Chile Decrees End to State of Emergency

The military government Wednesday decreed an end to all state-of-emergency measures for the first time since President Augusto Pinochet took power in a 1973 coup.

The action was taken less than a week before Chile’s military commanders meet to nominate a candidate, expected to be Pinochet himself, for a presidential referendum planned for October.

Interior Minister Sergio Fernandez, in a news conference at the government palace, told reporters that presidential decrees removing the emergency measures “have been issued today and will take effect upon publication in the official bulletin,” within the next few days. However, some government sources were quoted as saying that they will take effect today.

“We are confident that this passage toward full, normal democracy will be received responsibly,” Fernandez added.

Wednesday’s action had been a key demand of the opposition.

The two measures involved are a state of emergency and a state of disturbance to internal peace.

Under the state of emergency, the government is authorized to suspend publications and broadcasts by news media and restrict public gatherings.

The state of disturbance measure permits Pinochet to order the arrest and detention of opponents for up to 20 days; send into exile citizens deemed dangerous to internal security; order internal exile for up to three months, and restrict freedom of information and public gatherings.

Opposition figures reacted with cautious approval.

“Better late than never,” said Alejandro Hales, head of the national lawyers’ association and a prominent critic of the 72-year-old Pinochet.

Christian Democrat Patricio Aylwin, leader of the largest opposition party, said the lifting of the special powers was a minimum condition for holding a plebiscite and called on the government to effectively guarantee civil liberties during the campaign, particularly the right of assembly and freedom of expression.

“We hope the government will not seek pretexts to change this decision,” he added.

Manuel Bustos, leader of the main labor confederation, said the action was positive “because it creates better conditions for a clean referendum.”

Since Sept. 11, 1973, when Pinochet led a coup that toppled the government of elected Marxist President Salvador Allende, Chile always has been under a state of siege, of emergency or of disturbance of internal peace. Each has been lifted at one time or another, but never before have all been lifted, and often more than one has been in effect at the same time.

According to Fernandez, the new decrees were issued because the authorities have established order within the country.

The Roman Catholic Church, several foreign governments including the United States, the political opposition and even many government supporters had called for lifting of the state of emergency before the referendum. They said the ballot would lack credibility if civil liberties were restricted during the political campaign.

Pinochet, the navy commander, Adm. Jose Toribio Merino; Gen. Fernando Matthei, air force chief, and the national police director, Gen. Rodolfo Stange, meet Aug. 30 to pick the presidential nominee and announce a date for the referendum. Pinochet is virtually assured of the nomination.

Although the precise date of the ballot has not been announced, Pinochet has said it will take place in early October.