Copy !req
267. From now on, the White House
and the opposition
Copy !req
268. understand that the mechanisms
of democracy don't serve them
Copy !req
269. The votes that the government
coalition obtain
Copy !req
270. demonstrate that in Chile the
yearning for change hasn't subsided
Copy !req
271. in spite of the millions of dollars that the
North American government has invested.
Copy !req
272. After March, the strategy
of the "democratic" opposition
Copy !req
273. will be, paradoxically, the
strategy of the coup d'etat.
Copy !req
274. Thanks to the denunciation of a neighbour,
Copy !req
275. here in the local unit no 8 of
the seventh commune,
Copy !req
276. in Copiapó 319, they discovered
a hoard:
Copy !req
277. 20 tons of sugar 400 boxes of
toilet paper,
Copy !req
278. 500 boxes of washing powder, 100 boxes of
Nescafé, 100 cartons of condensed milk
Copy !req
279. 50 boxes of salmon, rice in great
quantities.
Copy !req
280. Of course. This was to be sold here, to the
neighbours in this sector
Copy !req
281. who had already accumulated a great amount.
Copy !req
282. This sale is surely going to last
about three days.
Copy !req
283. The government strengthens the JAP, or
Board of Supply and Prices.
Copy !req
284. In theory, the JAP are local
organizations
Copy !req
285. to control food distribution
and denounce speculators
Copy !req
286. When the JAP discover a
hoarder
Copy !req
287. the government intervenes and
puts the products on sale.
Copy !req
288. in Lirquén, in Mrs Rufina Moreno Díaz'
warehouse
Copy !req
289. was the following merchandise:
Copy !req
290. 310 packets of tea
Copy !req
291. two boxes of 50 detergents
Copy !req
292. 53 boxes of food for children
Copy !req
293. everything eaten by mice
Copy !req
294. I bought sugar and OMO and two
packets of tea
Copy !req
295. because I didn't have more than
100 escudos
Copy !req
296. That I had for goods. I didn't
have any more, couldn't take more
Copy !req
297. Well, I have at least ten
children, señor,
Copy !req
298. and spend whole mornings walking,
looking for...
Copy !req
299. It's necessary to defeat the black market,
what's needed is remove the leaders of these guysf.
Copy !req
300. Here it's necessary to come here
and close their businesses, jail them.
Copy !req
301. That's really what is necessary
so that these people are scared
Copy !req
302. and they can't continue speculating
Copy !req
303. And I think that there is a surplus
of supplies, see
Copy !req
304. how many times it's not been released
in our newspapers
Copy !req
305. for example, of so many tons
of sugar,
Copy !req
306. so many things that have been found
hoarded.
Copy !req
307. In the month of March there are 3000
JAP in all Chile.
Copy !req
308. In somes cases the JAP adopt
ration cards
Copy !req
309. to make the distribution more
efficient.
Copy !req
310. Which is the card? Show
us a sample.
Copy !req
311. This is a ration card. Look.
I have 14 rations
Copy !req
312. Here they give two cubes of stock,
four cubes when it arrives, see?
Copy !req
313. Or in case more arrives, it gives more.
Copy !req
314. These are all equal: Nescafé,
milk, all those things are rationed.
Copy !req
315. And you get them with that?
Copy !req
316. Yes, we get them. And if they don't arrive, we
use them for buying other things,
Copy !req
317. other articles.
Copy !req
318. Look at the vegetable that I bought.
Copy !req
319. The main aims of the
opposition are:
Copy !req
320. to break up the food deliveries,
exhaust the reserve stocks,
Copy !req
321. and sabotage the sowing of crops to
increase the shortages.
Copy !req
322. Sigamos this way?
Copy !req
323. Is there oil, señora?
Copy !req
324. Look, they've stopped giving me oil.
I don't know if they have any today
Copy !req
325. but I bought oil 3 days ago.
Copy !req
326. Would you like to say something more to
comrades from other provinces?
Copy !req
327. We are making a film
Copy !req
328. I, at least, I support
whatever happens that is...
Copy !req
329. for a better future,
at least for my sons
Copy !req
330. if I can't achieve it for myself.
Copy !req
331. I agree with this government.
Copy !req
332. Would you like to say something more?
Copy !req
333. No, nothing more. Thanks, no more
for this interview.
Copy !req
334. For the opposition the example of the
JAP becomes dangerous.
Copy !req
335. The Congress begins accusing
Minister Orlando Millas,
Copy !req
336. Administrator of the JAP.
Copy !req
337. The opposition begins using
their simple majority in Congress
Copy !req
338. to undermine the government.
Copy !req
339. Here are gathered the documents
that register the accusations.
Copy !req
340. In this case, the opposition
designates one of it's deputies
Copy !req
341. to interrogate a neighbour,
member of the JAP.
Copy !req
342. What functions does it perform in practice?
Copy !req
343. How would you say the JAP organises itself?
Copy !req
344. The JAP organisation seems to me
to be an organization made up
Copy !req
345. of people, of citizens,
of workers, homeowners
Copy !req
346. that come together, through a meeting
Copy !req
347. They aim to be able to control,
somehow,
Copy !req
348. more to see whether or not
enough supplies exist
Copy !req
349. in a village.
Copy !req
350. That's what I want you to explain to me.
Copy !req
351. I have to say this so that you
adapt yourself to what I want.
Copy !req
352. - Naturally.
- You understand? It's not by...
Copy !req
353. Not, if for that reason, I am orientating this,
without the implication,
Copy !req
354. that I'm saying this to
induce you to say something.
Copy !req
355. You understand? Very well. I like
be very honest in this.
Copy !req
356. It looks to me as though...
Copy !req
357. the function of this organization, JAP,
Copy !req
358. is to document
Copy !req
359. that the people receive
enough supplies
Copy !req
360. for all the families that
there are in the village.
Copy !req
361. In spite of the fact that the opposition
is unable to prove anything
Copy !req
362. the proceedings will run their course
Copy !req
363. The mechanisms will be repeated with other
high government functionaries.
Copy !req
364. or the ministers resign or
are expelled.
