The military in Argentina and Chile

Dwight Peterson writes. "I apologize to Alfredo Tosti for my comment about the Argentine military. It was simplistic and glossed over the role of the military during their murky years of control. Without his chronological version of events, which he so thoughtfully provided, my comment was inappropriate".

Very WAIS of you, Dwight. I should explain that his experience was largely in Chile, which is a different case, and where Pinochet still has a lot of supporters. It would be interesting to compare and contrast the developments in the countries which were taken over my the military in Operation Condor: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. The situation is especially sad in Argentina, where both the military and the politicians are despised. Who does that leave to run the country? As for Chile, as an outside observer I have mixed feelings. Despite serious social problems, Chile has bought expensive, ultra modern fighter planes. It looks as though Socialist President Lagos agreed to these to appease the military. Does he fear them? The real issue is the international military-industrial complex, eager to sell its goods to any country, poor or rich. France is very proud of its aviation salon at Le Bourget. In the TV programs on the dazzling military planes performing stunts in the air, this moral question was not raised.

Ronald Hilton - 2/9/02