NEWSLETTER

From Chris, Alison, Luke and Bethan                                                                                                                                                     No7, October 2006

Email: eyes_chile@yahoo.co.uk                                         

 Postal address: Avda Héroes de la Concepción 1924, Condo Héroes 2, Depto G-21, Iquique, I Region, Chile

Chile´s recent past

We didn’t know much about Chile before we embarked upon our preparations to come here. Like most of you, the two things about which we knew something, were the wine and General Pinochet. However, in the first year we were here, we had no more than a handful of conversations with Chileans about their recent past - the military coup in 1973, and the subsequent 17 years of dictatorship under Pinochet. Why should that be so? How is Chile dealing with its painful history?

Some say Chile isn’t dealing very well with the ‘military period’ from 1973 until democratic government was restored in 1990. Though there was a kind of Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it was widely criticized by those who had suffered under the dictatorship, for its limited scope (for example, it only dealt with the 3,197 people who died or were ‘disappeared’, and not the many thousands who were tortured or detained), and its uncritical treatment of the armed forces.

Unlike the aftermath of many dictatorships, Pinochet (right) continues to live in relative freedom in Chile, despite the large number of legal proceedings going on against him. He even continued to exert his influence as Commander in Chief of the army until 1998. Therefore, one theory as to why people are reluctant to speak of the dictatorship is the fact that, until relatively recently, there was perceived to be some personal risk in openly discussing such matters, and, on a national level, some risk of re-alienating the armed forces. Pinochet’s supporters remain in positions of power - one of the recent presidential candidates held office in Pinochet’s government – and there are many people who still openly support him and what he stands for. The same divisions that existed at the time of the 1973 coup, are still present in Chilean society.

Despite these possible explanations, or perhaps because of them, many have the view, ‘It is better to forget the past, and concentrate on building the future.’  But it seems to us that this unwillingness of the majority to speak openly of the past is unhealthy, especially now that stable democracy has returned to Chile.  It is only small pockets of people who continue publicly to confront the past and to try to keep the dictatorship ‘on the agenda’, in order that the deep divisions can start to be healed, and that a future for Chile can be built on firm foundations.

The new President, Michelle Bachelet, whose father was killed in the aftermath of the coup, and who herself was tortured, has recently announced that 30th August will in future be marked as the ‘Day of the Disappeared’.

Remembering “the other” 9/11

Chris and Luke went to a ceremony in Iquique to mark 33 years since the coup on 11th September 1973. There were around 30 chairs (see right), each with a photo of one of the victims from this area, a brief biography, a red carnation, and a Chilean flag with a black tag saying “Verdad y justicia” (truth and justice). There were 50-60 people there, probably mostly families and/or friends of the victims - they stood behind the chairs, and the mothers or wives of the victims had pictures of the victims pinned to their chests.

Then one woman performed a traditional Chilean dance for couples adapted by the mothers and wives of the disappeared in which they dance the cueca alone as a symbol of what they have lost (see woman on right in picture). Then names of all the victims in this area were read out, each name being followed by the cry, “PRESENTE!” (present!) from the crowd. Black balloons were given out to everyone, and at a certain point these were released  - the definite black of the balloons stood out against the murky grey of the winter sky, much as the ceremony had emphasised the reality of this historic struggle in the midst of the tepid consumerism of Iquique.

Several of the people with whom Chris spoke after the ceremony thanked us for having been there, and stressed the important role that the Methodist Church had played in those times.

Most of you will by now have received the news of the arrival of Bethan at 4.58am on 24th August. Here she is with the rest of the family!

She was born at the main public hospital here in Iquique, and, in a society where caesarians and epidurals are the norm, we are grateful to Dr Patricio Miranda, the gynaecologist, and Georgina Mendoza, the midwife, who shared our hope that a ‘natural’ birth was both possible and preferable! Alison gave birth on a traditional-style Aymaran birthing stool, which we felt earthed our experience still further.

Bethan is a Chilean citizen by birth (a ‘Chilena’). Alison remains on maternity leave until after Christmas.

We have really appreciated the support given by friends and colleagues here at this wonderful but challenging time!

Alison’s local ministerial colleagues visiting her and Bethan in hospital the day after the birth.

Luke´s column

I celebrated my 3rd birthday on 16th July. Because mummy was pregnant, I didn´t have a very big party, but two of my friends, Jorge and Vicente, came to visit.
           

I enjoyed dancing in the event at my nursery for the Fiesta de la Patria.  I have been to 2 concerts, one by a group doing what daddy describes as “jazz/funk” (whatever that is), but I liked it because it had a guitar, and a bass and DRUMS, and the other group did traditional music from the Andes.

I am enjoying having a little sister. I give her lots of kisses and help to change her nappy. If she is crying, I try to comfort her saying, “Alright Bethan!” or “What´s the matter?”