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CHILE: SECURITY CRACKDOWN
Wide-ranging action* by Chilean security force* in recent weeks suggest that theisetermined and apparently successful effort to destroy vestiges ofextremist organizations.
The Movement of the Revolutionary lefthich supported Salvador Allende's Popular Unity government, wasevere blow when Its second-in-command, Dagoberto Perez Vargas, was killed by policehootout near Santiago onive other members were captured, and lour who escaped areted by police. One of the escapees Isbelieved by officials to be Andrei rascaT^THersde, the former president's nephew, who became leader of the MIR when its former chief was shot down by securityear ago. His capture or death wouldajor setback for the group.
large quantities of weapons, many of which had been hidden prior to the military take-over. were discovered during the pastacted on leads PJjVfJ
>ndof itseost cases were probably intended for the more violence-ptone MIR or left-wing Socialists. The discovery of six caches of medical supplies and plastic surgery equipmentink suggests thai efforts were under way to build up theorganization and possibly prepare for an eventual struggle against the regime.
The government has also arrested several dozen leftists on grounds of printing andpamphlets, presumably of annature.
Terrorist action by the MIR has becomerareesult of the vigilant countermeasures by the military government,ecent communique published in Argentina, the MIR warned that it was prepared to beginast reprisal" against firms and governments thatin Chile. There have been no indications, however, that the group Is able toerrorist offensive of any magnitude. At most, it Is capable of isolated acts of violence, and chances of this may be reduced as government raids drive it further on the defensive.
Recent successes will reinforce theof the Pinochet government to maintain strict security measures. The government has frequently justified its hard-line tactics as thefactor in reducing leftist-inspired violence, and it now can point tn evidenceubversive threat still exists.
Original document.
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