Local Minister Back From Chile

ANN ARBOR- Ann Marie Coleman of Guild House was part of a seven person church delegation sent to learn about human rights in Chile. She returned after living 14 days under the state of seige. In Chilé, the group met with human rights organizations, church groups, social action agencies and government officials in the capital, Santiago, as well as in Concepción and other cities and villages. The consensus of the people with whom they met was grateful appreciation for the strong stand the United States has taken in support of Chilean human rights and a request that the U.S. government implement this policy by opposing international bank loans to finance the bankrupt military dictatorship.

The delegation sent by the 1.8 million member United Church of Christ arrived in Santiago on Sunday, September 7. That same evening an assassination attempt was made on General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte, leader of the ruling junta. Immediately the junta declared the nation to be under a state of seige, closed the opposition press and prohibited meetings. On the following day, some of the persons with whom the delegation were to visit were either in hiding or detained by the national police. A U.S. Embassy official commented to the delegation that they could not have picked a worse time to visit Chilé.

They were in La Victoria población while Catholic and Protestant leaders sought to calm an angry crowd protesting the deportation of Fr. Pierre DuBois and two other French priests. After attending an evening worship service in another población, they narrowly escaped because streets were blocked, either by protesters

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burning rubber tires, or by police barricades. In a pro-government demonstration, they saw people standing apathetically as loudspeakers boomed, "Pinochet, Pinochet, Pinochet!" Marchers, after passing before the general's reviewing stand, dispersed into side streets where they were taunted by anti-government protestors. Sporadic fighting broke out with the exchange of stones and dirt.

Among the people the North Americans met were coal miners, fishermen, and peasant farmers. They experienced the warm Chilean hospitality and the people's courageous commitment to freedom and democracy. On September 18 and 19, as Chileans celebrated their independence from Spain, flags flew from even the humblest homes of the poblaciónes. As one Chilean said, "We have a history of 177 years of democracy. A military dictatorship cannot restore democracy to us. Only democracy can lead to democracy. Pray for us."

Others warned the delegation that further support of the Pinochet regime can only lead to polarization and increased communist armed resistance. "The overwhelming majority of Chileans want nonviolent return to democracy by political means."