Autopsy in Chile to show whether President Allende killed himself or was murdered during coup

[Judi Lynn]

Autopsy in Chile to show whether President Allende killed himself or was murdered during coup
By Associated Press, Updated: Saturday, May 21, 11:18 AM

SANTIAGO, Chile — Nearly 38 years after President Salvador Allende died in a military coup and became a Cold War martyr of the international left, his body is being exhumed Monday in an exercise that even now is fraught with political overtones.

The hope is that forensics can solve an enduring mystery: whether Chile’s socialist leader committed suicide or was murdered by the troops who mounted Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s ferocious attack on the presidential palace.

With the Allende family’s blessing, Judge Mario Carroza has convened a panel of top forensic experts, seven Chileans and five foreigners. He also seeks evidence that could support charges of crimes against humanity in the killing of hundreds of people who were tortured and disappeared in the days after the Sept. 11, 1973 coup, including many who shared Allende’s last stand.

“This will be tremendously important, because with this it will be possible to dispel any doubts or speculation,” Sen. Isabel Allende said recently as she went to court to ask for her father’s autopsy.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/autopsy-in-chile-to-show-whether-president-allende-killed-himself-or-was-murdered-during-coup/2011/05/21/AFxHNW8G_story.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. Chile to launch first probe into Allende's death

27 January 2011 - 19H02
Chile to launch first probe into Allende's death

AFP - Chile is launching its first investigation into the death of socialist president Salvador Allende whose body was found in the presidential palace during a 1973 coup, officials said on Thursday.

Until now Allende's death, during the bloody US-backed coup that brought military dictator Augusto Pinochet to power on September 11, 1973, had officially been ruled a suicide.

~snip~
Henry Kissinger, US secretary of state under then president Richard Nixon, made quite clear what US intentions were after Allende's election.

"The issues are much too important for the Chilean voters to be left to decide for themselves... I don't see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its people," Kissinger said at the time.

More:
http://www.france24.com/en/20110127-chile-launch-first-probe-allendes-death#