Moreover, Pinochet is prepared to do everything possible to prevent such a move. In an address to the nation Sunday as his government celebrated its 10th anniversary, he spoke pointedly about how firmly the military is behind his leadership. Still, more changes in the Pinochet government and how the military runs Chile are likely in the next year or so. Much depends on how the top military leadership reads the public mood. Many Chileans are exhausted by military rule, weakened by an economy with soaring unemployment.
Hunger now touches many people.
Pinochet seemed to recognize these problemswhen he pledged Sunday to cut back unemployment, which runs no less than 15 percent by government admission, but is as high as 25 percent according to government opponents. Still, in some sections of the country, the mood has turned ugly - to bitter anger against the military. This is particularly so in the poor communities around Santiago. In recent days, as more and more police action against demonstrators has taken place, charges of police brutality have grown. The military is losing a public relations war with civilians as a result - something that many retired army officers, in particular, have noted to their dismay.