Copy !req
365. By means of the accusation, the opposition
starts a power struggle
Copy !req
366. between the Parliament and the President
of the Republic
Copy !req
367. In each case, a representative of
the left
Copy !req
368. goes to demonstrate the legal
deficiency of these allegations
Copy !req
369. Consequently
Copy !req
370. The minister of state only
answers for his acts and conduct
Copy !req
371. to the President of the Republic
who appointed him and can remove him
Copy !req
372. and he is neither subjected
to intervention from,
Copy !req
373. nor is at the convenience of,
Copy !req
374. the opinions of the majority
of congress.
Copy !req
375. Political judgement over him is only
granted,
Copy !req
376. in the Chilean system, to the President
of the Republic.
Copy !req
377. And in the particular case of the minister,
Mr Orlando Millas, head of the economics portfolio
Copy !req
378. that we've looked at in this
impeachment proceeding
Copy !req
379. the accusation cannot be used
to decide
Copy !req
380. whether the supply policy is
good or bad,
Copy !req
381. whether the minister controls,
Copy !req
382. the management of the price control
policy,
Copy !req
383. or the ways in which they think production
tasks should be orientated,
Copy !req
384. supply and general distribution
of the Chilean economy.
Copy !req
385. Therefore,
Copy !req
386. Not only is this impeachment
invalid, ineffective and illegitimate
Copy !req
387. but it is an accusation that
stifles, that overrruns, that violates
Copy !req
388. the ground that the Constitution
cedes to the President of the Republic
Copy !req
389. so far as it's prerogatives and
it's essential powers.
Copy !req
390. Days later, in the
Chamber of Deputies
Copy !req
391. the vote to expel minister Orlando Millas
takes place
Copy !req
392. in a period of three months
Copy !req
393. the opposition dismisses two aides
and seven ministers of Allende.
Copy !req
394. That is to say, a top official
of the Popular Unity every ten days
Copy !req
395. Certainly, they reject the
fact we use
Copy !req
396. the laws that they had in their
hands
Copy !req
397. and that they used against
the people.
Copy !req
398. When we do it
Copy !req
399. to defend the legitimate government
Copy !req
400. and the advancement of the workers,
Copy !req
401. then that creates this attitude of resistance
in these sectors,
Copy !req
402. that has all the guarantees, I repeat,
Copy !req
403. from the reality that our nation lives.
Copy !req
404. And this is a government
Copy !req
405. that is not socialist.
Copy !req
406. It is a popular, democratic,
national, revolutionary government
Copy !req
407. That must fulfil a program
Copy !req
408. to widen and hasten the
road to socialism
Copy !req
409. the transformation of our
society.
Copy !req
410. Shortly afterwards, Congress
begins a prosecution
Copy !req
411. against all the ministers
of the government.
Copy !req
412. This would mean the dismissal of
fifteen ministers at one time.
Copy !req
413. Nevertheless, popular pressure makes
part of the opposition back down
Copy !req
414. and the maneouvre fails.
Copy !req
415. And the right has always
been screwing the state backwards.
Copy !req
416. It's always us that has been
urging the overthrow of the government.
Copy !req
417. But that will never happen
Copy !req
418. because we, the workers, choose
this government.
Copy !req
419. And this government will follow
us, because it is ours.
Copy !req
420. And we will defend it with our
lives, be that as it may.
Copy !req
421. If they want to fight us on the street
we will go out onto the streets
Copy !req
422. And if that fight happens, we will know to fight
like the conscientious workers that we are
Copy !req
423. in defence of our worker's
democracy.
Copy !req
424. On April 17, the government resolves
to nationalise
Copy !req
425. 49 more industries that
are boycotting production.
Copy !req
426. In reply, Congress presents
a constitutional reform
Copy !req
427. that invalidates almost all the nationalisations
that the government had made until now.
Copy !req
428. The Christian Democrats and the National Party
Copy !req
429. affirm that in this case, the head
of state has no right to veto.
Copy !req
430. That is to say, it should enact the reforms
and return the factories without discussion.
Copy !req
431. This means that for a simple majority
Copy !req
432. Congress wishes to cut out,
from Salvador Allende,
Copy !req
433. powers that other
premiers had.
Copy !req
434. And of these gentlemen of the right, it's
good that they already realise
Copy !req
435. that they are receiving fabulous
wages and they do nothing,
Copy !req
436. only making trouble for the country. And that
that is what they're thinking, to agitate.
Copy !req
437. But they pay themselves
fabulous sums
Copy !req
438. and we find with great surprise
Copy !req
439. to see that our factory, our
source of work
Copy !req
440. was totally dismantled,
in warehouses
Copy !req
441. because these gentlemen practically
stole the machinery.
Copy !req
442. We want nothing to do
with the boss. Absolutely nothing.
Copy !req
443. Because for a long time they have pulled,
little by little,
Copy !req
444. until we have finally arrived
at the end of our tether.
Copy !req
445. It's been shown that the owners
Copy !req
446. of these industries have begun
boycott of production.
Copy !req
447. And we, the workers, are
against that
Copy !req
448. Well, I can only hope that it will
be resolved soon
Copy !req
449. and hopefully that government
intervenes in industry,
Copy !req
450. because we can't continue working
with the bosses
Copy !req
451. - And what's this factory called?
- This is called 'the Prison'
Copy !req
452. Because of the feudal mentality
of our bosses
Copy !req
453. and the comrades from other branches
of industry,
Copy !req
454. because of this pressure they called us
"the Prison" of saint Elena.
Copy !req
455. 23rd May, Eduardo Frei,
Copy !req
456. Christian Democrat and ex-President
of Chile,
Copy !req
457. is chosen as head of the Senate
Copy !req
458. one of its tasks will be to exacerbate
the power struggle.
Copy !req
459. If Allende refuses to enact the
reforms and not return the industries,
Copy !req
460. the opposition parties will say
that it's unconstitutional
Copy !req
461. and if he accepts, Parliament will have,
de facto control of the State.
Copy !req
462. Allende considers this
illegitimate
Copy !req
463. and puts the problem to the
Constitutional Court
Copy !req
464. If we understand that at this time
Copy !req
465. The fundamental thing, the basic thing
Copy !req
466. is to strengthen the government in politics
Copy !req
467. and take over the instruments
Copy !req
468. granting access to the institutions
Copy !req
469. so that the opposition understand that
they can't deny the government what it needs
Copy !req
470. to exist and defend Chile
from economic realities,
Copy !req
471. which didn't arise from our
own mistakes,
Copy !req
472. that's not to deny that we've
committed them,
Copy !req
473. but there are international and
national factors
Copy !req
474. that outweigh them when a
government like ours
Copy !req
475. is confronted with imperialism
Copy !req
476. and with the landowning oligarchs
and feudal bankers.
