The World - News from Aug. 3, 1987

Chilean conservatives, who favor negotiations with the military rulers rather than protests, won control of the Christian Democratic Party, the main opposition group. Patricio Aylwin, 68, was chosen party president to succeed Gabriel Valdes at a national congress held in Punta de Tralca, 60 miles west of Santiago. Aylwin’s supporters were elected to the main posts in the party’s executive committee. Under Aylwin, the Christian Democrats are expected to oppose calls for further street protests, which had been a central feature of opposition to Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s 14-year rule. Emphasis will be placed instead on a voter registration drive and on a campaign for free elections.