Protests mark Pinochet's tearful departure from army

Augusto Pinochet

In this story:

• Next job: senator for life
• 48 demonstrators arrested
• More protests expected
• Related sites and stories

March 10, 1998
Web posted at: 8:24 p.m. EST (0124 GMT)

SANTIAGO, Chile (CNN) -- A tearful Gen. Augusto Pinochet ended his 65-year Army career at an emotional ceremony Tuesday and demonstrators clashed with police in protest over the former dictator's new job: senator for life.

"During 65 years, I have walked the path of duty and discipline," Pinochet in a ceremony at Santiago's Military Academy. "And today, looking back at that long path of service, my soldier's heart stirs and murmurs from deep within: Thank you. Thank you, my homeland."

The 82-year-old Pinochet handed over command of the army -- along with medals and a sword which belonged to Chile's founding father, Gen. Bernardo O'Higgins -- to his successor, Gen. Ricardo Izurieta.

"Fatherland of mine," he said in a speech during which his voice broke repeatedly, "I've been your soldier and that makes me happy. As I retire today, I can say I leave the army in a situation that is a reason of pride for Chile."

A demonstrator throws a rock at a police water cannon

But hundreds of demonstrators, mindful that least 3,000 people died or vanished under Pinochet's regime, clashed with police in downtown Santiago, blocked traffic and burned barricades at several intersections.

Some threw rocks at police who fired back with water cannons and tear gas and chased them through the streets. Businessmen ran for cover and stock brokerages temporarily closed their doors on Santiago's cobblestone equivalent of Wall Street.

48 demonstrators arrested

One police officer, his shield smashed by a rock, had blood streaming down his cheek. Several people were injured, including a few reporters and local radio said 48 people were arrested.

Pinochet was named army commander on August 23, 1973, by leftist President Salvador Allende, whom he toppled 19 days later in a coup in which Allende died.

Pinochet dissolved Congress, banned political parties and began a witchhunt of known left-wingers. He remained in power for 17 years, stepping down only when he did not gain a 50 percent support in a 1988 plebiscite. Democracy was fully restored to Chile in 1990.

In recalling the coup, Pinochet insisted Tuesday that the military was forced to act because Chile "was on the brink of self destruction" as a result of political divisions.

"I do not want to look back because that anchors the country in the past," he said. But, "the armed forces can now proudly say: Mission accomplished."

Pinochet's voice broke, his brow wrinkled and he wept as he thanked his wife, Lucia Hiriart, for being "the true soldier's wife."

He also remembered five bodyguards killed in 1986 when left-wing rebels hit his motorcade with bazookas and machine-gun fire.

"Long live Chile!" he said at the end of his 20-minute final farewell, promptly replacing his military cap, stepping down from the podium and wiping his eyes with a handkerchief.

The landmark retirement ceremony, attended by President Eduardo Frei, legislators and military officers of neighboring countries, went without a hitch, although there was a false bomb threat in a subway station near the Military Academy.

More protests expected

Pinochet is scheduled take the oath Wednesday as an unelected, lifelong senator in the port of Valparaiso, 87 miles (140 km) west of Santiago

The 1980 Constitution, which Pinochet dictated, grants such a seat for past presidents in office for at least six years.

Many oppose Pinochet's presence in Congress, saying it makes a sham of Chilean democracy. Patricio Walker, president of the youth branch of the ruling Christian Democratic party, was among those staging a candlelight vigil Monday night in protest.

"A dictator cannot be admitted in a place that is the cradle of democracy," Walker said.

More protests were expected, and 16 legislators presented to Congress on Tuesday a bill requesting that the lower house investigate Pinochet's purchases of properties during his stint as commander-in-chief. It also asks for a probe to see whether the army has given or will give any of its real estate to Pinochet.

Some did not wait for Pinochet's arrival to protest. A 10-yard-long poster hung from an office in the Congress building tower read "No assassins allowed."

It was quickly removed.

Although considered by some in Chile and elsewhere to be a criminal, there are those who appreciate what Pinochet did.

"He restored democracy in the country, and also he changed the social and economic system in the country," said a Chilean businessman. "That's his legacy."

Correspondent Lucia Newman and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Chile's Pinochet moving from army to Senate - March 9, 1998
• Tapes emerge as evidence against Chile's Pinochet - January 30, 1998

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