Copy !req
477. The deputies who reject the
proposal are asked to raise their hands.
Copy !req
478. From now on, Parliament will look
for the final blockade of government.
Copy !req
479. In the months of April, May and June
Copy !req
480. Congress declares a boycott against
all Popular Unity initiatives
Copy !req
481. Result of the vote:
Copy !req
482. In favour, 52 votes;
Copy !req
483. Against, 81.
Copy !req
484. The proposal formed by the Executive
stays rejected.
Copy !req
485. The law to punish economic
crimes is rejected.
Copy !req
486. The law to create the ministry
of the family is rejected.
Copy !req
487. The law for wage and
salary rises for the workers,
Copy !req
488. is postponed and later approved
without funding.
Copy !req
489. The law to regulate the participation of
workers in factories is rejected.
Copy !req
490. The law to create the Ministry of the Sea
is rejected.
Copy !req
491. The law to form autonomous businesses
is rejected.
Copy !req
492. In a few months, 20 more bills are
approved without funding.
Copy !req
493. Nationalism! Here!
Copy !req
494. Nationalism! Forward!
Copy !req
495. Fatherland and Liberty!
Copy !req
496. We are going to a shock squadron
of the group "Fatherland and Liberty"
Copy !req
497. The institutional conflict, on it's own
Copy !req
498. Isn't enough to justify a
coup d'etat
Copy !req
499. It is also necessary to provoke
violence and civil disorder
Copy !req
500. This is the principal aim
of this organization
Copy !req
501. Fatherland and Liberty makes up
a small part
Copy !req
502. of the mass movement of the right
Copy !req
503. but it's fascist ideology hangs
over some opposition parties
Copy !req
504. and the armed forces.
Copy !req
505. between its leaders and ideologues
Copy !req
506. there are former employees of the intelligence
services of the USA in Chile.
Copy !req
507. Their main income comes from the
National Society of Agriculture
Copy !req
508. and the Society of Manufacturers.
Copy !req
509. But much aid comes from the
US State Department.
Copy !req
510. In 1974 some ex-officials
of that department
Copy !req
511. revealed that in this period, the
CIA maintained in Chile,
Copy !req
512. forty first-class agents,
Copy !req
513. many of them advising
Fatherland and Liberty.
Copy !req
514. In April, the opposition finds
an excuse to continue agitation.
Copy !req
515. The government has presented a project
of educational reform.
Copy !req
516. to democratise the education system.
Copy !req
517. Feeling threatened, the opposition
mobilises it's strike force.
Copy !req
518. For the first time in Chile, an
appreciable quantity of students
Copy !req
519. are able to take with themf the more
privileged sectors.
Copy !req
520. the opposition parties, the
professionals,
Copy !req
521. the union of retailers
support the street disorder
Copy !req
522. It's good to be on the defensive.
Copy !req
523. It is good that we're just reacting,
as though we are puppets
Copy !req
524. because the questions,
from now on, comrades,
Copy !req
525. we will have to make them reality
Copy !req
526. and the conflicting problems,
we must face them hard.
Copy !req
527. and we must attack whoever puts
themselves in front of us
Copy !req
528. and we're not going to leave the streets, comrades,
to fight with the children of the right.
Copy !req
529. That is, those in charge of the carabineros.
Copy !req
530. and in charge of the military -
there's too few in charge.
Copy !req
531. We are then going to see how
we can face the state
Copy !req
532. It is a bourgeois state that we
will someday have to defeat.
Copy !req
533. Yesterday, we have seen some
sectors protesting for different things
Copy !req
534. and using class comrades,
Copy !req
535. the Chilean reaction in
such situations, and rightly so,
Copy !req
536. That is, what the comrades suggest,
Copy !req
537. over the situation of distribution,
over the law of agricultural reform.
Copy !req
538. over the nationalisation of hoarders.
Copy !req
539. I believe that they are fundamental
matters
Copy !req
540. to which the workers must already consider
Copy !req
541. asking for a referendum over
questions of this nature,
Copy !req
542. and not in the situation that
the reactionaries are creating,
Copy !req
543. and with effective mobilization
of the workers.
Copy !req
544. Because we cannot accept
these escalations, day after day.
Copy !req
545. The situation we've seen coming,
as we say, from October
Copy !req
546. and they're once more preparing for.
Copy !req
547. They're copying it because they
don't have
Copy !req
548. the initiative to change the
situation that they created in October
Copy !req
549. and now the workers should go,
to definitively stop these people
Copy !req
550. and demand a referendum from the
goverment over basic questions.
Copy !req
551. How are we going to address
the question of transport?
Copy !req
552. Because each time that they
need to attack the government,
Copy !req
553. they make the transport workers
go on strike.
Copy !req
554. Really. Because they are
manipulating drivers
Copy !req
555. because the majority of
drivers are classless.
Copy !req
556. They don't recognise the union.
Copy !req
557. They are only worried about how
much they are going to earn
Copy !req
558. They don't go to union meetings
they don't want to know anything
Copy !req
559. So there are very few unions
that are functioning in transportation
Copy !req
560. Those that function, still
run badly
Copy !req
561. Before the threat of the shopkeepers to
begin a general strike the next week,
Copy !req
562. there was the immediate nationalisation
Copy !req
563. of the hoarders
Copy !req
564. Before the threat to boycott
manufacturing and the economy
Copy !req
565. There was ordered, once and for all, and
in a single package,
Copy !req
566. the commandeering of the rest of the
companies that were
Copy !req
567. among the 90 that still hadn't
passed into worker control
Copy !req
568. and which were immediately integrated
with the working class into the planned economy
Copy !req
569. It is doubtless that at this moment
Copy !req
570. the resolutions must turn
Copy !req
571. on the problem of the fundamental
mobilization.
Copy !req
572. We of ANATE: like the public workers,
Copy !req
573. believe that in this moment we have
everybody ready to march
Copy !req
574. before the Congress.
Copy !req
575. If there is anybody that objects to
the proposal...
