Declassified files expose Chile coup links to Whitlam’s Dismissal

Newly released documents reveal how Australia’s covert role in the 1973 Chilean coup fueled the tensions that ultimately consumed the Whitlam Government, writes Jemma Nott.

AS PRESIDENT EMBERS begins to prepare for a potential invasion It is long overdue for us to learn the historical lessons of Western interventionism regarding Venezuela.

Imperialism is a boomerang, and perhaps the most striking example of this in Australia is Chile. fifty years later Whitlam’s Dismissal and we still don’t really tell the story of its birth.

Declassified government documents were released in June 2021. National Security Archives Revealed Australian Government supported CIA Chilean coup. Today, many Chileans still regard September 11, 1973 as a day etched in their historical consciousness. Salvador Allendewas a socialist leader overturned by fascist general Augusto Pinochet.

But a declassified CIA document reveals in extensive detail how the coup was planned and directed from across the pond by CIA. The CIA financed opposition groups, right-wing media, and strikes that supported Pinochet. In fact, right after Allende’s election, Agustin Edwards Eastmanowner El Mercurio and one of the richest men in Chile, we met secretly with CIA director Richard Helms And Henry Kissinger and pressed for a preemptive coup to prevent Allende from taking office.

A Chilean leftist/critical source (Róbinson Rojas’s Allende’s Murder) goes further and clearly links economist and investment banker David RockefellerManeuvers Edwards’ finances and strategy, arguing that Rockefeller advised on economic steps to guarantee measures favorable to US capital and cities El Mercurio‘s role in this strategy. A group that includes Anaconda, ITT And PepsiCooffered put in $500,000 (AU$769,400) to influence the Chilean Congress not to approve Allende after he won the 1970 Election.

Before 1971, Gough WhitlamRegarding the selection of , the CIA asked the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) to create Espionage operation in Chile It targets Allende’s government. The operation was conducted entirely to support US intelligence interests. Reports forwarded directly to Langley.

ASIS file titled Memorandum of Speech: Review of MO9 Station in Santiago It shows that Whitlam ordered its closure in April 1973 but gave an instruction: “Don’t do anything to disturb the CIA.” In response, the CIA expressed deep concern about the shutdown order and ASIS Director General William T Robertson He pressured Whitlam to reverse it.

In July 1973, ASIS reports He stated that the station was officially closed and the records were destroyed.

A process of rapid economic liberalization began immediately after the coup in Chile, essentially the world’s first experience of the West inserting its hand into the markets of a foreign country. Chile, under Pinochetprivatized banks, mining companies, utilities (water, electricity, telecommunications), ports, steel and manufacturing, airlines and the pension system.

Chile in the late 1980s had sold It has more state assets than any other country in the world except the United Kingdom. The military junta cut public spending by ~27 percent, reduced real wages by ~30 percent, eliminated subsidies, froze the minimum wage, and eliminated public housing, food programs, and social supports.

Whitlam knew this Pine Gap it was partly run by the CIA (Only National Security Agency or Department of Defense) and blamed the CIA station chief in Australia (Richard Stallings) using a secret Australian address funded by CIA money. whitlam supplied Revealing Stallings’ CIA identity to Parliament.

CIA Director William Colby They reported through back-channel diplomatic messages that this would be disastrous for US-Australian relations. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cables were introduced later: “The Prime Minister’s actions raise serious concerns at the highest level.” This is where the relationship breaks down.

The Pine Gap operating agreement was set to expire on December 10, 1975. Whitlam had not yet signed the renewal. US officials (State Department cables) expressed fear That Whitlam could cancel or renegotiate it in retaliation for CIA pressure on Chile and PNG.

Viceroy John Kerr He was in contact with my sir. Martin CharterisThe Queen’s Private Secretary. UK documents show Kerr warned Whitlam said that if the CIA announced its involvement in Pine Gap, it could threaten Anglo-American intelligence sharing.

According to CIA officer Victor MarchettiOne early report John Pilger’s article:

“This threat to close Pine Gap caused paralysis in the White House… kind of Chile [coup] was put into action.”

Shortly after Whitlam’s dismissal, the wave of neoliberalism took its first roots in Australia. Malcolm Fraser implemented Campbell CommitteeHe implemented this proposal, which initiated significant economic liberalization in Australia, proposing floating the dollar, complete financial deregulation, and allowing foreign banks into the country. salary freeze and it started Growth of anti-union tactics in mining and construction.

The process of deindustrialization has begun. In fact, much of the Western world was beginning its first foray into neoliberalism. Ronald Reagan eventually came to power in the United States and Margaret Thatcher in England.

In a very direct and ironic way, Chile served as the template for what corporate power sought to achieve within its borders in the West. Imperialism is therefore like a boomerang; Even if it hurts someone overseas first or you didn’t sign the orders, it will hilariously show up at your doorstep.