THE BATTLE OF CHILE
The struggle of an unarmed people
a Patricio Guzmán Film
In memory of Jorge Müller Silva
Part One: THE INSURRECTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE
Six months before the bombing of the La Moneda palace
the Chilean people are voting to renew Parliament.
The political forces are divided in two blocks.
On one side, the center right opposition
made up by the Christian Democrat and National parties.
On the other, the left wing parties
grouped together in Popular Unity
and supporting Salvador Allende.
The left, united, will never be defeated!
Synch!
The left, united, will never be defeated!
Cut!
Clapper!
Sir, who do you think will win the elections on Sunday?
Well, I'm apolitical.
Ma'am, who do you think will win?
The opposition has to win. - The opposition? -Yes.
- By what percentage? - I've got no idea.
Frei! Jarpa! Labbé!
All three are rubbish!
Frei! Jarpa! Labbé!
All three are rubbish!
Who will you be voting for in the elections?
For Volodia Teitelboim and Eliana Aranibar.
How do you see the future?
We'll continue to progress but we must keep fighting
much more than we have done.
What can I say about Frei? When he was in government
I lived in a shack that was falling down.
It was damp all the time
and my four children had bronchopneumonia.
I asked everywhere for help and nobody listened to me.
But now, wherever I go, I'm seen to
and thanks to Allende, I've got a lovely house.
I don't have many comforts, but we don't go hungry.
I'm retired.
No government has ever done what this government has.
- Who's going to win? - Popular Unity
because the workers have to decide Chile's fate.
What do you think of the Christian Democracy?
I think that the Christian Democracy is a party
which has always defended the interests of its class
but never the interests of the working class.
Thank you. Over there, Flaco. Film the drinks seller.
Excuse me, comrade.
Comrade, who's going to win on Sunday?
- I couldn't say. - You couldn't say? -No, sir.
- I've got no idea. -Do you read the papers? -Not a lot.
- Who'll win on Sunday? - We will, the PU.
- We've got the majority. - We'll get 45%.
Popular Unity is going to win by an overwhelming amount.
It's the workers' government, the people's government.
The people have seen the benefits
that socialism brings for all the citizens.
Thank you, comrade. Cut!
Sir, what percentage do you give to Popular Unity?
The truth is
Popular Unity is going to win
because we started out in 1970 with 36%
and at the present time, with all that we've seen
and the people who are with comrade Salvador Allende
we're guaranteed to get 43% and more.
43% and more.
Good afternoon, ladies.
Who will you vote for?
I'm voting for Volodia Teitelboim
and Eliana Aranibar.
What percentage do you give Popular Unity?
Over 40%.
- And the food shortage? - I don't think there is one.
I haven't lost an ounce of weight!
Recording!
Sir, what do you think about the elections?
Popular Unity are going to get less than 20%.
How do you see the future?
Whatever happens, we'll still have lots of problems.
Sir, what do you think about the elections?
- Leave me alone. - Thank you.
What do you think about the elections?
The opposition will win, especially the National Party.
And the future?
Chile has to rise up with freedom and democracy.
Sir, what do you think about the elections on Sunday?
I think it's a plebiscite
and on Sunday Chile is going to decide
if it wants Marxism or freedom.
How do you view the future, after the elections?
The only solution is a change of government.
- Do you believe in elections? - Yes, of course.
Sir, what do you think about the elections on Sunday?
I think that the Popular Front is going to get a hammering
and it's going to be wiped out.
- Do you believe in elections? - Yes, absolutely.
What percentages for Popular Unity and the National Party?
30% and 70%.
- How do you see the future? - The future?
Chile's always had a promising future.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Ma'am, what's your position as regards the elections?
Jarpa and Alessandri.
- What's your preference? - The National Party.
Do you believe in elections or in other methods?
I think there has to be a firm line.
There must never be any question of playing with the people.
How do you view the future, after the elections?
We have to work hard to rebuild Chile.
- Sir, who will you be voting for? - For Jarpa.
And who'll win the elections?
The opposition will, easily.
- And with what percentage? -65% at least.
And what will happen in Chile then?
The government will have to respect the majority.
Do you believe in elections or in other methods?
- Elections. - Thank you.
They should impeach the President!
- What? -They should impeach him and throw him out on May 21!
He's destroyed the country, ruined it
and this is a corrupt, degenerate government!
Degenerate, corrupt, filthy!
All those dirty communists should get out of Chile!
On May 21, thank God, we'll have
the cleanest, finest government we've ever had!
Democracy will win
and we'll get rid of those rotten Marxist communists!
Who do you prefer among the opposition?
Candidates? Jarpa and Gustavo Alessandri.
And what percentage?
My idea would be 100%
but really I think it'll be around 70%.
Power to the workers!
Comrade, what's your opinion about the elections?
I say Popular Unity will win.
And to hell with the "mummies" on the right!
We'll win with Popular Unity. Here and everywhere else.
The "mummies" can drop dead!
Power to the workers!
What do you think about the elections?
We have to fight to get a big majority.