Copy !req
576. To the Parliament, comrades!
Copy !req
577. Comrades, we ask for the
comrades in the public works,
Copy !req
578. if they count on modes of transportation
- trucks, light-trucks -
Copy !req
579. so that they can transport
Copy !req
580. groups of workers who are going
to leave the industries
Copy !req
581. There are trucks, comrades. There are
trucks and buses.
Copy !req
582. There are trucks at our disposal.
Forward, comrades, forward.
Copy !req
583. April 27th. The Main worker's
office
Copy !req
584. summons a mass action in
support of the government.
Copy !req
585. Through the presence of the
workers,
Copy !req
586. they try to prevent the streets
of Santiago
Copy !req
587. from continuing to be in the
hands of the opposition
Copy !req
588. Power to the workers!
Copy !req
589. Build! Build! Worker's Power!
Copy !req
590. When a column of demonstrators
Copy !req
591. pass before the headquarters of
the Christian Democrat party
Copy !req
592. They are attacked.
Copy !req
593. From the windows there are shots
which kill a worker
Copy !req
594. and seriously wound six others.
Copy !req
595. Everything that happened is the responsibility
of the people that came to provoke us.
Copy !req
596. And the dead and the six wounded?
Copy !req
597. Where? Which ones?
Copy !req
598. Do you believe that, señor?
Copy !req
599. We've already had to leave
as we were knocked down over there
Copy !req
600. - Is it Christian to kill people?
- Who was protecting us?
Copy !req
601. You justify the death of...?
Copy !req
602. You are speaking here in the offices
of the Christian Democratic Party
Copy !req
603. and here, in the office of the
Christian Democrat party...
Copy !req
604. Don't attack me because...!
Copy !req
605. No, but why ... why attack
a journalist?
Copy !req
606. How was, from where? How was it?
When did they shoot?
Copy !req
607. No... it's not clear. That's been handed
over to a court invesigation
Copy !req
608. but in any case that is at the
dispensation of the magistrate
Copy !req
609. it's the magistrate who's in charge here.
Copy !req
610. In this case the police,
Copy !req
611. Everything related to public order
is the concern of the magistrate
Copy !req
612. the concern of the court
Copy !req
613. That is the Code of Penal Procedures.
Copy !req
614. The influence of the violent groups
Copy !req
615. is evident in the Christian
Democrat Party.
Copy !req
616. Juan Hamilton, Senator of the
conservative wing of the party
Copy !req
617. refuses to make a statement.
Copy !req
618. Moment of silence, please
comrades.
Copy !req
619. Calm the mood.
Copy !req
620. Workers against fascism!
Copy !req
621. Comrade José Ricardo Ahumada!
Present!
Copy !req
622. Comrade José Ricardo Ahumada!
Present!
Copy !req
623. With your example!
We will win!
Copy !req
624. 300,000 persons go,
on the 30th of April,
Copy !req
625. to see off their fallen comrade.
Copy !req
626. Realising that they've still not
attained the right conditions,
Copy !req
627. the opposition ends this phase
of street agitation.
Copy !req
628. The proceedings to punish those responsible
for the death of the worker Ahumada
Copy !req
629. don't go well.
Copy !req
630. Justice moves slowly.
Copy !req
631. The Supreme Court, in practice, ensures
the impunity of those responsible
Copy !req
632. Again the union
Copy !req
633. arrives at this meeting convened for
the national leaders,
Copy !req
634. to learn the records
Copy !req
635. and figures that represent our
prices.
Copy !req
636. Firstly, there are speeches
Copy !req
637. The president of the Chilean National
Confederation of Taxibuses and Minibuses,
Copy !req
638. Ernesto Cisterna Solís.
Copy !req
639. I believe that this assembly
Copy !req
640. stands up and says to the minister that
we are also tired
Copy !req
641. of seeing so much inefficiency and so much
incapacity for resolve...
Copy !req
642. During the three years of the
Popular Unity
Copy !req
643. the American Institute of Free Labour
Development
Copy !req
644. financed indirectly by the CIA,
Copy !req
645. orients it's work towards the
Chilean unions.
Copy !req
646. In the month of April, 108 leaders
principally from transport,
Copy !req
647. received training in the USA.
Copy !req
648. We don't need to confuse
conscience with patience.
Copy !req
649. We don't want a policy for prices
or of unions.
Copy !req
650. but we need to eat.
Copy !req
651. We must defend our interests.
Copy !req
652. and for those, to fight like
one man
Copy !req
653. but with our national directive
Copy !req
654. and to go out and be seen
in a manner
Copy !req
655. befitting the force of a
road union
Copy !req
656. with bravery, with passion, but
above all,
Copy !req
657. like Chileans and with dignity,
colleagues.
Copy !req
658. Because we no longer can continue
mending, nor riveting, nor welding
Copy !req
659. the aging machines
Copy !req
660. and aging too, the curved backs
of so many industrialists
Copy !req
661. that have disgraced so many
generations...
Copy !req
662. but in trying to fill the pots,
Copy !req
663. to be able to eat, to be able to resist
Copy !req
664. to be able to save this activity
Copy !req
665. because with it, we'll be saving
the jobs of millions of people
Copy !req
666. that have faith and confidence in
this, the working man
Copy !req
667. this maltreated transport worker,
that yes, has built Chile.
Copy !req
668. It's he, himself who is one...
Copy !req
669. This shows us that the moment of the
complete Chilean turnaround has arrived
Copy !req
670. without distinguishing between
one and another,
Copy !req
671. in a single fighting platform,
Copy !req
672. we begin this national stoppage
Copy !req
673. In the month of May, one third
of the transport collective
Copy !req
674. is immobilised, because they lack
parts of North American origin.
Copy !req
675. In 1973 imports from the US
dropped to 15% of the total.
Copy !req
676. To protest against this
state of things,
Copy !req
677. but also to aggravate them,
Copy !req
678. the owners of private buses
declare an indefinite strike.
Copy !req
679. With only 600 vehicles, the state enterprise
have to perform, in one example,
Copy !req
680. the work done by the 5000
buses in Santiago
Copy !req
681. To partly combat the effects
of the strike,
Copy !req
682. the workers use, for passenger
transport,
Copy !req
683. factory trucks.
Copy !req
684. What do you think of this strike?
Copy !req
685. That everything we fight to achieve...
Copy !req
686. that the government has confidence
in the workers
Copy !req
687. - It is necessary to fight no more strikes.
