A Haunting Anniversary
In the year marking the 50th anniversary of the 1973 military coup in Chile, the passing of Henry Kissinger seems strangely appropriate. This event, which saw the overthrow of democratically elected President Salvador Allende, signaled the end of a unique attempt to create a socialist society peacefully. Kissinger, as national security advisor to President Nixon, vehemently opposed Allende’s vision and actively destabilized the Chilean government. His fear of American hegemony being challenged led him to support the murderous regime of General Augusto Pinochet, even as human rights were flagrantly violated.
The Unforgotten
Today, 1,162 men and women who fought for justice in Chile still remain missing. While Kissinger is hailed by a shameless bipartisan elite in Washington, these victims of his policies have yet to find a final resting place. The contrast is stark: a memorable and regal funeral for Kissinger, while the desaparecidos are denied even a small plot of earth. As news of Kissinger’s death spread, thoughts turned to the countless casualties of his actions across the globe. Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor, Cyprus, Uruguay, Argentina – the list goes on. The Kurds betrayed, the apartheid regime bolstered, the Bangladeshi dead belittled.
A Dream of Justice
For years, there was a hope that Kissinger would face a court of law and answer for his crimes. In 2001, the opportunity arose when he was summoned by a French judge to speak on behalf of the disappeared. However, Kissinger chose to flee rather than defend his reputation. Other judges, from Spain, Argentina, and Chile, sought answers from him, but were met with silence. The dream of Kissinger in the dock faded with his passing.
A Call for Accountability
Yet, the need for justice remains. The court of public opinion must become the tribunal for Kissinger’s legacy. The disappeared of Chile and the forgotten dead of the nations he devastated with his realpolitik cry out for accountability. Rather than wishing for Kissinger to rest in peace, it is hoped that the ghosts of those he harmed will haunt his memory. The responsibility to listen to their voices falls upon the living, amidst the sea of praise and eulogies. Let us vow to never forget and demand justice for the victims of Kissinger’s actions.
Ariel Dorfman is the author of “Death and the Maiden” and “The Suicide Museum,” which delves into the death of Salvador Allende.