We who can see things very clearly
realize that the only way to get power
given that we've got the government
is by winning the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
What it really means is getting a bit more power
more power for the class.
But, even so
it isn't the definitive solution.
We believe that one election more or less
won't solve the problem and avoid the civil war.
The civil war is inevitable and fundamental.
And it's going to happen, because at present
the classes are becoming more and more polarized.
On one side, the bourgeoisie, on the other, the proletariat.
That confrontation will come.
Forward without compromise!
As usual, the armed forces guarantee order
during the elections.
The opposition votes, confident of victory.
With a two thirds majority in Parliament
it could remove President Allende by impeaching him.
For that, they need more than 60% of the votes.
For Popular Unity, this is the first ballot
with all the opposition forces since the presidential victory in 1970.
It's also a chance to measure their electoral strength
after two years of an economic boycott
imposed by Washington, and internal opposition.
On Sunday, March 4 at 8:00 a. m., voting has started.
Good afternoon, ma'am.
We're doing interviews for Channel 13.
We'd like to know your views and who you think will win.
- We're sorry to bother you. - No, it's no bother.
I like Baltra. I voted for him.
- Baltra? - Yes.
What do you think the percentages will be?
- Do you want to come in? - Yes, if we may.
Sir, we're doing interviews for Channel 13.
Could you tell us how you think the percentages will be?
- I don't know, I don't vote. - You don't?
- You've got no preference? - None.
You said you voted for Baltra. At what time?
It's Channel 13. No, I voted for Jarpa.
- You voted for Jarpa? - Yes.
- At what time did you vote? - At 11:00 a. m.
- In what commune? - The National Stadium.
What do you think of the elections today?
I think it's great
and I think that democracy is going to win.
What do you think will happen in the future in Chile?
Everything will be sorted out and we'll rebuild Chile.
Do you think the President should be removed or not?
I couldn't say, but all this has to be sorted out.
What did you think of Jarpa's meeting here two days ago?
Fantastic! I saw it from here.
Did it really catch your attention?
Of course! The crowds and the enthusiasm
and all very orderly.
Well, I thought it was great, and we're going to win!
And what about the alliance with Christian Democracy?
I think it's splendid, really good.
You feel happy about that alliance?
Yes, I do, because I think it'll fix everything.
Thank you very much.
At 5:00 p. m., the first results start to come in.
The Interior Minister, Genera Carlos Prats
ensures the maximum guarantees of honesty
for all the sectors.
Nevertheless, before the count is finished
some media are announcing a victory for the opposition.
They don't say that over 40% of the votes are for the left.
The opposition, who never doubted their victory
celebrate the supposed end of Popular Unity.
What do you think of the elections?
We're winning! We've got over 60%!
What do you think of the elections?
Fantastic! But we were bound to win!
Sir, what do you
Great! I'm Argentinean and I'm delighted that Frei has won!
It's terrific! Chile needs a few more Freis.
Over here! Come on, Flaco, move it!
- How do you feel about it? - It's a great victory!
It's a fantastic success! We're delighted!
How do you see the future?
A plebiscite, and we'll win the elections.
Allende will have to leave Chile immediately.
- Would you impeach him? - Yes, of course.
Anyway, so long!
What do you think about today's elections?
It's a triumph for democracy and Chile will always be free!
- What will happen now? - God forbid anything does.
All we ask is that Chile is always free!
Are you in favor of impeaching Allende?
- Yes, sir. - Yes.
You don't think that could cause a civil war?
- It doesn't matter. - We've got the majority.
What do you think of the election?
We finally beat those bastards!
What do you think of the election?
Very good, magnificent.
I'd just like to say that it's really wonderful.
The PU ended up in the garbage
to put it politely!
- Who was your favorite? - Frei.
I am Alfonso Carrasco Cerda
president of the Bank of Chile retirement club.
I believe that we have defended
democracy and freedom in Chile.
Would you like to say anything else?
Yes!
Greetings to all the people
who have helped to free our country.
After midnight, the final results
spread confusion among the opposition.
The dreamed-of number of votes evaporates in disaster.
Against all predictions
Popular Unity doesn't only not lose electoral support
it increases it.
Rejecting the calculations, one sector of the opposition talks of fraud
and sends its troublemakers onto the street.
A few days later, the Election Examination Tribunal
controlled by the opposition is obliged to confirm the official results.
The opposition parties are very far from the 2/3 they'd dreamed of
in order to remove Salvador Allende.
Popular Unity increase to 43.4% of the votes
and increase their numbers in Parliament.
They obtain unprecedented support
after two and a half years in office.
For the opposition
the swearing-in of the new deputies
marks the end of the electoral phase.
Honorable deputies
do you swear or promise
to protect the Constitution of the State
and defend, in the exercise of your duties
its true interests?
Yes, we do.
I hereby declare you incorporated.
The aims of the present session being completed
it is now adjourned.
From now on, the White House and the Chilean opposition
realize that the mechanisms
of representative democracy are of no use to them.
The votes won by the Government coalition
show that the desire for social change
has not decreased, despite the millions of dollars
invested by the North American government.