- How must we fight them?
Copy !req
688. by being united these days.
Copy !req
689. How far did you walk?
Copy !req
690. 70 blocks, more or less, with my two
boys that are back there
Copy !req
691. What do you think, señor?
Copy !req
692. Well, I believe that these times
Copy !req
693. are when the people must demonstrate
Copy !req
694. the capacity to fight that
Copy !req
695. has forged us, throughout
this process.
Copy !req
696. and, as we're seeing here,
sacrifice...
Copy !req
697. it doesn't matter what type of
sacrifice you make, just do your bit
Copy !req
698. and keep producing.
Copy !req
699. Do you have any more opinions?
Copy !req
700. The campaign of the right against
us is capitalism and...
Copy !req
701. and all the time we're going to be
short of pay.
Copy !req
702. But we the workers, we should
have confidence, and be conscientious
Copy !req
703. - What do you think of this?
- See, in reality I think that...
Copy !req
704. in my estimation, it is
paralyzing the country whichever way,
Copy !req
705. for whichever side.
Copy !req
706. With the inevitable result of
a stoppage of all transportation.
Copy !req
707. here is the MOPARE: the Patriotic
Recovery Movement,
Copy !req
708. which is a group of left-wing
transport workers.
Copy !req
709. For their loyalty to President Allende,
they suffer attacks and sabotage
Copy !req
710. in the name of union solidarity.
Copy !req
711. and loyalty to the people,
Copy !req
712. I will respond with the loyalty of
a militant socialist.
Copy !req
713. and like the President of Chile
Copy !req
714. I will implacably see through
the program of the Popular Unity.
Copy !req
715. We need more and better control
Copy !req
716. in the distribution of the
products.
Copy !req
717. Because they make out
Copy !req
718. that I sometimes waver
Copy !req
719. that's sometimes necessary
to strengthen the people's power
Copy !req
720. the Mothers' Centres, the
neighbourhood gatherings,
Copy !req
721. the meetings of suppliers and
prices, the community leaders,
Copy !req
722. it's necessary to strengthen them.
It is necessary to strengthen industrial ties
Copy !req
723. but not as parallel forces
to the government,
Copy !req
724. but as popular forces
Copy !req
725. next to the force of your government,
the people's government.
Copy !req
726. 28th of May, retired Generals
Copy !req
727. send a public letter to
President Allende
Copy !req
728. who affirm that the armed forces
Copy !req
729. will consider themselves independent in
the case of the government breaking the Constitution
Copy !req
730. Shortly before, the High Command
had made pronouncements against
Copy !req
731. the educational reform projects
Copy !req
732. On that occasion, Rear-Admiral
Huerta declared:
Copy !req
733. "We cannot accept that future
soldiers
Copy !req
734. will arrive in barracks converted
to Marxism"
Copy !req
735. From 1950, more than 4000 officers
had received training in the USA
Copy !req
736. and in the Panama Canal zone
Copy !req
737. during the two and a half years
of Allende's government
Copy !req
738. They received 45 million dollars
from the Pentagon
Copy !req
739. That is, more than a third of all
the aid granted in the last 20 years.
Copy !req
740. of which, although it is certain
Copy !req
741. that all Chileans have the right
to eat
Copy !req
742. it is no less certain...
Copy !req
743. for the first time the opposition
takes along a sector of the proletariat
Copy !req
744. In the El Teniente mine, they have some
of the workers
Copy !req
745. declare a strike for economic reasons
Copy !req
746. Traditionally well-paid, the copper miners
Copy !req
747. are the working aristocracy of Chile.
Copy !req
748. For the opposition, the object of the
conflict is to paralyze the mine.
Copy !req
749. 20% of the wealth of Chile
is produced here.
Copy !req
750. Comrade workers, as well
as TV channel 13,
Copy !req
751. You'll find with us French
television.
Copy !req
752. Comrades, take out your union cards
Copy !req
753. We show that here we are all workers
Copy !req
754. Teniente! United!
Shall never be defeated!
Copy !req
755. First, we'll solve the problems
of El Teniente's workers.
Copy !req
756. Not with money, not even with
money can we solve
Copy !req
757. all the problems that exist
across the country
Copy !req
758. but our problems come first, and afterwards,
those of the rest of the country
Copy !req
759. We want solutions!
Copy !req
760. For that reason we have asked for, and
requested the permission of union leaders
Copy !req
761. To have this tribunal.
Copy !req
762. like the workers of
the Popular Unity
Copy !req
763. we disagree with the methods
that they are using.
Copy !req
764. We have said, in every tone of voice
Copy !req
765. that for everything
Copy !req
766. worker's unity comes first.
Copy !req
767. We defend it here and inside the
parties of the Popular Unity alliance
Copy !req
768. You will wonder why we are here
Copy !req
769. We are in favour of returning to work
Copy !req
770. but not by factions
Copy !req
771. we are in favour
of returning to work...
Copy !req
772. Comrades...
Copy !req
773. Comrades.
Copy !req
774. Comrades
Copy !req
775. No politics! No politics!
Copy !req
776. Strength! Strength!
Copy !req
777. That same day, and at the same time
Copy !req
778. more than half of the 8000 miners
continue in their jobs
Copy !req
779. the majority of them turn in extra hours
to maintain and operate
Copy !req
780. the basic functions of the mine.
Copy !req
781. Caletones is a workplace
Copy !req
782. that has almost two thousand workers
between white collar workers and labourers
Copy !req
783. and today we have 750
workers working.
Copy !req
784. that means that we will be almost
normal in the industrial section
Copy !req
785. and it means that in some future
date or on Monday
Copy !req
786. we'll be totally normal.
Copy !req
787. Here, what can be shown,
Copy !req
788. is that that sector is gluing
to a wall
Copy !req
789. with respect to what they are proposing
Copy !req
790. in a theory totally beyond
any jurisdiction.
Copy !req
791. History indicates that the
workers working here
Copy !req
792. fought incessantly against the
Yanks
Copy !req
793. until we took the industry
from them
Copy !req
794. to nationalise it, we say, because
now it is Chilean
Copy !req
795. it's not mine, nor anybody's
in particular
Copy !req
796. if not all Chileans.
