Keeping the Faith amid oppression

WE WERE delighted to read your leader entitled Hollow victory, May 10, which clearly condemned the hypocrisy of the British government's continued support and arms sales for the brutal regime of General Pinochet in Chile.
The proposed sale of the Centaur half-track vehicle referred to in the article represents a very serious development in the continued flow of arms from Britain to Chile. This vehicle can and will be used to repress the unarmed population — particularly those who continue to openly demonstrate for a return to democracy and human rights in the face of terrifying violence.
By allowing (and even encouraging such a deal, the British government is therefore actually breaking its own criteria of not sending any equipment to repression regimes that could be used for internal repression. Indeed, through this proposed sale, Britain is actually hindering those organisations in Chile which are working towards a return to democracy.
Signing our petition against the sale of British arms to Chile is just one way in which we can register our deep concern and protest. The Chile Committee for Human Rights is also encouraging as many people as possible to write to their local MPs — and indeed the Foreign Secretary — demanding the reimposition of an embargo on the supply of arms to Chile.
The Catholic Church's human rights organisation, the Vicaria de la Solidaridad has been a particular target of the increasing repression. Just over a month ago, Jose Parada Maluenda, a worker with the Vicaria was kidnapped by one of the government backed death squads. His body was later found in a ditch — his throat was cut and there were clear signs that he had been tortured.
Relatives of many victims have begun an indefinite hunger strike in a Church in Santiago. They are simply demanding an investigation into the crimes, the punishment of those responsible and an end to repression. It is very important that messages of support are sent to them. Letters should be addressed to:La Vicaria de la Solidaridad, Plaza de Armas 444, Santiago, Chile. Telex no. 340219 ARSAN CK.
Further information can be had at the Chile Committee for Human Rights at the address below.
Mark Clutterbuck Chile Committee for Human Rights, 13-16, Borough Road,
London SE1 OA1.
(01-928-2099).