BIO: AUGUSTO PINOCHET

Created: 11/1/1974

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

Biographic Handbook

Chile

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Chief of the Nation; President* Ruling Junta; Commander in Chief of the Army

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Gen. Augusto Pinochet peenohCHET), has been Commander Chief off the

since September of thatbecame

Chief of the

a position that

him expanded executive I

powers. He had

served since2 as chief of staff of

the army. An intelligent/ disciplined andcompetent infantry officer andgeographer who is known for hisis dedicated to the national reconstructionand will tolerate no opposition to that

The establishment of tho position of Supreme Chief of the Nation was promoted by Pinochet among otherseans of consolidating andecisionmaking powers of the executive over the cumbersome, inter-service structure. He did not, however, get as much authority as he sought, and the junta still retains considerable powers of its own. Respected by the other junta members, Pinochetarmonious working relationship with them* and all decisions continue to be made The general was selected to head the government because he represents the military's oldest institution, not because he possesses any leadership qualities superior to those of the other junta members. Pinochet will apparently retain the executive functions indefinitely.

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Pinochetverthrow ofalvador Allende, and some lower ranking army officers view him as having been indecisive in opposing the former President. In subsequentublic statements, however, he has

Augusto PINOCHET Ugarte

sought to reserve for himself the majorfor the planning and execution of the coup. He has claimed that he initiated the coup plans in2 and that he was the only one who knew all the details when the actual overthrow took place.

President of the Junta

Periodically exhorting the people to work together for the goal of national reconstruction. Pinochet has said. The sacrifice will be total. Everyone will pay thend everyone will help gat us out of the chaos." Like his predecessor, he frequently travels within the country to meet people and explain the government's policies, muchrass roots campaigner.

In response to queries on how long therecovery program will take, Pinochet has been equivocal. Heroup of copper miners in4 they must "get it out of their heads that there will be elections in four or five more years." ebruary public appearance Pinochet stated that the state of seige and security measures would remain in effect indefinitely and that "It ia possible that before the end of the armed forces government political activities will bo reinstated, but In no way will it happen before five years."

Described prior to the coup as singularly apolitical. Pinochet has never been involved in partisan politics. He has come down hard onof all persuasions, blaming them for theand political problems that necessitated the overthrow of Allende. He has been particularly concerned with the Marxist influence in Chile and has promoted the government's attempts to eliminate all vestiges of that philosophy from the country. Despite on and off frictions between theand the receseed Christian Democratic Party, the general favors maintaining contact with the party to rlicit its views on the government's domestic policies. He has also indicated an interest inational civic movement of

Augusto PINOCHET Ugarte

youth and women's organization! and small business-awn's guilds to support the government.

Pinochet has been sensitive to charges from abroad that the government repeatedly violates human rights, particularly those of prisoners. Acknowledging that thereroblem in this area in the initial months after the coup, he has since claimed that measures have been taken to rectify the situation. In ane ntated that there would be no moreand that some military men had been punished for maltreatment and torture of prisoners. He insists, however, that stringent internal security measures are necessary toesurgence of extremist activity and that self-censorship of the press will be relaxed only "when the situation is normal." Conscious of Chile's needetter image abroad, the general is said to have authorized the expenditure of up to one million dollars toS advertising agency improve its tarnished image.

A Peruvian Threat?

Pinochet is among those military officersbeen alarmed at the ratherof modern arms by the government Those officers fear that Peru may us*to retake territory ceded to ChileWar of the. Pinochetto Peruvian President Juan Velasco's callarms limitation agreement, noting thatthe north necessitated thean adequate Chilean defense. Pinochet hassearching for sources ofcommitments from the United States He has also tried to elicitChile's position from other Latinand while in Brazil for the Marchof President Jrnesto Geisel,military assistance 1

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Augusto PINOCHET Ugarte

Pinochet alsotudy prepared for distribution to friendly Latin American Heads of State to dispel the notion that Chileanof Peruvian intentions lacked substance. Since that tine the President has taken note of UC the lessening of tensions between his country and Peru, but he continues to underscore the dangers involved and the need to increase overallstrength. The general plans to attendth anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Ayacucho in Peru in

Military Sturtent and Instructor

Augusto Pinochet Ugarte was borniddle class family on5 in Valparaiso. He attended the University of Chileears, specialising in judicial and social science, before entering the Chilean Military Academy. He was unable to meet the physical requirements forto the academyuccessive years, but the reason isatter of current record.

Upon his graduation from tha academyecond lieutenant. He subsequently worked his way steadily through the ranks, generally in infantry assignments. etudent at the Command and General Staff Course of the Army War College. Important posts he has held in recent years includo those oft commander, 7th Infantry* chief of staff*rmyBi commander, 6th Army; and commander, Santiago Garrison*

A wall-known military geographer, Pinochet has been an instructor at the Chilean Army Warnd at tha Ecuadorean Army Warin. 48 he served aa deputy commandant of the Chilean Army War College. Haember of the Geographic Society of Chile and has written three geography books* at least one of which is usedecondary school textlx>ok.

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AugustO PINOCHET Ugarte

Pinochet haa visited the United States three tines. Heemberhilean military missionoured this country and the Panama Canal Zone5nd returned to the Canal Zone

[Pinochet (less

Personal Data

is hard-working and deaic mioys attending parties;

interested in "sports, inducing tenciiiy, uuAfng and horseback riding, and avidly practices gymnastic exercises every morning. He also enjoys discussing world military problems. He speaks some French and English.

3 Pinochet married Lucia Hiriart Rodriguez, the daughterormer Senator and Minister of the Interior. Mrs. Pinochet, who has lived most of her life in Santiago, was born in Antofagasta. Sheondness for archeology and together with her husband has explored many ruins. Mrs. Pinochet has been involved in various charity projects. She insists, however, that her primary concern is her home and family. The Pinochets have three daughters and two sons and six grandchildren.

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