Letter from Chile

Racing Downhill

Everybody asks, “What do you think of Chile today?” since my return two months ago after a 15- month absence. The reply would fill a book—the intrigue, new political allegiances and divisions; the growing power of the nonpolitical, private sector; an economy in its death-throes; a people who remain essentially the same, independent, argumentative, at times surprisingly passive and accepting. A book could be written on the blunders of Allende’s Unidad Popular government alone. But are they, in fact, blunders? Is the Chilean economic disaster unintentional? What lies behind Allende’s histrionics before the United Nations? Will Chileans accept Allende’s excuses? The March elections will tell; until then there are some realities which the electorate must, and Allende should, face.

NO

About the Author

Nena Ossa

Racing Downhill

Everybody asks, “What do you think of Chile today?” since my return two months ago after a 15- month absence. The reply would fill a book—the intrigue, new political allegiances and divisions; the growing power of the nonpolitical, private sector; an economy in its death-throes; a people who remain essentially the same, independent, argumentative, at times surprisingly passive and accepting. A book could be written on the blunders of Allende’s Unidad Popular government alone. But are they, in fact, blunders? Is the Chilean economic disaster unintentional? What lies behind Allende’s histrionics before the United Nations? Will Chileans accept Allende’s excuses? The March elections will tell; until then there are some realities which the electorate must, and Allende should, face.