Copy !req
797. but we have first the responsibility
to know how to run it
Copy !req
798. so now workers already are becoming
almost totally aware of that,
Copy !req
799. only those that are in opposition
are determined followers
Copy !req
800. believing that here there are other bosses.
Copy !req
801. No, there is no such thing.
Copy !req
802. because if there were other bosses,
they themselves
Copy !req
803. the Christian Democrats, which at least
has union representation here,
Copy !req
804. have representatives in the
Council of Administration.
Copy !req
805. For that reason, we asked the left press,
especially channel 7,
Copy !req
806. which has given very little importance
to the workers
Copy !req
807. who are now working,
Copy !req
808. to come here and report
what the numbers are,
Copy !req
809. so these gentlemen can stop themselves lying.
Copy !req
810. To begin with, you've done well,
Copy !req
811. for a very simple reason:
Copy !req
812. because you are arriving at the workplace,
which is quite important.
Copy !req
813. Not sure? But the press, Channel 13, Mercury
Copy !req
814. and all these newspapers, they are
based only in Rancagua
Copy !req
815. They believe that Rancagua is the
El Teniente Mining Society
Copy !req
816. and that's bad.
Copy !req
817. This is what we need, the workers,
Copy !req
818. those that are now working,
Copy !req
819. what we want is that this situation
is resolved
Copy !req
820. not for the personal benefit
of the workers
Copy !req
821. but to benefit all Chileans
Copy !req
822. Take a worker who is here
and ask him
Copy !req
823. whatever his opinions are.
Copy !req
824. What do you think?
I believe that it is divisive...
Copy !req
825. That you are dividing the workers
of Teniente?
Copy !req
826. - How? - the enemy is the one
that's divisive, that is dividing us.
Copy !req
827. The enemy is dividing usf.
Why do you say that?
Copy !req
828. - because they... - they are asking for a
confrontation between workers.
Copy !req
829. Because the other day we saw that the national
president publicly said that
Copy !req
830. if blood were to run,
it had to run.
Copy !req
831. They are asking us.
Copy !req
832. So it's not... not at
any moment have we wanted
Copy !req
833. to divide those on the workers side.
Copy !req
834. Because the reality of things...
well, I'm 43 years old
Copy !req
835. and I have spent enough time with
tools, 27 years.
Copy !req
836. so logically, I have come
seeing previous governments.
Copy !req
837. They've given enough of a firm hand
Copy !req
838. with us, the workers, the
working class
Copy !req
839. so, as the comrade from Puelma
said,
Copy !req
840. I think that this government
has been very soft;
Copy !req
841. that it is soft because it is
the government of the workers.
Copy !req
842. but if we'd had a government
with some other tendencies
Copy !req
843. then at this moment, several comrades,
several of us would be dead.
Copy !req
844. And here in the company, we wouldn't
have many left-wing comrades,
Copy !req
845. but it would be purely right-wing.
Copy !req
846. We have received threats.
Copy !req
847. We took to the streets. We weren't
able to go down the other path
Copy !req
848. but we also went to work.
Copy !req
849. and we went down to make a stand.
We were for Codgiua, others for whatever side
Copy !req
850. but the point is that we continued
working.
Copy !req
851. Well, and we had comrades that
did it for three shifts
Copy !req
852. and stayed there because there was work
that couldn't be abandoned.
Copy !req
853. We've given up some benefits in the
return to work
Copy !req
854. and the converters cannot be left alone
Copy !req
855. nor can we leave the thickeners
Copy !req
856. and that is a job with lots
of responsibility.
Copy !req
857. Because there are many of our
comrades
Copy !req
858. that do not know still,
why they are on strike.
Copy !req
859. They don't know. It's the way
things are
Copy !req
860. They're going to fight against
public forces, because some gentleman
Copy !req
861. reminds them of a rooster and he shouts
to them, and sings and dances
Copy !req
862. and they follow him, like he was
Jesus Christ.
Copy !req
863. I believe that, that ... it's necessary
to instill conscience in working comrades
Copy !req
864. and that's the work that our leading comrades
now have.
Copy !req
865. That is the real reason for everything
Copy !req
866. And how is it possible to quickly prepare the comrades?
Copy !req
867. Well, like we are now, because,
that's to say,
Copy !req
868. now, as we begin to act in
this stoppage
Copy !req
869. We... I consider that I am
doing right.
Copy !req
870. I am responsible for what I do.
Copy !req
871. I am equal and independent, like Mr Solis here.
I don't have party politics
Copy !req
872. but my only interest is work
for the progress of Chile
Copy !req
873. and not for by my pocket, nothing more.
Copy !req
874. I know that if I have good pay
Copy !req
875. I hope that the people who
pay themselves with money from copper
Copy !req
876. have good pay also.
Copy !req
877. Now, we've already taken out more than 400,
Copy !req
878. in the shift from 3 to 11, we've
taken out more than 300, so already
Copy !req
879. it's all returning to normal.
Copy !req
880. Attendance of workers increases by
61% on the 7th of May.
Copy !req
881. The mining trains work day and night.
Copy !req
882. Strike! Strike!
Copy !req
883. The striking sector, encouraged
by the opposition
Copy !req
884. rejects two wage adjustment formulas
Copy !req
885. and continues asking for a
repeat of the wage rises.
Copy !req
886. We demand the 41% that the
company owes us.
Copy !req
887. How many strike days have you taken
already?
Copy !req
888. We've taken 21 days.
Copy !req
889. What do you think will happen?
Copy !req
890. I don't know. We must have a solution
today or tomorrow, I think.
Copy !req
891. Is this a union movement, or
a political movement?
Copy !req
892. No, in no way, at no time,
has it been political.
Copy !req
893. Because there has been no
policy or...
Copy !req
894. Or a minister or politician or
senator involved in this.
Copy !req
895. Because the workers are those that
are defending our rights.
Copy !req
896. I believe that we must win because
Copy !req
897. our president, we removed him to
defend the rights of workers.
Copy !req
898. and it's not that he came to be
criticising us for
Copy !req
899. asking for something unjust.
Copy !req
900. - Are you for the president?
- I am for the president.
Copy !req
901. But this strike is harming the government.
Copy !req
902. Of course it's doing harm, but
I believe that in all this time,
Copy !req
903. all this time that we've been on strike,
would have been
Copy !req
904. already resolved.
