UK/Ambassador/Chile
 UK/Ambassador/Chile  (Ambassador to Chile) | |
|---|---|
| Start | 1823 |
| The United Kingdom's foremost diplomatic representative in the Republic of Chile | |
The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Chile is the United Kingdom's foremost diplomatic representative in the Republic of Chile.
Support for Pinochet after the 1973 coup
After the 1973 coup, British officials were intensely relaxed about the new military government, albeit reticent to make their support for Pinochet's junta too public.[1]
UK ambassador Reginald Secondé was outspoken in his support for the junta, albeit behind closed doors. He welcomed the prospect of Pinochet "[imposing] a period of sensible, orderly government," and said the nationwide ban on political activity was "for the time being, no loss."[2]
Shortly after the coup, Secondé met the Chilean government's new Foreign Minister, Admiral Huerta. Top of the agenda was agreeing a statement Edward Heath's Conservative government could issue to "reassure public opinion at home," while making clear the administration privately "understood the motives of the armed forces, intervention and problems facing the military government." – diplomatic language for support for the junta.[2]
On October 1, in a lengthy dispatch reflecting on the state of Chile three weeks after the coup, Secondé celebrated the junta’s victory, noting "the final seal of failure" had been put on Allende's socialist experiment, which had "obvious advantages for the West." In essence, Pinochet’s government "[suited] British interests much better than its predecessor.[1]" He added:
Five months ago it seemed possible Chile would follow Cuba, with all the consequences for Latin America that would follow. Moreover, there was a danger a successful outcome to the Chilean experiment would have repercussions beyond Latin America.[1]
The Ambassador was withdrawn under the Labour government, after torture of Sheila Cassidy[3], but resumed again after Margaret Thatcher took power.
An Office Holder on Wikispooks
| Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Reginald Secondé | 1973 | 1976 |
References
- ↑ a b c https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/analysis/britains-secret-support-of-murderous-general-pinochet
- ↑ a b https://www.declassifieduk.org/our-major-interest-is-copper-britain-backed-pinochets-bloody-coup-in-chile/
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/1976/01/05/archives/british-doctor-details-charges-of-torture-by-the-chilean-police.html