After March, the strategy of the democratic opposition
will be, paradoxically, that of the coup d'état.
HOARDING AND THE BLACK MARKET
Thanks to a complaint lodged by a neighbor
it was discovered that here in 319 Copiap Street
the following stocks were being hoarded.
20 tons of sugar, 400 boxes of toilet rolls
500 boxes of detergent, 100 boxes of Nescafé
100 boxes of condensed milk, 50 boxes of salmon
large amounts of rice.
This will be sold to the neighbors in this sector
a large number of whom are gathered here.
I'd say this sale will last for approximately three days.
The Government strengthens
the Councils for Provisions and Prices.
In theory, these are local organizations
to supervise food distribution
and report any speculating by shopkeepers.
When the Councils discover any hoarding
the Government intervenes
and the products are put on sale.
In the warehouse belonging to Mrs. Moreno Díaz
the following goods were found.
310 packets of tea
2 boxes of"350"
53 boxes of baby food.
All of it had been eaten by mice.
I bought detergent and two little packets of tea
because I didn't have any more money with me.
I couldn't buy any more.
Well, I've got ten children
and I have to waste the whole morning looking
We have to put an end to the black market.
We have to close the shops and jail the owners.
We have to do that to scare those people
so they stop speculating.
I think there are lots of provisions.
Look at how often we've seen in the newspapers here
about all the tons of sugar, all that stuff that's hoarded.
In March, there are 3,000 COPPs in all of Chile.
In some cases, they introduce ration cards
in order to improve distribution
What's the card? Can we see it?
It's my ration card. I've got 14 rations.
I've got 2 stock cubes marked down.
No, 4 cubes, when they arrive.
If more come, they give you more.
It's all rationed. Coffee, milk, everything.
Can you get by on that?
Yes, we can get by. And if we don't
then we try to buy other things instead.
Will we collect the the vegetables you bought?
The main aims of the opposition
are to disrupt food supplies
exhaust the reserve stocks and sabotage harvests
so as to increase the scarcity of basic necessities.
Is there any oil?
I don't know if there's any today
but I got oil three days ago.
Would you like to say anything
to other comrades? We're making a documentary.
I'll put up with everything that happens so that
at least my children can have a better future.
I approve of this government.
- Would you like to say more? - No, that's all, thank you.
PARLIAMENTARY BO YCOTT
For the opposition, the example of the COPPs
is getting dangerous.
Congress begins an indictment against Orlando Millas
the minister who promoted the COPPs.
The opposition is using its simple majority in Congress
to discredit the government.
Here are all the documents which record the accusations.
In this case, to comply with the regulation procedures
the opposition appoints one of its deputies
to interrogate a neighbor, a member of the COPPS.
What do they actually do?
How does this organization COPP work?
As I think I already said
COPP is an organization
of people, residents, workers, housewives
who join together and, by a group decision
are given the authority
to control, or rather to oversee
if there are sufficient provisions or not
in their neighborhood.
That's what I'm trying to get you to explain to me.
- Yes. - You understand?
I'm just trying to guide you. That doesn't mean
that I'm trying to get you to say something.
I like to be very honest in my dealings.
If I can just explain, I think that the function
of this organization COPP
is to fulfill the role of ensuring
that people receive sufficient provisions
for all the family groups living in the neighborhood.
Although the opposition fails to prove anything
the accusation is maintained.
The procedure will be repeated with other top officials.
The ministers either give in or are expelled.
Through the accusations
the opposition provokes a conflict of powers
between Parliament and the President of the Republic.
In all the cases, a representative of the left
will demonstrate the legal fragility of the accusations.
Consequently
the Minister of State is only responsible
for his actions to the President of the Republic.
And he cannot be subordinated, as regards
the appropriateness of his actions
to the view of the majority in Congress.
That political judgment is only granted
to the President of the Republic.
In the specific case of Mr. Millas
Minister of the Economy, who is being indicted here
the process of indictment cannot be used to pass judgment
on the provisions policy promoted by the minister
on his price control policy
or on the way in which he is guiding
the work of production, provisioning
and genera distribution of the Chilean economy.
Therefore
not only is this indictment
invalid, ineffective and illegal
it is an indictment
which adulterates, disregards and violates
the area which the Constitution
grants to the President
as regards his essential prerogatives and authority.
Days later, in the Chamber of Deputies
the vote is held on expelling Minister Millas.
In a period of three months, the opposition remove
two of Allende's intendants and seven of his ministers.
That is, one high ranking Popular Unity official
every ten days.
And they refuse to let us use
the laws which they had in their hands
and used against the people.
But then
when we do it to defend the legitimate government
and the progress of the workers
an attitude of resistance appears in those sectors
which have all the guarantees
of the reality being experienced by our country.
And this is a government
which isn't socialist.
It is a popular, democratic
national, revolutionary government
which must carry out a program
to open, as broadly and as quickly as possible
the path to socialism
and the transformation of our society.
LEGALITY OR ILLEGALITY
GOVERNMENT MUST RESPECT COURT DECISION
Shortly after, the opposition begins an indictment
against all the ministers in the government.