Copy !req
905. For the strike leaders,
Copy !req
906. it is important that there are victims
to accuse the government of repression.
Copy !req
907. For that reason, the police force receives
orders to act with caution.
Copy !req
908. In spite of stones, the
carabineros back down.
Copy !req
909. This causes disagreement.
Copy !req
910. While some look to carry on fighting,
Copy !req
911. others think that it is better to seize
the offices of the mining company.
Copy !req
912. I went to the supply store to speak
with the workers.
Copy !req
913. because we didn't want them
to die at work.
Copy !req
914. Who represents the workers, you
or our leaders?
Copy !req
915. We do.
Copy !req
916. and also I ask, comrades,
Copy !req
917. I also asked comrades
Copy !req
918. who, with the same responsibilities
as the workers of El Teniente,
Copy !req
919. we asked the carabineros
Copy !req
920. that they also keep the same attitude.
Copy !req
921. I asked them, please,
Copy !req
922. that they keep
Copy !req
923. the same... the same, comrades,
attitude.
Copy !req
924. It's that way I want...
Copy !req
925. I want, this morning, comrades,
to say
Copy !req
926. that in the meeting that we had
with the president of the Republic
Copy !req
927. on Day 19...
Copy !req
928. And I said to them as an older brother
would say to them...
Copy !req
929. as a comrade
Copy !req
930. And I made them see what a burden
it was that...
Copy !req
931. copper production was stopped
when we needed currency.
Copy !req
932. when we didn't have the
necessary financing...
Copy !req
933. to be able to fulfil our
essential financial commitments
Copy !req
934. At this time, right now,
when the price...
Copy !req
935. of copper has reached
satisfactory levels...
Copy !req
936. and now "El Teniente"
becomes paralyzed...
Copy !req
937. those who have already achieved
extraordinary salary levels.
Copy !req
938. I speak to them, like a comrade,
with affection, with respect...
Copy !req
939. with warmth.
Copy !req
940. Nonetheless, from more
economic criteria...
Copy !req
941. there is the stoppage of
"El Teniente" and that means...
Copy !req
942. millions of dollars are
lost from the country.
Copy !req
943. We could have reached a solution...
Copy !req
944. which surely would cost less
than a day of production.
Copy !req
945. But that would have set an unfortunate precedent:
Copy !req
946. A wage rise on top of a wage rise,
with full benefits.
Copy !req
947. Today, I ask my comrades from "El Teniente",
who understand...
Copy !req
948. that to be a copper worker
in this country is a privilege...
Copy !req
949. from a patriotic and revolutionary
point of view
Copy !req
950. They are the ones who must preserve
the essence of the nation.
Copy !req
951. Copper depends on us replenishing
our purchasing power
Copy !req
952. raw materials, supplies
food and medicines.
Copy !req
953. I ask those here, like
revolutionary comrades...
Copy !req
954. to revise their attitudes...
Copy !req
955. so we can propose
solutions that mean...
Copy !req
956. more income based on
greater productivity
Copy !req
957. I maintain a revolutionary
conscience, and I say to them...
Copy !req
958. that I have faith in
the Chilean worker...
Copy !req
959. who cannot forget
imperialist aggression...
Copy !req
960. and internal conspiracies.
The copper worker...
Copy !req
961. must be united with the peasant
of this nation...
Copy !req
962. to defend the future
of Chile from threats...
Copy !req
963. from outside, and harassment from within.
Copy !req
964. In Chuquicamata mine,
16th May
Copy !req
965. the workers call off their
solidarity strike with El Teniente
Copy !req
966. In the El Salvador mine, the same happens
Copy !req
967. The opposition fails in it's attempt
Copy !req
968. to extend the strike to other
copper mines.
Copy !req
969. June 6th, the striking sector
sends a delegation to Santiago
Copy !req
970. The Congress, that justified the
repression of previous governments
Copy !req
971. opens it's gardens so that the miners
receieve food and money
Copy !req
972. The Parliament publishes a declaration
without legal force
Copy !req
973. that the strikers are right
Copy !req
974. and meanwhile continue sending the
donations
Copy !req
975. to the the best-off sectors
to help the striking miners
Copy !req
976. which becomes a commitment.
Copy !req
977. I am firmly convinced
Copy !req
978. that this conflict will have
international repercussions.
Copy !req
979. because here is
Copy !req
980. the resolve of the workers to
defend their conquests
Copy !req
981. and for the other side, it's the position
Copy !req
982. of the Supreme government that
until now,
Copy !req
983. it has made itself deaf to the
solution of this problem
Copy !req
984. and the only culprit for prolonging
these 37 days of strike
Copy !req
985. has a first name and a last name.
Copy !req
986. This is a product of the inability
Copy !req
987. of the ministers of Mining, Work,
and of the civil servants.
Copy !req
988. For the first time, a worker's leader
is received in the Catholic university.
Copy !req
989. when in the mine already, 75% of
the workers are working,
Copy !req
990. as well as 10% of the salaried
employees.
Copy !req
991. leader Guillermo Medina
Copy !req
992. comes to receive the support of the
children of the ruling class.
Copy !req
993. Workers and students!
United ahead!
Copy !req
994. Get back! Get back!
Inept government!
Copy !req
995. The students of the Catholic
University
Copy !req
996. become the main strike agitators.
Copy !req
997. while in El Teniente, the strike
backs down.
Copy !req
998. The opposition politicises the
conflict.
Copy !req
999. In Santiago, the organisation "Women's Power"
Copy !req
1000. raises funds for the miner's
spouses.
Copy !req
1001. A large section of the middle
class adds itself
Copy !req
1002. knowingly or unknowingly, to
the ranks of fascists.
Copy !req
1003. to the same time, in the city of Rancagua,
Copy !req
1004. Shopkeepers, professionals and transport
workers declare themselves on strike
Copy !req
1005. in solidarity with the striking miners
Copy !req
1006. On 10th June the opposition forcibly
occupies the city's radio station.
Copy !req
1007. As Rancagua the result barely manages to
inflate the already receding political conflict,
Copy !req
1008. about to be resolved in the capital.
Copy !req
1009. On the morning of the 15th of June
Copy !req
1010. 3000 strikers arrive in front
of the Christian Democrat party offices
Copy !req
1011. These are approximately 25% of the
mine's personnel
Copy !req
1012. The opposition deploys it's assault groups.
Copy !req
1013. The government responds with police presence
and with the mobilization of its people.
