Chile: Government Maintains Momentum
President Allende shows no signs of lagging in his program to produce major changes in Chile before effective opposition develops.
At his New Year's reception for thecorps. Allende quoted the late Pope John
XXIII on coexistence in responseracious tribute from the Papal Nuncio. Other moves bear out Allende's expressed intention of trying to keep the traditional ties while Increasing, relations with Communist governments.
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6 January Chile announced Iheof diplomatic relations with Communist China, becoming the first country in Southto do so. There hasmall Chinese trade mission in Santiago for more than five years. Although trade is minimal. Peking has shown an inter est in buying Chilean copper directly instead of through West European markets. Tha prompt break In relations by the Chinese Nationalistapparently did not bother the Chileans. They are showing greater caution as they move toward recognition of East Germany, however, in order not to Jeopardize unnecessarily economic relations with West Germany.
Foreign Minister Almeyda announcedanuarypecial envoy will advise Bonn of the decision toonsular agreement with East Germany vary soon, with diplomaticshortly thereafter. There have been similar efforts to reassure other West European countries and Japan that the new Chilean policies areprimarily to "break US domination of the Chileannd toew balance In which the US will participate along with other investorseduced degree. The Dutchhowever, has announced that It will not conclude an economic cooperation treaty with Chile at this time because there are not sufficient guarantees for Investments.
In an interview last week with the Soviet New Times, Allende maintained his low-keyon the USSR, but along with emphasis on the uniqueness of tha Chilean experiment in building socialism, he praised Soviet society aseliable bulwark of peace throughout the world.*'
anuary Allendeecree of amnesty freeing from imprisonment, detention, and hiding more thaneftist extremists charged with such common crimes as robbery and kidnaping. As in an earlier amnesty tor extremists charged with violating internal security laws, many of those affected belong to the radical Movement of the Revolutionary Leftllende has shown surprising favoritism toward the MIR since he took offke. to the annoyance of some members of his governing Popular Unity (UP) coalition to which the MIR does not belong. French revolutionary theorist Regis Oebray. an admirer of the Ml R. will join Alienee's press staff. Oebray want to Chile last month when Bolivia freed him after nearly four years In prison for involvement with Che Guevara's guerrillas.
The UP's strongest member,articularly opposes thethe MIR. but it Is moving with Its usual skillits own power. Communistinstrumental inPthis week to prepare for theIn April. Tha PCCh is particularlyrevitalize the thousands of local UPmost of which it controls.have proven more intransigentin carrying out stringent newPCCh philosophy was expressedGeneral Luis Corvalan to anJournalist when he remarked thatof change In Chile had to be forced so thatbo placed irrevocably on the path toHe said. "The situation is certainlyflH
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