Chlloi Church-State Tensions Slacken
Pinochet's daciaion toumber of prieats who wore being detained for aiding fugitive terrorists hsaleast for thesteady decline in church-state relations over the past seversl months. Fundamental tensions romaln, however, and the church is likely to remain an Irritant to the regime.
In making the amnesty gesture, Pinochet tacitly admitted that members of the clergy charged with harboring "criminals" might have been inspired by altruistic motives and sentiments of mercy. The President warned, nevertheless, that the government would not treat future offenders quite so generously. The Catholic Church had earllor agreed to dismantle the interdenominational Committee for Peace, which the government had strongly criticised for being pro-Marxist.
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Silva mot with Pinochet on Decembero Inform tho Preaident about his recent trip to the US and Europe and to reiterate how poor Chile's Image was abroad. Silva again stressed ;he Church's concern over the impact of the government's austerity measures on the Chilean,view thet is shared by some junta members, particularly the ou-.spoken General Leigh.
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In his Christmss message acvorel days later, the
Cardinal urged the government toeneral amneaty on Now Yearn to all persons jailed for their political opinions who have not committed criminal acts. According to press sources, Pinochet Intendsdditional prisoners soon.
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Pinochot'i interior minister. General Cesar uenaviaas-ajor obstacle to improving relations. Tha minister is said tooctrinaire, stubborn individual who refuses tohis obstinacy, which is not out of step with the |Bj puritanical Pinochet, probably accountsarge meaaure of tho regime's rigidity on the human rights issue. The Interior ministry's rulings on detentions have frequently contributed to the bad press that Chile has received abroad.
Tor instance, the two-month imprisonment of British national Dr. Sheila Cassidy for giving medical attention to an Important terrorist leaderlaring example of the government's shortalghtednes'i. Dr. Cassidy, who claims to have been tortured, will no doubt see that her accretions are widely circulated In Western Euiope, where public opinion is generally receptive toof Chilean human righta violations.
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deep-rooted and that little change is in sight unless thereasic shift in government attitudos. As tar as wo can see. that is unlikol- anytime soon.
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Original document.
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