ccentuating the Positive
President Pinochot's intention to give thea greater civilian cast and to take another step I! in improving China's international imago partiallytho Cabinet reorganization announced onpril. Hie action alio may have boon calculated to counter soma impressions that he has lost his grip on no government in the face of pressing foreign and domestic problcmu.
Byidely trusted civilian lawyer, Sergio Fernandez, to the key Interior Ministry post, Pinochetledge made earlier in the month to givoroader role in planning the transition to constitutional rule. Pernandex, who served as labor minister/until late last year, was vested with authority as "super mlnlator" to fill the remaining Cabinet The President alao implied that Fernondei would have an important role in guiding the traneition proceoa.
Of theabinet members, only five are nowfewest since the military interventionach of the four armed serviceslot. The shift of the> ineffective Genoral Benevidos from thehe defense portfolio seems Intended to removeihe oritical process ofewandlebiscite to approve it. Pinochet has retained the former defense minister. General Brady,t>ecldl advisor on defense matters, perhaps with thu intention of employing him on high-level missions to discuss Chile's differences with the military regimes cn its bordsrs. Pinochet is apprehensive aboutby potential sdversarles,with the damage caused by the Letelierfurther motivation for his current liberslixing trend.
Kernanublishing magnate, was named to replace Admiral Carvajal ln the Foreign Ministry. Cubillos will be confronted with the tough job of managingwith an antagonistic world and. In particular,
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of dealing with the sensitive border issues that persist in relations with Chileneighbors. While Cubillos ia considered to bo intelligent and aggressive, he has no prior diplomatic experience.
In yet another move expected to generate favorable reaction abroad, Pinochet la moving forward with plans to pardon or exonerate persons convicted, paroled, or exiled internally by militarymeasure that may ultimately benefiteople. This action would clear the deck cf practically all remaining cases of punishment meted out for political of femes andong way toward accommodating longstandin^demandsby critics and huaan rights advocates.
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