This means the dismissal of 15 ministers at one time.
However, popular pressure
forces one sector of the opposition to pull back
and the maneuver fails.
It's the right who've always been interfering
trying to get us to bring down the government.
But that'll never happen.
The workers elected this government
and it will continue
and we'll defend it with our lives if necessary.
If they want us on the street, we'll be there
and if we have to fight, we'll fight, as workers
in defense of our workers' democracy.
On April 17
the government decides to expropriate legally
another 49 industries which are boycotting production.
In reply, Congress presents a constitutional reform
which invalidates almost all expropriations already made.
The Christian Democracy and the National Party
say that the Head of State has no right of veto in this.
He has to promulgate the reform
and hand back the factories without argument.
This means that Congress, by simple majority
wants to deprive Salvador Allende of an authority
which other Chilean leaders had.
Those men on the right are getting huge salaries
and all they're doing is wrecking the country.
Wrecking the country and getting well paid to do it!
And we got a big surprise
when we saw that our factory, our workplace
had been completely dismantled
because those gentlemen
had stolen all the machinery.
We don't want to have anything to do with the bosses.
They've been dragging their feet for a long time
to such an extent
that the companies ended up being expropriated.
It's been proved that the industrialists here
had started an open boycott on production.
And we're against that.
I want this to be sorted out.
The government should expropriate the industry
because we can't work with the bosses.
What did they call this factory?
They called it "the jail"
because of the feudal mentality
that our bosses had.
And fellow workers in other industries
called it "the Santa Elena jail" because of the pressure.
On May 23, Eduardo Frei
Christian Democrat and ex-President of Chile
is elected Head of the Senate.
One of his main tasks
will be to aggravate the conflict of powers.
If Allende rejects the reform
and doesn't return the industries
he'll be accused of overstepping the constitution.
If he accepts, Parliament will then have
effective control of the State.
Allende considers this position to be illegal
and appeals to the Constitutional Tribunal.
We understand
that at this moment what is fundamental
is to reinforce government policy
and conquer the instruments
ensuring that there is institutional permeability
so that the opposition understands
that they can't deny what is vital to a government
to be able to defend Chile
in the face of an economic reality
which is the result, not of errors made by us
without denying the ones we've made
but of international and national factors
which weigh heavy
especially when a government, like ours
is confronted with imperialism
and with a landowning, banking and feudal oligarchy.
Those deputies who reject the proposal, raise their hands.
Parliament will now seek
a definitive blockade of the government.
In the months of April, May and June
Congress declares a boycott
on any initiative by Popular Unity.
Result of the voting.
In favor, 52 votes.
Against, 81.
The Executive's proposal is rejected.
The law to punish economic crimes is rejected.
The law to create a Ministry for the Family is rejected.
The law on readjustments and salaries for workers
is deferred, and then got out of the way.
The law on workers' participation in factories
is rejected.
The law to create a Maritime Ministry is rejected.
The law to set up self- managing firms is rejected.
In the course of several months
another 20 projected laws lose their financing.
Nationalism!
Present!
Nationalism!
Forward!
- National Front! - Homeland and Freedom!
This is a shock squadron
from the fascist group, "Homeland and Freedom".
- Chile! - One!
- Chile! - Great!
- Chile! - Free!
Forward Chile!
- National Front! - Homeland and Freedom!
Institutional conflict alone
is not enough to justify a coup d'état.
It is also necessary to provoke violence
and social chaos.
That is the main aim of this organization.
"Homeland and Freedom" constitutes a tiny part
of the right-wing mass movement
but its fascist ideology is found in some opposition parties
and the armed forces.
Its leaders and ideologists include former employees
of the U.S. information services in Chile.
Its patrons are the big employers' associations
the National Agriculture Society and Manufacturing Development.
But their biggest helper
is the North American State Department.
In 1974, some ex-officials of that Department
reveal that at that time
the CIA had 40 first-class agents in Chile
many of them instructors for "Homeland and Freedom".
STUDENT DISTURBANCES
In April, the opposition find a pretext
for continuing the social agitation.
The Government has presented a bill on Education Reform
to democratize the old educational structure.
Feeling itself threatened
the opposition mobilizes its troublemakers.
For the first time in Chile, a large number of students
let themselves be used by the more privileged classes.
The opposition parties, professionals
and retailers' associations
support the street disturbances.
We won't be on the defensive anymore.
We won't be the puppets
of reaction anymore.
Because from here on, comrades
we have to make the questions into reality.
And we have to tackle conflictive problems.
And we have to attack whoever gets in our way.
And we're not going on the streets
to fight with right-wing kids.
The police and the soldiers can see to them
and put them out of action.
We have to see how to confront the State.
It's a bourgeois State which we have to overthrow.
Yesterday we saw various groups
making demands for different things
and using
class comrades, the Chilean reaction
in what were really subversive situations.
In other words, what comrades think
about the distribution situation
about the law on agrarian reform
about the nationalization of monopolies.
Those are fundamental questions
which we, as workers, should consider
and which we wish to resolve with a plebiscite
and not be dragged along by the reactionaries
with effective mobilization of the workers.
