76-11-9

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Chile III

Transcript Salvador Allende, the late President of Chile, has been described as a gentle man-of-the people. Maybe so, but he declared in 1970 that if the Congress didn't make him President, "Santiago would be painted red with blood." And, when he was questioned as to how he could keep a campaign promise to provide a quart of milk everyday for every Chilean child, he replied -- QUOTE -- "when we run out of four legged beasts, we'll milk the two legged kind." -- UNQUOTE. By 1973, his presidential retreat in the Andean foothills was the training center for a 15,000 man private army equipped with Russian weapons. The commander of his personal body guard was a Cuban assassin nicknamed "Easy Trigger". The military instructors were Cuban and so was most of the 15,000-man force. In that final summer, on June 27th, his handpicked chief of the regular army, General Gonzalez, was involved in a street incident that reveals the political climate. A woman driver passing the General's car stuck out her tongue at him. Despite the heavy midday traffic he gave chase, firing two shots at her car. Overtaking her he put his pistol to her head, called her an unrepeatable name and demanded an apology. This was too much for several hundred bystanders who went to the woman's rescue. The General barely escaped with his life. On June 19th a single armored regiment in an almost comic-opera move -- launched an attack on the Presidential Palace. The tanks went through Santiago stopping at all the traffic signals and running out of gas in front of the Palace. Let it be noted, the regular army put down the abortive attack. But Allende seized the opportunity to go on the air and urge his followers to take over all industries and enterprises. The workers, who responded and took over 244 factories, were surprisingly prompt and well armed. In July the transportation workers walked off the job joined by most other Union and Professional Associations. Food virtually disappeared. Medical care was available only for emergencies. Municipal services ceased, electric and telephone service was a sometime thing and there was no gas at the gas station. On August 7th, a radical Communist organization known as M.I.R. -- supported by Allende's leaders in Congress -- was revealed as having infiltrated the Navy with a plot for mutiny and murder. On the 22nd of August, 300 Army wives appeared before General Gonzalez' home demanding his resignation. The General had fire hoses turned on them. The Admiral commanding the Navy resigned; and, still hopeful of avoiding civil strife, top Naval officers begged Allende to appoint as his successor Admiral Jose Merina. The President agreed and on September 7th Merina went to the Palace to be sworn in. But Allende reneged on his promise and the embarrassed Admiral returned to his ship. All day and night on September 8th, shocked senior Naval officers met and conferred. By now they had learned of "Plan Zeta" -- an M.I.R. plot to murder, on September 18th, six hundred key military figures and civilian leaders. Sunday, September 9th, the Naval officers sent a simple message to the Army and Air Force commanders, -- QUOTE "D-day is Tuesday. The hour 0600." -- UNQUOTE. The two Generals gave a one word answer, -- QUOTE -- "CONFORME" -- UNQUOTE -- meaning concur. On September 11th -- regardless of what the propagandists say about it -- the Chilean military freed the people of Chile. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.		Details Batch Number 76-11-9 Production Date 03/23/1977 Book/Page RPtV-137 Audio Youtube? No
		Added Notes The "presidential retreat" was actually a home that Allende used. It is called Casa El Cañaveral, it belonged to his private secretary, Miria Contreras. According to more recent articles, Plan Zeta was not real