Re: [Marxism] Burbach assessment: "Chilean President defied US pressure"

[govi0006@xxxxxxx]

I apologize if my previous comments on Bachelet were rude. I also do
acknowledge the need for some sort of practical plan of action, and not
jsut to paint the situation in Chile as something to only live through.
However, my assessment on Bachelet remains. This is longer than I expected,
so here goes.
    First, in the article, there is no mention of the Bachelet
administration saying they would vote for Venezuela. The arguement that
could be advanced is that the Chilean gov't honestly hasn't made a
decision. Even if that's the case, it shows heavy conservatism, considering
the general left political climate in L. America. I'll give more on what I
see actual the actual direction the Chilean gov't already decided on later.
    However, we need to look at the refusal to indicate a direction in
context of the recent events in Chile. In Chile, the student strike reached
numbers of 800,000 students on strike, with hundreds of schools being
occupied for days and students taking over operation of some of the basic
functions of the schools. This is a clear (fetal) act of siezing state
power. This was done in the face of alongside healthcare workers on strike,
as well as employees of Chile's largest retail company LIDER marching
alongside. They were also joined by the Mapuche Indians, demanding basic
human rights. Diverse secotrs of the Chilean Left and working classes were
coming together in solidarity.
    Considering these factors, Bachelet's actions were very close to
Pinochet and fellow social-democrat Carlos Perez of Venezuela during
Caracazo, using the riot police to beat down protesters. This would have
clearly been reminiscent of the days of Pinochet. According to Narconews,
tanks spraying contaminated water were used. A Philipino friend of mine
whose father was an activist against Marcos told me of similar tactics used
against protesters there. Only after this almost revolutionary situation,
similar to the Teamster strikes in the 30's, did Bachelet agree to get rid
of some of the most inflammatory measures, including the college
application fee. However, one main demand was left out, smaller classroom
sizes. This is one of the keys to improving quality of education, as well
as a measure in support of the teachers. In contrast to the earlier point
of Chile not having as abundant natural resources as VN or Bolivia, the
Chilean copper prices are booming, doubling in the last couple of months.
Yet according to the Financial Times, Chile under Bachelet stays the
hardline, fanatical neoliberal course of "fiscal austerity" (1). (as
expected, in the FT article, when the writers moan that an increased
Chilean Currency could hurt other sectors of the economy, the Neoliberal
Fundamentalist neglect to mention that the Chilean FTA is probably what
does the most damage to Chilean domestic industries.)
    Having established the background in which US imperialists strong
arming occured, we see now that Bachelet's gov't is still in "indecision".
The theory here is that if Bachelet's gov't has already decided to vote
agaisnt Venezuela, (I'll later provide evidence of why I believe that is
the case), this present strong arming came at the worst time possible (from
the bourgois POV). With these protests exploding, Bachelet openly coming
out in favor of Bush at this moment could end up being the last straw for
the Chilean masses, and push them over the edge. It would be another
reminder of the days of Pinochet, when Chile and Guatemala were the only
two L. American nations to support the US invasion of Grenada. It would be
a clear sign that absolutely nothing in Chile has changed, and that
Pinochet essentially still rules, although with a kinder face. The Chilean
masses may see bourgeois democracy for it's true dicatorship essence, where
they are denied any real choices. This assumes Bachelet admin. already has
an anti-Venezuela course set, which I'll now show.
      In terms of relations with the superpower, Bachelet's own words
described her policy as ""convergence with the hegemonic power". She voted
against Cuba with the US in the Geneva Human Rights meetings. Chile has
also dispatched 400 soldiers to occupy Haiti after the U.S. backed coup. As
def. min., she offered logistical support for the Unitas program.
      The background of Bachelet's gov't is also more proof. Bachelet's
gov't is not part of the new wave of Latin American governments with a left
bent. As part of "concertacion", the Chilean SP joined with the Christian
Democrats, one of the original backers of Pinochet. In order to do this,
the SP renounced any connection to a social reforms of Allende, while the
CD didn't renounce it's support for Pinochet. The SP has made an undying
pledge to subservience to imperialism and neoliberalism. Concertacion came
ot power during the final days of Pinochet, to make sure that anything
resembling workers' right remained strictly off the table, and essentially
blasphemy. It's role has been to maintain the murderous neoliberal regime,
without Pinochet. In contrast, a left bourgeois gov't like Vasquez in
Uruguay came to power specifically opposing the privatisation measures of
the previous gov't, as part of active social mov'ts including the PIT-CNT
unions and cooperative housing movements. Similar things could be said for
Lula's presidency, despite the massive flaws and disillusionments. All of
the new left mov't gov'ts came on the backs of a clear, decisive public
rejection of neoliberalism. Bachelet's came to power pledging sharp
neoliberal austerity. It's similar to Blair or Kerry winning the elections
in the U.S.
    Finally, the plan of action should be for any Chilean activist to know
this, as act upon the principle that Bachelet is one of "them", similar to
Blair or Carlos Perez, despite their party names. Protests and strikes
should act as radicals in Britain or Venezuela. Furthermore, unlike the PT
or Labour until the early 90's, the Chilean SP is not at all critically
supportable. It is essential comparable to Labour and the Venezuela
Social-democratic party. Unlike Luizianne Lins in Brazil, or the Militant
tendency, you really can't work within the Chilean SP. Protests should take
this attitude, as if it were the CD's they were agaisnt, or the Tories.


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