We can't accept this escalation day after day.
We've been observing this situation
and we said in October
that they were going to prepare another one.
They're repeating themselves, they don't even have
the initiative to change what they did in October.
And we, the workers, must go out now
and stop these people for once and for all
and demand a plebiscite on fundamental issues.
How are we going to resolve the transport problem?
Every time they have to attack the government
they bring transport to a standstill, don't they?
Because they control the drivers.
Most of the drivers have no class awareness.
They aren't in any union.
All they worry about is their percentage
how much they'll earn.
They don't go to union meetings.
So there aren't many unions doing well in transport.
Even the ones doing well are doing badly.
Given the threat
of a national commercial stoppage next week
there should be immediate nationalization
of distribution monopolies.
Given the threat of a boycott on production and economy
the government must issue an expropriation order
against those companies which form part of the group of 90
still not in the hands of the workers.
The working class should be integrated immediately
into the planning of the economy.
There is no doubt that at this moment
the resolutions must
deal with the problems in the transport section.
We, the workers in the Public Works Department
have, at this moment, got everyone ready to march
and parade past Congress.
Any objections to that?
- To Parliament! - To Parliament!
We ask our comrades in the Public Works Department
if they can obtain means of transport, trucks, vans
in order to transport groups of workers
who will be leaving the factories.
There are trucks and buses, comrade.
The left, united, will never be defeated!
On April 27, the Trades Union Council
calls a mass meeting in support of the government.
They try, by means of the workers' presence
to prevent the streets of Santiago
from being taken by opposition agitators.
Power to the workers!
We want popular power!
The left, united, will never be defeated!
People! Consciousness! Arms!
We want popular power!
Demonstrators passing the offices
of the Christian Democrat Party
are suddenly attacked.
Shots fired from the windows kill one worker
and seriously injure another six.
The people who provoked us are responsible for this.
- And the dead and wounded? - Who are they? Where are they?
One person was shot dead and six wounded. We saw it all.
Are we supposed to let people come and walk over us?
Who protected us?
You're justifying that death.
And you're speaking in the Christian Democrat offices!
You can't push me around in the Christian Democrat offices!
Senator, why did you hit a journalist?
Fascists!
Where did they fire from? At what time?
That isn't clear. It's being investigated.
Anyway
it's the magistrate who's in charge here.
In this case
the police and everything to do with public order
is subject to the magistrate and the court.
That's what the code on penal procedure says.
The influence of the violent groups
is obvious in the Christian Democrat Party.
Senator Juan Hamilton, from the party's conservative wing
refuses to make a statement.
- A moment's silence, comrades! - Everyone keep calm!
Everyone move back a bit, please, move back!
We're all right here!
- Comrade José Ricardo Ahumada! - Present!
- With your example - We shall overcome!
Please, comrades, don't push! Don't push!
Popular Unity against the criminal "mummies"!
Comrade José Ricardo Ahumada!
Present!
- Who killed him? - The "mummies".
300,000 people turn up on April 30
to say farewell to the dead worker.
Reckoning that conditions still aren't right
the opposition ends this period of street disorder.
The attempts to punish those responsible
for Ahumada's death are unsuccessful.
Justice acts with obvious slowness.
The Supreme Court
ensures that the sentence is never enforced.
OFFENSIVE BY THE EMPLO YERS' ORGANIZATIONS
Once again, our organization is gathered together
summoned by the national leaders
to study price increases
and establish our new tariffs.
Our first speaker
is the president of Chile's National Confederation
of Taxis and Buses, Ernesto Cisterna Solís.
- An eye for an eye! - A tooth for a tooth!
I think that this assembly should say to the minister
that we are tired of seeing such ineffectiveness
and such inability in solving our problems.
During the three years of Popular Unity
the American Institute for Free Trade Unionism
financed indirectly by the CIA
directs its work towards the Chilean organizations.
In April, 108 managers
mainly from the transport sector
receive training in the United States.
We mustn't confuse awareness with patience.
We don't want politics
with the tariffs or with the organization
but we need to survive.
We have to defend our interests
and to do that we must fight as one man
with our National Board of Owners
and go out on the street
in such a way that they see us
and feel the strength of our organization
with bravery, with fervor
but above all else
as Chileans, and with dignity.
We can't keep on patching and mending
and wearing ourselves out.
The vehicles have got old
and the bent backs of many of the owners
have grown old too!
Generations of them!
It's a matter of putting food on the table
of surviving, of holding out
of being able to save this sector
because with that we are saving
the jobs of millions of people
who have faith and confidence
in this working man
in this ill-treated transporter.
He's the person who's building Chile!
He's the revolutionary!
Who can deny that the moment has come
for the entire Chilean transport sector
without distinction
fighting on a single platform
to propose this national stoppage!
In May, one third of collective transport
is immobilized by a lack of spare parts
from North America.
In 1973, importations from the United States
drop to 15% of the total.
To protest against this state of affairs
but also to aggravate it
the owners of private buses call an indefinite strike.