Copy !req
1014. Columns of workers collaborate with the
police force to impose order.
Copy !req
1015. The agitators provoke the police
Copy !req
1016. while the left-wing workers
disarm the barricades.
Copy !req
1017. Clear up here! Let's clear the streets,
comrades!
Copy !req
1018. At noon, the sympathisers of the
Popular Unity
Copy !req
1019. congregate in front of
La Moneda palace
Copy !req
1020. The street battle will go on
until nightfall
Copy !req
1021. Allende! Allende!
The people defend you!
Copy !req
1022. I am here, comrade, because
I have class consciousness
Copy !req
1023. because I am gathered here with my
class comrades
Copy !req
1024. to defend the government of
the workers.
Copy !req
1025. and I will be here until death,
if necessary.
Copy !req
1026. Comrade, I've been here from
7 in the morning, comrade
Copy !req
1027. out of firm conviction.
I am the father of twelve sons,
Copy !req
1028. I know clearly that this fight of
this government is not for me.
Copy !req
1029. The days are few that I have left
to fight and sacrifice.
Copy !req
1030. It is for my sons.
Copy !req
1031. What we defend is constitutional power.
Copy !req
1032. We are against fascism.
Copy !req
1033. We are with the popular government
Copy !req
1034. because we believe that it is a just fight
that is happening at the moment.
Copy !req
1035. We've come to defend the position of
all the workers
Copy !req
1036. across the whole movement.
Copy !req
1037. We don't want a group of
privileged people
Copy !req
1038. like the miners of El Teniente.
This government is going to have problems
Copy !req
1039. Against all of that, we're going to
defend the position of the government
Copy !req
1040. until the ultimate consequences.
Copy !req
1041. Comrade, why are you here?
Copy !req
1042. Well, because I am Chilean
Copy !req
1043. and I have to defend the government
of Allende because it is my government,
Copy !req
1044. the government of the people.
Copy !req
1045. I believe that fascism can no
longer be tolerated.
Copy !req
1046. We have to stop it once and for all,
since it's good for nothing.
Copy !req
1047. That is what the people want. You,
wherever you go, ask the same, comrade:
Copy !req
1048. Enough of these idlers
Copy !req
1049. that are earning free money here
in Congress, comrade.
Copy !req
1050. That is the opinion of all
the workers
Copy !req
1051. of all the working population,
comrade.
Copy !req
1052. And take a firm hand against the speculators,
Copy !req
1053. which will remove economic crimes so
that once and for all we can fight
Copy !req
1054. and jail the crooks and hoarders.
Copy !req
1055. - Do you want to say something more?
- I'm happy with what I've said, comrade.
Copy !req
1056. Popular Unity!
We will win!
Copy !req
1057. The next day, the last strikers
Copy !req
1058. camp in front of the headquarters of the
Christian Democratic party
Copy !req
1059. many of them return that same
night to Rancagua
Copy !req
1060. Meanwhile, a symbolic group is
transferred to the Catholic University
Copy !req
1061. In El Teniente, 93% of the personnel
have returned to work
Copy !req
1062. 21st June. The main Worker's
Headquarters
Copy !req
1063. summons a mass demonstration
of force against fascism.
Copy !req
1064. Build! Build!
Worker's Power!
Copy !req
1065. UP! No Compromise!
Copy !req
1066. Popular Unity!
Against criminal perks!
Copy !req
1067. Build! Build!
People's Militia!
Copy !req
1068. Power to the workers!
Copy !req
1069. The radio network which
makes up Voice of the Nation.
Copy !req
1070. The first worker of the nation,
Copy !req
1071. the President of the Republic,
comrade Salvador Allende Gossens.
Copy !req
1072. While in the center of Santiago
half a million demonstrators,
Copy !req
1073. nearby, watching over the public force,
Copy !req
1074. the last strikers follow the demonstration
from the roof of the Catholic University.
Copy !req
1075. Support
Copy !req
1076. that never in our history
Copy !req
1077. was there a demonstration of
this magnitude,
Copy !req
1078. and which was made up like this.
Copy !req
1079. It was necessary to invent all of
our methods
Copy !req
1080. to be able to have, at least
and approximately,
Copy !req
1081. an extraordinary sized,
Copy !req
1082. energetic and enormous multitude
Copy !req
1083. which fills the streets of Moneda, Agustinas,
Copy !req
1084. Amunátegui, Ahumada, Morandé,
Copy !req
1085. Huérfanos, Teatinos, a great
part of Alameda
Copy !req
1086. and still the column that left from Tajamar
has not been able to arrive.
Copy !req
1087. like the one from Vicuña Mackenna.
Copy !req
1088. Never in the history of Chile
Copy !req
1089. were the people more spirited, and ready.
Copy !req
1090. Here we're building history.
Copy !req
1091. Here we strengthen
Copy !req
1092. our right to build ffa future
Copy !req
1093. of justice and freedom, to
open a passage towards socialism.
Copy !req
1094. A week later, the copper strike
ended.
Copy !req
1095. On the 28th of June the 500 miners that
occupied the Catholic University
Copy !req
1096. withdrew in small groups.
Copy !req
1097. In total the conflict lasted 76 days and
cost the state millions of dollars.
Copy !req
1098. At the end of the strike, we can say
that the opponents of Allende
Copy !req
1099. had tried almost everything to
overthrow the government.
Copy !req
1100. They only lacked a means of support.
Copy !req
1101. The next day, 29th of June,
at 9 in the morning
Copy !req
1102. the 2nd armoured regiment attacked
the Palace of La Moneda with 6 tanks.
Copy !req
1103. the Parliament, the judiciary, and the
opposition parties kept silent.
Copy !req
1104. The rest of the armed forces
didn't back the action.
Copy !req
1105. a little later, Leonardo
Henricksen, an Argentinian cameraman,
Copy !req
1106. filmed his last shot.
Copy !req
1107. Not just recording his own death,
Copy !req
1108. also recording, two months before
the final coup,
Copy !req
1109. the true face of part of the Chilean army
Copy !req
1110. Be careful! Be careful!
Copy !req
1111. Be careful! Be careful!
I'm leaving!
Copy !req