[News] Chilean Military Chief in Haiti Had Ties with Repression

[Anti-Imperialist News]

Chilean Military Chief in Haiti Had Ties with Repression

Santiago, Chile, Oct 17 (Prensa Latina) The Chilean government confirmed 
Monday that the second in command of its military forces in Haiti, Gen. 
Eduardo Aldunate, was a member of dictator Augusto Pinochet´s oppressive 
forces (1973-1990).

The allegation, previously denied by Minister of Defense Jaime Rabinet and 
Army Chief Juan Emilio Cheyre, was made last week by Carmen Soria, daughter 
of a Spanish diplomat killed in 1976.

Without providing details, Government spokesman Osvaldo Puccio admitted 
that the high-ranking officer was linked to the disbanded National 
Intelligence Central (CNI).

"That's right, General Aldunate did a course on intelligence in the CNI 
but, as far as I know, he never served as an agent," said Puccio, who added 
that the general's military biography was in complete order.

The information was also confirmed by Minister of Interior Francisco Vidal, 
who said, however, that "the important thing is that he did not take part 
in oppressive actions."

Regarding whether the general will continue in the Haiti peace mission, 
Puccio said "this is an issue that is being dealt with by the Defense 
Ministry."

Chile's military intervention in Haiti, in the wake of the ouster of 
Constitutional President Jean Bertrand Aristide in 2004, is a main project 
of President Ricardo Lagos´ foreign policy for the region.

The Spanish diplomat Soria, who lived in Chile from the end of the Spanish 
Civil War (1936-1939), was kidnapped on July 14, 1976. His body was found 
two days later in a Santiago canal, and showed signs of torture.

Carmen Soria insisted on Sunday that she will appeal to UN Secretary 
General Kofi Annan to have General Aldunate replaced as second of the peace 
forces in Haiti, and demanded the resignation of Chilean Minister of 
Defense Rabinet.

hr/ccs/rma/apr


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