During the conflict, the state company, with only 600 vehicles
has to do the work normally done by Santiago's 5,000 private buses.
To help ease the effects of the strike
workers bring factory trucks onto the streets.
What do you think of the strike?
We all have to fight so that
the government can have confidence thanks to the workers.
We must fight the strike.
- How do we do that? - By staying united.
- How far did you walk? - About 70 blocks, with my two kids.
- What do you say? - I think that this is the moment
when the people have to demonstrate
the capacity for struggle which they have developed
in the course of this whole process.
And it doesn't matter
what kind of sacrifice we have to make
as long as we can keep working and producing.
Anyone else want to speak?
The "mummies" are waging this campaign against us.
We're living on very poor wages
but the workers must have faith in this
and be aware.
What do you say?
I'm a student
and I think they're trying to paralyze the country
by any means they can.
In case of a possible total transport stoppage
the left-wing carriers join together
and create the Patriotic Recovery Movement.
Because of their support of President Allende
they are attacked for being blacklegs.
I will respond to the loyalty of the people
with the loyalty of a militant socialist
and as president of Chile
I will resolutely carry through
the program of Popular Unity.
We need better and greater control
in the distribution of produce.
Listen carefully.
This is for those who believe
that I hesitate at times.
We must strengthen
popular power
centers for mothers, neighborhood groups
the Councils for Provisions and Prices
the community commandos.
They must be strengthened!
The industrial belts must be strengthened
not as parallel forces to the government
but as popular forces
united with the forces of your government
the popular government.
On May 28, retired officers of the high command
send a public letter to President Allende
stating that the armed forces
will consider themselves autonomous
should the government violate the constitution.
Shortly before, the high command had spoken out
against the proposed educational reforms.
On that occasion, Rear Admiral IsmaeI Huerta declared
"We cannot accept that future soldiers
arrive at the barracks converted into Marxists. "
Since 1950, more than 4,000 officers
have been on training courses in the U.S
and in the Panama Canal area.
Over the two and a half years of Allende's government
the Pentagon has given them
45 million dollars in military aid.
That is, more than a third
of all the aid received in the last 20 years.
COPPER STRIKE
For the first time
the opposition wins over a sector of the proletariat.
In the "El Teniente" mine
a group of workers go on strike for economic reasons.
Traditionally well paid
the copper miners are the aristocracy of Chile's workers.
For the opposition
the aim of the conflict is to paralyze the mine.
20% of Chile's earnings are produced here.
Fellow workers, as well as Channel 13 television
we have French Television with us.
Comrades, hold up your employment cards.
Let's show them that we're all workers here.
"El Teniente", united, will never be defeated!
First, let's solve the problems
of the "El Teniente" workers
and then, if there's money left
we can solve the other problems in the country.
But the people we represent come first
then the rest of the country.
That's all, thank you.
We want a solution!
We requested permission from the union leaders
to use this stage.
As workers for Popular Unity
we disagree
with the methods you're using.
We have said at all times
that above all other things
the most important is workers' unity.
We defend it here
and within the party alliance of Popular Unity.
You will be wondering why we're here.
We support a return to work
but not in factions.
Comrades
We support a return to work
Comrades
We can't accept
that you continue to use the policy of division.
No politics here!
Strike!
That same day, and at the same time
more than half of the 8,000 miners
continue working.
Most of them work overtime
to ensure that the basic work in the mine is done.
Caletones has a staff of almost 2,000 workers
between office staff and laborers.
And today, we've got 750 workers working.
So the industrial part is almost normal.
And that means that tomorrow, or Monday
there will be total normality.
What should be pointed out here
is that there is a sector which is fighting against a wall.
Their thesis is completely out of all jurisdiction.
Even history shows that the workers here
fought tirelessly against the Yankee
until we took the industry from him, nationalized it
and now it's Chile's.
It belongs to the Chileans, not to any individual.
But it's our responsibility to run it.
The workers are assuming an almost total awareness.
It is only those in opposition who insist on believing
that there are left-wing bosses here.
No, there aren't.
The Christian Democracy
has got trade union representation here
and a representative on the Board of Directors.
So we're asking the left-wing media, especially Channel 7
who have given very little importance
to those still working
to come and see for themselves
so that they'll stop Iying.
You've started very well, for a simple reason.
You've all come here to film, and that's important.
But the press, Channel 13, "El Mercurio"
all those papers, are just looking at Rancagua city.
They think that's "El Teniente", and that's bad.
Those of us who are working at present
need this situation to be sorted out
not for the personal benefit of the workers
but for the benefit of all Chileans.
You can take any worker here and ask him.
Ask any of them.
Do you think you're dividing the "El Teniente" workers?
No, none of us want to divide them.
It's the enemy who's dividing us.
- The enemy? - The right.
They want us to fight among ourselves.
The other day, the strike leader said
that if blood had to flow, blood would flow.
They want confrontation.
We have never, at any moment, wanted to divide the workers.
The fact of the matter is, I'm 43 now
and I've spent a long time, 27 years, in the mines.
I've seen all the governments we had before
and they all acted very harshly
with the working classes.
