World Notes CHILE

The government and the opposition both claimed victory, but democracy was the real winner last week as Chileans voted overwhelmingly to institute 54 reforms to the 1980 constitution. A lopsided majority of 85.7% of the voters approved the measures, which clear the way for an elected government. Among them: legalization of nonviolent Marxist parties, ratification of all international human-rights laws signed by the Chilean government, and a simplified process of enacting future reforms. Only 8.2% of the voters rejected the reforms, while a mere 6.3% abstained.

But Chileans still have their history to worry about. Fernando Matthei, the moderate commander in chief of the air force, hinted that a coup was possible if the opposition candidate ever makes good on his pledge to repeal the 1978 amnesty for crimes committed by the Chilean armed forces from 1973 to 1978. But after the opposition suggested that such a decision would be left to the "elected authorities," Matthei seemed mollified. Now many are hoping the exchange sets off a constructive dialogue between the armed forces and the opposition to defuse the issue before a new government is elected next December.