Pinochet-era officer commits suicide in Chile

[emad]

GlobeandMail

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - Page A12

Santiago -- A retired army officer committed suicide yesterday, police said, after he was charged in the murders of six Communists during Chile's military dictatorship.

German Barriga Munoz was under investigation for human-rights violations committed during the 1973-1990 military dictatorship. Judge Juan Guzman Tapia, who has filed charges against former dictator Augusto Pinochet, was also investigating Mr. Barriga. In 1976, the six Communist Party leaders disappeared from military custody and are presumed to have been murdered. AFP

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050118/WORLD18N-1/TPInternational/Americas

[w4rma]

1. These bullies break down when they figure out they won't be living a life

of luxury and decadence but instead will be living a life in prison.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Doesn't it bother anyone when torture and murder are simply viewed

as "human rights violations?" My God! I wonder if these same actions, had any of them actually been employed by non-right-wing governments would have ALSO been called mere "human rights violations?"

Found a younger and an older photo of the man who just suicided.



German Barriga Munoz

I can't quickly grasp what's in this article accompanying the photos, but it appears to me that his victems were referred to as "socialists." I see a reference to the Villa Grimaldi, which, I believe was a torture center. If anyone can give a summary of this, it would be a real help. Thanks.

http://www.memoriaviva.com/culpables/criminales%20b/Barriga.htm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This story refers to a similar guy in the Argentinian "Dirty Wars," whom, as his family indicates, spent years in a deep depression, and fell into alcholism, before he confessed to his part in murders, and has recently denied his involvement:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1154404

Our Republican adminstrations fully supported these actions. There are declassified documents to inform anyone who wants to know more.

Chile, Nixon Kissinger:
http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB110/

Chile, declassified documents relating to the coup:
http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8i.htm

Argentina Dirty War (Kissinger): http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB104/

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. I'm just waiting for the usual trolls to appear

"Waaa waaa waaa what about the commies waaa waaa waaa Stalin killed more waaa waaa waaa..." You know the drill.

My guess is one pops up before post #20.

[emad]

5. 6/4ON fav.....

Other best guess is that Gen Pin himself will suddenly "do an Arafat" and never step inside the dock following a mysterious heart-attack-like affliction that despatches him to that great celestial welcome in the sky...

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. That's the difference between CONSCIENCE and COWARDICE

If it was conscience, he'd have done himself in years ago (and save us all a good deal of oxygen, water, and food) instead of ONLY WHEN HE WAS CAUGHT.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Oh, Kissinger...do not ask for whom the bell tolls...

[brainshrub]

7. According to Catholic tradition, suicide is a one-way ticket to hell and

Chilie is a very Catholic country.

The acts Munoz commited under Pinochet must have been so horrible that he didn't think his soul was worthy of salvation.

[gratuitous]

8. The court notes Mr. Munoz' entry of a guilty plea

And will take the matter under advisement before issuing its sentence.

Munoz "was charged in the murders of six Communists." I guess that sounds ever so much more palatable than "the murders of six human beings with whom he had a political and philosophical disagreement."

[David__77]

9. But not to mention the communists' affiliation does them a dishonor.

The Communist Party of Chile deserves its credit due for its heroic, and lonely struggle against the fascist Pinochet dictatorship. While others capitulated or fled, they fought on through those dark years. These martyred leaders gave their all for Chile.