As that comrade said, I think this government has been soft.
It's soft because it's a workers' government.
But if we'd had a government of another tendency
at this moment a few of us would be dead
and there wouldn't be many left-wing comrades here.
They'd all be right-wing.
We received threats, they blocked the roads
we couldn't get down the other day
but we turned up for work.
We came down on foot, went cross-country
but at least we managed to keep working.
There were even comrades who worked three shifts
because you have to keep the mine going.
We had agreed to keep on working
because there are certain machines
which can't be allowed to stop.
This job's got a lot of responsibility.
We've got a lot of comrades
who still don't know why they're stopped.
They don't know. That's a fact.
They're fighting with the police
because some guy sets himself up as leader
and he puts on a show for them
and they follow him like he was Christ.
I think we have to make our fellow workers more aware
and that's what our leaders have to start doing now.
That's the reason behind everything.
How can you prepare people?
Well, just by doing what we're doing now
acting as we are in this stoppage.
I think I'm behaving well. I'm responsible for what I do.
I'm independent, I don't have any political party.
My interest is in working for the progress of Chile
not for my pocket.
I'm aware that if I have a good wage
then it's only fair that other workers
should have a good wage too.
Today, over 400 workers have turned up.
On the 3:00-11:00 shift, we had over 300.
It's getting back to normal.
The number of workers turning up at their job
goes up to 61 % on May 7.
The mine's trains are working day and night.
Strike!
The strikers, encouraged by the opposition
reject two settlement proposals
and demand a doubling of salary readjustments.
Why are you striking?
We're demanding the 41 % that the company owes us.
How many days has it been?
It's been 21 days now.
What's going to happen?
It'll have to be settled today or tomorrow.
Is this to do with unions or with politics?
It's never had anything to do with politics.
There's never been a politician
or a minister or a deputy involved in this.
We're just workers defending our rights.
And I think we have to win
because we elected our President
so that he'd defend workers' rights
not so that he'd come and criticize us
when we ask for something.
- You support the President? - Yes, I do.
The strike is damaging the government.
Of course it's damaging it
but I think that in all these 21 days of striking
they should at least have settled the strike.
Into the square!
The strike leaders need to have victims
so they can accuse the government of repression.
For that reason, the police get orders
to act with the greatest caution.
As the police retreat despite the stone throwing
there is confusion.
While some want to continue the fight
others think it better
to seize the mining company's offices.
Let's seize the company!
I spoke to the governor because I don't want any death.
- Who represents the workers? - We do!
The leaders are over there!
And I also
I also requested
I also requested, comrades
that with the same responsibility
as that of the "El Teniente" workers
we are asking the police forces here
that they should maintain the same composure.
I asked them that they should maintain
the same composure, comrades.
And now
I want
I want to say here this morning
that in the meeting
which we had with the President of the Republic
on the 19th
I spoke to them
as an older brother or a comrade would have done
and I told them clearly how serious it was
to stop the production of copper now
when we need more earnings
when we don't have the financing we need
when we may not be able to fulfill
some essential commitments.
At this moment
especially when the price of copper
has reached a satisfactory level
at this precise moment, "El Teniente" is paralyzed
just when it had achieved an extraordinary output.
I spoke to them like a comrade
with tenderness, with respect, with affection.
Nevertheless
economic criteria were stronger
and so "El Teniente" is at a standstill
and that means the loss of millions of dollars
for the country.
There could have been a solution
that certainly would have cost less
than a day's production.
But that would have set a fatal precedent.
A readjustment on top of a readjustment.
Today, I ask them from here to understand
that being a copper worker in this country
is a privilege
from a patriotic and revolutionary point of view.
They are the workers who must preserve
the essence of our country.
We depend on copper
to be able to buy spare parts, raw materials
inputs, foodstuffs and medicines.
I ask them from here, as revolutionary comrades
to reconsider their attitude.
We will propose solutions which will mean more income
on the basis of producing more copper
and greater productivity.
I uphold our revolutionary awareness
and I tell them that I have faith in the Chilean worker
who cannot forget imperialist aggression
and internal conspiracy!
The copper worker and the agricultural worker
have to unite to defend the future of Chile
threatened from without and hounded from within!
In the "Chuquicamata" mine
on May 16, the workers reject
a stoppage in solidarity with "El Teniente".
The same happens in the "El Salvador" mine.
The opposition fail in their attempt
to spread the strike to other copper mines.
On June 6, the strikers send a commission to Santiago.
Congress, which had justified
oppression of workers in other times
opens its gardens to give the miners money and supplies.
Parliament issues a statement, which has no legal basis
saying the miners are right.
And meanwhile, donations continue to arrive.
For the wealthy sector
helping the striking miners has become an obligation.
I am firmly convinced
that this conflict
will have international repercussions
because here
what is at stake
is the firmness of the workers
in defending their conquests.
And on the other side
is the position of the Supreme Government
which, until this moment, had turned a deaf ear
to solving this problem.
And the only culprits
of the prolongation of these 37 days of strike
have got names.
