don@allegra.UUCP (08/12/83)
In the past few days I have read several comments about our government's policies in South and Central America. The view that seems to be taken for granted by everyone is "We are doing them a big favor by saving them from the Communists". This is the sort of altruism that makes me want to check if my wallet is missing! At the same time though, our policy may be reasonable. First of all, consider our viewpoint as an industrial nation. Popular revolution in South America can mean defaults on huge loans; expropriation of mines, plantations, and factories owned by US companies; and the possible loss of vast markets for US commodities. That could hurt a lot of wealthy and powerful concerns, and it could hurt all of you as well. Next, consider it from the viewpoint of South American countries. Leftist leaders want to use their national resources to finance social reforms and to raise wages. Even rightwing leaders have to make some of those concessions to keep their societies stable (witness Brazil's recent confrontation with the IMF!). So, I am saying there is a real conflict of interest and ethically controversial decisions must be made. Personally, I do not agree with the ethics of our decisions. I think it was seriously wrong to overthrow President Arbenz in Guatemala and to support the overthrow of President Allende in Chile. In Chile, specifically, one of South America's oldest democracies fell, and according to Amnesty International, Pinochet is one of the worst violators of human rights in this hemisphere. OK, we saved Anaconda Copper and ITT investments, but when and if Pinochet is overthrown by revolution it will be strongly anti-American! Perhaps in the long run then, our policies are not even reasonable.