asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that General Pinochet proposes to have himself inaugurated as President and Leader of the Republic of Chile in defiance of the democratic wishes of the majority and on the basis of a fraudulent referendum conducted last year; if he will condemn this usurpation of power which is based on the military overthrow of a democratic regime led by the late President Allende; if he will ensure that the Irish representation in the United Nations takes all appropriate steps to deny support and encouragement to the dictatorship in Chile led by General Pinochet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Chilean Presidency.
159.
The Deputy will recall, from my reply to related questions tabled by him on 23 October 1980, that I am aware that General Pinochet proposes to rule Chile for one or more additional eight-year terms. This decision was taken as a result of the constitutional referendum held on 11 September 1980, a referendum which clearly did not follow the accepted requirements of democracy. It appears that the human rights situation in Chile has deteriorated since September 1980 and that the authorities have little intention of returning the country to democratic rule. As before, I condemn the regime in Chile and the anti-democratic manner in which the constitutional referendum of last September was held.
In recent years Ireland has co-sponsored United Nations resolutions calling for the restoration of human rights in Chile. Indeed, Ireland has co-sponsored a resolution on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Chile at the current session of the UN Commission on Human Rights being held in Geneva.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government will take all measures open to us with the EEC and the UN to help restore democracy to the people of Chile.