It is a product of the incapacity
of the ministers responsible for mining and labor
and of the copper bureaucrats.
For the first time
a labor leader is received in the Catholic University.
When 75% of the miners at "El Teniente"
and 10% of the clerical staff are back at work
the leader Guillermo Medina comes to receive the support..
of the children of the well-to-do.
Workers and students, forward together!
Down with incompetent government!
The Catholic University students
become the main agitators of the stoppage.
While the strike eases in "El Teniente"
the opposition politicize the conflict.
In Santiago, the organization "Feminine Power"
starts to gather funds for the miners' wives.
A large section of the middle class
consciously or unconsciously
starts to join the ranks of fascism.
- Nationalists! - Present!
- Nationalists! - Forward!
- National Front! - Homeland and Freedom!
- Chile! - One!
- Chile! - Great!
- Chile! - Free!
Forward Chile!
At the same time, in the mining city of Rancagua
shopkeepers, professionals and carriers
call a stoppage in solidarity with the strikers.
On June 10, the opposition
occupy the city's radio station by force.
As Rancagua is too small
to cause any stir in the now lessening conflict
they decide to move to the capital.
On June 15, 3,000 strikers arrive at the head office
of the Christian Democrat Party in Santiago.
They make up approximately 25% of the mine employees.
Christian Democrat Youth!
The opposition calls out its troublemakers.
The government responds with a police presence
and the mobilization of its militants.
Workers collaborate with the police to impose order.
The agitators provoke the police.
The left-wing workers dismantle the barricades.
Come on, we have to clean up the streets, comrades!
How long are those "mummies" going to fuck us up?
At midday, the Popular Unity supporters
gather in front of the La Moneda palace.
We support the popular government!
The street battle will go on until night.
VIOLENT CITY
Allende, Allende, the people will defend you!
I'm here because I've got class consciousness.
I'm here with my class comrades
defending the workers' government
to the death, if necessary.
Let's create popular power!
I've been here since 10:00 a. m
firstly because of my convictions.
I'm the father of 12 children.
I know this government's fight isn't for me.
I don't have many days of struggle and sacrifice left.
It's for my children.
What we're defending is constitutional power.
We're against fascism.
We support the popular government.
We think that what's going on now is a just struggle.
We're here to defend the position of all workers.
We don't want that, because of a privileged group
like the "El Teniente" miners
this government should have problems.
We'll defend this government's position
to the last consequences.
Comrade, why are you here?
I'm Chilean, and I have to defend Allende's government.
It's the people's government.
We can't put up with fascism anymore.
It has to be stopped now, for once and for all.
It's what the people want.
Wherever you go, people want the same.
We've had enough of those idlers
getting paid for nothing in Congress!
That's the opinion of all the workers
of all the people in the villages.
And we have to be tough on speculators!
They have to approve the law on economic crimes
so we can jail the thieves and hoarders!
Do you want to say anything else?
I've said enough.
- Popular Unity! - We shall overcome!
The next day, the last strikers are loitering
outside the Christian Democrat offices.
Many are returning to Rancagua tonight.
A symbolic group
goes to the Catholic University.
In "El Teniente", 93% of the staff have gone back to work.
On June 21, the Trades Union Council
organizes a demonstration of force against fascism.
Let's create popular power!
"PU", and no compromise!
Popular Unity against the criminal "mummies"!
Let's create a popular militia!
Forward with "PU"!
Power to the workers!
If you don't jump, you're a "mummy"!
Via the "Voice of the Homeland" transmitters
we have the first worker of the nation
the President of the Republic
comrade Salvador Allende.
While half a million demonstrators
gather in the center of Santiago
nearby, watched by the police
the last strikers watch the event
from the roof of the Catholic University.
I maintain
that never
in our history
was there an event
of the magnitude and content of this one.
One has had to innovate in all methods
to be able
to have even approximately
a dimension
of the extraordinary
spirited and enormous multitude
which is filling the streets
Moneda, Agustinas
Amunategui, Ahumada, Morandé
Huérfanos, Teatinos
most of the Alameda
and the column which set out from Tajamar
has still not been able to arrive
likewise the column from Vicua Mackenna.
Never in the history of Chile
were the people more combative and more present!
We can feel history here!
We are reinforcing
our right to build
a future of justice and freedom
to make our way towards socialism!
A week later, the copper strike is over.
On June 28
the 500 miners occupying the Catholic University
withdraw in small groups.
In all, the conflict has lasted 76 days
and has cost the state millions of dollars.
With this strike over
Allende's adversaries have tried almost everything
to topple his government.
They have one last resort.
The next day, June 29, at 9:00 a. m
the Number Two armored regiment attacks the La Moneda palace
with 6 tanks and several transport vehicles.
At 9:30, Parliament, the Judicial Power
and the opposition parties are silent.
The rest of the armed forces do not back up the action.
A little later, Leonardo Henricksen
an Argentinean cameraman, films his last shot.
He doesn't just record his own death.
He also records, two months before the final coup
the true face of a sector of the Chilean army.
Watch out!
Watch out! Over there!
END OF PART ONE